Patriots dynasty keeps getting overlooked by Pro Football Hall of Fame voters

Even though his résumé speaks for itself, Adam Vinatieri was not among the four modern-era finalists voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. The 52-year-old, who won four Super Bowls over the course of his career and is a member of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary Team, failed to garner the necessary 80 percent of the vote in his first year of eligibility.

Vinatieri remaining on the outside looking in puts him in good company not just in regards to his fellow 2025 finalists. He now also finds himself among other key members of the New England Patriots’ dynasty not getting much love from the Hall of Fame voters.

While long-time Patriots Ty Law and Richard Seymour recently made the cut, as did short-time Patriots Randy Moss and Darrelle Revis, the most successful run in NFL history lacks additional Hall of Fame representation. Some of it has to do with its relative recency, but a lack of suitable candidates does not seem to be the problem.

Four names stand out among the rest in that regard.

Patriots dynasty Hall of Fame snubs

Rodney Harrison: A tone-setter for the first half of the New England dynasty, Harrison is a two-time world champion, three-time All-Pro and member of the Patriots Hall of Fame. He also has one of the most distinguished careers of any defensive back in NFL history: he is the all-time leader in defensive back sacks, the No. 1 tackler in Super Bowl history, and one of only two players — the other being Hall of Famer Ray Lewis — with both 30 career sacks and 30 career interceptions.

Robert Kraft: Even though the direct contributions from ownership pale in comparison to players’ and coaches’, Kraft has been as impactful and successful an owner as any in recent NFL history. Not only did he prevent the Patriots from leaving for St. Louis, he also hoisted six Lombardi Trophies — more than any other individual owner —, helped resolve the 2011 labor dispute, and helped grow the game as a powerful committee member. Aggressive lobbying has reportedly hurt his case, but that does not change the that fact he should get in.

Adam Vinatieri: Quite possibly the greatest kicker of all time, and certainly the one with the most impressive highlight reel, Vinatieri is a four-time Super Bowl winner who is the NFL’s all-time leading scorer. Like the aforementioned Harrison and Kraft, he is a pivotal figure in the early Patriots dynasty. For more on why Vinatieri making the Hall of Fame should be an easy decision, please click here.

Vince Wilfork: One of the best defensive tackles of his era, Wilfork was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams and recognized as a five-time All-Pro. The fact that he played a comparatively low-profile position in an era where early-down run stoppers had a bigger value than today works against him. His body of work and role in connecting the first and second halves of the Patriots dynasty, however, make him a deserving candidate even though his chances appear to be lower than Harrison’s, Kraft’s and Vinatieri’s.

Next Patriots to make the Hall of Fame

While the jury is still out on the candidacies of Harrison, Kraft, Vinatieri and Wilfork, the Patriots will soon add to their currently 12 Hall of Famers.

Bill Belichick, the team’s head coach for 24 years and all six of its Super Bowl wins, becomes eligible in the coaching category next year; he is effectively guaranteed to make it in on first try. One or more of the group above joining him next year could also happen in the wake of Belichick’s accomplishments getting revisited by voters.

Other first-timers emerging in 2026 are Julian Edelman and Stephen Gostkowski, although neither appears to have particularly good chances. Edelman lacks the regular season numbers, while Gostkowski making it in before Vinatieri seems like a stretch.

2027 and 2028, on the other hand, will bring two more first ballot candidates: Rob Gronkowski and Tom Brady, the greatest tight end and quarterback in league history, will be enshrined in those respective years.