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SANTA CLARA- The steps of the Pro Football Hall of Fame will remain just out of reach for Robert Kraft for at least another year.

Despite a resume that includes six Super Bowl championships and the transformation of the New England Patriots from a struggling franchise into billion-dollar franchise, reports surfaced on Tuesday confirming that the 84-year-old owner did not receive the necessary votes for induction in the Class of 2026.

The news comes on the heels of the news last week that his longtime partner in excellence, Bill Belichick, also failed to make the cut in his first year of eligibility.

Kraft’s exclusion highlights the rigorous and often unpredictable nature of the Hall’s voting process. As the lone finalist in the Contributor category this year, he was part of a select group that included Belichick in the Coaching category and senior player finalists Ken Anderson, Roger Craig, and L.C. Greenwood. Under the Hall’s updated bylaws, the 50-person selection committee was tasked with choosing up to three individuals from this pool of five. To gain enshrinement, a candidate must secure at least 40 votes. While the specific tallies remain confidential, Kraft’s failure to hit that threshold suggests a lingering hesitation among voters, potentially fueled by past controversies like Spygate and Deflategate, or perhaps a debate over whether the credit for New England’s success belongs primarily to the players and coaches rather than the front office.

The timing of the report is interesting as the Patriots prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX. Kraft, who purchased the team in 1994, has presided over more Super Bowl appearances than any other owner in NFL history. His impact extends beyond the field, having served on 17 influential league committees and played a pivotal role in negotiating massive television contracts that have fueled the NFL’s financial explosion.

Commissioner Roger Goodell defended both Kraft and Belichick earlier this week, calling their contributions “spectacular” and expressing his belief that both are inevitable Hall of Famers.

For now, the Patriots’ owner finds himself in limbo alongside Belichick, the coach who presided over the Patriots dynasty. While the official Class of 2026 will be revealed this Thursday at the NFL Honors ceremony, the narrative has shifted from who is getting in to who was left out.

The “snub” has sparked widespread debate among fans and analysts who argue that a dynasty of such magnitude should not be ignored by the Hall’s gatekeepers. However, with Tom Brady’s eligibility approaching in 2028, some speculate that the committee may be waiting to induct the architects of the New England dynasty closer together, though that provides little comfort to a man who has clearly stated his desire for Canton recognition.