Hall of Fame Voter: Eli Manning Could Be Facing Challenge of Being Voted in on First Ballot
Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning retired in 2020, which means this coming year, he'll be eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The consensus is that Manning will eventually join his brother Peyton, as well as other Giants greats in Canton, but whether that will happen on the first ballot is the big question mark.
Bob Glauber, a retired columnist from Newsday and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, recently weighed in on the challenges the younger Manning faces for inclusion into Canton on the first ballot.
"I think it will be probably pretty challenging for him to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer because there is there is a lot of discussion about, you know, where Eli's career ranks," Glauber told the Locked On Giants podcast.
The Hall of Fame voter explained many factors are working against Manning's chances of becoming a first-ballot Hall of Famer, specifically Manning's career numbers, which, while ranking in the top 10, didn't include a league MVP award, All-Pro, or passing yardage leadership.
"He was not Peyton [Manning]. He was not Drew Brees. He didn't have those numbers that say, OK, Lock—got to put him in right away. 500 career record. I think that goes against him.
"Lack of All-Pros--that will certainly go against him. But I think there are reasons for that. When you play at a time when your brother and Drew Brees are playing, it makes a difference in the All-Pros and other honors."
Although Manning is 10th in career passing yards, with just over 57,000 yards, won two Super Bowls against Tom Brady and two Super Bowl MVPs, Glauber thinks he will have difficulty getting into the Hall of Fame the first time he's on the ballot.
"Again, I think that he will get in at some point. It's just a matter of, you know, what point that is," Glauber said. "The discussions at the Hall of Fame are very earnest. I will tell you that I like the process.
"But, there are extenuating circumstances. Overall, numbers, longevity, championships, excellence in championship situations, a la two Super Bowl MVPs, two Super Bowl championships, great runs in both of those playoff years. So, I do think Eli Manning is a Hall of Fame player. Whether it happens on the first ballot remains to be seen."
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