Eli Manning won’t be part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, and while that news may not dominate headlines the way Bill Belichick’s snub did, it’s still a decision that deserves a closer look - especially when you consider what Manning accomplished during his 16-year career with the New York Giants.
According to reports, Manning didn’t receive enough votes in his second year of eligibility to earn a gold jacket. He was one of 15 modern-era finalists, a group that includes Drew Brees - widely expected to be inducted on his first ballot. But Manning, despite a résumé that includes two Super Bowl titles and two Super Bowl MVPs, will have to wait at least another year.
Now, let’s be clear: Manning’s omission isn’t just about numbers. It’s about legacy - and his is one of the most unique in NFL history.
He’s one of only six players ever to win multiple Super Bowl MVPs. The three who are already Hall of Famers - Joe Montana, Terry Bradshaw, and Bart Starr - were all first-ballot inductees.
The other two? Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, both locks for Canton when their time comes.
Manning, meanwhile, remains on the outside looking in - one of just two eligible starting quarterbacks with multiple Super Bowl wins who haven’t been enshrined. The other is Jim Plunkett, who also pulled off a pair of memorable Super Bowl upsets with the Raiders.
Of course, Manning’s critics are quick to point to his .500 career record (117-117) and a career completion percentage of 60.3% - numbers that, on the surface, don’t scream “elite.” But context matters.
Plenty of quarterbacks already in the Hall have similar or even less impressive stats. Take Joe Namath, for example.
He finished his career with a losing record and more interceptions than touchdown passes. Yet Namath is immortalized in Canton largely because of one game: Super Bowl III, when he led the Jets to a shocking upset of the heavily favored Colts.
Sound familiar?
Manning authored his own Super Bowl stunner in 2007, when the Giants knocked off the previously undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. That game wasn’t just a win - it was a defining moment in NFL history.
And unlike Namath, Manning didn’t just manage the game - he took it over in the fourth quarter. Two touchdown passes, including the game-winner, and one of the most iconic throws in Super Bowl history: the 32-yard heave to David Tyree, who somehow pinned the ball to his helmet.
That play - and that drive - are etched into NFL lore.
And then, four years later, Manning did it again. Same opponent, same stakes, same result.
This time, the signature moment came on a 38-yard sideline strike to Mario Manningham, a throw that was as precise as it was clutch. That pass set up the game-winning touchdown and sealed Manning’s second Super Bowl MVP.
But Eli’s playoff résumé goes beyond just those two magical runs. In 2011, he put together one of the greatest postseason performances the league has ever seen.
Over four games, Manning completed 65% of his passes for 1,219 yards and nine touchdowns - all while leading the league in postseason passing attempts, yards, and scores. That’s not just good - that’s legendary.
Durability was another calling card. Manning owns the third-longest consecutive starts streak in NFL history, trailing only Brett Favre and Philip Rivers.
That kind of availability - especially in a league where quarterbacks take a beating - is no small feat. He also ranks 11th all-time in both career passing yards and touchdown passes, numbers that reflect a long, productive career at the game’s most demanding position.
In the end, Hall of Fame debates are never just about stats. They’re about moments, impact, and legacy.
And Eli Manning has all three in spades. From taking down the greatest regular-season team in NFL history to delivering two unforgettable Super Bowl performances, Manning left a mark on the game that can’t be measured by wins and losses alone.
His Hall of Fame case may be taking longer than some expected, but make no mistake - it’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.