Fansided

Top 10 first-time eligible candidates for the Hall of Fame in 2021

By Russell S. Baxter

INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Quarterback Peyton Manning of Denver Broncos calls the play during Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 7, 2016. / AFP / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
Quarterback Peyton Manning of Denver Broncos calls the play during Super Bowl 50 against the Carolina Panthers at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 7, 2016. / AFP / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) /

1. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos

It was a rough few years for the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. University of Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning would take his lumps early on with the Indianapolis Colts, under the guidance of head coach Jim Mora. But things would change in 2002 with the hiring of Tony Dungy.

With Manning at the controls, the team made nine consecutive playoff appearances, won the AFC South seven times, capture Super Bowl XLI and reached Super Bowl XLIV. There would be no football for Manning in 2011 due to multiple neck surgeries.

Manning’s final four seasons in the league were with the Denver Broncos. The club would win the AFC West in each of those years and reached Super Bowls XLVIII and 50. The former was a humbling 43-8 loss to Seattle while the veteran signal-caller wasn’t a huge factor in his club’s 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers.

Nevertheless, he’s the only starting quarterback to win Super Bowls with two different franchises. And in 2013, he set new NFL records for passing yards (5,477) and TD throws (55) in a single season.

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In 17 seasons with two different franchises, Manning played in a total of 266 regular-season games and ranks third in league annals in both touchdown throws (539) and passing yardage (71,940).

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