10 Reasons NY Giants’ Eli Manning Belongs in the Hall of Fame

Eli Manning, the NY Giants’ two-time Super Bowl MVP, deserves a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame as soon as he becomes eligible. 

Eli Manning will go down as the greatest quarterback in NY Giants franchise history.

He is a New York sports icon that brought the city two remarkable championships. When it is time for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 48-person Selection Committee to vote for the HOF class of 2025, Eli should be one of the players selected.

According to the new Hall of Fame selection rules, there is no set number of new enshrinees, but between four and eight new members will be selected each year. Notable players that become eligible the same year as Eli include Luke Kuechly, Marshal Yanda, and Eric Weddle.

Eli Manning should receive more than the 80% positive vote threshold that is required to be inducted. Eli will get that special moment with the Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker when it is his time. Hopefully, it will be recorded. Those moments are the best:

Here’s a look at 10 reasons why NY Giants legend Eli Manning belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Reason #1: Eli Manning’s 117-117 career record is not indicative of his overall performance:

Some will say that Eli Manning’s .500 record is “perfectly Eli.”

There is a multitude of reasons why this statement is unfair. Despite having a mediocre career regular-season record, Eli’s career was anything but average.

Manning’s career playoff record should count in the final tally. Manning went 8-4 in the playoffs, outplaying some of the greatest QBs and teams of all time (we will get to that more later). His 2-0 Super Bowl record should count for more too.

The Giants have had one winning season since 2012 and did not surround Eli with nearly enough talent during that time period. From 2012 to 2017, the NY Giants drafted David Wilson, Justin Pugh, OBJ, Ereck Flowers, Eli Apple, and Evan Engram in the first round.

Beckham turned out to be spectacular, but every other first-rounder underperformed with the NY Giants for different reasons.

During the latter half of Eli’s career, Manning was cursed with some of the worst offensive lines in football. From 2013 to 2018, his offensive lines were ranked by PFF like this:

2013: 28th

2014: 20th

2015: 20th

2016: 20th

2017: 26th

2018: 21st

The NY Giants’ leading rushers during that time period were Andre Brown, Andre Williams, Rashad Jennings, Rashad Jennings, and Orleans Darkwa. The only elite player on offense that Eli had at his disposal from 2013 to 2017 was Odell Beckham Jr.

With Prime OBJ and little else, Manning was able to lead top 10 offenses in 2014 and 2015. Why didn’t Eli have winning records during those seasons? The defense was atrocious. The defense ranked 22nd in 2014 and 30th in 2015.

Finally, when Manning was surrounded by good enough talent (from 2005 to 2012), Eli’s record was 77-51. His offenses’ rankings during those seasons:

2005: 3rd
2006: 11th
2007: 14th
2008: 3rd
2009: 8th
2010:7th
2011: 9th
2012: 6th

Manning shouldn’t be thought of as a .500 quarterback.

Besides, Joe Namath (62-63-4) and Sonny Jurgenson (69-73-7) have worse regular-season records than Eli, and they are in the Hall. A .500 record should be looked at much more kindly when you consider the talent Manning played with during the 2nd half of his career.

Reason #2: Eli Manning is one of the greatest postseason quarterbacks of all time:

There have been only three instances of a starting QB beating three 13-win teams in a single postseason: Eli Manning (2011), Eli Manning (2007), and Ben Roethlisberger (2005).

Manning’s 8-4 record playoff doesn’t tell the whole story. Even Manning’s 15 touchdowns and 2 interceptions in the playoffs won’t paint the entire picture. His playoff record includes wins over Tom Brady (twice), Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre, Tony Romo, Matt Ryan, Alex Smith, and an all-time great 2011 San Fransisco defense. All of Manning’s playoff wins were on the road, except one.

Manning was able to take down some of the greatest quarterbacks and coaches of all time, at the peak of their powers. In 2008, he triumphed over the ultimate football Goliath when he beat the 18-0 New England Patriots.

He outplayed the greatest quarterback of all time in that game. In the minds of Hall of Fame voters, that Super Bowl win should count extra.

Another Super Bowl win that should count extra should be the one in 2012.  Manning outplayed Brady for a second time in that game, on his way to winning his second Super Bowl MVP. Not only did Manning outplay Brady, but the NY Giants’ QB outclassed Bill Belichick for the second time.

Belichick, the greatest defensive mastermind the game has ever seen, was no match for Eli in Super Bowl 46.

Taking away Manning’s favorite target from that season, Victor Cruz, did not impact the effectiveness of Manning. Manning simply found Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks, going 30 for 40 for 296 yards despite any adjustments made by the former NY Giants defensive coordinator.

