The finalists for the 2025 Hall of Fame class have been announced. Quarterback legend Eli Manning has also made the final selection.

Led by two-time Super Bowl winner Eli Manning, a total of 15 NFL legends have reached the final selection for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2025.

The former New York Giants quarterback made it to the final selection phase in the first possible year. The same applies to Luke Kuechly, Terrell Suggs, Adam Vinatieri and Marshal Yanda. To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, a former player must have been retired for at least five years.

In addition to the 15 modern-era players who retired after 2000, five other key NFL figures are eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame.

In the senior category – i.e. players who ended their careers before 2000 – Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe and Jim Tyrer are among the finalists. In the coaching category, Mike Holmgren reached the final stage of the selection process, and Ralph Hay, one of the founding fathers of the NFL, was also nominated for the final.

The individuals who will actually make it into the Class of 2025 for the Hall of Fame will be announced on February 6 as part of the NFL Honors. Between four and eight new members are possible; a maximum of five can come from the group of modern-era players, and a maximum of three in total can come from the other categories.

The prerequisite for admission is a minimum 80 percent approval rating in the selection committee’s voting process. The new members will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame in August as part of the Hall of Fame Games to kick off the preseason.

Pro Football Hall of Fame 2025: The Modern Era finalists

Eli Manning; quarterback; New York Giants (2004 – 2019)
Luke Kuechly; linebacker; Carolina Panthers (2012 – 2019)
Terrell Suggs; linebacker / defensive end; Baltimore Ravens (2003 – 2018), Arizona Cardinals (2019), Kansas City Chiefs (2019)
Adam Vinatieri; Kicker; New England Patriots (1996 – 2005), Indianapolis Colts (2006 – 2019)
Marshal Yanda; Guard/Offensive Tackle; Baltimore Ravens (2007 – 2019)
Antonio Gates; Tight End; San Diego / Los Angeles Chargers (2003 – 2018)
Jahri Evans; Guard; New Orleans Saints (2006 – 2016), Green Bay Packers (2017)
Steve Smith Sr.; Wide Receiver; Carolina Panthers (2001 – 2013), Baltimore Ravens (2014 – 2016)
Jared Allen; Defensive End; Kansas City Chiefs (2004 – 2007), Minnesota Vikings (2008 – 2013), Chicago Bears (2014 – 2015), Carolina Panthers (2015)
Reggie Wayne; Wide Receiver; Indianapolis Colts (2001 – 2014)
Fred Taylor; Running Back; Jacksonville Jaguars (1998 – 2008), New England Patriots (2009 – 2010)
Torry Holt; Wide Receiver; St. Louis Rams (1999 – 2008), Jacksonville Jaguars (2009)
Willie Anderson; Offensive Tackle; Cincinnati Bengals (1996 – 2007), Baltimore Ravens (2008)
Darren Woodson; Safety; Dallas Cowboys (1992 – 2003)
Eric Allen; Cornerback; Philadelphia Eagles (1988 – 1994), New Orleans Saints (1995 – 1997), Oakland Raiders (1998 – 2001)

Pro Football Hall of Fame 2025: The other finalists

Ralph Hay – Owner of the Canton Bulldogs (1918 – 1922); co-founder of the NFL
Mike Holmgren – Head Coach of the Green Bay Packers (1992 – 1998) and the Seattle Seahawks (1999 – 2008); Super Bowl winner 1997
Maxie Baughan; linebacker; Philadelphia Eagles (1960-1965), Los Angeles Rams (1966-1970), Washington Redskins (1974)
Sterling Sharpe; Wide Receiver; Green Bay Packers (1988 – 1994)
Jim Tyrer; Offensive Tackle; Dallas Texans / Kansas City Chiefs (1961 – 1973), Washington Redskins (1974)