Dallas Cowboys Already Building Connection With Arch Manning

The Dallas Cowboys are already set at quarterback for the foreseeable future but that's not stopping the team from rubbing elbows with next year's potential No. 1 pick.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning warms up before an NCAA football game against Florida in Gainesville, FL. | Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Dallas Cowboys made headlines during the Texas Longhorns' Pro Day in Austin on Tuesday as the team prepares for the 2026 NFL Draft.

With head coach Brian Schottenheimer and defensive coordinator Christian Parker in attendance, the Cowboys made it clear that they have some notable interest in linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. and cornerback Malik Muhammad.

Schottenheimer clearly wants to know exactly what Hill Jr. and Muhammad have to offer, as he spoke for about 20 minutes straight with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian.

However, Schottenheimer also made it a point to spend time with one of the biggest names in the sport.

Brian Schottenheimer Meets With Texas QB Arch Manning

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning warms up before a game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. | Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Schottenheimer was seen chatting briefly with Texas star quarterback Arch Manning, who is set to enter his second full season as the starter with the Longhorns.

Manning won't be declaring until the 2027 NFL Draft. The only real chance that Dallas has at getting him in the 2027 NFL Draft is if the Cowboys were to tank the entire season and get the No. 1 overall pick with sudden plans to move on from Dak Prescott. Aside from that, Cowboy fans can only dream.

Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer shares a conversation with Texas QB Arch Manning at the Longhorns Pro Day. pic.twitter.com/cfnle5bGVl

— Joseph Hoyt (@JoeJHoyt) March 24, 2026

Despite the basically zero chance that Manning will be a Cowboy, it was interesting to see Schottenheimer chatting it up with arguably the biggest name in college football.

The thought of Manning with a star on his helmet is certainly still fun to imagine. In an alternate universe, maybe Manning takes over for the aging Prescott and then helps lead Dallas to multiple Super Bowls.

Last season at Texas, Manning showed off his dual-threat stardom despite fighting off countless critics at the start of the year. He finished the season 248 of 404 passing for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

He also added 92 carries for 399 yards and 10 more scores on the ground.

As far the 2026 NFL Draft goes, it feels unlikely the Cowboys will add depth to their quarterback room after signing Sam Howell to join Prescott and Joe Milton III.

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