Another Goliath defeated by Manning was the 2011 Packers. 2011 NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers was supposed to cruise through the playoffs that year. That 15-1 Packers team had arguably the greatest offense of all time. With Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver, Randall Cobb, James Jones, and Jermichael Finley catching passes, an elite offensive line, and Pro Bowl fullback John Kuhn, the Packers were a juggernaut. Rodgers had plenty of weapons to play with.

Aaron Rodgers was no match for 2011 Eli Manning.

Manning sealed the deal before half-time when he threw a beautiful Hail Mary with no time left in the second quarter. Manning beat Rodgers at his own game.

The following week he beat another team chock full of Pro Bowlers, this time on the defensive side. The 2011 49ers had eight Pro Bowlers on defense that season including inside linebacker Patrick Willis, safety Dashon Goldson, cornerback Carlos Rogers, defensive tackle Justin Smith, linebacker NaVorro Bowman, linebacker Ahmad Brooks, defensive tackle Ray McDonald,  and safety Donte Whitner.

Many will argue that this win over San Francisco was Manning’s greatest ever performance. He was sacked 6 times and hit 20 times. It seemed like his shoulder pads were crooked or he was looking out of the ear hole of his helmet every other play.

Including the performance vs. the 49ers in the 2011 NFC Championship, Manning has five game-winning drives in the playoffs on his resume. This ties him with Joe Montana for 3rd all-time. He only trails Tom Brady and John Elway in playoff game-winning drives.

Manning has more playoff wins than Johnny Unitas, Steve Young, and Fran Tarkenton. His 67% playoff win percentage beats Peyton Manning, Roger Staubach, Aaron Rodgers, and Jim Kelly. Additionally, in beating Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau Field, Manning is responsible for two of the six playoff games the Packers have lost in Green Bay.

In his final ever playoffs in January 2017, Eli came out hot in another below-freezing game in Green Bay.

The degree of difficulty combined with one of the higher playoff winning percentages makes Manning a top-five playoff quarterback of all time.

Reason #3: Eli Manning is one of five players in NFL history to win multiple Super Bowl MVPs

Montana, Brady, Bradshaw, Starr, and Eli Manning.

Those are the names of the only players to ever win multiple Super Bowl MVPs. Those are names of NFL legends, all belonging in the Hall of Fame.

Montana, Brady, Bradshaw, and Starr each had multiple Hall of Fame teammates help them win their Super Bowls. Eli had Hall of Famer Michael Strahan help him win Super Bowl 42. He didn’t have any Hall of Fame teammates help him win Super Bowl 46. Only Eli was an underdog in each of his Super Bowls.

Each of the five quarterbacks mentioned are Super Bowl heroes that stepped up on the biggest possible stage (on multiple occasions). Each was spectacular in their own right, but Manning has the two most impressive Super Bowl performances of the bunch.

Reason #4: Eli Manning’s Super Bowl performances are among the best of all time

The 2007 Patriots still rank among the greatest teams ever. Pro Football Talk has them ranked as the 4th greatest team of all time. Bleacher Report ranks them third. Sports Illustrated ranks them as the 8th greatest team ever and Pro Football Talk has them 16th. They are unanimously considered the greatest team to never win a Super Bowl.

If the 18-0 Patriots finished the job and beat the NY Giants in Super Bowl 42, they would undoubtedly be first on everyone’s list. The team with the greatest quarterback and coach of all time would be the only team to ever go 19-0.

A 27-year-old Eli Manning’s late-game heroics, combined with some awesome defense, prevented the 2007 Patriots from achieving perfection.

Manning’s SB XLII performance ranks 11th best among QBs by PFF. Manning was given credit for five “big-time throws“; the second-most ever in a Super Bowl. Four of the five big-time throws took place in the 4th quarter; a quarter in which he completed all three of his pressured attempts. This includes one attempt that got stuck to David Tyree’s helmet.

Eli Manning’s Super Bowl XLII performance was so impressive because of the clutch factor and slaying football’s Goliath. His Super Bowl XLVI performance was so impressive because it was close to being perfect.

In defeating Brady and Belichick in the Super Bowl rematch, Manning had four big-time throws, 296 yards, and a 75% completion percentage. In a fitting end to a masterful 2011 season and playoff run, Eli registered a 103.8 QB rating, once again outdueling Tom Brady.

Eli Manning’s SB XLVI performance ranks as the second-best ever by PFF (Aaron Rodgers in Super Bowl XLV ranks first). Eli had 14 pass attempts under pressure and ended up with a perfect adjusted completion percentage, according to PFF.

