Cleveland Browns owner downplays rumored Arch Manning interest
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Jimmy Haslam does not think there’s anything to talk about when it comes to speculation that Arch Manning could be playing for the Cleveland Browns next year.
Manning’s name is being included in plenty of mock drafts for next spring. The Texas quarterback is in his third collegiate season, making him eligible to declare early for the 2026 NFL Draft. But, since Manning redshirted in 2023, he has remaining eligibility through the 2027 season.
When speaking with the media on Tuesday, Haslam cited that eligibility as a reason he doesn’t see any need to talk about Manning playing for the Browns, alluding to uncles Peyton Manning and Eli Manning spending 4-5 years at Tennessee and Ole Miss.
I think if you know the Manning family, I would bet that — and I don’t know Arch at all — I would bet he stays in college two years,” Haslam told reporters, per ESPN. “So, I don’t even really think that’s worth discussing.
FOX Sports host Colin Cowherd made headlines last week for his claim that it is a “poorly kept secret” that Haslam, a co-onwer of the Browns, wants Manning as quarterback and Nick Saban as head coach for his team in 2026. While there has been chatter about Saban potentially returning to coaching, the 7-time national champion recently responded to the rumors by saying he’s happy with his current job of broadcasting and that there isn’t an opportunity right now that would tempt him to return to the sidelines.
Manning, for his part, said that he’s not concerned with the NFL Draft right now. If he has the kind of season people are expecting, though, the Longhorn signal caller is sure to be asked that question repeatedly over the next few months.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
