For 20 years, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick stood as the undisputed pillars of the greatest dynasty in NFL history, a partnership that yielded six Super Bowl titles and redefined standards of professional excellence. Brady famously summarized their relationship during his Patriots Hall of Fame induction, saying, “It wasn’t me, it wasn’t you, it was us.”
That unified front was tested this week when the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s selection committee denied Belichick a first-ballot entry into the Class of 2026, a decision that prompted a blistering defense from his former quarterback. Reacting to the news during a Wednesday appearance on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk, Brady didn’t hold back, calling the committee’s decision “completely ridiculous.”
While Belichick will almost certainly find his way to Canton eventually, Brady’s vocal frustration ensures the 2026 cycle will be remembered for the glaring absence of the man who helped him build an unmatched legacy.
Here’s more on the quarterback’s reaction to the shocking news.
MORE: Why Bill Belichick isn't a first-ballot Hall of Famer after controversial vote
Tom Brady calls out Hall of Fame for Bill Belichick snub
A day after the news came out, Brady publicly called the decision ridiculous on his radio appearance. The former quarterback went on to say "If he’s not a first ballot hall of famer then there’s really no coach who should ever be a first ballot Hall of Famer.”
Tom Brady on Bill Belichick:
— Savage (@SavageSports_) January 28, 2026
🎥: @SeattleSports
“I don’t understand it.”
“If he’s not a first ballot hall of famer then there’s really no coach who should ever be a first ballot hall of famer.”
Pic.twitter.com/Bk993MGypG
"There's no coach I'd rather play for," Brady said. "If I'm picking one coach to go out there to win a Super Bowl, give me one season, I'm taking Bill Belichick. That's enough said."
Brady went on to say there will be plenty of support when the coach is finally inducted into the Hall of Fame.
"He's going to get into the Hall of Fame, in the end I'm not worried about that," he said. "We'll all be there to celebrate him when it does happen. He's going to have a huge turnout from so many players, coaches that appreciated everything that he did and the commitment that he made to winning, and the impact he had on all our lives."
During their two decades in New England, the duo reached heights that most franchises don't achieve in a century. Together, they won six Super Bowls in nine appearances, 17 AFC East titles, 13 AFC Championship Game appearances and 30 postseason wins. The two had 19 consecutive winning seasons and the only 16-0 regular season in NFL history. During their time together, they maintained a staggering.769 winning percentage.
Personally, Brady tallied three MVP awards, four Super Bowl MVPs, three first-team All-Pros and 14 Pro Bowl selections during his time in New England.
MORE: Who didn't vote for Bill Belichick?
Robert Kraft reaction to Bill Belichick snub
The Patriots owner also chimed in on the topic, releasing a statement to the Associated Press calling Belichick "the greatest coach of all time and he unequivocally deserves to be a unanimous first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer.”
Robert Kraft on the reported omission of Bill Belichick for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame:
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 28, 2026
“Whatever perceptions may exist about any personal differences between Bill and me, I strongly believe Bill Belichick’s record and body of work speak for themselves. As head…
Kraft’s is also a finalist for the Class of 2026 in the Contributor category. He emphasized that Belichick "set the standard for on-field excellence" and argued that personal feelings should never outweigh a resume that includes six Super Bowl titles as a head coach.