The Cleveland Browns could be on the verge of a franchise overhaul if things don’t turn around in 2025. While still speculative, the idea of quarterback Arch Manning and legendary coach Nick Saban landing in Cleveland has started gaining traction – and not without reason.
Rumblings about Saban’s return to coaching, despite stepping away from Alabama in 2024, were sparked by ESPN analyst Greg McElroy. According to McElroy, someone “very much in the know” believes Saban might not be done with the sidelines just yet.
That possibility lit a fire under the sports world, especially once Colin Cowherd jumped in on The Herd. He floated the possibility of Saban returning not to college, but to the NFL – and joining forces with Arch Manning, college football’s rising star.
Cowherd’s theory? Cleveland could end up drafting Manning first overall in 2026 if their upcoming season takes a dive.
Arch Manning’s potential rise meets the Browns’ uncertainty
There’s a lot to like about Arch Manning if you’re a team looking for a cornerstone quarterback. The Texas Longhorns signal-caller is preparing to take full control of the offense in 2025. Though he only has two collegiate starts under his belt, Manning’s efficiency and football IQ have impressed analysts and fans alike.
He completed 41 of 60 passes in those appearances, tallying 583 yards, four touchdowns, and just two interceptions. He also rushed for a score and added nearly 30 yards on the ground. The Athletic recently rated him a Tier 1 quarterback – placing him among the top performers in Division I before he’s even played a full season as a starter.
That’s not just hype, it’s expectation. And if he performs at that level, NFL teams will be circling. Especially a franchise like Cleveland, where questions remain around Deshaun Watson’s long-term viability and the team’s direction beyond 2025.
Add to that a wildcard owner like Jimmy Haslam, who has deep roots in SEC culture and a flair for headline moves, and the scenario doesn’t seem quite so far-fetched. Cowherd even pointed out the SEC connections.
“Nick knows the Manning family. The fit’s there. If Arch plays well, he goes No. 1 – and Cleveland might be picking first.”
Nick Saban’s NFL legacy is brief and often overlooked – a short stint with the Miami Dolphins that ended in disappointment. But he’s since built one of the most dominant college programs ever at Alabama, and the chance to mentor a quarterback with Manning’s pedigree on football’s biggest stage could be a new kind of challenge.
Though Saban has remained quiet, speculation about his return to the NFL won’t die down anytime soon, especially with insider whispers continuing to emerge.
For now, it’s all hypothetical – but it’s a future Browns fans, and the NFL as a whole, will be watching closely.
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