The Cleveland Browns are no strangers to drama, but what’s brewing for 2026 might top anything they’ve pulled before.
Owner Jimmy Haslam reportedly has a bold idea for the team’s next chapter-and it involves two names that are synonymous with college football greatness: Arch Manning and Nick Saban.
This isn’t your typical offseason rumor mill fluff. According to FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd, Haslam is actively eyeing Manning, the Texas QB phenom, and Saban, the recently retired Alabama legend, as a possible quarterback-coach duo to reboot the franchise.
“Jimmy leans heavily on the Manning family,”Cowherd said on The Herd. “Saban is incredibly close to not only Haslam, but also the Manning family. If Saban can land a top quarterback, he would take a phone call for the NFL.”
That’s a big “if.” But in Cleveland, the timing might be just right.
Why Arch Manning and Nick Saban Are on The Browns Radar
Head coach Kevin Stefanski is on thin ice heading into 2025, and Deshaun Watson’s Achilles injury clouds his future. Without a clear answer at quarterback, the Browns could easily find themselves in rebuild mode come 2026.
Meanwhile, Arch Manning is poised to finally take over the starting job at Texas. If his 2025 season meets expectations, he’ll be a top-tier prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. ESPN’s Todd McShay has even listed him as a potential top-10 pick, calling him “polished and mentally advanced for his age.”
Saban, of course, retired in 2024-but his name never really leaves the NFL conversation. While his daughter insists he’s staying retired, Pro Football Talk reported that he’s been quietly approached for advisory roles. And if a Manning-led Browns pitch comes calling? That might be harder to pass up.
Still, this whole scenario lives in the “ambitious longshot” category-for now. But with Haslam’s deep ties to the Mannings and Saban, and a franchise at a crossroads, it’s not impossible.
If the Browns falter this season, don’t be surprised if the rumors get louder. Haslam’s made big moves before. This might be his biggest yet.
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