Texas QB Arch Manning is too nice of a guy to burn the bridge that he may need to burn in a few months
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is too nice of a guy to burn the bridge that he may need to burn in a few months
I’m not a Texas Longhorns fan, and I don’t know if I’m in the minority or not, but I like Arch Manning.
I like the way he’s approached college football. I like his demeanor, who he is as a teammate, and everything he seems to stand for. I’m genuinely rooting for his success.
It’s been a tough go at times for him at Texas, but I think the talent he has is evident. Many of his struggles, I believe, are a result of the pressure he was put under simply because of his last name. It’s a lot to live up to, and if you’re not playing free and confidently on Saturdays in the SEC, it’s going to be hard to be at your best. I think he’s still figuring out how to do that.
But because I’m rooting for Arch, I think he needs to be someone he’s probably not for the sake of his long-term NFL career.
Arch Manning needs to be ruthless and try to avoid certain NFL teams
NFL draft analyst Todd McShay mentioned this week that he’s not certain that Arch will declare for the 2027 NFL Draft, noting that he wouldn’t be shocked if the Texas quarterback stays for another season.
“Let’s back off this expectation that he’s the No. 1 overall pick, and he’s the guy, and this is Texas’ year. Because I got news for you, I don’t even know that the Mannings are looking at this as the swan song at Texas,” said McShay. “There’s a long history of Manning sticking around that extra year that people didn’t think they were going to stick around until they’re right and they feel like they’re ready. I won’t be surprised at all if he’s in the 2028 draft.”
I wouldn’t be shocked either, but I also think that if you’re guaranteed to be the No. 1 pick, it’s awfully hard to pass that up.
But here’s the thing: It certainly feels like the Cleveland Browns are tanking for Arch Manning. There are quite a few people out there who believe that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has his sights set on Manning. And that would make sense. Haslam is a Tennessee graduate and booster who obviously loves Peyton Manning. I’m sure he would love nothing more than to have Arch Manning as the cornerstone of his franchise.
But if I’m Arch, I want nothing to do with that situation.
I don’t think there’s any quarterback in the world who can turn the Browns into a winning organization, at least consistently, at this point. They’re just a bad organization.
It’s not just the Browns that Arch should avoid – there are several bad organizations littered throughout the NFL. They may have a good year from time to time, but for the most part, they’re bad.
The Jets, the Raiders, the Bengals…
I mean, Cincinnati has some of the best players in the league in Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. And I know injuries have been a problem, but outside of one trip to the Super Bowl, the Bengals haven’t been able to make the most of that collection of talent.
(Remember, many folks said Burrow should’ve tried to avoid getting drafted by the Bengals.)
I want to see Arch land in a good situation where he has a chance – and I know that can be tough because typically the bad teams are the ones at the top of the draft. That’s why I think maybe Arch should pull an Eli Manning when it comes draft time and try to force his way into a better situation.
Look, I don’t love it. I don’t think Arch Manning would love the idea of it. I don’t think Eli Manning loved the idea of it in 2004. But I don’t want to see Arch wasted in Cleveland or with the Jets or whatever bad team may need a quarterback in 2027 (or even 2028 if he waits). Sometimes you have to be the bad guy for the betterment of your career.
Arch seems like a nice guy – everybody loves him in Austin. He’s affable, he’s good with the media, and he seems like a guy who is easy to hang out with. I don’t know if he has it in him to be that ruthless and burn a bridge with an NFL franchise, but if he wants to have the type of career that includes Super Bowl wins and chances to compete for championships, he needs to do everything he can to avoid Cleveland.
