Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning failed to get elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, and it wasn’t particularly close.
Manning’s Hall of Fame case presents a fascinating contradiction. He ranks 11th in career passing yards (57,023), surpassing Hall of Famers John Elway, Warren Moon, Joe Montana, Johnny Unitas, Jim Kelly, and Steve Young. His 366 passing touchdowns place him 11th all-time, ahead of luminaries like Fran Tarkenton, Elway, Moon, Unitas, Montana, Kelly, Young, Dan Fouts, and Troy Aikman.
Most notably, Manning engineered two legendary Super Bowl victories, including the historic upset of the undefeated New England Patriots, earning Super Bowl MVP honors both times.
Yet his career statistics tell a more complex story. Over 236 games (234 starts), Manning compiled a perfectly mediocre 117-117 record. He threw 244 interceptions (12th all-time), never earned All-Pro honors, and failed to receive a single regular-season MVP vote during his 16-year career.
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Eli Manning didn’t make cut to final 10
NFL insider Ari Meirov reported that Manning’s candidacy faced significant opposition.
“I don’t expect the final numbers to be released, but from what I’m hearing, Eli Manning wasn’t remotely close to getting in this year,” Meirov posted on X.
I don’t expect the final numbers to be released, but from what I’m hearing, Eli Manning wasn’t remotely close to getting in this year. https://t.co/VIyNxpkRW1
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 7, 2025
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan confirmed Manning didn’t advance to the final ten candidates, a crucial step in the selection process.
“Still confident he eventually gets in. But he didn’t make the cut to the final 10 this year,” noted Raanan.
Giants legend Eli Manning did not make the Hall of Fame in his first try. In the end, not a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Still confident he eventually gets in. But he didn’t make the cut to the final 10 this year. #Giants #NFL
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) February 7, 2025
Manning will have to wait at least another year to join his brother Peyton in Canton. The Class of 2025 inductees include Jared Allen, Sterling Sharpe, Eric Allen, and Antonio Gates. With Sterling’s election, he and Shannon Sharpe become the first brothers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Related: ‘They lied to me’: New York Giants accused of breaking draft promise to All-Pro superstar