EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Eli Manning has faced doubt before. Entering the 2007 playoffs, when the quarterback led. New York Giants On a Super Bowl run that ended in an upset of undefeated. New England Patriotsthere were questions about whether it was made for stressful situations.
The end result is laughable. But the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cornerback Rondae Barber said before a wild-card matchup with the Giants in this season’s playoffs that Manning “could happen, we know.”
Manning was prone to mistakes at this point in his career — just not that afternoon. He threw a pair of touchdown passes and no interceptions in a 24–14 win over the Bucs for his first career playoff victory. It won’t be the last. Manning threw six touchdown passes and one interception while leading the Giants to a Super Bowl victory, earning MVP honors in the historic win over the Patriots.
One might expect the skeptics to have disappeared by then. But that “is Ellie elite?” came back for Debate after a few years. What Manning did in response was win another Super Bowl, another Super Bowl MVP, all while beating coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady (again).
The debate surrounding Manning’s Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy is no different than his playing career. As he sits on the canton curtain. One of 25 semi-finals For the Class of 2025, it’s hardly a slam dunk to have Manning voted in during his first year of eligibility.
ESPN, which also owns the Manning cast on Monday Night Football, recently took a straw poll of 10 HOF voters. Seven thought Manning would get into the Hall…eventually. Only two were sure he would be the first to add ballots. Two others thought he had a chance this year but weren’t sure how the conversation following Manning’s case before the Super Bowl in February would go — he resisted. expect
The bottom line is that there are different opinions on the lightning rod quarterback. He’s had a strange track record thus far — moderate regular-season success, historic postseason success, all wrapped around incredible durability and intangibles.
His brother, Peyton, was a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2021. His candidacy was never in doubt. Peyton Manning is considered by most to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
“It’s not Peyton. [Manning] Where you can say his name and put the mic down,” said one voter.
Manning’s case
When Manning won his second Super Bowl, it appeared the conversation was over. He won two Super Bowls in four years while throwing 15 touchdown passes and one interception during two playoff runs.
It’s at the forefront of Manning’s case for inclusion. There is no equality in this regard. Manning excelled on the biggest stage under the most pressure. Not only does he have two Super Bowl MVPs, he also led two last-minute game-winning drives in those games.
“He’s the greatest game quarterback I’ve ever been around, in my opinion,” Manning’s former coach Tom Coughlin said. “He has performed incredibly well under these conditions.”
That alone can be enough. No one has a Super Bowl level of success on their resume. is not In the Hall of Fame
“I will support his candidacy to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 2025,” said ESPN reporter and Hall of Fame voter Sal Pavlantonio. “He has two Super Bowl MVPs and the list of retired quarterbacks with two Super Bowl MVPs is very short: they are Bart Starr, Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, Tom Brady and … Eli Manning. Here is the list.
“And three of them [Starr, Montana and Bradshaw] are inside. We know Brady is going in. Ellie has to go inside. And all three were former Ballot Hall of Famers. Eli should be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.”
The second major point raised by voters who believe Manning deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame was his numbers. When he retired, he was seventh in completions (4,895), passing yards (57,023) and touchdowns (366).
Alone, it probably won’t be enough. But combine that with two magical playoff runs and Super Bowls and it makes for a strong and unique resume.
Manning also displayed rare durability throughout his career — never missing a game due to injury. This may be his best attribute. As they say, the best ability is availability. Manning had 210 consecutive starts from 2004-17, the third-longest streak in NFL history behind Brett Favre and Philip Rivers. Even when it ended, it wasn’t because of injury.
Some voters commented that Manning could benefit from playing in New York and becoming an eventual professional. As one voter put it, if how you handle yourself and whether you’re an ideal teammate were traits used against wide receiver Terrell Owens, it would likely support Manning’s candidacy. will be used for
The case against Manning
As one voter put it, “obstacles matter” to Manning. Maybe not necessarily to the Hall of Fame, but to make it on his first try.
They start with the belief that Manning hasn’t been a top-three player at his position for any significant stretch. In fact, it could be argued that he wasn’t a top-three quarterback. anyone Specific years in his 16-season career. Manning has never finished higher than sixth in QBR in a season. He made the top 10 twice (2008 and 2009).
Manning was never named an All-Pro. This is a problem for some people. Of course, he played in an era dominated by Brady, his brother Peyton, Drew Brees, and more. Aaron Rogers. Still, the likes of Tony Romo, Cam Newton and Carson Palmer earned at least one All-Pro nod. Eli Manning had zero and four Pro Bowl selections. This hurts the eyes of many voters.
So is his overall record. Manning went 117-117 in the regular season, a record that suggests mediocrity rather than Hall of Fame eligibility.
The name that comes up when discussing Manning is undoubtedly former Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett. He is the only other two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback who is not in the Hall of Fame, even if he did win the Super Bowl MVP.
To some voters, Manning may be a modern-day Plunkett. Modest winning percentage, two final victories, lots of setbacks. It was noted on several occasions during the straw poll discussion that Manning led the NFL in interceptions three times during his career and was 12th in that category with 244 when he retired.
For critics, that doesn’t translate into the Hall of Fame.
The process
Manning was named one of the 25 modern-day semifinalists for the Hall of Fame last week. The list will be narrowed down to 15 finalists later this year before the full selection committee meets, deliberates and votes at the annual meeting before the Super Bowl to decide the class of ’25. .
Players must be approved by 80% of voters for entry, with between three and five players joining as modern-day candidates.
For Manning and several other first-time candidates on the list, such as linebacker Luke Kuechly and safety Earl Thomas, it’s not as simple as: “Are you a Hall of Famer?” on the first try. A lot of that depends on who else qualifies this year.
Strong candidates such as tight end Antonio Gates (six All-Pro selections), defensive end Jared Allen (four first-team All-Pros), offensive tackle Willie Anderson (four All-Pros) and wide receiver Reggie Wayne (three All-Pros) are the holders. As one voter pointed out, the logjam at wide receiver and offensive line in recent years can make it difficult for newcomers.
If Manning isn’t a first-ballot Hall of Famer, there’s no shame. It reflects the process more than the individual. Heck, former Giants star Michael Strahan is among those who didn’t make it in his first attempt despite six All-Pro selections and a single-season sack record on his resume. Strahan was voted in his second year of eligibility.
The general consensus seems to be that Manning will eventually enter the Hall of Fame, even if it’s not this year.
“He’s very, very capable. It will happen,” Coughlin said. “The question is when?”