Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Browns owner discusses Arch Manning rumors

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 29, 2025 1:36 PM ET

Quarterback Arch Manning has attempted just 95 passes in two seasons with the Texas Longhorns but is already being linked to NFL teams.

Last week, Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd said Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam loves the 21-year-old QB. The host added he may use him to entice former Alabama head coach Nick Saban to return to coaching. The owner seemingly shut down the idea on Tuesday.

"I don't know Arch at all," he said at practice, via Spencer German of WKRK-FM in Cleveland. "I bet he stays in college two years. I don't even think that's worth discussing."

Jimmy Haslam asked right out of the gate about his connection to the Manning family and any interest in Arch Manning. Says he doesn't know Arch and adds:

"I bet he stays in college 2 years" pic.twitter.com/734X5pFSNZ
— (@Spencito_) July 29, 2025

Talent evaluators agree with Haslam. In a story published July 25, ESPN's Matt Miller reported every scout he has contacted believes Manning will return to school after the 2025 season, even if he has a big year.

As of Tuesday, FanDuel Sportsbook gives him the best odds (+750) to win the Heisman Trophy.

Manning (6-foot-4, 219 pounds) looked solid in limited playing time last season, throwing for 939 yards and nine touchdown passes in 10 games. Still, he needs far more experience.

"The reality is we haven't really seen him run the offense with any consistency yet. And that's not his fault, he just hasn't played," an AFC college scouting director told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. "At other positions, you might get a feel after watching four games and have a good idea of who a guy is. The quarterback position is much different, it requires a much larger bank of film."

The Browns, meanwhile, are holding a four-way QB competition between Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. None will probably be the answer for a squad that could continue to flounder after a 3-14 season.

As of Tuesday, ESPN's Football Power Index predicts Cleveland will finish last in the league in wins (6.2).

The Browns could take a QB with the No. 1 pick in 2026, just not Manning. In his latest mock draft, Miller has Cleveland selecting Clemson QB Cade Klubnik. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound passer tossed the FBS' third-most passing TDs (36 in 14 games) last season.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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