Eli unbothered by HOF snub: 'Not gonna change my outlook on my career'

Eli Manning isn't upset about not making the first ballot of the Hall of Fame.

"I had a feeling it wasn't going to be my night, and I understand that," Manning said Friday on "Good Morning Football," according to Around the NFL's Jeremy Bergman. "I'm totally at peace. It's not gonna change my outlook on my career and how I feel about it."

Manning was one of seven finalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame but didn't make the cut in his first year on the ballot. The 2025 Hall of Fame class is the smallest in 20 years, composed of only four members: Antonio Gates, Jared Allen, Eric Allen, and Sterling Sharpe.

This is the first year of the Hall of Fame's new eligibility rules, which were revised to be more exclusive, per The Athletic's Mike Sando. Voters cast ballots for five of the seven finalists - down from 15 finalists - and each candidate must get 80% of the final vote to be enshrined in Canton. If fewer than three finalists hit the 80% threshold, the top three finalists get the call.

The 44-year-old former quarterback won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants and is one of six players to win multiple Super Bowl MVP awards. However, Manning finished his 16-year career .500 as a starter (117-117) and never got an All-Pro nod.

"I don't know if it matters what year you get in," Manning told Yahoo Sports' Frank Schwab on Thursday.

Manning will be eligible for next year's Hall of Fame class. He joins a stacked list of eligible candidates, including former Saints quarterback Drew Brees, former Los Angeles Chargers passer Philip Rivers, and former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.