Despite being penciled in by many as the top overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, NFL insider Adam Schefter recently sparked serious speculation that Manning may delay his jump to the pros.
“There’s no guarantee that Arch Manning comes out after next year,” Schefter said on ESPN’s Get Up. “It sounds like he certainly could be staying beyond next year... None of the Mannings ever went out early, and with NIL money being what it is, why would Arch do that?”
𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: There is no guarantee that Texas QB Arch Manning will enter the 2026 NFL Draft, per @adamschefter
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 4, 2025
“It sounds like he certainly could be staying beyond next year. I’m not a college football insider, but none of the Mannings ever went out early, and I don’t know with… pic.twitter.com/R0X6ha2SGo
Manning, nephew of Peyton and Eli and grandson of Archie, enters the 2025 season with tremendous expectations after backing up Quinn Ewers for two years.
In limited action last season, he completed nearly 68% of his passes for 939 yards and nine touchdowns, earning SEC Co-Freshman of the Week honors and going 2–0 as a starter. Even with just two starts under his belt, some scouts believe he could’ve challenged for the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft.
But with a $6.5 million NIL valuation—highest in college sports—there’s no financial urgency for him to leave early. As Pat McAfee noted during College GameDay, “The Manning family... said, ‘No, no, no... Arch Manning wants to be in the program for four years, he wants to develop—there’s no rush to get to the NFL.’”
Arch Manning back in 2026🤔
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) April 4, 2025
Adam Schefter thinks so👀 pic.twitter.com/9n1NP4QVK5
This puts NFL teams hoping to “tank for Arch” in a tricky spot.
If Manning doesn’t declare after the 2025 season, the draft boards of 2026 will be shaken, and teams will have to wait another year to make a play for the quarterback many view as a generational talent.
Whether it’s the chance to chase a national title, rebound from a tough year, or simply live out his dream at Texas, Manning has reasons beyond money to stay put.
For now, Longhorns fans might want to settle in—the Manning era in Austin could last longer than anyone expected.
Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
