Don’t get your hopes up about the struggling NFL team.
While the 2026 NFL Draft is still a ways off, Texas quarterback Arch Manning has become a focal point for speculation regarding his future, as he heads into his third season with the Longhorns.
The 21-year-old hasn’t given any hints about his plans, but his grandfather, the iconic Archie Manning, may have just dashed the aspirations of a team that could end up with the first pick in 2026.
“Arch isn’t going to do that,” Archie mentioned recently. His grandson might just wait to declare for the draft. “He’s at Texas.”
This is noteworthy because Manning comes from a well-regarded family; he is the nephew of NFL greats Payton and Eli, both of whom took their time in college before entering the draft.
Payton started for four years at Tennessee before being picked in the 1998 draft.
Eli, after playing just six games his freshman year, became a full starter for three years at Ole Miss before entering the 2004 draft.
Archie himself was a three-year starter at Ole Miss as well, getting selected second overall in 1971.
If Arch decides to declare for the draft next season, he’ll do so with just one full year of experience as a starter for Texas under his belt.
He spent most of the 2023 season as a backup to Quinn Ewers, appearing in only two games his freshman year. Over the last two years, he has made significant contributions with nine passing touchdowns, four rushing touchdowns, and only two interceptions.
Arch Manning possesses the skill set of his predecessors and displays a versatility that echoes his uncle’s playing style.
NFL teams will certainly want to see how he performs throughout the entire season before making any judgments on whether he could be the third Manning to go high in the draft. As it stands, his name is already circulating near the top, whether it’s for 2026 or 2027.
