The Broncos covered two weeks ago, but Jarrett Stidham couldn’t do quite enough in the snow to have his moment. Sam Darnold outdueled Matt Stafford. So … I went 0-2 on picks, 1-1 vs the spread. … Stay away, Vegas.

That sets up today’s highly unexpected (at least back in August) Super Bowl rematch of XLIX 11 years ago … damn, that time has gone fast.

Patriots vs Seahawks (-4.5) – I didn’t expect either of these teams heading into the season to be in the mix for the big game. I’m not sure either of them are in the same class as, say, Patriots teams of the early 21st century or Chiefs teams of recent years. I do think Seattle is a little more ready for this. Coming off a four win season, I think New England probably would have considered just making the postseason a successful improvement. Drake Maye has had a great season and Mike Vrabel is a great coach. I suspect both will be back – though you can never assume anything, a la Dan Marino, 1984, getting there in his second year and never getting back.

Ultimately, I think I agree with most who say Seattle is the better team. More weapons, more seasoned, just … a little better all around. I don’t expect a high-scoring game. Kenneth Walker will have a solid day. Jaxon Smith-Njigba will make a few big plays. We could have a rare defensive MVP to this game. Either way, Seahawks win, Seahawks cover.

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Hall of Fame quarterback Sonny Jurgensen died at age 91 his family confirmed on February 6, 2026.

Jurgensen played 18 seasons in the NFL, spending his first seven years with the Philadelphia Eagles (1957-1963). He truly became a legend and earned a reputation as being one of the game’s all-time most gifted passers after being traded to Washington in 1964. He finished his career there 10 years later.

“Sonny Jurgensen is, and always will be, one of the defining legends of Washington football,” Commanders Managing Partner Josh Harris said in a statement. “He was a brilliant leader, Hall of Fame quarterback, and had one of the best arms the game has ever seen.”

A Hall of Fame Career

Jurgensen’s election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983 recognized a career built on precision, production and pure throwing ability. His credentials were impressive for his era, which was far less friendly to the passing game than today’s NFL: 255 career touchdown passes, 32,224 passing yards and a passer rating of 82.6.

What set Jurgensen apart was his consistency. He led the NFL in passing yards five times, including a remarkable 3,747 yards in 1967 and 3,102 in 1969. In an era dominated by running backs and brutal defenses, those totals represented rarely matched offensive firepower. He earned five Pro Bowl selections and one AP All-Pro honor during his career, according to Pro Football Reference.

Jurgensen won an NFL Championship with the Eagles in 1960, though he spent much of that season backing up Norm Van Brocklin. After the trade to Washington, he became the face of the franchise, thrilling fans with his ability to throw the ball downfield with touch and accuracy. His production earned a selection to the All-1960s Team.

His 4/1 output wasn’t stellar, but his Hall of Fame case rested on more than just numbers. Jurgensen represented a shift in how the quarterback position was played. He was a pure passer who could dissect defenses and put points on the board through the air. Later in his career he split time with Billy Kilmer. He helped Washington reach Super Bowl VII following the 1972 season, but missed the game with an achilles injury.

Beyond the Field

After retiring as a player in 1974, Jurgensen remained a fixture in Washington. He moved into the broadcast booth, where his voice became synonymous with the team for generations of fans. His analysis and commentary on radio and television kept him connected to the franchise for decades, shaping how fans experienced games long after his playing days ended.

“After his career on the field, Sonny’s voice became a fixture of Washington Sundays for decades, shaping the way generations of fans experienced the game,” Harris added. “He was the embodiment of the Burgundy and Gold: tough, smart, and endlessly devoted to this franchise and its fans.”

The family expressed pride and gratitude for Jurgensen’s long life. “We are enormously proud of his amazing life and accomplishments on the field, marked not only by a golden arm, but also a fearless spirit and intellect that earned him a place among the legends in Canton,” the statement read. “But to those of us who knew him beyond the stadium lights, he was the steady, humorous and deeply loving heart of our family.”

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The votes have been counted and yes, Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft were not voted into the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.

But QB Drew Brees, RB Roger Craig, WR Larry Fitzgerald, LB Luke Kuechly and K Adam Vinatieri did.

Craig was one of three finalists in the Senior/Coach/Contributor category. The others are modern-era candidates.

