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The New Orleans Saints will continue to be linked to Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning ahead of the 2026 NFL draft, despite Archie Manning’s declaration that his grandson is staying in Austin at least one more season after this coming campaign.
CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford claimed “Saints buzz will continue” for Manning due to his strong family ties.
“The obvious New Orleans tie to the Manning comes courtesy of Archie, who moved his family from Mississippi to Louisiana when he became starting quarterback of the Saints in 1971. Manning's No. 8 is not officially retired by the franchise, but has not been issued since he left in 1982,” Crawford wrote.
“Peyton, Eli and Cooper Manning all grew up in New Orleans and attended Isidore Newman School, as did Arch, Cooper's son.”
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer pitched a hypothetical that’d get Manning to the NFL in 2026, a year early: ending up in the Big Easy after New Orleans’ current quarterback situation flames out.
“If Manning plays well enough to be a lock to be the first pick by the time we get to January, there’s an enticing situation in front of him (New Orleans is, of course, his hometown, and the Saints do have some nice young pieces on offense already, plus a new quarterback-friendly head coach), so I guess it’s possible he could decide to go pro,” Breer wrote in a mailbag.
With Tyler Shough looking unprepared to take the reins for the Saints despite playing seven seasons for three different schools – the Oregon Ducks, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Louisville Cardinals – and Spencer Rattler looking rough in his few starts last season, but being the only option to start now, New Orleans could have a need for Manning.
Arch may have a need for more reps running the show before making the pro jump, though. Patience is key with the supposed next great Manning under center.
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