Pro Football Hall of Fame 2025: Eli Manning, Luke Kuechly, and Adam Vinatieri Among First-Time Nominees

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced its 2025 modern era nominees, and Eli Manning, Luke Kuechly, and Adam Vinatieri are among the first-time nominees.

Manning, a two-time Super Bowl MVP, is eligible for the Hall of Fame for the first time.

Kuechly, a former Defensive Player of the Year, is also a first-time nominee.

Vinatieri, a postseason kicking hero, is another first-time nominee.

The Hall of Fame selection process involves a screening committee, which will reduce the list of nominees to 50 players next month.

The full 50-person selection committee will then cut the list down to 25 semifinalists and eventually 15 finalists.

Players must receive 80% of votes to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Between three and five players will be inducted as modern era candidates.

There will also be three senior candidates, one coach, and one contributor, with at least one and no more than three of these finalists getting in based on voting.

Other first-time nominees include Marshal Yanda, Travis Frederick, Ryan Kalil, Joe Staley, Darren Sproles, Demaryius Thomas, Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker, Antoine Bethea, Aqib Talib, and Earl Thomas.

Ten players are back under consideration who were finalists a year ago, including Antonio Gates, Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Willie Anderson, Jahri Evans, Darren Woodson, Eric Allen, Rodney Harrison, Jared Allen, and Fred Taylor.

Manning is hoping to follow his brother Peyton into the Hall of Fame.

Manning had a standout career with the New York Giants, leading the team to two Super Bowl victories.

He was a four-time Pro Bowler and finished his career with 57,023 yards passing and 366 TDs.

Kuechly and Suggs were among the top defensive players of their era.

Kuechly’s career was brief but impactful, with five All-Pro selections and seven Pro Bowl nods.

Suggs was one of the top pass rushers in the league, with 139 sacks ranking eighth best since they became an official stat in 1982.

Vinatieri was one of the most clutch kickers in NFL history, making