Other finalists who advanced to the final seven modern era candidates who, as part of the Hall of Fame’s new voting process, automatically advance to the finalist stage for the 2027 class are T Willie Anderson, Edge Terrell Suggs and G Marshal Yanda.

The selection process, which combines coaches, contributors and senior candidates, has drawn controversy this year due to the exclusion of Belichick and Kraft, who were seen by many as shoe-in candidates.

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Word has come out over the last few days that former Patriots coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft will not make the Hall of Fame this year.

Kraft has been eligible as a contributor for a while. Belichick is in his first year of eligibility. Both were expected to sail through the process this year, riding together into the glory of Canton, Ohio as a result of their long, successful tenure together – even though they seem to not like each other very much right now.

A funny thing happened along the way – both of them got caught up
in the Hall of Fame’s baffling new voting process, which combines
contributors, coaches and senior committee candidates into one pile and forces voters to choose no more than three of the five between them rather than giving them an up or down vote.

Along with the news that the Patriots’ duo has been left out has come some ridiculous ran response. Some have even suggested that those voters found to have left, at least Belichick, off their ballots should have their voting rights terminated.

That’s a bit ridiculous.

First off, the voters aren’t the problem here. The problem is the system.

I believe Belichick should be in. To the degree that I care, I believe he should be a first-ballot nominee. But there are reasons – some due to Belichick himself and some due to circumstance — I see as legitimate why folks are going the other way.

A couple of voters have come out with reasoning in their ballots. One of those reasons is the new HOF voting system. Forcing them to choose just three of the five lumped together candidates muddies the issue. One can believe, as I do, that Belichick is the most qualified of those five. That’s fine. I think Belichick should be in. But he also will have other chances.

The glut of legit senior candidates beyond this year’s trio means for this group, this is likely their last and only shot at this point. If someone was to tell me, they wanted to vote for Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and/or L.C. Greenwood in order to see them have their day, requiring Belichick to wait another year, I can’t fault them for that.

Craig had only three 1,000-yard rushing seasons, four Pro Bowls and one Associated Press First Team award in his 11 seasons, but he was ahead of his time in that the first seven years of his career he gained more than 1,100 yards from scrimmage when adding in receiving. In 1985, he became the first player to record 1,000 yards both rushing and receiving. Solid resume.

Anderson was mired on some bad teams, a la Jim Plunkett, but he had an AP MVP, four Pro Bowls and a First Team AP award in 1981 when he led the typically moribund Bengals to the Super Bowl. They didn’t win and he’s on the borderline, but he’s a credible candidate.

Greenwood, who passed away in 2013, had six Pro Bowls and two AP first team awards and unofficially had 78 sacks as a member of the Steel Curtain defense that helped the Steelers to four Super Bowls. He may not have achieved the level of glory reached by Mean Joe Greene or Jack Lambert, but he’s a legit candidate, as well.

Coaches and contributors come up and come back all the time. The Hall of Fame’s new voting system does these seniors a disservice not allowing the voters a yes-or-no on their candidacy. These players are borderline for a reason, but they deserve their time and opportunity.

Regarding Belichick, there also was the issue of a couple albeit minor scandals he was involved in during his coaching career in New England. They won’t – and shouldn’t – keep him out of the Hall. But requiring a year wait as a penalty? Not the end of the world. Certainly not cause to revoke voting privileges.

Along with that, Belichick may be paying the price for the change allowing coaches on to the ballot after sitting out just one season. Many, including some of those sitting in the virtual offices at Zoneblitz.com, think he still wants to come back and coach in the NFL again.

So, again, voters are allowed to have opinions that differ from the general public, the fan. Fans love their teams, their coaches, their players, and they should.

Voting for the Hall is different. The idea that a difference of opinion – one shared, mind you, by at least 11 voters, if Belichick and Kraft are, in fact, being left out — should permanently cost them their vote is ludicrous.

To get into the Hall, they need 40 of 50 votes or, if none of them reach 40, to be the highest vote getter of the bunch. That means at least 11 voters said no to both Belichick and Kraft. You want to replace more than 20 percent of the voters?

