The Pro Football Hall of Fame made a notable change to its eligibility policy for coaches last week.
Previously, coaches had to wait until five years after they left the NFL to be eligible for the Hall of Fame. Under the new policy, coaches only have to wait one year until they are eligible for Canton.
That’s a notable development for former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, who is without a team this fall. If Belichick does not return to coaching before next season, he will be eligible for the 2026 class. (It’s still possible that Belichick could return to coaching, though.)
With Belichick still not eligible for at least another year, former Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan should remain a strong candidate for the 2025 class. The Hall of Fame has also separated the “coach” and “contributor” categories, which could improve Shanahan’s chances.
Previously, those categories were combined and up to two candidates were elected each year, so it was possible for two “contributors” and no coaches to be elected in a class. Now one coach and one contributor can make it in with each class.
Shanahan, a three-time Super Bowl champion, won back-to-back titles as a head coach with the Broncos. Elements of his offense (and many disciples from his coaching tree) are still seen across the league today. Sean Payton, Denver’s current coach, has said Shanahan should already be in Canton.