Reason #5: Eli Manning’s 2011 regular season and playoffs is one of the best ever by any quarterback in NFL history

Some will argue that Eli Manning was never ‘elite’ or the best at his position for an entire season. This is simply not true.

Manning’s combined 2011 regular season and playoffs can stack up with any of the great QB seasons in NFL history.

Eli Manning holds the record for most passing yards in a Super Bowl-winning season (regular season + postseason combined):

1. Eli Manning (2011) – 6,152

2. Tom Brady (2020) – 5,694

3. Peyton Manning (2006) 5,431

4. Kurt Warner (1999) – 5,416

5. Tom Brady (2018) – 5,308

Manning had an NFL Record 1219 passing yards in the postseason. This is even more impressive when you consider the 2011 NY Giants had the 32nd ranked run game and 27th ranked defense. Eli carried the GMEN on his back in 2011. He willed them to an NFC East title.

Many Eli Manning detractors will point to the fact that he doesn’t have an All-Pro on his resume. This has much less to do with his ability and performance, and more to do with the fact that he played in the same era as Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees.

In Manning’s first eleven seasons from 2004 to 2014, only four quarterbacks were named first-team All-Pros. Peyton Manning (six times), Tom Brady (twice), Aaron Rodgers (twice), and Drew Brees (once). All four players are considered legendary quarterbacks. The four quarterbacks mentioned are holding almost every quarterback record that exists for the NFL.

Speaking of NFL records, Eli Manning set another one in 2011 when he had seven fourth-quarter comebacks and eight game-winning drives in 2011. His offensive line pass blocking was ranked dead last in the NFL.

Manning also has the most big-time throws in a postseason since ’06 with 17. His 53 regular season big-time throws in 2011 were the most ever as well. At the end of the magical 2011 run, Eli won his second Super Bowl in four years. He won the Super Bowl with a completely different set of receivers than his 2007 Super Bowl.

Any way you slice it, the 2011 version of Eli Manning is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

Reason #6: Eli Manning has elite career statistics

Eli Manning is 8th all-time with 57,023 passing yards and 9th all-time in passing touchdowns with 366. When you combine his upper echelon all-time stats, his playoff and Super Bowl performances, and his periods of being elite (like in 2011), Eli should be a no-brainer Hall of Fame pick in 2024.

Only seven QBs in NFL history have thrown for more yards. Those quarterbacks include Hall of Famers Peyton Manning, Brett Favre, and Dan Marino. Three of the other four QBs are HOF locks (Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Ben Roethlisberger). I believe Phillip Rivers, also ahead of Eli in all-time yards, will make the Hall eventually too.

Manning threw for nearly 6,000 more yards and 66 more touchdowns than John Elway in the same amount of seasons. The NY Giants legend threw for more passing yards than 29 QBs that are currently Hall of Famers. He threw for more passing TDs than 30 QBs that are already in the Hall of Fame.

Reason #7: Eli Manning is one of the NFL’s Iron Men

Eli Manning made 210 consecutive starts from November 21, 2004, to November 23, 2017. This is the third-longest streak by a quarterback in NFL history. Eli was truly an iron man.

Manning’s consecutive start streak almost doubles the second place NY Giants’ finisher (David Diehl made 120 consecutive starts from 2003 to 2010). Eli’s combination of dependability, longevity, and great play led to him owning almost every single significant Giants’ passing record, including completions, yards, touchdowns and wins.

Eli Manning never missed a game due to injury. The Giants’ Iron Man was sacked 411 times in his career, the 14th highest total in NFL history. He was hit a lot during his career (especially when Ereck Flowers was his left tackle), but he always got back up.

Manning is one of the toughest players to ever wear an NFL uniform. This statement may come as a surprise to those who didn’t follow his career closely or watched him perform on Saturday Night Live. The same guy that is known for “the Manning Face” on the sidelines was always the most rugged and gritty guy on the field.

This was never more apparent than during the magical 2007 Giants season.

The NY Giants opened vs. the Dallas Cowboys (like they often do). The Cowboys’ Anthony Spencer threw Eli to the ground, jamming his shoulder to the turf.

Manning knew something was wrong. He found out later that his shoulder was separated. Despite the intense pain, Manning went in on the very next series and completed four consecutive passes, including a touchdown. And despite the serious injury, he played in the next game vs. the Green Bay Packers.

The NY Giants’ Iron Man never missed a start that season, on his way to his first Super Bowl.

Reason #8: Eli Manning was a Hall of Fame teammate:

Manning made everyone around him better.

That is the best thing you can say about a quarterback of a football team. Manning won two Super Bowls with completely different sets of receivers. He got the most out of the players around him.

