Top NFL Draft Landing Spots for Arch Manning With Ties to Family

The Manning family's NFL legacy is deep and rich, from patriarch Archie Manning playing 12 years for the New Orleans to his sons, Peyton and Eli, combining to collect five league MVP awards, three Super Bowl MVP nods and four Super Bowl rings.

Texas Longhorns sophomore quarterback Arch Manning has a lot to live up to once he reaches the professional level. An already blinding spotlight can increase in intensity if he lands with an organization that has already been touched by football's "Royal Family."

The younger Manning said this week that his NFL decision has still to be made despite his grandfather's proclamation that the Texas QB will be returning to school for the 2026 season.

"I don't know where he got that from," the Longhorns signal-caller told reporters. "He texted me and apologized about that. But I'm really just taking it day-by-day right now."

A standout season for a Texas team with national championship aspirations could place Manning in the conversation for next year's No. 1 overall pick. He has the talent to follow in the footsteps of his uncles, but he needs a full year as a starter.

Between Manning's three relatives, they played for six different franchises. Fans of those organizations—excluding the Houston Oilers since they no longer exist—already have a vested interest in the 21-year-old.

When looking at those possibilities, one stands out as the clear top choice if another Manning politicks his way into a particular setup.

5. Denver Broncos

AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar

Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton (left) and quarterback Bo Nix (right)

The Denver Broncos are the only team on this list with a somewhat established starting quarterback, which is why they rank fifth.

Bo Nix came in as a rookie and helped lead the franchise back to the postseason. Obviously, he can regress, but the Broncos aren't giving up on him anytime soon after being a legitimate NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.

With that said, Peyton Manning spent the last four seasons of his Hall of Fame career with the Broncos. During that span, he shattered passing records, earned his fifth and final MVP award, was named to three Pro Bowls and won his second Super Bowl before riding off into the sunset of retirement.

Denver spent almost a decade looking for his replacement until the organization spent last year's 12th overall draft pick on Nix. In his first season, the Oregon product completed 66.3 percent of his passes for 3,774 yards and 29 touchdowns.

His presence pretty much rules out any possibility of the Broncos reinvesting in the quarterback position during the next offseason or even the one after depending on when Arch Manning finally declares.

Even so, Denver has a fascinating setup, with Sean Payton as the seasoned head coach and offensive play-caller. Most quarterbacks would love to play for him considering his past success with the New Orleans Saints and Drew Brees.

In this case, though, Nix is the chosen one.

4. New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough.

The New Orleans Saints are the most natural fit for Arch Manning, but they're not the best option for him to succeed once he's in the NFL.

Of course, the idea of the New Orleans native riding back into town as the franchise savior is mouth-watering content for any and all that cover professional football. The family is well-entrenched in Louisiana, and a full-circle moment could occur after Archie Manning failed to make the Saints a viable franchise during his career.

When looking at the situation as constructed, the Saints are a rebuilding franchise, with an aging roster and poor salary-cap management. They're considered by many to be the league's worst team ahead of the 2025 season, which leans heavily into the organization not having a legitimate starting QB on the roster.

Second-round rookie Tyler Shough is basically going to win the job by default. He turns 26 in a month and has an extensive injury history. He's not guaranteed anything beyond what he plays this season.

The last statement also applies to Spencer Rattler if he starts more games during his second campaign. Neither should be viewed as a long-term option unless they prove otherwise. Until then, the Saints are strong candidates to draft a quarterback near the top of the 2026 NFL draft.

As poetic as it might be for Manning to join New Orleans, with the potential of turning a franchise around, the reality of this team trying to compete at a high level in the near future isn't promising.

Instead of trying to rectify what happened to his grandfather, who never experienced a winning record with the team, Manning may be doomed to repeat it.

3. New York Giants

AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart

The New York Giants and their fans are ecstatic about what they've seen from rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart so far, and they should be.

Early returns from this year's No. 25 overall draft pick are promising, hence why the Giants aren't higher on the list despite Eli Manning's storied career playing for the Mara family.

