While the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class includes four very deserving members, it will not include two notable former players that did not get the call to Canton, Ohio on their first year of eligibility.

Former Giants quarterback and two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning and former Panthers linebacker and 2013 Defensive Player of the Year Luke Kuechly will not be part of this year’s induction class. When asked about not getting the call, Manning expressed his happiness for the former players who will be getting inducted this summer while adding that it will not alter his outlook on his career. Kuechly expressed similar sentiments when recently asked about not being selected in his first year of eligibility.

Luke Kuechly: “You look at that class, I got to play with Jared Allen. That was super cool for me. When you grow up playing football, you’re always thinking of the guys that you’d love to play with.” Translation: Kuechly reflects on the honor of playing with notable NFL players.

Kuechly also mentioned that although he isn’t losing any sleep over this year’s induction, he would obviously love to someday earn a bronze bust and gold jacket.

Luke Kuechly: “Your time will come if it comes. Whatever is going to happen is going to happen.”

In eight seasons, Kuechly was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a five-time All-Pro, and the 2012 Defensive Rookie of the Year. He played a key role on the Panthers’ 2015 NFC championship team that went 15-1 during the regular season.