Eli Manning's 'Hurdles' to Pro Football Hall of Fame Are 'Significant,' Voter Says

Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning may not be inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

One Pro Football Hall of Fame voter told ESPN's Jordan Raanan that the "hurdles are significant" for Manning to be voted into the Class of 2025.

Raanan noted, however, that "the general consensus seems to be Manning will eventually get into the Hall, even if it's not this year."

Manning is one of six first-year eligible Modern-Era candidates named to the list of 25 semifinalists published last Wednesday. The list will be reduced to 15 finalists later this year, and candidates must receive 80 percent selection committee approval before they can be inducted.

According to Raanan, Manning's lack of All-Pro nominations and his regular-season career record of 117-117 "hurt in the eyes of several voters."

Per Raanan, another obstacle to Manning's first-year candidacy is that he never completed a regular season as the undisputed top quarterback in the sport. Manning did not finish a campaign any higher than sixth in quarterback rating, and was only rated among the top 10 quarterbacks four times in 16 seasons.

He also never ranked first in the NFL in touchdowns, passing yards, passing touchdowns, completion percentage or yards per game, but led the league in interceptions in 2007, 2010 and 2013.

"It was noted on multiple occasions during our straw poll conversations that Manning led the NFL in interceptions three times during his career and was 12th all time in that category with 244 when he retired," Raanan wrote.

Manning will still likely eventually be inducted into the Hall of Fame due to his record in the postseason, where he is one of 12 quarterbacks in NFL history to win multiple Super Bowls and one of six players to win multiple Super Bowl MVPs.

Jim Plunkett, who won two Super Bowls and one Super Bowl MVP with the Oakland Raiders, is the only eligible quarterback with multiple championships not in the Hall of Fame.

Like Manning should the 2025 vote not go his way, Plunkett could still eventually receive a gold jacket in a later year of eligibility. He was one of 60 players named to the second round of voting for the Seniors category of the Class of 2025.