It might be Eli Manning’s turn to answer the call from Canton.
The Super Bowl MVP in 2008 and 2012 was announced as a finalist for the Hall of Fame after falling short last year after reaching this stage.
He joins a list of elite talent: Willie Anderson, Drew Brees, Jahri Evans, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly, Terrell Suggs, Adam Vinatieri, Reggie Wayne, Kevin Williams, Jason Witten, Darren Woodson and Marshal Yanda.
The NFL typically votes in four to five modern-era players into the Hall of Fame each year. This year’s class will be announced at the NFL Honors in February before the Super Bowl.
Each player must achieve an 80 percent threshold from the 50-person Selection Committee to make the Hall of Fame. It is unclear what percentage Manning received last season.
After he was rebuffed last year, Manning congratulated the class of 2025 — Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates and Sterling Sharpe.
“I’m excited for those guys that got in. All of them are so deserving … I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be my night, and I understand that. I’m totally at peace. It’s not gonna change my outlook on my career and how I feel about it,” Manning said.
Manning holds the record for postseason passing yards in a single season, throwing for 1,219 yards during a wild 2011 run that concluded with a 21-17 Super Bowl victory over the Patriots.
He threw for 4,933 yards with 29 touchdowns and 16 interceptions that season before winning his second Super Bowl.
Larry Fitzgerald, Drew Brees, and Adam Vinatieri could be looked at as serious contenders to make the Hall of Fame this year, making it potentially more challenging for Manning to earn his spot.
Next year profiles as another stacked class with potential first-ballot inductees, featuring Ron Gronkowski, Adrian Peterson, Richard Sherman and fellow 2003 NFL Draft pick Ben Roethlisberger.
