Arch Manning Downplays Archie's NFL Draft Comments, 'I Don't Know Where He Got That'

Texas quarterback Arch Manning disagreed with his grandfather Archie's assessment about his chances of entering the 2026 NFL draft.

After Archie definitively declared earlier this summer that his grandson would return for his senior season with the Longhorns, Arch clarified that no decision has been made yet.

"Yeah, I don't know where he got that from," Arch Manning told reporters on Tuesday. "He texted me to apologize about that. I'm really just taking it day by day right now."

When asked whether Arch would declare for the draft after the 2025 season, Archie Manning told S. C. Gwynne of Texas Monthly (h/t Nick Schultz of On3.com), "Arch isn’t going to do that. He’ll be at Texas."

In addition to Archie's statement, Arch's father, Cooper, told The Athletic's Bruce Feldman that they "love" Arch's situation at Texas and won't be rushing things when it comes to his football career.

"In the pros, they’re quick to throw anybody under the bus as quickly as possible," Cooper Manning told Feldman.

After spending the last two seasons playing behind Quinn Ewers, Arch Manning is entering his first year as the starting quarterback for the Longhorns. He made 10 appearances in 2024, including two starts while Ewers was injured, and he showed flashes of the immense potential that comes from his famous lineage. He recorded 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions while also adding 108 rushing yards and four more scores.

Being a member of the Manning Dynasty makes Arch one of the most coveted prospects in recent memory, but it appears that his future won't be decided until we see how he fares for Texas during the 2025 campaign. He will face a tough test when the No. 1 Longhorns open the season against No. 3 Ohio State on Aug. 30.