Patriots owner Robert Kraft passed over for 2023 Hall of Fame selection

Patriots owner Robert Kraft will have to wait at least another year to write his Hall of Fame speech.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter announced Wednesday that former Chargers offensive maestro Don Coryell was selected as the coach/ contributor finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023.

Kraft was aiming to become just the 16th team owner to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and the first since Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in 2017.

Since purchasing the Patriots in 1994, Kraft has helmed a franchise that has seen an unparalleled era of success in the NFL. The Patriots have won 6 championships during the Kraft era, tied for most in NFL history, and 10 of their 11 total Super Bowl appearances have been while under the thumb of the Brookline native.

Although Coryell never reached a Super Bowl, the Chargers and Cardinals head coach had a transcendent impact on the offensive side of football. His famous “Air Coryell” offense took advantage of a 1978 rule change that restricted defensive backs from making contact more than 5 yards downfield. The Chargers were one of the first teams to ingrain deep passes into their playbook and with Hall of Fame QB Dan Fouts under center, Coryell’s offenses often touted aerial displays fans now see as commonplace. Coryell took the Charges to the playoffs each of his first four years in San Diego, including AFC Championship Game appearances in 1980 and 1981.

The coach or owner finalist for any given year is picked by a committee and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame pending at least 80 percent approval from a panel of Hall of Fame voters in January.

Kraft’s next opportunity will come in 2024.

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