Growing theory about Arch Manning and Dallas Cowboys should be looked at through honest eyes

Firstly, if the Cowboys were kicking off a plan to tank for Manning, it would take some proactiveness from their part, some forward thinking. Organizational tanking in the NFL requires chess moves. Heck, Dallas is struggling to win at checkers.

This is the same front office that was taken by surprise when Mike McCarthy ended conversations about a potential contract extension and reportedly, had no Plan B for such an event. It's the same team that has dragged out contract negotiations with superstar players even though early extensions would benefit the team from a salary cap perspective. And we're to believe they're setting the stage for a top pick in the future to land Manning? 

I just can't buy it. 

Then there's the other problem: If Manning declares for the 2026 NFL Draft, which in itself is a question as he'll have only started one year in college and NIL money surely means he won't be in too much of a rush, who's to say the Cowboys will have that top draft pick?

Hey, I get it. Cowboys fans' optimism levels have hit rock bottom. But even in one of the worst years for the franchise in recent memory, there are 11 teams picking ahead of them this year and that was with Cooper Rush starting games since Week 10. All I'm saying is all cynicism aside, it's hard to hope for the No. 1 overall pick with players like Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons, and CeeDee Lamb on the roster. Yes, Dallas needs to do a better job of team building but they're also far from being the worst team in the league. 

A much more realistic scenario is the Cowboys end around the .500 mark in 2025. Those 12-win seasons will be tougher to come by in an NFC East featuring the Jayden Daniels-led Commanders and Jalen Hurts-led Eagles, who are going to the Super Bowl for the second time in three years. 

And in that span, I'd expect the Cowboys to make decisions the way have been for a while: Reacting. The front office hasn't been proactive in so long. Don't expect anything different and rid your mind of any Arch Manning dreams.