I’ve also heard folks say it should be the current HOFers voting on today’s candidates. Again, I disagree. Media members may not be the perfect representatives, especially if there is any truth to rumors that folks like Bill Polian are using the vote as a way to penalize former rivals. Grudges, egos and bias are a legit drawback, but I suspect if the players who are in are voting, they’ll prioritize friends and former teammates – in some cases that might work out, but in others … I think you’d find over time an even bigger issue with guys who deserve to be in left out and those who didn’t deserve it getting in. Who is going to remain more upset about that perceived cheap shot in a game in 1983? The media member watching from the press box? Or the HOFer who took the shot on the field?

I’m not sure you can find a perfect voting system. But the changes levied to the system a couple years ago to tamp down on large classes and ensure only the best of the best get in has gone too far the other direction.

But yes, at the end of the day, this is a systemic issue. The new rules were well-intentioned, but they aren’t quite right yet. This system seems to be blocking even the most legit candidates from getting in and it’s going to continue becoming a bigger deal the longer they keep these rules as more legitimate candidates get backlogged.

Getting 80 percent of the vote might have been too possible when it was a straight up-or-down vote, but it appears it’s clearly too hard under this one. It’s likely going to result in a smaller class again this year and it’s going to gum up classes in the near future, as well.

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I did a little better at picking winners last week, hitting three of four. Stupid Texans — CJ Stroud, ooof.

But it’s a good thing I’m not in Vegas right now. I’m 6-4 straight up, but only 3-7 against the spread. Oh well.

So, NFL Championship Sunday presents a couple of interesting games. I’m intrigued.

Sunday, January 25
Patriots (-4) at Broncos – I think I might be among only a handful not thinking the world is coming to an end with Bo Nix breaking his ankle. Don’t get me wrong, Nix is good. But this game was going to be a defensive dogfight even before the Broncos lost their QB. And while the young Drake Maye has been fantastic, this is a different kind of a spot for a young player, too. Jarrett Stidham is fairly highly regarded as a backup — of course his coach would say so, but Sean Payton says Stidham would start for at least a handful of teams in the league. I don’t think he’s going to wilt under pressure. Denver’s defense is still strong. Stidham will play serviceably, avoiding stupid mistakes and making a few plays, a la Jeff Hostetler for the Giants in 1990 and Nick Foles in 2017. RJ Harvey will have a game. The game will go well under the Vegas 43.5 total. Maybe it’s wishful thinking and delusion, but … the Broncos will win and cover.

Rams at Seahawks (-2.5) – Los Angeles was expected all along to be among the league’s top teams in 2025. Many “experts” picked them to go to or win the Super Bowl. Predictions for Seattle were a little more across the board. They’ve been great, but they, too, suffered a significant injury heading into the game — Zach Charbonnet, the pounder in the tandem with Kenneth Walker — tore his ACL last week. One could argue Walker will pick up that slack, but Seattle relies heavily on the run game to make sure Sam Darnold doesn’t have to do too much. The Seahawks had the top-ranked scoring defense on the season, but Matt Stafford and Co. put up 37 and 21 against them in splitting the first two meetings. Darnold has rejuvenated his career nicely the last couple years, but in this situation, I’m betting on the MVP and previous Super Bowl champ. Rams win and cover.

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Oof. Ugly week last week. Hit only three of six straight up and two of six against the spread.

Maybe it’s a good thing sports gambling isn’t legal here.

The divisional round is typically my favorite weekend of the NFL playoffs. The pretenders are usually out. There are usually four really good match-ups. This year is no different.

Saturday, Jan. 17
Bills at Broncos (-1.5) – This is the first time I can recall looking at the odds in various Vegas outlets and seeing spreads favoring each team. They ranged from about 1 to 1.5 in either team’s direction. The site I’m using for this favors Denver. My brother disagrees – last I heard he thought Josh Allen could overcome using TEs Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. I think I’m going the other way. The key differences here for me are that Buffalo struggles stopping the run and Buffalo’s already less-than-stellar receiving corps took a couple ACL hits last week. I think this is a big game for RJ Harvey, Denver’s rookie RB. Broncos win and cover.

49ers at Seahawks (-7) – San Francisco can’t get any love. Seattle is probably the better team, especially with the Niners still fighting back from injuries. But this is a rivalry game and Brock Purdy will keep this close. And if it stays close, I could see being more comfortable with Purdy than with Sam Darnold late. Ultimately, Seattle is starting to look like the team of destiny in the NFC a little bit. I do think they pull it off. Seahawks win. 49ers cover.

