Two Super Bowl rings. Two Super Bowl MVPs. Four Pro Bowls. A career spent as the face of one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises. And, perhaps most impressively, the man who took down the seemingly invincible Brady-Belichick Patriots twice on the sport’s biggest stage. With credentials like these, Eli Manning’s induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame should have been a formality. Instead, the Giants legend was left off this year’s Hall of Fame class—leaving fans, analysts, and even some former rivals wondering: What more could he have done?

Among the first to discuss Manning’s snub was his Giants teammate, Chris Canty. Stunned and unreserved, the former NFL defensive end voiced his disappointment. He said, “I am disgusted with the committee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Eli Manning did not get in. I get it we always wanna make these distinctions between first valid and unanimous. But there is no argument to be made that Eli Manning should be, shouldn’t be a Hall of Famer, he is a Hall of Famer, there is no question about it.”

Canty, who spent four seasons alongside Manning in New York, went further, dismissing the idea that Manning’s candidacy should be subject to a waiting period. “I mean, if you win two Super Bowls, got 2 Super Bowl MVPs, you’re gonna get the hall call, and to me, I hate when we play these games of trying to create levels to the pinnacle of Pro football, which is the Hall of Fame. I don’t understand how Eli Manning didn’t get in.” 

Manning’s case isn’t just about individual achievements—it’s about legacy. He didn’t just win two Super Bowls; he orchestrated two of the most improbable postseason runs in NFL history, including the famous upset of the 18-0 Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. Few quarterbacks in NFL history can claim to have been at their absolute best when it mattered most, quite like Manning. And yet, his name was missing from this year’s Hall of Fame class.

So why was he snubbed? The biggest argument against Manning’s candidacy has always been his regular-season inconsistency. Critics argue that while he had elite moments, his career lacked sustained dominance, and he was rarely, if ever, considered the best quarterback of his era. Statistically, his regular-season numbers—while impressive—never placed him in the same category as contemporaries like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, or Aaron Rodgers.

However, this argument ignores Manning’s durability and longevity—two qualities that are often overlooked when debating Hall of Fame worthiness. He never missed a game due to injury in 16 seasons, an ironman streak that speaks to his reliability. When he retired, he ranked top 10 in both passing yards and touchdowns, cementing himself among the most productive quarterbacks of all time. More importantly, he was the ultimate postseason competitor, elevating his game when the stakes were highest—something that should carry weight in Hall of Fame discussions.

Why didn’t the HOF Voters choose Eli Manning?

Despite achieving all records and a global fanbase, a player’s Hall of Fame fate rests solely on the voters. It boils down to whether the selected few believe you deserve to be in the HOF or not. Well, this time around, not everyone believed Manning was a first-ballot guy. But what was the reason behind it? Well, Hall of Fame Voter Gary Myers shared his thoughts on the same.

Recently, Myers, a voter for the NFL Hall of Fame, expressed his support for Manning, confirming that he voted for the Giants’ great for induction. Myers commended Manning for his achievements, especially his impressive feat of leading the New York Giants to two Super Bowl wins over the storied New England Patriots. In both matches, Manning orchestrated game-winning drives in the final moments. His outstanding performances earned him the Super Bowl MVP title on both occasions.

Given these accomplishments and after reviewing his other records, Myers believes Manning certainly deserves enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. He said, “In the interest of full transparency, I voted for Eli Manning and spoke up for him at our meeting. I believe Manning beating the Patriots twice in the Super Bowl with two-minute drives and being named Super Bowl MVP each time, along with currently being 11th all-time in touchdown passes and yardage, presents a convincing resume.”

However, Myers also acknowledged the challenge for Manning’s future candidacy, noting that despite never being named an All-Pro or regular-season MVP, Manning played in an era dominated by the likes of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees—making those honors less attainable.“To get selected in the future, the voters must get past that Manning was never All-Pro or regular season MVP and realize he played when those spots were not so available playing in an era with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees,” he continued.

Whether Manning gets into the HOF remains to be seen. For now, legendary Eagles cornerback Eric Allen, Vikings icon Jared Allen, former Chargers TE Antonio Gates, and Packers great Sterling Sharpe have been inducted into the HOF, and rightly so. Manning’s fans will have to wait and see if the Giants’ legend is inducted into the HOF next year.