NFL Exec Wonders If Browns Will Have 'Temptation' to Tank for Arch Manning in 2025

With the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns will have the opportunity to select one of the top two quarterback prospects in this year's class.

However, some around the league are reportedly wondering if the Browns would rather wait until next year to find their long-term quarterback and tank the 2025 season in hopes of landing Texas signal-caller Arch Manning.

"It’s such a weak quarterback draft and free-agency class at the position. Is there a temptation to suck for Arch Manning?" an NFL executive questioned while speaking to The Athletic's Mike Sando.

Besides his famous last name, Manning showed flashes of superstar potential that have NFL teams salivating a year before he's even eligible to enter the draft. He played 10 games with two starts for the Longhorns in 2024, completing 67.8 percent of his passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions while adding 108 rushing yards and four more scores.

The Browns are in quarterback purgatory, as starter Deshaun Watson's status is in question after he re-ruptured the Achilles that he tore midway through the 2024 campaign. The team acquired backup quarterback Kenny Pickett in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason as a potential stopgap. Cleveland doesn't have much of a choice but to retain Watson thanks to his massive contract, which doesn't expire until after the 2026 season.

If Cleveland decides to eschew a quarterback at No. 2 this year, it could select a top prospect such as Penn State edge-rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter. Whomever the Browns choose will have ramifications across the rest of the first round.

"Are they drafting or tanking?" another exec asked Sando. "If you are tanking, then you would be down to one year left on Deshaun (Watson). I’m sure they are like, 'Hey, Joe Flacco got us to the playoffs and we can do whatever.'"