A few weeks back, it was announced that former Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning was part of the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class of nominees. Among 16 first-year eligible nominees, he was predominantly nominated due to his two Super Bowl wins and MVP awards.
Former Carolina and New England quarterback Cam Newton spoke about his own Hall of Fame potential, using Eli Manning to support his argument for being inducted.
Cam Newton believes he should be inducted if Eli Manning gets in
Cam Newton isn't eligible for a nomination for Canton yet. If he doesn't lace up his cleats, which is unlikely, 2027 would be the year for Newton. When he does become eligible, Newton believes there should be a spot for him if Eli Manning gets inducted.
""If he gets a gold jacket before me, i deserve two of them.""Cam Newton on Eli Manning HOF nomination
Newton has not won a Super Bowl but has picked up an NFL Most Valuable Player award for his 2015 season heroics that saw him guide the Panthers to Super Bowl 50, losing to Eli's older brother at quarterback Peyton Manning.
Both Newton and Eli have broken plenty of franchise records for the Panthers and Giants, respectively. Eli's is more impressive than Newton's, although he did play five more seasons than the former Heisman Trophy winner.
Every fan has a different opinion on where the bar should be set for players to surpass to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Eli has two Super Bowl wins over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, something that unquestionably deserves to be inducted, alongside all his other franchise achievements. Newton has some solid credentials, but not on the same level as Eli, in my opinion.
I don't think Eli Manning will be a first-year inductee into Canton, but it would be a huge surprise if he did not make it at some point down the line.