A change to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s eligibility bylaws could fast-track Bill Belichick’s inevitable induction.

The Hall of Fame on Friday announced it was cutting the mandatory post-retirement waiting period for coaches from five seasons to one.

Because the selection process for next year’s Hall of Fame class already is underway, Belichick is not eligible for induction in 2025, according to multiple reports. But the legendary former Patriots coach could receive his gold jacket and bust in Canton as early as 2026.

Had the previous waiting period still been in effect, Belichick would have been ineligible for Hall of Fame consideration until 2029. Given his unparalleled resume — eight Super Bowl championships, including six as head coach with New England — he’ll undoubtedly be a first-ballot inductee.

That timeline could be delayed, however, if Belichick is hired by another team ahead of the 2025 NFL season. He interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons after parting ways with the Patriots this offseason but lost out on that job to Raheem Morris.

Rather than coaching this season, Belichick will work as an analyst for several media companies, including gigs with ESPN, “Inside the NFL” and Underdog Fantasy. He is 14 wins shy of Don Shula’s all-time record.

Under the new rules, only one head coach can be elected to the Hall of Fame each year. Pete Carroll, whose highly successful run with the Seattle Seahawks ended in January, also will be eligible in 2026 but might need to wait his turn behind Belichick if both do not land new coaching jobs.