The debate about whether or not Eli Manning is a Hall of Famer will only get more intense in the coming months.
The former New York Giants quarterback has been named one of 25 Modern-Era semifinalists up for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after an initial list of 167 candidates was whittled down.
Manning is in his first year of eligibility for the Hall of Fame and is one of six Modern-Era first-timers in the semifinals, joining Luke Kuechly, Terrell Suggs, Earl Thomas, Adam Vinatieri, and Marshal Yanda. He is the only quarterback up for consideration.
The 43-year-old’s resume is as impressive as any quarterback knocking on the doors of Canton. Manning spent his entire 16-year career with the Giants from 2004-2019, ranking 11th in NFL history with 57,023 yards (one of 12 quarterbacks ever with 50,000-plus passing yards) and 366 touchdowns.
He is a two-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP, authoring a pair of upset victories over the New England Patriots — most notably derailing their perfect season in February of 2008 with a last-minute drive headlined by the famous “helmet catch” to David Tyree.
Manning is one of 13 quarterbacks ever to win multiple Super Bowl titles. Only Tom Brady (five), Patrick Mahomes (three), and Joe Montana (three) have more Super Bowl MVPs than Manning.
The list of 25 Modern-Era semifinalists will be cut down to 15 finalists, along with three Seniors, one coach, and one contributor, to round out a list of 20 names that will be presented to the selection committee at their annual meeting before Super Bowl LIX. Bylaws stipulate that four and eight new members will be selected.
2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame Moder-Era Semifinalists
- Eric Allen, CB, 1988-2001 (Eagles, Saints, Raiders)
- Jared Allen, DE, 2004-2015 (Chiefs, Vikings, Bears, Panthers)
- Willie Anderson, OT, 1996-2008 (Bengals, Ravens)
- Anquan Boldin, WR, 2003-2016 (Cardinals, Ravens, 49ers, Lions)
- Jahri Evans, G, 2006-2017 (Saints, Packers)
- Antonio Gates, TE, 2003-2018 (Chargers)
- James Harrison, LB, 2002-2017 (Steelers, Bengals, Patriots)
- Rodney Harrison, S, 1994-2008 (Chargers, Saints)
- Torry Holt, WR, 1999-2009 (Rams, Jaguars)
- Luke Kuechly, LB, 2012-2019 (Panthers)
- Eli Manning, QB, 2004-2019 (Giants)
- Robert Mathis, DE/LB, 2003-2016 (Colts)
- Steve Smith Sr., WR, 2001-2016 (Panthers, Ravens)
- Terrell Suggs, LB/DE, 2003-2019 (Ravens, Cardinals, Chiefs)
- Fred Taylor, RB, 1998-2010 (Jaguars, Patriots)
- Earl Thomas, DB, 2010-2019 (Seahawks, Ravens)
- Adam Vinatieri, K, 1996-2019 (Patriots, Colts)
- Hines Ward, WR, 1998-2011 (Steelers)
- Ricky Watters, RB, 1992-2001 (49ers, Eagles, Seahawks)
- Reggie Wayne, WR, 2001-2014 (Colts)
- Richmond Webb, OT, 1990-2002 (Dolphins, Bengals)
- Vince Wilfork, DT, 2004-2016 (Patriots, Texans)
- Steve Wisniewski, G, 1989-2001 (Raiders)
- Darren Woodson, S, 1992-2003 (Cowboys)
- Marshall Yanda, G/T, 2007-2019 (Ravens)
