Eli Manning named a finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Now, things get interesting

The question of whether or not legendary New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning gets into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025 is about to become interesting. Very interesting.

Manning, in his first year of eligibility, was announced on Saturday as one of 15 player finalists for the 2025 Hall of Fame class.

Only five players can be enshrined each year, and each must receive at least 80% of the votes from the Selection Committee. The committee can include up to 50 members, broken down as follows:

One media representative from each pro football city with two from New York, since there are two teams. A 33rd member is a representative of the Pro Football Writers of America, and there are up to 17 at-large delegates.

Manning’s Hall of Fame candidacy has always been divisive. Supporters point to his two Super Bowl victories over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, after which he was named MVP of both games. Detractors point to his 117-117 career regular season record.

Big Blue View staff members opined on whether Manning was a first-ballot Hall of Famer back in February. Here is how community members voted:

The five first-time finalists are:

Manning, former Ravens, Cardinals and Chiefs edge rusher Terrell Suggs, former Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, former Ravens guard Marshal Yanda, and former Patriots and Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri.

The full group of player finalists is as follows:

• Eric Allen, Cornerback — 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
• Jared Allen, Defensive End — 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
• Willie Anderson, Tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
• Jahri Evans, Guard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
• Antonio Gates, Tight End — 2003-2018 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 — 2004-2019 New York Giants
• Steve Smith Sr., Wide Receiver — 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens
• Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
• Fred Taylor, Running Back — 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots
• Adam Vinatieri, Kicker — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts
• Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
• Darren Woodson, Safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
• Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens