Casillas took to X with a pointed call, arguing that Johnson should be just as vocal for Woodson as he was for Belichick, writing that certain cases deserve a similar level of conviction and visibility.
Woodson, a 12-year Cowboys staple and a cornerstone of Dallas’s 1990s dynasty, remains the franchise’s all-time leading tackler with 1,350. The longtime safety entered February 2025 as a finalist for the third time in 17 years of eligibility, only to come up short once more. Woodson has been candid that the experience is painful and difficult to endure.
Johnson’s public reaction to Belichick’s snub has been equally forceful, with the former Cowboys coach calling out the anonymous ballots and demanding accountability. He urged those who didn’t vote for Belichick to identify themselves, suggesting a “secret ballot” shield behind the controversy is unacceptable.
In the final 15 candidates for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, Woodson is joined by another Cowboys great, Jason Witten, who is on the ballot for the first time. The group also includes modern-era luminaries such as Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore, along with Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Adam Vinatieri, and Reggie Wayne. Woodson is now in his 18th year of eligibility with only two years remaining as a modern-era candidate before potentially moving to the Seniors category.
Induction decisions are expected to be announced in February, with the ceremony likely unfolding during NFL Honors in Super Bowl Week in San Francisco. The ongoing debate over Belichick’s and Woodson’s prospects highlights how long-standing legacies and vocal advocates can shape the Hall of Fame narrative as the class of 2026 is finalized.
