

The future of Arch Manning has become one of the most closely watched storylines in college football, even though the Texas quarterback still has months to decide whether he’ll enter the 2026 NFL Draft. For now, the anticipation is building, and one NFL franchise in particular seems ready to welcome him.
Manning turned heads last year when he stepped in after Quinn Ewers went down. He finished the season with 939 passing yards and nine touchdowns while completing nearly 68 percent of his throws.
Arch Manning reflects on Quinn Ewers’s NFL debut noting his determination to surpass his predecessor
He also added four rushing scores, showing a glimpse of why he carries one of the most famous names in football.
But whether he will leave Texas after next season remains uncertain. “There’s no guarantees that Arch Manning‘s coming out after next year,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted earlier this year. The speculation grew when his grandfather, Archie Manning, hinted that he would likely remain at Texas, a comment Arch himself quickly dismissed.
Why the Saints could be a perfect fit
The New Orleans Saints have been searching for stability at quarterback ever since Drew Brees retired. The team has cycled through Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, Derek Carr, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener in recent years, while rookie Tyler Shough may get his chance this fall. Despite those attempts, the position still feels unsettled.
With New Orleans projected to be among the NFL’s lower-ranked teams this season, a poor campaign could leave them drafting near the top in 2026 – right when Manning would be eligible if he declares. That timeline has fueled speculation about a natural fit between the Saints and the quarterback prospect.
The connection already runs deep. In Seth Wickersham‘s book American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback, it was revealed that Manning once sat in on a Saints scouting meeting where coaches evaluated quarterbacks for the draft. That rare access underscored the strong bond between the Manning family and the franchise.
For New Orleans, there’s also the history factor. Archie Manning remains a beloved figure in the city, and the chance to bring his grandson into the fold could be a powerful narrative for the franchise and its fans.
Arch himself, however, insists he has not made any decisions. “Yeah, I don’t know where he got that from,” Manning said this week when asked about his grandfather’s comments. “He texted me and apologized about that.”
For now, the speculation will only grow louder as Manning continues to develop in Austin. But if he does take the leap to the NFL in 2026, the Saints appear ready to make their move.
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