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

A two-time Super Bowl MVP quarterback and two of the greatest pass-catchers in NFL history are on the doorstep of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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

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

Selected as a finalist for the sixth time, Wayne is a six-time Pro Bowler who is currently No. 10 in receptions (1,070) and receiving yards (14,345).

Manning is one of five players to make it to the finals in their first year of eligibility, along with Luke Kuechly, Terrell Suggs, Adam Vinatieri and Marshall Yanda.

Recipient Steve Smith Sr. is a first-time finalist in his fourth year of eligibility.

Rounding out the list are offensive linemen Willie Anderson and Jahri Evans, defensive lineman Jared Allen, receiver Torey Holt, defensive backs Eric Allen and Darren Woodson and running back Fred Taylor.

These 15 finalists join five others who advanced in the Contributor, Coach and Seniors categories: Ralph Hay (Contributor), Mike Holmgren (Coach), and Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharp and Jim Tyer (Senior).

The Hall of Fame selection committee will meet before Super Bowl LIX to vote on the 2025 class, which will be announced during the “NFL Honors” show in New Orleans during Super Bowl week. There is no fixed number for any class of devotees, but four to eight new members will be elected according to recent by-laws. Will enroll in Canton in August.

Finalists in the Modern-Era Player category were determined by the Hall’s independent selection committee from a list that began with 167 nominees. It was reduced two more times (to 50 nominees and 25 semifinalists) before being cut down to 15 finalists.

Here is the full list:

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

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

Willie AndersonTackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens (Times as finalist: 4 – 2022-25)

Jehri EvansGuard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers (Times as finalist: 4 — 2022-25)

Antonio GatesTight End — 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (Times as Finalist: 2 — 2024-25)

Torrie HoltWide receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars (Times as finalist: 6 — 2020-25)

Luke KuechlyLinebacker – 2012-19 Carolina Panthers (Times as a Finalist: 1 – 2025)

Eli ManningQuarterback – 2004-2019 New York Giants (Times as Finalist: 1 – 2025)

Steve Smith SrWide Receiver — 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens (Times as a Finalist: 1 – 2025)

Terrell SuggsOutside Linebacker/Defensive End — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs (Times as a Finalist: 1 – 2025)

Fred TaylorRunning back — 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots (Times as a finalist: 2 – 2024-25)

Adam VinatieriKickers – 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts (Times as Finalist: 1 – 2025)

Reggie WayneWide Receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts (Times as Finalist: 6 — 2020-2025)

Darren WoodsonSafety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys (Times as a Finalist: 3 — 2023-25)

Marshall YandaGuard/Tackle — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens (Times as Finalist: 1 – 2025)

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

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