Bill Belichick knows a little something about Hall of Fame talent and he also knows a little something about New York Giants legend Eli Manning.
Not only has Belichick gotten to know Eli throughout the season, making regular appearances on the ManningCast, but he’s had the displeasure of squaring off against the quarterback in the Super Bowl. Twice.
You don’t have to be an NFL historian to know how those games ended.
If not for Manning, Belichick, who is arguably the greatest head coach of all time, would have 10 total Super Bowl rings to his name.
On Monday night during a wild card game between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams, Belichick made his final appearance on the ManningCast as he settles into his new role at North Carolina.
In his parting message, Belichick weighed in on Manning’s Pro Football Hall of Fame chances.
In true Belichick fashion, Peyton & @EliManning pulled out the cutoff quarter zips for Coach’s final ManningCast send off. pic.twitter.com/HH4mVNvfKl
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) January 14, 2025
“You’re going to look great in a gold jacket,” Belichick told Manning. “I’m sure that’s going to happen and you deserve it so much.”
Although Belichick is certain he will get the call to Canton, Manning isn’t quite as sold. In an exclusive interview with the New York Post over the weekend, Eli addressed how he’d feel if his Hall of Fame bid fell short.
“I guess it’s different just because it’s all out of your hands, you’re not campaigning for it, you’re not trying to talk to people about it or prove your point,” Manning said.
“If I get in, it will be an awesome, unbelievable few days down in New Orleans, and if I don’t, it’s not going to ruin it for me. I’m not going to be in a bad mood, I’m not going to be sulking around. Just to be included in the top 15 this year is a great honor, and so I look at all of this as positive and a fun experience.”
Manning, who is in his first year of eligibility, belongs in the Hall of Fame and Belichick, the elite of all football minds, clearly agrees with that sentiment.
Hopefully, the voters hear what Belichick had to say.
