Eli Manning was a Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist this year, but according to NFL insider Ari Meirov, he wasn’t particularly close to getting inducted into the Canton, Ohio-based institution in the Class of 2026.
Meirov shared that Manning was not listed in the top-10 candidates, despite the fact he was one of the top-15 candidates for entry.
This year’s list of finalists was loaded, and Manning, who was on his second year of eligibility, was not the only high-profile HOF snub. Of course, both New England Patriots former coach Bill Belichick and current owner Robert Kraft were also finalists that were denied induction.
The five-person class of 2026 featured quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, linebacker Luke Kuechly, running back Roger Craig and kicker Adam Vinatieri. The class was announced Thursday at NFL Honors.
Eli Manning Wasn’t Close To Hall of Fame Induction This Year
News broke of Manning’s failed candidacy last week, around the same time it came out that Belichick would not be inducted.
Yet, voters could not speak publicly until the full class was revealed Thursday, and Meirov reported just how poorly Manning did among the 50-person panel.
“Eli Manning, who didn’t make the Hall of Fame in his second year of eligibility, was not close again in the voting process,” Meirov posted on X (formerly Twitter). He made the final 15 but, from my understanding in the room, did not make the final 10.”
Voting was changed this year to require at least 40 votes among the panel of football lifers to gain entry. The 80% standard is even more strict than the National Baseball Hall of Fame, which only necessitates 75% of votes for induction.
Manning, of course, is first in New York Giants history in nearly every passing list, including wins, passing yards, touchdowns, completions and passing attempts. He also led the Giants to two Super Bowl wins over Belichick’s Patriots.
The Finalist List for Class of 2026 Was Loaded
For Manning to be a finalist this year speaks to how strong his candidacy is. Brees, Fitzgerald, Vinatieri and Kuchly were sure-fire Hall of Famers, and Belichick and Kraft would have been too if not for their roles in multiple cheating scandals over two-plus decades.
Yet, aside from Manning, former Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten was also a finalist that was denied entry. According to Meirov, longtime Rams wide receiver Torry Holt, like Manning, was a finalist that did not finish in the top-10.
So finishing outside the top-10 in this class year seems like less of a red flag for Manning’s future candidacy. He has a solid resume, which of course includes two Super Bowl MVPs and the fact he ranks 11th on the NFL’s all-time list for passing yards (57,023) and passing touchdowns (366).
All five eligible quarterbacks on both lists ahead of him, and many behind him like John Elway, Joe Montana, Fran Tarkenton, Warren Moon and Johnny Unitas, have already gained entry into the hall.
So it seems like only a matter of time until Eli hears his name called and gets his gold jacket and bust in Canton.
Insider Reveals How Close Eli Manning Was To Earning HOF Induction