The debate over Eli Manning’s Hall of Fame candidacy is reaching its peak, as the former New York Giants quarterback has been named one of 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.
Manning, who played 16 seasons before retiring in 2019, has long been a polarizing figure in Hall of Fame discussions. On Friday, he addressed the topic during an appearance on Up & Adams with host Kay Adams.
“It’s an honor to be included, to be part of the conversation, and to make it to the final 15,” Manning said. “But it’s out of my control, so why worry about it? One way or another, I’m not going to lose sleep over this… It won’t change how I feel about the NFL or my career.”
He even joked about enjoying the ongoing debate, saying:
“Maybe I like the attention. Maybe I want to drag this out a few more years… It keeps me relevant if people keep discussing it.”
Eli Manning’s strongest case for the Hall of Fame lies in his playoff success. He is one of just six quarterbacks in NFL history to win multiple Super Bowl MVPs, joining Bart Starr, Terry Bradshaw, Joe Montana, Tom Brady, and Patrick Mahomes. His two championships were particularly significant, as they came against Brady’s New England Patriots, including the historic upset in Super Bowl XLII that ended the Patriots’ perfect season.
Manning thrived under pressure, with a playoff passer rating (87.4) that exceeds his regular-season mark (84.1). In 12 postseason games, he threw 18 touchdowns and only nine interceptions, further solidifying his reputation for stepping up in crucial moments.
Beyond his postseason heroics, Manning’s career statistics rank among the best in NFL history. He is ninth all-time in passing yards (57,023) and tenth in touchdown passes (366). Over his 16-year career with the Giants, he completed 4,895 of 8,119 passes (60.3%) and threw 244 interceptions. His durability was also remarkable—he started 210 consecutive regular-season games, the second-longest streak for a quarterback behind Brett Favre. In total, he played 236 games, endured 411 sacks, and recorded 567 rushing yards with seven rushing touchdowns.
However, his Hall of Fame case isn’t without debate. Critics point to his inconsistency in the regular season, including a 117-117 career record that suggests mediocrity. He led the league in interceptions three times (2007, 2010, 2013), never won an MVP award, never earned a First-Team All-Pro selection, and made just four Pro Bowl appearances.
Even if he isn’t inducted, Manning remains one of the greatest quarterbacks in Giants history.
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