- Manning dynasty continues: How Arch's patience pays off in Texas
- Arch Manning, the starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns, has started to silence doubters, and the 2025 season hasn't even begun
Even before Arch Manning officially steps into the role of Texas Longhorns' starting quarterback, the NFL buzz surrounding him has already reached a fever pitch. Manning, the nephew of Peyton and Eli and grandson of Archie, carries the weight of his name and the promise of his skills as he prepares for his collegiate ascent.
With Manning widely projected as a future No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick, speculation is swirling about how desperate teams might be to secure his talents. The intrigue stems partly from Manning's stellar credentials. A five-star recruit from the 2023 class, Manning earned near-perfect ratings from major recruiting outlets and has flashed glimpses of his potential at Texas despite limited game experience.
Set to lead Texas through its transition into the SEC as QB1, Manning has NFL executives already eyeing his inevitable draft eligibility, though when he will declare remains uncertain. One NFL team frequently linked to these Manning rumors is the Cleveland Browns. According to a recent piece by Mike Sando of The Athletic, anonymous league executives have speculated whether Cleveland might deliberately tank to improve their odds of landing Manning.
The Browns have been plagued by quarterback instability, exacerbated by their ill-fated trade for Deshaun Watson, whose injuries and subpar performances have left the team scrambling for answers. With Watson out due to a torn Achilles, Cleveland's current starter is Kenny Pickett-hardly an ideal solution for long-term success.
Considering it for a better future
However, even the idea of intentionally losing games to draft Manning poses significant risks. There's no guarantee Manning enters the 2026 draft, as he could choose to stay at Texas another year and declare in 2027. Furthermore, teams could face backlash from both fans and the league if tanking suspicions arise.
The Browns have the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft but are unlikely to target a quarterback unless Miami's Cam Ward is unexpectedly available after Tennessee picks. While Colorado's Shedeur Sanders is an option, many executives reportedly believe Cleveland won't take that route.
For teams considering tanking strategies, the uncertainty surrounding Manning's draft timing compounds the gamble. While Manning's pedigree and skill set suggest he could be a franchise-changing player, NFL teams must weigh their desperation against the unpredictability of his trajectory, and the ramifications of failing to secure him.
As the Manning hype continues to grow, the NFL landscape faces the daunting question of whether the allure of generational talent could tempt some teams to tread ethical and competitive boundaries. Manning's future looms large, not only in college football but also in the minds of teams plotting their paths forward.