Patriots
The waiting period for coaches has been shortened from five years to one year.
The Pro Football Hall-of-Fame has announced revisions to its bylaws that will reduce the waiting period for candidates in the coach category from five years out of the game to one year.
That means Bill Belichick, who stepped down in January and has not secured another coaching job since, will be eligible several years sooner than he would have been otherwise.
He would have had to wait until 2029 under the old rules.
Belichick won’t be eligible for the Class of 2025 because the selection process has already begun, Pro Football Talk reports.
But, Belichick could be enshrined as soon as 2026 if he does not accept another coaching job before then. The clock will reset if Belichick takes another job.
Belichick is second behind Don Shula for most wins as a head coach in NFL history. He has an NFL record eight Super Bowl wins – six as coach of the Patriots and two as an assistant coach with the Giants.
Sign up for Patriots updates🏈
Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during football season.