Eli Manning Faces Extended Hall of Fame Snub Amid Competitive 2026 Class

Eli Manning, despite being a two-time Super Bowl champion and MVP, faces a challenging path to Pro Football Hall of Fame induction due to a combination of his .500 career winning percentage, limited individual accolades—including only four Pro Bowl selections and no All-Pro honors—and a highly competitive ballot in the coming years. New voting rules have made the selection process more exclusive, requiring candidates to advance through multiple elimination rounds, which has further diminished Manning's chances. Analysts project Manning may be excluded from Hall of Fame classes for several years, with the 2026 class featuring first-ballot candidates like Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald, and the 2028 ballot including stars such as JJ Watt and Tom Brady. Although Manning's legacy includes iconic Super Bowl victories over Tom Brady's Patriots, these achievements are weighed against the consistency and individual honors of other candidates. While Manning's eventual induction remains likely, the consensus among experts is that it will not occur soon due to the crowded field and his borderline credentials. Meanwhile, Cooper Manning, Eli's older brother, has built a successful career outside the NFL, with an estimated net worth of $13 million and a continuing family football legacy through his son Arch Manning.