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Colin Cowherd Claims NFL Team Pursuing Nick Saban, Arch Manning

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 2:40 PM ET

Colin Cowherd is convinced there's one NFL team trying to pair Arch Manning with Nick Saban.

Speculation about Saban's future started at SEC Media Days when former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy said he heard from a source that the legendary coach could return to the sidelines. Initially, Cowherd mentioned the Dallas Cowboys as an option for Saban.

During Wednesday's episode of "The Herd," Cowherd shared some interesting information about Saban that could change the way fans view this entire situation.

Cowherd pointed out that Saban is close with Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam. He also reported that Saban would be interested in joining an NFL team that has a proven quarterback.

The Browns don't have a great quarterback situation at the moment, but they may own the No. 1 pick in next year's draft. If that happens, there's a chance they'll select Manning.

"Saban is incredibly close to not only Jimmy Haslam, but the Manning family as well," Cowherd said. "If he could land a top quarterback, like Jim Harbaugh going to the Chargers for Justin Herbert, he would take a phone call for the NFL. There are two teams guaranteed to be awful this year, Cleveland and the Saints. Nick Saban has coached in Cleveland with the Browns under the [Bill] Belichick staff and he coached at LSU."

Cowherd called Cleveland's pursuit of Manning and Saban a "poorly kept secret" in the NFL world.

It's important to note that Manning isn't a lock to declare for the 2026 NFL 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," ESPN insider Adam 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."

Manning wasn't the full-time starter for Texas in 2024, but he did complete 67.8 percent of his passes for 939 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He also had 108 yards and four scores on the ground.

If Manning has an excellent 2025 season with the Longhorns, he may have no choice but to go pro.

As for Saban, he hasn't addressed all the rumors regarding his future.

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

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