Sunday, Jan. 18 –
Texans at Patriots (-3.5) – I am hugely impressed with Houston’s defense, to the point where a skilled but less-than-great Texans offense doesn’t need to do much to win. I am a huge Drake Maye fan, but the Chargers held New England to 16 last week and that was only with a late TD. Texans win, Texans cover.

Rams (-4) at Bears – My picks wouldn’t have sucked nearly as much last week if Green Bay had held on to beat Chicago. Speaking of teams of destiny … the Bears have had a brilliant turnaround season this year. Caleb Williams looks like the real deal. But for most of the season, the general consensus was that the Rams were one of the league’s best teams. I think an extra day of rest and Matt Stafford’s veteran presence take over here, especially if they can get up early. They’re not giving up a 21-3 lead like the Packers did. Rans win, Rams cover.

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So, yeah, postseason is here. We’ve been getting away from pick and gambling segments, but I’m bored – so, what the hell.

Would love to see your picks below.

Saturday, Jan. 11
Rams (-10) at Panthers – This should be an exception to the division winners hosting wild card teams. You should need to win at least half your games. Carolina is … improving, but not that good. Rams could have been the top seed. Rams to win and cover.

Packers (-1.5) at Bears – I was surprised to see Green Bay as the favorite here, but I agree with it. They should have swept Chicago, but now don’t have to worry about trying to beat a team three times in a season. Bears are improving, but are young and I don’t think they’re quite there yet. Packers win and cover.

Sunday, Jan. 12
Bills at Jaguars (-1.5) – Saw a couple places predict that the Jaguars would blow out Buffalo. I don’t think it’ll be quite that much of a spread. But Jacksonville is hot and Buffalo is not. Josh Allen keeps them in it, but Trevor Lawrence stays hot and Travis Etienne exploits a struggling defense. Jaguars win and cover.

49ers at Eagles (-6) – There is no clear Super Bowl team in either conference this year, but if I was forced with a gun held at my head to pick one, I’d say Philadelphia turns it on. That said, San Francisco is legit. They were a bad draw. This is the game I’m most excited to watch this weekend. Eagles win. Niners cover.

Chargers at Patriots (-3.5) – I’m not confident in this one. New England is good, but young. Chargers are good, but flawed, especially with tackles hurt. I *think* the Patriots win this one, but I would not be surprised either way. Patriots win. Chargers cover.

Monday, Jan. 12
Texans (-3.0) at Steelers – Pittsburgh won a dog of a division. Aaron Rodgers will ensure this isn’t a complete blowout, but I believe in Houston’s defense and the offense has plenty of weapons, as long as CJ Stroud can avoid catastrophic mistakes. Texans win and cover.

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Nine of this year’s 15 modern-era finalists for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame are first- or second-year eligible players.

Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald highlight the list of first-year eligible candidates, which is rounded out by Frank Gore and Jason Witten.

Second-year eligibles up for enshrinement include Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Adam Vinatieri and Marshal Yanda.

The modern-era candidate list includes:

How many can be selected?

Players are eligible for modern era enshrinement if they have been out of the game between five and 20 years. The slate of candidates in the modern-era Players category will be considered when the Hall of Fame’s Selection Committee meets prior to Super Bowl LX. The Class of 2026 will be unveiled publicly Feb. 5 during the “NFL Honors presented by Invisalign” broadcast.

The Selection Committee may elect up to five modern-era Players for the Class of 2026; each must receive a minimum positive vote of 80 percent for election.

Five others – Senior category finalists Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood, Coaching category finalist Bill Belichick and Contributor candidate Robert Kraft – also are candidates for the 2026 class. They’ll be voted on separately, with a minimum of one and a maximum of three being elected under the Hall’s bylaws.

While there is no set number for any class of Enshrinees, the Hall of Fame’s current selection process bylaws stipulate that between four and eight new members shall be selected.

The Finalists in the Modern-Era Players category were determined by the Hall’s independent Selection Committee from a list that originated with 128 nominees. It was reduced two other times (to 52 nominees and to 26 Semifinalists) before the cut to the 15 Finalists.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 will be announced at “NFL Honors” in San Francisco in February and will be enshrined in August in Canton.

