The New York Giants can't win lately. After arguably their worst season in franchise history ended with Saquon Barkley and the Eagles as Super Bowl champions, Giants fans are desperate for something to cheer about this offseason.
With beloved former Giants quarterback Eli Manning eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the first time, many New York fans were excited about the possibility of seeing the signal-caller who brought them two Super Bowl titles honored in Canton.
Unfortunately for Manning and the Giants faithful, Eli was passed over by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and will not be in the 2025 class. This is frustrating because Manning was viewed as a finalist, and not just Giants fans but football fans in general wanted to see him make it this year, believing he was snubbed.
Fortunately, this was the 44-year-old's first year on the ballot, and he will have more opportunities to make it into the Hall of Fame. A candidate can remain on the ballot for as long as eligible, but getting in becomes more challenging as time goes on.
Next year, Manning will go up against a formidable group of first-time candidates, including Larry Fitzgerald, Drew Brees, and Jason Witten. There are no guarantees that Eli will be inducted into the Hall of Fame next year, but it's assumed Manning will eventually be part of this prestigious group.
Luckily for Eli, he has the support of several notable names around the league, including some former players he faced on this year’s ballot. One of them, legendary tight end Antonio Gates, offered advice to the two-time Super Bowl champion after his Hall of Fame snub.
Antonio Gates gives Eli Manning advice after being snubbed from the Hall of Fame
Gates, along with Eric Allen, Jared Allen, and Sterling Sharpe, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year. Gates spent his entire professional career with the Chargers, totaling 955 receptions, 11,841 receiving yards, and 116 touchdowns. He is a three-time All-Pro, an eight-time Pro Bowler, and a member of the Los Angeles Chargers Hall of Fame.
Despite not making the Hall of Fame in 2024, his first year on the ballot, Gates was inducted this year. When he heard that Manning would not be joining him in Canton, he had some advice for him after being in the same position just a year ago.
Although Eli seemed to be handling the snub with dignity and class, Gates told TMZ Sports that he's still probably feeling the heartbreak of missing out this year. Gates added that he entered this year focused on being “the best version of me” and believed that mindset helped him get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this time around.
It's unclear if Manning will be part of the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, but whether you're a Giants fan or not, you can assume Eli's legacy will be enshrined sooner rather than later.