Bill Belichick Gets Needed NFL Legacy Boost With Hall Of Fame Decision

Bill Belichick’s NFL legacy is set in stone with six Super Bowl championships in 24 seasons as the head coach of the New England Patriots.

That legacy may be in the rearview mirror for many given the trajectory of Belichick’s work since he parted ways with New England following a 4-13 campaign in 2023. Belichick spent a year in football media, watched his relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson take center stage in the headlines and start a new chapter as the head coach of the North Carolina Tar Heels.

The 73-year-old clearly needed a win lately for some form of image restoration. He got that with an update from Canton, Ohio as Belichick moved forward with a group of 12 coaches in the next round of consideration for the 2026 class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His future enshrinement as a Hall of Famer is all but guaranteed for his unprecedented NFL success, but the timing of the announcement surely is a quick breath of fresh air for Belichick’s current image.

Belichick’s shift to college certainly hasn’t gone to plan as a makeshift roster from the transfer portal simply doesn’t have the talent to compete. North Carolina is just 2-4 to start the season while the program continues to gain bad press from the carnival of drama that’s followed Belichick from his Patriots departure.

Belichick is among more than 20 former Patriots under consideration for the 2026 class. For now, Belichick’s Tar Heels move forward on their ACC schedule when they host the No. 16 Virginia Cavaliers on Oct. 25.

More NFL: Colts Targeting Two-Time Super Bowl Champion Defender