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The Pro Football Hall of Fame unveiled their list of 26 modern era players (the result of their being a tie for the 25th spot on the list) that are finalists to be inducted into the class of 2026 this morning.

On the list include:

QB Drew Brees – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
QB Eli Manning – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
QB Philip Rivers – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
RB Frank Gore – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
RB Fred Taylor – 7th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
WR Larry Fitzgerald – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
WR Torry Holt – 12th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
WR Steve Smith Sr. – 5th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
WR Hines Ward – 10th time as semifinalist
WR Reggie Wayne – 7th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
TE Jason Witten – 1st time as semifinalist, first year eligible
OL Willie Anderson – 6th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
OL Lomas Brown – 1st time as a semifinalist
OL Jahri Evans – 4th time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
OL Richmond Webb – 2nd time as semifinalist
OL Steve Wisniewski – 3rd time as semifinalist
OL Marshal Yanda – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
DL Robert Mathis – 5th time as semifinalist
DL Vince Wilfork – 5th time as semifinalist
DL Kevin Williams – 1st time as semifinalist
LB Luke Kuechly – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
LB Terrell Suggs – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025
DB Rodney Harrison – 5th time as semifinalist
DB Earl Thomas – 2nd time as semifinalist
DB Darren Woodson – 10th time as semifinalist
K Adam Vinatieri – 2nd time as semifinalist, Finalist in 2025

Lomas Brown and Kevin Williams are the only first time semifinalists that are not in their first year of eligibility.  The list was culled form a list of 128 nominees announced in September, and will now be cut to a group of 15 finalists later this year, before being debated along with Coaches, Contributor and Senior nominees in advance of Super Bowl LX.  Between four and eight new members will be elected, per the HOF bylaws, announced at NFL Honors show in February, and inducted in Canton next August.

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The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced their list of 12 Coach Candidates for the Class of 2026 today:

Bill Arnsparger: The kind of coach whose fingerprints are all over NFL history, even if most fans couldn’t pick him out of a lineup. A quiet mastermind, Arnsparger built defenses that wrecked game plans and won championships. He was the brains behind the Miami Dolphins’ “No-Name Defense” that dominated the early ’70s and delivered the NFL’s only perfect season. Years later, he came back to Miami and did it again, crafting the fearsome “Killer B’s” that tortured quarterbacks throughout the ’80s.

Head coaching stops with the Giants and LSU were part of the journey, but Arnsparger’s true legacy was as the ultimate defensive architect — a schemer whose calm sideline presence hid a ruthless football mind. Every time a defense punches above its talent, every time a unit wins with brains over star power, you’re seeing echoes of Bill Arnsparger. He wasn’t a household name — but to those who know the game, he’s one of the all-time greats.

Bill Belichick: Not just a coach, but frankly a football institution, even if Tom Brady went on to win another Super Bowl without him. The hooded mastermind behind the New England Patriots dynasty turned a once-middling franchise into a two-decade juggernaut, collecting six Super Bowl rings as a head coach and redefining what sustained excellence looks like in the NFL. Belichick built his empire on ruthless attention to detail, relentless adaptability, and an uncanny ability to turn overlooked players into essential pieces of championship teams.

His resume speaks for itself: 300-plus wins, nine Super Bowl appearances, and a defensive legacy that stretches back to his days scheming for Bill Parcells and the Giants. Love him or loathe him, Belichick has become the standard every other coach will be measured against, a football savant whose genius often lies in the simplest things, like taking away what you do best and making you beat him left-handed. He may never crack a smile at the podium, but between the lines, Belichick is the closest thing the NFL has ever had to a chess grandmaster.

Tom Coughlin: Never the flashiest coach on the sideline, and he didn’t care one bit. A throwback to an era when discipline ruled and details mattered, Coughlin built winners the old-fashioned way: with accountability, preparation, and a healthy dose of toughness. He first made noise turning the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars into an AFC contender practically overnight in the late 1990s, but his true legacy was forged in New York, where he led the Giants to two stunning Super Bowl upsets over Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Coughlin’s teams were a reflection of their coach: gritty, resilient, and unshakable in the biggest moments. His Giants weren’t supposed to beat the undefeated 2007 Patriots, but they did. They weren’t supposed to climb out of a midseason hole in 2011, but they did that too. Along the way, Coughlin evolved from a strict taskmaster to a respected leader whose players would run through walls for him. He may not have Belichick’s mystique or Shula’s win total, but when the lights were brightest, Tom Coughlin’s teams were ready, and they finished.

