Arch Manning Has Reportedly Decided On The 2026 NFL Draft

Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Arch Manning Has Reportedly Decided On The 2026 NFL Draft

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Dec 15, 2025 10:44 PM ET

Will Texas quarterback Arch Manning be available in the 2026 NFL Draft? That question has finally been answered.

Manning finished the 2025 regular season completing 61.4% of his passes for 2,942 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. The former five-star recruit from Isidore Newman also had 244 yards and eight scores on the ground, proving that he's much more athletic than his uncles, Eli and Peyton.

Since the Manning family is football royalty, most fans assumed the Texas quarterback would be a lock to go No. 1 overall as soon as he's eligible for the pros. A few months ago, however, ESPN's Adam Schefter said there was no guarantee Arch would declare for the 2026 draft.

“First of all, there’s no guarantees that Arch Manning’s coming out after next year. It sounds like he certainly could be staying beyond next year,” Schefter said. “I’m not a college football insider, but none of the Mannings ever went out early, and I don’t know with NIL money being what it is why Arch would do that. So, all of this conversation about tanking for Arch next year, he could be in the draft in 2027, not even next year.”

Nov 28, 2025; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning keeps the ball and runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Well, Schefter was right. On Monday night, Chip Brown of Horns 247 reported that Manning will return to Texas for the 2026 season.

"Manning is eligible for the 2026 NFL Draft, but after just 14 collegiate starts, thus far, the 6-foot-4, 219-pound Longhorns' quarterback wants to continue to grow and develop under Texas coach and offensive play caller Steve Sarkisian," a source told Brown.

Arch's future is bright.

There's no question Manning had a rough start to the 2025 season. What's also true is that he picked defenses apart in November, throwing for 1,147 yards and nine touchdowns in four games.

If Manning continues to grow in Sarkisian's offense, he could very well be a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.

For that reason alone, we applaud Manning for being patient and trusting the process. That's something his grandfather Archie preached earlier this year.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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