Eli Manning, Tony Romo Headline 167 Players Nominated for 2025 Pro Football HOF Class

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced 167 modern-era nominees for the Class of 2025 on Wednesday.

According to NFL.com, some of the most notable first-year-eligible nominees include New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, Baltimore Ravens pass-rusher Terrell Suggs and New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri.

The list of 167 nominees, which will be whittled down to 50 by the HOF screening committee next month, is comprised of 94 offensive players, 56 defensive players and 17 special teamers.

Once the top 50 players are chosen, that group will be reduced to 25 semifinalists by the Hall of Fame Selection Committee later this fall, followed by a selection of 15 finalists with the Hall of Fame inductees being announced during Super Bowl week.

Of the players in their first year of eligibility, Manning is arguably the biggest name with one of the best chances of getting inducted on the first ballot.

Manning spent his entire 16-year NFL career with the Giants, throwing for 57,023 yards, 366 touchdowns and 244 interceptions, earning four Pro Bowl selections and most importantly leading the Giants to a pair of Super Bowl wins over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.

If Eli is inducted, he will join his brother, former Colts and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, in the hallowed halls of Canton.

Romo played 11 NFL seasons for the Cowboys, throwing for 34,183 yards, 248 touchdowns and 117 picks. While he was a four-time Pro Bowler, he went just 2-4 as a starter in his playoff career and never made it past the Divisional Round.

He has gained additional popularity in retirement due to his NFL announcing work on CBS alongside Jim Nantz, but is considered a long shot for a Hall of Fame induction.

Along with Manning, the trio of Lynch, Suggs and Vinatieri should all have a legitimate shot at receiving a first-ballot induction.

In 12 NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills, Seahawks and Oakland Raiders, Lynch rushed for 10,413 yards and 85 touchdowns, along with catching 287 passes for 2,214 yards and nine scores.

The four-time Pro Bowler and one-time First Team All-Pro nicknamed Beast Mode is 29th in NFL history in rushing yardage and 17th in rushing touchdowns, and he was the Seahawks' primary offensive weapon when they won the Super Bowl in 2013.

During his 17-year NFL career with the Ravens, Arizona Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs, Suggs was as decorated as any pass-rusher of his era, earning seven Pro Bowl nods, one First Team All-Pro selection and two Super Bowl wins.

He was also the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2003 and NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, and his 139 career sacks are eighth on the all-time official list and 12th on the unofficial list.

Viewed as arguably the most clutch kicker in NFL history, Vinatieri was a three-time Pro Bowler, three-time First Team All-Pro and four-time Super Bowl champ in 24 seasons with the Pats and Colts.

Vinatieri made 83.8 percent of his field goals during his career, and his 2,673 points scored are the most in NFL history. He also made some of the most iconic game-winning field goals in playoff history, including the Patriots' "Tuck Rule" win over the Raiders in the 2001 AFC Divisional Round, the Patriots' Super Bowl XXXVI upset of the St. Louis Rams and the Patriots' XXXVIII victory over the Carolina Panthers.

If Vinatieri is inducted, he will be only the third full-time kicker in the HOF, joining Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen.

In terms of players who have been on the Hall of Fame ballot before, Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, Bengals offensive tackle Willie Anderson, Saints guard Jahri Evans, Chiefs and Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, Eagles and Raiders cornerback Eric Allen, Patriots safety Rodney Harrison and Cowboys safety Darren Woodson are back on the ballot after being finalists last year.

Other returning players of note include Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, Giants running back Tiki Barber, Saints and Dolphins running back Ricky Williams, Rams wide receiver Torry Holt, Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson, Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward and Steelers linebacker James Harrison.