The 2026 NFL season is shaping up to be a remarkable one, reminiscent of the infamous 2011 “Suck for Luck” campaign. The buzz is growing around a certain Texas quarterback, Arch Manning, as teams prepare for a potential tanking season. One team that seems to be positioning itself for a shot at Manning is the Arizona Cardinals. After a dismal 3-14 record last season, the Cardinals made some significant changes, including firing head coach Jonathan Gannon and bringing in Mike LaFleur to lead the team moving forward.
Currently, the Cardinals find themselves in a peculiar situation at the quarterback position. Their roster includes only journeymen Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II, along with third-year player Kedon Slovis. ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio pointed out that this lack of a solid plan at quarterback suggests that the Cardinals might be intentionally tanking the season to secure a higher draft pick for 2027. Florio remarked, “Maybe the overriding plan, if there is one, is to accept reality for 2026 and allow nature to take its course.”
The idea of tanking for a franchise quarterback like Arch Manning has captivated fans and analysts alike. Manning, the highly-touted Texas Longhorns quarterback, is seen as a potential generational talent. However, as Florio noted, the landscape can change quickly in college football. “The popular assumption is that it will be Arch Manning. As we’ve seen, however, the player who emerges as the consensus number one for the next year could be a player no one is even thinking about currently.” This unpredictability adds an intriguing layer to the Cardinals’ strategy.
The Cardinals have had their share of ups and downs over the last decade. They once believed they had found their franchise quarterback in Kyler Murray, who played from 2019 to 2025. However, after seven seasons, the team decided it was time to part ways with Murray as part of their rebuilding efforts. This decision reflects a broader trend in the NFL where teams are willing to take calculated risks to secure their future.
2026 NFL season: Are the Cardinals embracing a tanking strategy?
With a decade passing since the Cardinals last won a playoff game, the pressure is on to avoid another prolonged period of mediocrity. The franchise is clearly seeking a way to break free from what they refer to as a decade of purgatory. The potential acquisition of Arch Manning could be the key to revitalizing their fortunes and restoring hope among fans.
As the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on how the Cardinals navigate their quarterback situation. With only a few options currently on their roster, it seems they are bracing for a challenging season ahead. The possibility of tanking for Manning not only highlights their strategy but also showcases the lengths teams will go to secure a top-tier talent.
In summary, the Arizona Cardinals are in a unique position as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season. With their current quarterback situation looking bleak, they may very well be setting themselves up for a run at Arch Manning. Whether or not this strategy pays off remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the excitement surrounding Manning and the potential shift in the Cardinals’ fortunes has ignited discussions across the league.
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