​Sep 20, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) talks with owner Robert Kraft before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn ImagesRobert Kraft has earned a spot on the short list for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The New England Patriots owner is one of five people chosen as contributor candidates. This news broke on Wednesday from Canton, Ohio, according to CBS News. It also features Doug Williams, the first Black quarterback to start in a Super Bowl; the late Virginia McCaskey, longtime owner of the Chicago Bears; longtime NFL executive John Wooten; and former Canton Bulldogs owner Ralph Hay rounds out the group.These five names came from a larger field of 42 nominees. A subcommittee made the final cut to narrow the field. Now the real work begins for the full selection committee. They will pick one contributor from this group to move forward. The process aims to find the best fit for the 2027 class.The Path to CantonThe road to the Hall of Fame is strict and gets harder each step. The full list of candidates will grow to 15 people total. This group will include one contributor, one coach, and 13 players. The committee will then cut the list down to 10 names. After that, they will reduce it to just seven finalists. All 15 candidates start in the same category to ensure fair play.A 25-person selection committee will cast the final votes. They can choose up to six people to enter the Hall. But the rules are tough. A candidate needs 80% support to get in. This high bar means the final class will likely have five or six members. It could range from three to seven, but five or six is the most common result.Kraft’s Legacy and the CompetitionRobert Kraft has owned the Patriots since 1994. Six Super Bowls have been won by his teams, with five additional appearances made. He was denied selection despite being a finalist for the class of 2026. His case is strong, yet the competition is stiff. In a 42-10 Super Bowl victory, Doug Williams threw four touchdown passes. He was the MVP of that game and a 17th overall draft pick in 1978.Virginia McCaskey ran the Bears from 1983 until she died in 2025 at age 102. Her team won one Super Bowl and played in another. John Wooten played in the NFL and then worked in scouting for nearly 30 years. He has led the Fritz Pollard Alliance since 2003. Ralph Hay hosted the NFL’s first meeting in his car dealership back in 1918.For Patriots fans, this is a huge moment for the franchise. It validates the years of success under Kraft’s leadership. The Hall of Fame changed its rules this year. They now allow consideration of players and coaches who also made off-field contributions. This shift helps Kraft’s case since he built a dynasty while running the business side.The selection committee meets in early 2027 to name the new class. Fans will watch closely to see if Kraft finally gets his ring. The Patriots are st