"I know that we’re going to work as hard as we can to try to be back. And that’s all we can really do, is attack the offseason the right way and just continue to build this team to what it’s capable of being." 

That's what Texas starting quarterback Quinn Ewers said after the Longhorns came up short against Washington in the Sugar Bowl on Monday night in New Orleans. 

Ewers didn't officially announce anything, but he certainly sounded like a quarterback that intends to return to Texas in 2024. 

And that means true freshman quarterback Arch Manning, the grandson of Archie and the nephew of Peyton and Eli, could head to the bench for a second straight season. 

Manning was asked before the Sugar Bowl if he's considered transferring. The young quarterback said he hasn't looked into it, but he never said he wouldn't consider it. 

"Obviously, there’s all these rumors, but I haven’t looked into transferring at all. I’m just focused on developing and helping this team in any way I can, and, hopefully, one day playing for the University of Texas like I always wanted to," said Manning during his first media sessions since joining the Longhorns. 

Manning doesn't sound like a player who's looking for a way out. But words like "haven't looked" and "hopefully" aren't exactly "I'm not going anywhere". 

Maybe that changes if Ewers returns for another year. Or maybe Manning sticks it out and accepts the backup role, something that's been an adjustment for the true freshman, for a second straight season. 

It's hard to see a scenario, though, where Arch transfers. I don't think Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian is going to let that happen. If this devolves into a situation where Arch is considering leaving Texas, it seems more likely that the Longhorns would tell Ewers it's time for him to move on. 

And if you don't think the Mannings would consider using a transfer as leverage, maybe you forgot about the time that Eli refused to sign with the San Diego Chargers if they drafted him with the No. 1 pick in 2004. (The Chargers drafted him and traded him to the New York Giants for Philip Rivers.)

Obviously we don't know for sure whether or not Arch would use the transfer as leverage, but to suggest the Mannings aren't capable of it is blissful ignorance. 

There's a scenario, of course, where Arch sits on the bench for another season while Ewers starts, but the other scenario feels equally likely. 

Fort Worth Star-Telegram columnist Mac Engel took things a step further this week. He thinks Arch, one way or the other, will be QB1 for the Longhorns in 2024. 

From The Star-Telegram: Under most scenarios, Texas moving forward against that schedule with a Quinn Ewers as its starting quarterback would be fine. He played well enough for Texas to reach the playoffs, and nearly win the game. This is not most scenarios. Quarterback royalty is the current QB2, and Arch Manning will want to play. Quinn Ewers had a script. So does Arch Manning. Sarkisian will handle this re-write, and it’s hard to see a scenario where Manning is anything other than QB1.

Now that the offseason has started for Texas, Arch has until January 6 to enter the transfer portal. Otherwise, he would have to wait until the spring window. 

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