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Browns could target Arch Manning in 2026 after predicted 0-5 collapse

NFL analyst Ben Solak predicts Cleveland will start the 2025 season winless and tank for Texas star Arch Manning, despite drafting Shedeur Sanders this year.

Arch Manning
Arch ManningLAPRESSE

The Cleveland Browns have five quarterbacks on their current roster, Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Deshaun Watson, Dillon Gabriel, and rookie Shedeur Sanders. Yet, despite the depth, there's growing speculation that none of them will be the long-term answer under center. ESPN analyst Ben Solak believes the Browns could bottom out in 2025, setting the stage for a bold move in 2026: drafting Texas quarterback Arch Manning.

According to Solak, the Browns' brutal early-season schedule could lead to a disastrous 0-5 start, sparking a full-blown "March to Arch" campaign among fans. Losses to playoff-caliber teams like the Bengals, Ravens, Packers, Lions, and Vikings are projected to crush Cleveland's playoff hopes by early October. At that point, the hype surrounding Manning,especially after a potential breakout game against Florida on October 4, could become impossible to ignore.

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Tanking for talent: a calculated gamble?

Solak's prediction is less about discrediting Cleveland's current quarterbacks and more about the unforgiving nature of their 2025 schedule. Even if Sanders or Gabriel shows flashes of potential, facing five powerhouse teams right out of the gate could doom the Browns before they find their footing. The fanbase's patience is already wearing thin, and if the Browns stumble early, the pressure to chase a generational talent like Manning will only intensify.

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The idea of tanking for Manning isn't far-fetched. As of now, Bet365 lists him as the favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft with +200 odds. His combination of pedigree, poise, and production at Texas has already turned heads, and his draft stock continues to rise. With other top quarterbacks like Drew Allar and Garrett Nussmeier also in the mix, 2026 is shaping up to be a quarterback-rich draft, but Manning remains the crown jewel.

Will Cleveland reset again?

The Browns invested in Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 Draft, but if he struggles to adapt or doesn't win the starting job, the team could look for a more secure long-term option. Drafting another quarterback in the top five would be risky but not unprecedented, especially if the franchise believes Arch Manning is a future star worth building around.

Whether it's "Planning for Manning" or "March to Arch," Cleveland may already be bracing for another reboot.

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