In time, the dynasty-era Patriots will force the Hall’s hand. Rob Gronkowski becomes Hall eligible in 2027. Tom Brady will become a first-ball Hall of Famer a year later. Bill Belichick is another lock, just like Brady. Fringe candidates like Stephen Gostkowski and Julian Edelman will be up for consideration next year.

They have been considered by a Hall of Fame committee a grand total of 13 times, including this year, but has failed to make it further than that stage every time.