Manning’s 4,895 regular-season completions went to 97 different receivers. Here are the top 10:

1. Odell Beckham Jr.- 390
2. Hakeem Nicks- 313
3. Victor Cruz- 303
4. Plaxico Burress- 244
5. Steve Smith- 213
6. Amani Toomer- 210
7. Jeremy Shockey- 206
8. Sterling Shepard- 206
9. Rueben Randle- 186
10. Mario Manningham- 156

Manning played with some great receivers. The wide receivers on the list above all played on other teams (except Shepard), but all enjoyed their best years with Eli Manning.

Manning was a tremendous teammate off the field as well. David Carr, Eli’s backup for several years, ranked Manning as his greatest teammate ever. Eli never had a bad word to say about ANY of his teammates (even Ereck Flowers.) Besides Tiki Barber in 2007, his teammates never had anything bad to say about him either. Tiki later publically apologized for his infamous shots at Manning.

Manning was also famous for being an elite locker room guy. he had Hall of Fame-level pranks. Lawrence Tynes, the Giants kicker from 2007 to 2012, learned this the hard way. Since kickers often had fewer meetings to go to and left practice early, Manning enlisted some teammates to park around Tynes’ car to box him in after a practice in 2011. Countless teammates fell victim to a Manning prank, and he was always somehow able to be unsuspecting about it.

When the NY Giants unsuspectedly drafted Daniel Jones with the #6 pick in 2019, Eli took everything in stride, like he always did. As a prideful Super Bowl champion, Eli could have easily made things uncomfortable for Jones, but Eli was a tremendous mentor and teammate.

This was especially apparent when a video surfaced of Manning and Daniel Jones out on the town in Hoboken. Jones had just thrown five touchdown passes, and Manning was genuinely happy for the success of his successor.

The “Godfather of Pranks” kept things loose in the locker room and got the best out of his teammates. Analytics guys might not think it mattered, but football guys will tell you it made all the difference.

Reason #9: Eli Manning is one of the most clutch quarterbacks of all time

According to FiveThirtyEight’s Nate Silver, Eli Manning is without a doubt the most clutch postseason quarterback of all time.

The NY Giants were underdogs in seven of Manning’s first eleven postseason games. Based on the data and simulations from Silver, there was only a 1% chance Manning could have won 8 of the 11 playoff contests. There was a .1% chance a replacement-level QB could have won those games.

Manning had 27 fourth-quarter comebacks and 37 game-winning drives in the regular season. He also had four 4th quarter comebacks and 5 game-winning drives in the postseason. Eli Manning was always at his best when the pressure was the highest.

The play Manning will be remembered for the most is probably the “helmet catch play” with David Tyree. The catch was spectacular, but Manning’s ability to break a near-certain sack was just as impressive.

Manning’s most clutch play though came vs. New England four years later. Backed up late in the fourth, Manning made the greatest throw in NFL history to Mario Manningham.

After the play was made, everyone knew the game was over. There was no stopping Manning.

Reason #10: Eli Manning had to overcome Giant hurdles throughout his 15-year career

“Eli the Terrible”

“Whatever ‘It’ is, Eli is Without it.”

Those were actual headlines about Eli Manning early on in his career.

It is not easy playing in New York. The media and fans expect a lot from their franchise QB. New Yorkers aren’t exactly known for their patience. Ask Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold.

New York is the toughest city in the world to play in. Quarterback is the toughest position to play in sports. Not only that, but Manning played in the shadow of his older brother, one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the game. Peyton Manning, who was just inducted to the Hall of Fame, was someone Manning was constantly compared to during his entire football career.

Despite having the same mother and the same former New Orleans Saint as a father, Eli was so different than his older brother, Peyton.

Manning’s leadership style and quiet demeanor were often criticized early on. The national media bashed Manning early on for “forcing his way” to New York. Everything worked out for the best and Manning’s temperament was perfect for New York City.

"“From the very first moment, I did it my way. I couldn’t be someone other than who I am. Undoubtedly, I would have made the fans, the media, even the front office more comfortable if I was a more ‘rah-rah guy’, but that’s not me.”"

Part of the reason Dave Gettleman took Daniel Jones so much higher in the 2019 draft than expected,  is Jones has a similar demeanor to Eli. Only certain people can play quarterback in New York. Daniel Jones still has to prove he could do it. Eli proved he could do it.

Thankfully for NY Giants fans, Ernie Accorsi pulled the trigger on a big trade for Manning during the 2004 NFL Draft.

Now, Eli Manning should never have to pay for a drink in the city ever again.