Eli Manning, Antonio Gates and Reggie Wayne 2025 Hall of Fame Finalists

A two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback and two of the greatest players in NFL history are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, tight end Antonio Gates and receiver Reggie Wayne are three of the 15 finalists selected for the class of 2025, the Hall of Fame announced Saturday.

It is the second year in a row that Gates has been named a finalist. The all-time leader in receiving in franchise history for the Chargers, Gates finished his career with the most receiving touchdowns by a tight end in NFL history with 116.

Selected as the sixth overall pick, Wayne is a six-time Pro Bowler who currently ranks 10th in receptions (1,070) and receiving yards (14,345).

Manning is one of five finalists in his first year of eligibility, along with Luke Kuechly, Terrell Suggs, Adam Vinatieri and Marshal Yanda.

Receiver Steve Smith Sr. he is the first runner-up in his fourth year of eligibility.

Off the roster are offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Jahri Evans, defensive end Jared Allen, receiver Torry Holt, linebackers Eric Allen and Darren Woodson and running back Fred Taylor.

These 15 finalists join five others who advanced in the donor, coach and senior categories: Ralph Hay (participant), Mike Holmgren (coach), and Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe and Jim Tyrer (seniors).

The Hall of Fame selection committee will meet before Super Bowl LIX to vote for the class of 2025, which will be announced during the “NFL Honors” show in New Orleans during Super Bowl week. There is no set number for any class of saints, but the Hall’s bylaws state that between four and eight new members will be elected. Registration will take place in August in Canton.

Finalists in the Modern-Era Players category were determined by the Hall’s Independent Selection Committee from a list of 167 nominees. It was further reduced twice (to 50 nominees and 25 semi-finals) before being reduced to 15 finalists.

Here is the complete list:

Eric AllenCornerback – 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders (Seasons as finalist: 2 – 2024-25)

Jared AllenDefensive End — 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers (Final seasons: 5 — 2021-25)

Willie AndersonTackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens (Last seasons: 4 – 2022-25)

Jahri EvansGuard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers (Playoff appearances: 4 — 2022-25)

Antonio GatesTight End — 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (Playoff appearances: 2 — 2024-25)

Torry HoltWide Receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars (Seasons to Finals: 6 — 2020-25)

Luke KuechlyLinebacker — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers (Last seasons: 1 — 2025)

Eli ManningQuarterback – 2004-2019 New York Giants (Times to finish: 1 — 2025)

Steve Smith Sr.Wide Receiver — 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens (Last seasons: 1 — 2025)

Terrell SuggsOutside Linebacker/Defensive End — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs (Last seasons: 1 — 2025)

Fred TaylorRunning Back — 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots (Last seasons: 2 — 2024-25)

Adam VinatieriKicker – 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts (Final seasons: 1 — 2025)

Reggie WayneWide Receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts (Seasons: 6 — 2020-2025)

Darren WoodsonSafety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys (Playoff seasons: 3 — 2023-25)

Marshal YandaGuard/Tackle — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens (Times as last: 1 — 2025)

Eric D. Williams has reported on the NFL for more than a decade, including Los Angeles Rams for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Chargers of ESPN and Seattle Seahawks of the Tacoma News Tribune. Follow him on Twitter at @eric_d_williams.

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