With just hours remaining before the start of 2026, the question has emerged whether former quarterback Eli Manning, now in his second year of eligibility, will be worthy of wearing the gold jacket that would certify him as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame after being announced as one of the 15 finalists in the Modern-Era Player category for the Class of 2026.
Manning joins other notable finalists such as Drew Brees, who played quarterback for the San Diego Chargers from 2001 to 2005 before becoming a legend with the New Orleans Saints between 2006 and 2020, as well as Jahri Evans, a guard for the Saints from 2006 to 2016 who finished his career in 2017 with the Green Bay Packers.
Larry Fitzgerald spent his entire career as a wide receiver with the Arizona Cardinals from 2004 to 2020. Frank Gore enjoyed a long and productive career as a running back, standing out with the San Francisco 49ers from 2005 to 2014 and later playing for the Colts, Dolphins, Bills, and Jets. Torry Holt shined with the St. Louis Rams from 1999 to 2008 and played in 2009 with Jacksonville, while Adam Vinatieri left his mark as a kicker with both the Patriots and the Colts.
Can Manning reach the Hall of Fame in his second year?
Eli Manning was already part of the group of 15 finalists in 2025, but ultimately did not make the cut to the top 10.
Manning finished his career as a .500 quarterback, a figure that has been central to the debate surrounding his first year of eligibility and was one of the reasons cited for him being left out. According to some analysts who reviewed the voting process, one of the main arguments against his first-ballot selection was that he was not a consistently dominant player at his position, with his uneven performances often highlighted as evidence.
The longtime New York Giants quarterback, who played from 2004 to 2019, won two Super Bowls and was named Super Bowl MVP on both occasions, while also earning four Pro Bowl selections. During his NFL career, he posted a 117-117 regular-season record (8-4 in the playoffs), along with 57,023 career passing yards and 366 touchdown passes, though he also threw 244 interceptions.
The list of 15 finalists will eventually be reduced to seven, from which the next group of Hall of Fame inductees will be selected. With the names included this season, some omissions may appear unfair, but each finalist has built a résumé with its own merits. To gain entry into the Hall of Fame, a candidate must receive at least 80 percent of the votes in favor.
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