Making the case against Eli Manning as a first-ballot Hall of Famer

In Super Bowl XLVI four years later, Manning beat Bill Belichick and Tom Brady again 21-17.

So when you factor in two rings with his career totals, and let's face it, his last name, Manning is destined to receive enough votes at some point. However, if you dissect Manning's career, there's a case those Super Bowls and his last name are not enough to make him a first-ballot Hall of Famer. 

During his 16-year career, Manning passed for 57,023 yards and 366 touchdowns. But he also threw 244 interceptions, 13th most in NFL history, per StatMuse. 

Manning, who never led the league in TD passes or any other positive passing category, led the NFL in interceptions three times. In 2007, the season he beat the Patriots in his first Super Bowl, he led the NFL with 20 interceptions. 

Manning also led the league in interceptions in 2010 (25) and 2013 (27). In fact, he reached double digits in interceptions in all but two of his 16 seasons — the nine games he played as a rookie and the four of his final NFL season in 2019.  

An argument against Manning isn't just about the turnovers. Brett Favre, the NFL's all-time leader in interceptions with 366, was a first-ballot HOF selection and is often regarded as one of the top-10 greatest QBs.

But there's a huge difference between Favre and Manning — "The Gunslinger" was a far more accomplished player than Manning. He was an 11-time Pro Bowler, won three MVPs and made first-team All-Pro three times. 

By contrast, Manning made four Pro Bowls, never was named All-Pro and never sniffed MVP consideration. Yes, Manning has one more Super Bowl ring than Favre, but that's a team accomplishment above all else.  

Manning will eventually be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. If we look at a sports Hall of Fame as a museum to chronicle the history of the game, Manning deserves a place in Canton. 

But only 89 of the 371 current Pro Football Hall of Famers earned induction in their first year of eligibility. Earning the Hall of Fame on the first ballot is an honor that should be reserved for candidates who are the creme de la creme of football players. Manning isn't among the best of the best.

The 2025 class, which the Pro Football Hall of Fame stipulates will induct between four and eight new members, will be announced in New Orleans during Super Bowl week in February. 

Awarding the former New York Giants great — one of the more polarizing HOF candidates in recent memory — with a selection on the first ballot early next year would be wrong.