Can Hall of Fame voters really risk denying Tom Brady first ballot status after the backlash over Bill Belichick?

Tom Brady has seven Super Bowl rings, endless records, and a career most players can only dream of. So asking whether he could ever be denied a first-ballot spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame sounds strange. But this question is now being asked for one clear reason. The Hall’s recent decision not to vote in Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft on their first try shocked many people across the NFL world.

Together, they helped build the New England Patriots into a dynasty that won six Super Bowls. Still, both fell short of enough votes for the Class of 2026. Because of that decision, a new debate has started. If voters could delay Belichick and Kraft, could they also delay Brady when he becomes eligible in 2028? It feels unlikely, but after this week, nothing feels impossible.

Tom Brady’s Hall of Fame case and why experts say voters won’t risk another backlash

The reaction around Super Bowl LX week has been loud and emotional. Former Patriots star Rob Gronkowski openly criticized the Hall while speaking to Front Office Sports on Radio Row.

“Coach Belichick needs to be in the Hall of Fame, and it needed to be a first ballot,” Gronkowski said. “Now there’s no such thing as a first ballot Hall of Fame coach. No other coach ever in history should go first ballot.”

Brady’s resume, however, stands on its own. He is a three-time NFL Most Valuable Player. He leads the league in career touchdown passes with 649 and passing yards with 89,214. He is also the only player in league history to win five Super Bowl MVP awards.

Even so, the secrecy of Hall voting has made some people nervous. That concern came up during a Radio Row conversation with Mina Kimes of NFL Live.

“Imagine being the guy who doesn’t vote for Tom Brady,” Kimes said. “It’s ludicrous. So I think he’ll be fine.”

Mike Florio, founder of ProFootballTalk, believes the recent controversy may actually protect Brady.

“After the blowback to Belichick not getting in, they’re not going to keep Tom Brady out,” Florio said. “I hope they’ve learned the lesson about guys who are clear, no-brainer, first ballot Hall of Famers.”

On First Take, Stephen A. Smith warned that rejecting Brady would damage the Hall’s trust forever.

“If you can’t have Tom Brady up in there as a first-ballot Hall of Famer, the credibility of the institution goes right out the window,” Smith said.

Brady himself reacted calmly. While speaking with Colin Cowherd, he joked about the situation.

“Maybe it’s not trending so well for ex-Patriots,” Brady said. “But I think at some point this thing is going to go in everybody’s direction the right way.”


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