Alex Gibbs: One of the most influential offensive line coaches the NFL has ever seen, even if his name never dominated headlines. A fiery teacher and relentless perfectionist, Gibbs revolutionized the way teams run the football by popularizing the zone-blocking scheme that became the backbone of dominant rushing attacks in Denver, Atlanta, and beyond. His system turned late-round picks and undrafted backs into 1,000-yard rushers, most famously transforming Terrell Davis from a sixth-rounder into a Super Bowl MVP and Hall of Famer.

Gibbs was as demanding as he was brilliant, known for his blunt coaching style and obsession with precision. His fingerprints are still all over modern NFL offenses, where zone concepts are now foundational elements of the run game. He never became a household name like some head coaches, but among linemen, coordinators, and offensive minds, Alex Gibbs is spoken of with near-reverence.

Mike Holmgren: One of the defining offensive minds of the modern NFL, a master play-caller and quarterback whisperer who helped shape an entire generation of football. Rising from Bill Walsh’s coaching tree, Holmgren carried the West Coast offense into a new era, first as offensive coordinator in San Francisco, where he helped guide Joe Montana and Steve Young, and then as head coach in Green Bay, where he and Brett Favre brought the Packers back to glory with a Super Bowl title in the 1996 season.

Holmgren’s teams were disciplined, balanced, and always dangerous through the air. After Green Bay, he turned around the Seattle Seahawks, building them into a perennial contender and taking them to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. Known for his calm authority and sharp offensive mind, Holmgren left a mark that goes beyond wins and losses. His coaching tree produced stars like Andy Reid, Jon Gruden, and Steve Mariucci, and his fingerprints are still visible in the way the passing game is played today. Few coaches were better at molding quarterbacks and orchestrating elite offenses, and Mike Holmgren did both at a championship level.

Chuck Knox: The epitome of an old-school football coach, a tough, no-nonsense leader whose teams reflected his gritty personality. Nicknamed “Ground Chuck” for his run-heavy, physical offensive style, Knox built winners everywhere he went, turning around struggling franchises and instilling a culture of discipline and toughness. He first made his mark with the Los Angeles Rams in the 1970s, leading them to five straight division titles. Later, he revived the Buffalo Bills and then transformed the Seattle Seahawks into playoff contenders, guiding them to the AFC Championship Game in just his second season.

Knox wasn’t known for flashy schemes or headline-grabbing quotes. He believed in pounding the football, controlling the line of scrimmage, and playing smart, hard-nosed defense. His approach worked, delivering 186 career wins and three NFL Coach of the Year awards. More importantly, he earned the respect and loyalty of his players, who trusted his steady hand and no-excuses mentality. Chuck Knox never won a Super Bowl, but his impact on the game was undeniable. He was a builder, a stabilizer, and one of the most respected leaders of his era.

Buddy Parker: One of the most innovative and overlooked coaches of the NFL’s early era, a sharp offensive mind who helped shape the modern passing game. Known for his creativity and willingness to challenge convention, Parker led the Detroit Lions to back-to-back NFL championships in 1952 and 1953 and nearly a third in 1954. He wasn’t afraid to shake things up, as he made bold roster moves, trusted quarterbacks to throw more than most coaches of his time, and embraced the kind of offensive balance that was rare in the 1950s.

Parker also left his mark with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he coached for eight seasons and laid the groundwork for the team’s future success. He was fiery, unpredictable, and fiercely competitive, even resigning abruptly before the 1957 season because he felt the team wasn’t good enough. Parker never received the Hall of Fame recognition many believe he deserves, but his forward-thinking approach and championship pedigree make him one of the most influential coaches of the league’s formative years.

Dan Reeves: the definition of a football lifer as a player, assistant coach, and head coach whose fingerprints are all over decades of NFL history. A former running back for the Dallas Cowboys, Reeves won a Super Bowl as a player and two more as an assistant under Tom Landry before becoming one of the league’s most successful head coaches. He led the Denver Broncos to three Super Bowls in the 1980s, helped revive the New York Giants in the 1990s, and guided the Atlanta Falcons to their first-ever Super Bowl appearance in 1998.

