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What Mike Vrabel said of Robert Kraft’s latest snub from Pro Football Hall of Fame
"He's more than deserving, and he'll be in the Hall of Fame."
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — As Mike Vrabel and the Patriots prepare for Super Bowl LX against the Seahawks, plenty of the discourse surrounding New England over the past week has revolved around Canton, Ohio — instead of Santa Clara.
A week after ESPN reported that Bill Belichick would not be a first-year entrant in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that Patriots owner Robert Kraft would also not be voted into the Class of 2026.
Both Kraft and Bill Belichick were part of a five-man ballot looking to secure a gold jacket — alongside former players L.C. Greenwood, Roger Craig, and Ken Anderson. Kraft, 84, has been eligible for enshrinement into Canton since 2013, with 2026 being the first time that he advanced past the semifinal round.
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Speaking to reporters from the Patriots’ team hotel, Vrabel was asked of his reaction to Kraft once again not making the cut.
“I would just say that that’s unfortunate,” Vrabel said. “I would say that in my experiences with Robert — he’s more than deserving, and he’ll be in the Hall of Fame. I’m just not in charge of deciding when that happens. And so I appreciate the relationship that I’ve had with him as a player and now as a coach.
“He’s done everything that we’ve needed and has provided the support that we’ve needed as a staff and as a team. So I’m glad that he’s back here and continuing to help us do things that will help the team win and ultimately allow him to be recognized.”
Since Kraft took over as owner of the Patriots, New England has made the playoffs in 23 of his 32 years at the helm of the franchise, winning six Super Bowls and 20 division titles.
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If New England beats Seattle in Super Bowl LX, the Patriots will tie the Green Bay Packers for the most playoff wins in playoff history at 37.
The full Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be announced on Thursday during the NFL Honors event in San Francisco.
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