NFL Insider Warns Teams Hoping to Draft Arch Manning

The 2025 NFL Draft might be just around the corner, but some football fanatics already have their eyes on next year’s crop of potential draftees—especially Texas quarterback Arch Manning. The Manning name clearly carries weight in football, but don’t go rushing to make your “Tank for Arch” signs just yet.

Arch Manning, the son of Cooper Manning and nephew of quarterback royalty Peyton and Eli Manning, has finally been handed the reins of the Texas Longhorns offense after Quinn Ewers entered the 2025 Draft. Arch spent the past two seasons sitting behind Ewers, likely learning the ropes and biding his time. But hold your horses—NFL insider Adam Schefter dropped some news that might make teams rethink their plans.

Making an appearance on ESPN’s "Get Up," Schefter cautioned that there’s no guarantee Arch Manning will enter the NFL Draft in 2026, even if he meets all the eligibility requirements. "It sounds like he certainly could be staying beyond next year," Schefter remarked, pointing to the Manning family’s history of staying in college longer and the lucrative NIL deals that could make a pro leap less enticing. Arch’s NIL valuation currently stands at a jaw-dropping $6.6 million, so he’s not exactly scrambling for cash.

And for NFL teams hoping to snag him, the insider threw in another curveball: "All of this conversation about tanking for Arch next year? He could be in the draft in 2027, not even next year." Talk about a reality check for those already planning their rebuild around him.

Arch Manning redshirted his first year at Texas and has been gearing up for his chance to lead Steve Sarkisian’s offense. Last season, he managed 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions in 10 appearances. He also showed off his mobility, rushing for 108 yards and four touchdowns. Solid numbers, sure, but what if he doesn’t light up the scoreboard this season? Schefter hinted that Manning might not be thrilled about teams shamelessly tanking just to draft him, a sentiment that echoes his uncle Eli’s infamous move to force a trade away from the San Diego Chargers.

There’s no denying the buzz around Arch Manning, but as Schefter said, the Manning family doesn’t rush into things. And with NIL money flowing like a river, staying in college a little longer might not seem like a bad deal to Arch—or his bank account. For now, it’s all eyes on how he handles the pressure of being the Longhorns’ starter this fall. One thing’s for sure: the Manning legacy isn’t just about football; it’s about playing the long game.