Dart is the team's quarterback of the future, although he possibility of him flaming out has to be mentioned.

Preseason play isn't the same as the regular season, when opponents have all of their top stars on the field and are specifically game-planning for whoever is behind center.

Dart can look great during the preseason—which he has—and it not translate when games matter. It won't be the first time a rookie has done so.

First, the Ole Miss product needs to show what he has. The Giants aren't rushing the situation. Veteran Russell Wilson will be the season-opening starter. The expectation is that Dart will play at some point.

A possibility exists that Dart won't see the field if Wilson plays well, which then takes quarterback off the books entirely for 2026 season. In order for the Giants to seriously consider Manning, Dart must play early and poorly.

Considering the franchise's history with the Manning family, the latest progeny would then need to be discussed. He could thrive with the young offensive supporting cast the Giants are assembling, particularly wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Big Blue remain a long shot to make a move so soon after a investing a first-round pick in a quarterback. But it wouldn't be the first time a team decided to move on from a young signal-caller a year after drafting him, especially if a perceived better option is available.

2. Indianapolis Colts

AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Daniel Jones

Peyton Manning is the greatest player to ever don a uniform as part of the Indianapolis Colts. He was replaced by the best quarterback of his generation in Andrew Luck, who retired abruptly a month before the start of the 2019 season.

The franchise hasn't been the same since. Could another Manning rectify the situation?

Indianapolis has cycled through 10 starting QBs since Luck's departure and just named its 11th in Daniel Jones after he won the job over Anthony Richardson.

Richardson had already been benched during last year's campaign, and this outcome likely signals the end of his time with the Colts, whether it occurs via trade or the team moves in another direction next offseason.

Meanwhile, no one views Jones as anything more than a one-year stopgap. He'll need to play exceptional football this fall in order to be anything more.

Of the five teams included in this piece, the Colts present the best combination of availability for a new starting quarterback and a solid supporting cast.

They can make a strong play to add the next Manning. Arch Manning can benefit greatly from playing behind offensive linemen Quenton Nelson and Bernhard Raimann and alongside running back Jonathan Taylor while throwing to Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and tight end Tyler Warren.

Another potential positive is coming in with a new staff tailored toward the quarterback. General manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen are on the hot seat, which feels like part of the reason why they went with Jones instead of Richardson.

The need to win now could backfire dramatically and place the Colts in a similar position to the one they found themselves prior to the 1998 draft.

A Manning making the Colts relevant again feels like nature correcting itself.

1. Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Matt Krohn

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy

Archie Manning may be most closely associated with his time as a member of the New Orleans Saints, but his 14-year career ended with the Minnesota Vikings.

It's OK if most fans have forgotten this little factoid, since the elder Manning started only two games while wearing the purple and white 41 years ago.

To be clear, though, this is the best possible scenario for the incoming Manning and not the other way around.

The franchise is wholly invested in J.J. McCarthy as its starting QB after spending the 10th overall pick in last year's draft to acquire him. However, everyone must remember the Michigan product has yet to do anything to warrant such status.

He didn't play as a rookie due to a knee injury, so he needs to show he's capable of leading a team with serious postseason aspirations.

If the Vikings falter with McCarthy behind center (or he suffers another injury) and the possibility of acquiring the latest Manning becomes realistic, the situation becomes real interesting.

For Manning, the Vikings have stability and a strong roster. Offensively, whoever starts behind center will be throwing to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.

The Minnesota front office invested heavily in its offensive interior this offseason, and the defense is one of the league's most creative and aggressive.

Most importantly, head coach Kevin O'Connell is considered one of the NFL's best when it comes to designing a QB-friendly scheme while understanding what the position needs. Furthermore, quarterbacks coach Josh McCown played 19 seasons in the NFL.

McCarthy not working out would be surprising. If that happens, though, other quarterbacks should be looking to the franchise, which is set up to succeed.

The Manning family will understand what's possible in Minnesota.