Stephen A. Smith Subtly Undermines Eli Manning While Making Russell Wilson’s Hall of Fame Case

New York Giants’ two-time Super Bowl winner Eli Manning was among the fifteen finalists in the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection last year.

Stephen A. Smith Subtly Undermines Eli Manning While Making Russell Wilson’s Hall of Fame Case

Russell Wilson, Eli Manning; Stephen A Smith (Image via SI/LA Times/The New Yorker)

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On Tuesday, the New York Giants decided to bench veteran starter Russell Wilson for rookie Jaxson Dart amid mounting calls and chants following their third consecutive defeat this season. The Giants are currently 0-3, for the first time since 2021.

In light of his benching, social media and traditional media critics have declared the past three weeks as the swansong of Wilson’s career. Wilson joined the league as a third-round pick in 2012 by the Seattle Seahawks after a decent college career at Wisconsin. He quickly found acclaim by tying the then-rookie record for most passing touchdowns and won the ROTY. He also led the Seahawks to two consecutive Super Bowls.

He won once in a scintillating fashion and dramatically lost one, being intercepted on the goalline by Malcom Butler. However, his career since being traded in 2021 hasn’t been a joyride. The quarterback had a setback in production and form, hopping to the Pittsburgh Steelers last year and the Giants this year. These past few years have put his Hall of Fame status in debate.

Stephen A. Smith has joined the conversation and defended Wilson and made his case. Smith argued that the HOF has to induct Wilson down the line if they have inducted Eli Manning.

You can’t put Eli Manning in the Hall of the Fame and leave Russell Wilson out.

Smith said.

Eli Manning has won two Super Bowls and started in fifteen years in the league for the New York Giants. Manning, however, was never consistent with his performances. Although he didn’t secure a HOF selection this year, he’s likely to join the others in Canton, Ohio, sooner than later. Comparing their numbers, Wilson has a higher production compared to Manning in terms of passing yardage per attempt and completion rate.

Though Manning leads in passing yards and touchdowns, he has twice the number of interceptions and pick-sixes as Wilson. Considering all of these, Smith’s claim does make perfect sense. If Manning is making the HOF, so should Russell Wilson, no matter how his career came to a close.

Drew Brees joins Eli Manning in the HOF nominees for the 2026 Induction Class

The 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees are spearheaded by Drew Brees and Larry Fitzgerald, two of the most accomplished players in NFL history. Both were selected in their first year of eligibility and headline a strong class of modern-era candidates.

Drew Brees
Drew Brees (Image via Men’s Journal)

The 2026 class has 128 nominees, including 11 other players picked in their first year of eligibility. Along with Brees, Philip Rivers, and Alex Smith are the three quarterbacks in the 13-player entrants. They will be joined by two tight ends, running backs, offensive and defensive linemen, each. Thomas Davis completed the list as the sole linebacker.

These new entrants will be joining the finalist returnees, which include Manning, Terrell Suggs, and Reggie Wayne, among a few others. Four players are already assured of places in the final 15 after reaching the last seven in the 2025 class: Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly, and Adam Vinatieri.

Manning is up against a tough crowd once again, and his chances of making it are rather slim. Even he knows that it might not happen anytime soon.

I don’t think [so]. That’s just really not my personality. I don’t think that’s gonna happen.

Manning told Dan Katz in an appearance on Pardon My Take

In October, a screening committee will trim the list of candidates to 50. The full 50-member selection committee will then narrow it to 25, and later to 15 finalists, who will be voted on during the selection meeting held before the Super Bowl in February.

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