Reeves was known for his toughness, consistency, and ability to build winning teams wherever he went. His offenses were balanced and disciplined, and his teams were always prepared to compete at the highest level. While a Super Bowl championship as a head coach eluded him, his 190 career wins rank among the most in NFL history, and his impact on the game is undeniable. Dan Reeves didn’t just coach football, he lived it–and left behind a legacy built on perseverance, leadership, and a lifetime dedicated to the sport.

Marty Schottenmeimer: One of the most respected coaches of his generation, a leader who built winners everywhere he went and did it his way. Known for his hard-nosed, run-first approach dubbed “Martyball,” he emphasized discipline, defense, and controlling the clock. His teams were always tough, physical, and well-prepared, and they almost always won. Schottenheimer posted 200 regular-season victories, a mark that puts him among the NFL’s all-time leaders, and he led the Browns, Chiefs, and Chargers to consistent playoff appearances over three decades.

What Schottenheimer’s resume lacked was the one thing critics never let him forget: a Super Bowl ring. His teams often stumbled in January, but that shouldn’t overshadow his legacy. Few coaches have ever been as successful over such a long period, and few were as beloved by their players. Marty Schottenheimer built teams that played with heart, toughness, and purpose, and his impact on the game still echoes through the coaches and players he influenced.

George Seifert: One of the most successful and possibly underrated head coaches in NFL history, a man who kept one of football’s great dynasties rolling. After years as a defensive assistant under Bill Walsh, Seifert took over the San Francisco 49ers in 1989 and didn’t miss a beat, winning the Super Bowl in his first season as head coach. He added another championship in 1994 and finished his 49ers tenure with an astounding .766 winning percentage, one of the best marks ever.

Seifert wasn’t a flashy personality and rarely sought the spotlight, which is part of why his legacy is often overlooked. But his teams were disciplined, explosive, and relentlessly consistent. He guided San Francisco to five division titles and never had a losing season with the franchise. A later stint with the Carolina Panthers was less successful, but it doesn’t change the fact that George Seifert won more games in his first eight seasons than any coach in NFL history. Quiet and steady, he was the perfect steward of a dynasty and a big part of why the 49ers remained dominant well into the 1990s.

Mike Shanahan: One of the most innovative offensive minds of his era and the architect of one of the NFL’s most explosive dynasties. Best known for his time with the Denver Broncos, Shanahan turned John Elway’s late career into a golden era, winning back-to-back Super Bowls in the 1997 and 1998 seasons. His offenses were precise, balanced, and deadly, built around a devastating zone-blocking run game and a play-action passing attack that kept defenses guessing. Under his watch, players like Terrell Davis flourished, and Denver became one of the league’s most feared teams.

Shanahan’s coaching career extended beyond Denver with stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, and his influence continues to shape the modern game. His offensive philosophy has become the foundation for many of today’s most successful systems, carried forward by a coaching tree that includes his son Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, and Matt LaFleur. Mike Shanahan’s teams were smart, physical, and explosive, and his legacy as a two-time champion and offensive innovator is secure among the NFL’s coaching greats.

Clark Shaughnessy: One of the true pioneers of modern football, a visionary strategist whose ideas helped transform the game from its grind-it-out roots into the dynamic, tactical sport it is today. Best known for popularizing the T-formation with man-in-motion, Shaughnessy’s innovations revolutionized offensive football and laid the foundation for much of what teams still run today. His influence was felt most famously with the Chicago Bears in the early 1940s, when his schemes helped turn George Halas’s team into a powerhouse that crushed opponents and redefined offensive possibilities.

Shaughnessy also made his mark at the college level, most notably at Stanford, where he orchestrated one of the great turnarounds in college football history by taking a 1-7 team to an undefeated Rose Bowl season in 1940. Brilliant, demanding, and endlessly creative, he was often years ahead of his time, introducing concepts like shifting formations and disguised intentions that are now standard parts of the game. Clark Shaughnessy might not be a household name today, but football as we know it wouldn’t exist without his innovations.

In all, twelve candidates for one spot, with several on the list that are probably deserving, although Belichick has to be considered the front runner, unless the voters hold off to vote him in with Brady (and/or if they’re not convinced he’s done in the NFL yet).  Leave us your thoughts below.

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