NFL Insiders Reportedly Expect Arch Manning to Skip 2026 NFL Draft, Stay at Texas

Despite being eligible to enter the 2026 NFL draft, it is reportedly far from guaranteed that Texas quarterback Arch Manning will do so.

Jeff Howe of The Athletic spoke this week with five NFL executives and scouts, and all of them are "leaning in the direction of predicting" that Manning will return to school in 2026.

Manning comes from an impressive NFL lineage, as his uncles are legendary NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, while his grandfather is longtime former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning.

On top of that, Manning was the top recruit in the country when he committed to Texas, although his playing time over his first two seasons was limited.

He barely played as a freshman, and although he served as the backup to Quinn Ewers again last season, he did get to showcase his skills a bit more due to Ewers missing time with an injury.

Manning appeared in 10 games last season and made two starts, going 2-0. He offered a glimpse of the numbers he is capable of putting up as well, completing 67.8 percent of his passes for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions, while also rushing for 108 yards and four scores.

With Ewers entering the NFL as a seventh-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in the 2025 draft, the Texas offense will belong entirely to Manning next season.

It is widely expected that Manning will dominate under head coach Steve Sarkisian and be a strong Heisman Trophy contender, which could then propel him into being in the first overall pick conversation in the 2026 NFL draft.

While it could be tough to turn down that opportunity, On3.com lists Manning as the college athlete with the highest name, image and likeness (NIL) valuation at $6.6 million.

That means Manning still stands to make a lot of money if he stays in college for another year, and it gives him the ability to have more control over where he ends up.

If a team he isn't interested in playing for ends up with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft, Manning could pass on playing for them, go back to Texas for the 2026 season and hope for a better option the following year.

While the NFL's worst teams in 2025 may have an eye toward getting the top pick and landing a potentially franchise-changing player in Manning, Howe's report suggests that it wouldn't be wise to count on Manning making the leap next year.