The Cleveland Browns have no shortage of quarterback headlines these days. But the buzz only grew after team owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Andrew Berry were spotted on the sidelines for the Texas–Ohio State showdown.
Their presence at the game fueled speculation about Texas QB Arch Manning and whether the Browns could one day position themselves to land him. The Browns’ connection to Manning is rooted in Haslam’s long-standing relationship with the Manning family.
That bond has made Cleveland one of the teams associated with Arch’s eventual NFL future. Both Haslam and Arch’s grandfather, Archie Manning have downplayed speculation.
Jimmy Haslam and Andrew Berry at the Ohio State vs Texas game 👀👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/ttvo77gptZ
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 30, 2025
The Browns owner recently dismissed chatter of Arch entering the 2026 draft, while Archie told Texas Monthly his grandson would remain with the Longhorns, regardless of whether Texas captures a national championship.
Arch Manning will not be eligible for the NFL Draft until 2026 at the earliest, after completing three college seasons. The timeline puts a significant gap between current Browns quarterback battles and any real possibility of drafting Manning.
Even if Cleveland finishes near the bottom of the standings in the coming years, Manning’s timeline does not align with the team’s most immediate needs.
The Browns’ quarterback room is already crowded. Veteran Joe Flacco has been named the starter, while rookies Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel wait for opportunities to prove themselves. Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson remains under contract through 2026 on a fully guaranteed $230 million deal, though injuries and off-field issues have clouded his tenure.
Compared to Cleveland’s current options, Manning projects as a far more coveted NFL prospect. ESPN’s Field Yates even pegged him as the potential No. 1 overall pick, hypothetically to the Browns, noting his “tremendous ceiling.
Despite the hype, it’s unlikely the Browns would target Manning even if he declared early. More realistic is the idea that Cleveland could leverage a top draft pick as trade capital for quarterback-needy franchises, such as the New Orleans Saints, who might angle for Manning as a hometown hero.
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