Drew Brees Backs Eli Manning for Hall of Fame After 2 Missed Finalist Cuts

Q: Will Eli Manning's legendary Super Bowl upsets ultimately outweigh his controversial regular-season record for Hall of Fame voters?

Yes—probably not quickly, but eventually. Eli Manning’s Hall of Fame case is unusually dependent on postseason legacy, and that gives him a real path. Two Super Bowl titles, two Super Bowl MVPs, and victories over Tom Brady’s Patriots—especially the 2007 upset of an 18–0 New England team in Super Bowl XLII—are the kinds of defining moments Hall voters historically struggle to dismiss. Those runs remain among the most memorable of his era, and Drew Brees’ public endorsement reinforces that many peers view Manning’s résumé as Canton-worthy. The resistance is also real. Manning’s regular-season record was 117-117, his efficiency and volume numbers were strong but not overwhelming by Hall standards, and he has already fallen short of the final modern-era group in recent voting cycles. In a crowded backlog, that suggests voters are not treating him as an automatic selection. Still, Manning’s candidacy is broader than just two upsets. He started 210 consecutive games, played 16 seasons, owns the Giants’ franchise passing records, and delivered elite playoff performances when stakes were highest. Supporters also argue his regular-season record was shaped by uneven Giants rosters, making quarterback wins an incomplete measure. The most likely outcome is that Manning’s Super Bowl résumé ultimately outweighs the objections to his regular-season record, but not enough to make him an easy or immediate Hall of Famer. His path looks more like delayed induction than permanent exclusion.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 19

Drew Brees said Eli Manning belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, arguing the former Giants quarterback’s two Super Bowl titles, 16-year body of work and consistency make his case hard to dismiss.
Brees framed Manning’s resume against a strong quarterback era that included Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger and Aaron Rodgers, saying those matchups elevated everyone involved.
Manning’s candidacy remains divisive because he has missed the 15 modern-era finalists for 2 straight years despite 2 championships and 210 consecutive regular-season starts with the Giants.
Critics point to Manning’s 117-117 regular-season record, no first-team All-Pro selections, no AP NFL MVP votes and 3 seasons leading the league in interceptions.
Brees said he still expects Manning to reach Canton eventually, adding another Hall of Fame voice to a debate centered on postseason success versus regular-season consistency.