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NFL Execs Hint at Arch Manning's Plan for 2026 NFL Draft

Arch Manning will have a decision to make following the 2025 season with the Texas Longhorns.
Zach Dimmitt|
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) against the Clemson Tigers during the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) against the Clemson Tigers during the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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Texas Longhorns

AUSTIN -- The Texas Longhorns could potentially have Arch Manning as a starter for two seasons instead of one.

Per reports from The Athletic, five anonymous NFL executives were recently asked about Manning's plans for the 2026 NFL Draft and believe that it's likely he stays at Texas for a fourth season instead of declaring for the pros. He has played in 12 games in two years as a Longhorn while going 2-0 as a starter.

Teams like the Los Angeles Rams or Cleveland Browns could potentially be among the teams that are eyeing quarterback talent in 2026 after a 2025 class that was seen as weaker than previous years.

Arch Mannin
Dec 7, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) practices before the 2024 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Manning is set to enter his first full season as a starter after taking over for Quinn Ewers but could potentially be the No. 1 overall pick next draft cycle if he lives up to expectations in 2025. Ewers helped lead Texas to back-to-back College Football Playoff Semifinals before being a seventh-round pick by the Miami Dolphins. Falling short of that stage in the Manning era will be seen as a disappointment for Texas.

Regardless of what Manning decides to do after the 2025 season, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian admitted Monday at the Houston Touchdown Club that he wants the decision to be a tough one, as it would signal that the Longhorns had another successful season.

“Here’s what I hope. I hope he’s got a really hard decision to make on about January 21," Sarkisian said. "That means we played for a long time. That means he probably had a really good season. And that means he’s probably trying to figure out do I want one more year in the burnt orange or is it time to go to the NFL? I hope it’s a really, really hard decision. I hope it’s not a no-brainer for him to come back to school.”

Manning finished last season with 10 appearances and two starts against Louisiana Monroe and Mississippi State. He went 61 of 90 passing for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and two picks. He added 25 carries for 108 yards and four scores on the ground.

Manning will make his third-career start when the Longhorns open up the regular season on the road against the Ohio State

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Zach Dimmitt
ZACH DIMMITT

Zach Dimmitt is the Deputy Editor for Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI. He also contributes as a writer for the On SI channels of the Oregon Ducks, Baltimore Ravens and Tennessee Titans. He was previously the editor-in-chief of Buffalo Bills on SI, Philadelphia Eagles on SI and Seattle Seahawks on SI. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Dimmitt received his Bachelor’s Degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin in 2022. He originally started with SI’s Fan Nation network in 2021, providing extensive coverage of the NFL and NBA along with college football and basketball. In that time, Dimmitt has published thousands of stories and has reached millions of people across multiple fan bases. You can follow him on X at @ZachDimmitt7

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