Tonight, we will learn about the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class in New Orleans, the site of Super Bowl 59.
Five modern-era players will be selected from a group of 15, including former Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning. Manning has the chance to be a first-ballot inductee, but there are mixed opinions on whether he should.
The Giants two-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning is now a Finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame 2025. #PFHOF25 @Giants | @OmahaProd pic.twitter.com/U3Nj0MDgqJ
— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) December 28, 2024
Manning played for the New York Giants from 2004 until his retirement in 2019. During that time, Eli won two Super Bowls and set several franchise and league records.
However, few players have such a polarizing view on whether they should be inducted into the Hall of Fame as Eli Manning.
"Eli Manning is one of five players to win multiple Super Bowl MVPs. The others are all royalty. Joe Montana, Tom Brady, Terry Bradshaw, and Bart Starr. Eli won more playoff games than Steve Young or Jim Kelly. He won more road playoff games than his brother (Peyton), more than Brady, and more than Brett Farve."Mike Greenberg
Manning is up against some good players who have already missed out on first-ballot honors. Antonio Gates, Steve Smith Sr., and Reggie Wayne could finally make it in.
I believe Eli deserves to be a first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. However, if he does not make it in tonight, it won't be because he doesn't deserve it. It will be that other players who have been trying for multiple years will get in.
When will the Class of 2025 Hall of Fame announcement?
The Class of 2025 will be announced Thursday during NFL Honors, which airs live at 9 p.m. on Fox and NFL Network. It’s available on streaming on NFL+.
Hall of Fame finalists from NFL's modern era
- Eric Allen, Cornerback – 1988-94 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
- Jared Allen, Defensive End – 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-13 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
- Willie Anderson, Tackle – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
- Jahri Evans, Guard – 2006-16 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
- Antonio Gates, Tight End – 2003-18 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
- Torry Holt, Wide Receiver – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
- Luke Kuechly, Linebacker – 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
- Eli Manning, Quarterback – 2004-19 New York Giants
- Steve Smith Sr., Wide Receiver – 2001-13 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens
- Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End – 2003-18 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
- Fred Taylor, Running Back – 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-10 New England Patriots
- Adam Vinatieri, Kicker – 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-19 Indianapolis Colts
- Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver – 2001-14 Indianapolis Colts
- Darren Woodson, Safety – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
- Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle – 2007-19 Baltimore Ravens