The NFL world has long had its sights set on Arch Manning as the next generational quarterback to enter the league. But according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, teams banking on his arrival in 2026 may want to pump the brakes.
Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up on Thursday, Schefter dropped a nugget that could throw off the strategy of teams anticipating a quarterback reset in 2026.
“First of all, there’s no guarantees that Arch Manning‘s coming out after next year,” Schefter said. “It sounds like he certainly could be staying beyond next year.
“None of the Mannings ever went out early, and I don’t know with NIL money being what it is why Arch would do that. So, all of this conversation about tanking for Arch next year, he could be in the draft in 2027, not even next year.”
Manning’s legacy, NIL millions, and the college factor
As the son of Cooper Manning, nephew of Hall of Famer Peyton Manning and two-time Super Bowl winner Eli Manning, and grandson of the legendary Archie Manning, Arch has long been under the microscope. With that lineage comes both hype and pressure-and perhaps a more cautious, long-term approach to his NFL debut.
Now positioned to take over the starting quarterback job for the Texas Longhorns following Quinn Ewers‘ decision to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, Manning is poised for the spotlight. In limited action last season, the sophomore completed 67.8 percent of his passes, throwing for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and only two interceptions. While the numbers are promising, he’s still developing-and in today’s evolving college football landscape, he doesn’t have to rush.
Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities have dramatically altered the decision-making calculus for top-tier college athletes, and Manning is no exception.
According to On3, his NIL valuation sits at an eye-popping $6.6 million-more than any other amateur athlete in the country, including both college and high school. For comparison, that figure rivals some backup NFL quarterback salaries.
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