The Arch Manning sweepstakes may already be heating up and it’s still more than a year before the 2026 NFL Draft.
While early rumors have tied the University of Texas quarterback to the Cleveland Browns, possibly with coaching legend Nick Saban in the mix, there may be a second franchise flying under the radar with just as strong a shot at landing the Manning heir.
Colin Cowherd recently stirred headlines by calling the potential connection between Saban and the Manning family “the worst-kept secret in the South.”
The sports radio host pointed to deep-rooted ties between Browns owner Jimmy Haslam, Saban’s agent Jimmy Sexton, and the Mannings, suggesting that if Arch ends up in Cleveland, Saban might not be far behind.
“Jimmy Haslam, owner of the Browns and huge SEC/Tennessee booster, leans heavily on the Manning family,” Cowherd said on The Herd. “Saban is incredibly close to not only Jimmy Haslam but the Manning family as well.”
That potential collision of NFL ownership, college royalty, and coaching greatness made for a compelling theory. But former ESPN analyst Todd McShay isn’t convinced Cleveland is alone in the chase. In a post on X, McShay offered a subtle yet intriguing clue about another team with interest in Manning.
“Not refuting this as a ‘worst-kept secret,'” McShay wrote. “But it’s not the only situation to monitor… There’s another team with two first-round picks in ’26 whose GM’s son is a close friend to Arch at Texas. And the HC has a pretty good history with QBs. Just sayin…”
Rams fit McShay’s hints and could challenge Cleveland for Arch Manning
While McShay didn’t name the franchise, the pieces line up almost perfectly with the Los Angeles Rams. Following a recent trade with the Atlanta Falcons, the Rams are one of the only NFL teams with two first-round picks in 2026, matching the profile McShay described. Additionally, Rams general manager Les Snead has a son who plays at Texas and is reportedly close with Manning, adding another personal layer to the connection.
Head coach Sean McVay also fits McShay‘s final clue. Known for developing quarterbacks, McVay transformed Jared Goff from a struggling rookie into a Super Bowl starter and later led the Rams to a championship with Matthew Stafford. That track record of success with passers makes Los Angeles an ideal landing spot for a highly touted prospect like Manning.
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