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There's a storm brewing in Cleveland. Given the state of the quarterback room, it seems far more likely to be the lake effect snow that leaves muddy sludge on the curb for months on end than the summer thunderstorms one can watch from the garage.
The Cleveland Browns, with five uninspiring quarterbacks, aren't supposed to make any noise in 2025. Deshaun Watson might never play football again. Kenny Pickett's resurgence attempt has been derailed by a hamstring injury. Dillon Gabriel hasn't earned much optimism and Shedeur Sanders doesn't have the early-round pedigree most expected to boost his preseason stock. That leaves Joe Flacco as the favorite to lead the Browns into battle, with a lingering sense of each passer seeing time in the coming months.
In other words, Cleveland is likely to find itself toward the top of the 2026 NFL Draft, in search of another quarterback. And no passer is entering the season with more hype than Arch Manning.
Jimmy Haslam pushes the brakes on Arch Manning
The Manning hype reached new levels when Colin Cowherd suggested that a date with the Browns in April is the worst-kept secret in football.
Owner Jimmy Haslam is connected to the Tennessee football program and, by virtue, Peyton Manning. Texas' prodigal quarterback, of course, is Manning's nephew. Between Haslam's relationship with the family and the SEC, and a knack for making headlines, it makes sense to connect those dots.
Haslam responsibly shut down those rumors on Tuesday.
“I don’t know Arch at all," Haslam said, via Daniel Oyefusi. "I bet he stays in college two more years. I don’t even think that’s worth discussing.”
Pining for a prospect before the season begins would be obtuse; doing so for someone who isn't guaranteed to come out in 2026 would be even more bizarre. For all his warts, Haslam didn't create any disasters for himself during his media availability.
MORE: How Kenny Pickett's hamstring injury affects Browns' QB competition
Likewise, Haslam is right that Manning is more likely to stay put than depart for the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite the notion that staying in school takes a year of development away from NFL coaching staffs and limits potential, senior quarterbacks have found success in recent seasons for their patience. Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix both entered the league with more moxie than they flaunted earlier in their college careers. Cam Ward, the 2025 No. 1 pick, will hope to do the same.
In a league that's turning over quarterbacks faster than ever, prospects are rightfully noticing that an extra year of preparation could prove meaningful during their transition to the league. With NIL money dominating the sport, stars no longer have the same financial pressure obfuscating that decision, too.
Whether he's trying to win the Heisman, bring home a championship, or refine his game, Manning's extra years of eligibility make him a safe bet to stay in school.
Even so, the allure of being a top pick could send him to the NFL. He'll enter the year as a contender for QB1. His two-start sample is admittedly small, but Manning flashed both strong intangibles and legitimate physical tools. He's the most athletic Manning the sport has seen under center and made a handful of high-difficulty throws against lower-quality competition.
If Manning can remain responsible with the football and retain his potency against high-level SEC teams, the sky is the limit for Texas and his stock. Cleveland has plenty of work to do before securing Manning, or any other franchise quarterback. But with league-low expectations and extra draft capital after the Travis Hunter trade, there's no reason to think that the Browns won't be players in the Manning festivities if he chooses to declare.
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