Eli Manning will have to wait. The New York Giants legend was not selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025, meaning his enshrinement in Canton will have to come another year.
The decision is sure to ignite one of the biggest Hall of Fame debates in recent history. Manning’s case was always a polarizing one—two Super Bowl MVPs, legendary playoff performances, and undeniable clutch moments versus a .500 career record and a lack of individual accolades.
Ultimately, the voters sided with his regular-season inconsistency over his postseason brilliance, keeping him out of Canton—for now.
Eli Manning deserved to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer
For many, Manning’s exclusion feels like a mistake. Every eligible quarterback who has won multiple Super Bowls has been inducted into the Hall—except Jim Plunkett, and now, Manning. His eight career playoff wins include victories over some of the greatest teams of all time, and his Super Bowl upsets of Tom Brady’s dynasty Patriots remain among the most iconic moments in NFL history.
But critics have long pointed to his lack of MVPs, All-Pro selections, or elite statistical seasons as reasons he shouldn’t be a first-ballot selection. His 117-117 career record doesn’t help, and the Hall of Fame voters clearly weren’t ready to overlook that in favor of his two magical Super Bowl runs.
This snub doesn’t mean Manning won’t get in. Quarterbacks like Kurt Warner, Ken Stabler, and Bob Griese all had to wait before getting the call to Canton. History suggests that Manning will eventually have his moment, but it won’t be as a first-ballot inductee—something that will surely sting for Giants fans.
Manning will now have to wait at least another year before potentially getting in, and the debate over his candidacy will only intensify. Some will argue that quarterbacks are judged differently than other positions, meaning his lack of MVPs and All-Pro selections hurt his case more than they would for, say, a defensive lineman or offensive tackle. Others will insist that his playoff success should have made him an automatic first-ballot selection.
Either way, the decision is made—Eli Manning is not a Hall of Famer yet. But given his iconic playoff performances, undeniable impact on the Giants franchise, and two Super Bowl MVPs, it’s hard to imagine him being left out for too long.
For now, the wait continues.