Looking ahead to 2025 NFL Hall of Fame: Eli Manning, Marshawn Lynch among those eligible for first time

Buckle up, Hall of Fame voters. Next year’s Hall of Fame induction class may be the most difficult to select given the immense level of worthy candidates who will be eligible for enshrinement. 

Along with this year’s modern-era finalists who weren’t part of the 2024 induction class, there are a host of talented players who will be eligible for the first time in 2025. Here’s a look at some of the notable names who will be eligible for the first time. 

QB Eli Manning: A two-time Super Bowl MVP who led the Giants to two epic wins over the Patriots in the big game. Manning’s Hall of Fame worthiness will be a hot-button topic for months. 

LB Luke Kuechly: Will voters look past Kuechly’s relatively short career? They should, as he was a seven-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro, Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in his eight seasons. 

G Marshall Yanda: The longtime Raven was a Pro Bowler in each of his final nine seasons. His blocking helped Baltimore capture Super Bowl XLVII. 

RB Marshawn Lynch: Beast Mode was the driving force behind Seattle’s offense for most of the 2010s. He best years coincided with the Seahawks‘ run to a Super Bowl win and back-to-back appearances in the big game. 

OLB Terrell Suggs: One of the league’s most intimidating players for two decades, Suggs’ career included a DPOY award, seven Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl win with the Ravens. 

RB Darren Sproles: An extremely versatile player, Sproles tallied 8,392 total rushing and receiving yards, 55 rushing and receiving touchdowns and averaged 4.9 yards-per-carry. He also had nine special teams touchdowns while leading the NFL in punt return yards two times and in total return yards once. 

OT Joe Staley: The longtime 49er retired after Super Bowl LIV with six Pro Bowls and 192 starts under his belt. He played an integral role on two San Francisco teams that went to the Super Bowl. 

CB Aqib Talib: A driving force behind the Broncos‘ 2015 championship defense, Talib earned five straight Pro Bowl nods from 2013-17. 

WR Demaryius Thomas: Thomas was named to five straight Pro Bowls as Peyton Manning’s favorite target. He played a key role in the Broncos’ 2015 Super Bowl win. Four years before that, his 80-yard touchdown on the first play of overtime gave the Broncos a shocking playoff win over the Steelers. 

LB Clay Matthews: Matthews racked up 91.5 sacks during his…