

The Cleveland Browns’ current quarterback issues may have taken a new twist, with reports suggesting team owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Andrew Berry have set their sights on college football’s most talked about prospect: The one and only Arch Manning.
However, after Manning’s not as good as expected debut and a wave of skepticism from Browns fans, what once looked like a potential long-term solution is already starting to show cracks.
Browns After Arch Manning?
There is a lot of speculation about the Browns’ interest in signing Manning, the Texas Longhorns quarterback and nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, surfaced after personalities like Haslam and Berry were spotted at Texas’ season opener. According to some independent reports, Cleveland holds two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, fueling talk that the franchise could be positioning itself for a run at the highly-touted prospect.
Jimmy Haslam and Andrew Berry at the Ohio State vs Texas game pic.twitter.com/ttvo77gptZ
? ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) August 30, 2025
NFL insider Adam Schefter added to the speculation with a post hinting that “work is underway,” though neither Haslam nor Berry has confirmed any official scouting plans.
Haslam Regulates the Buzz
Haslam Regulates the Buzz
Still, Haslam has publicly dismissed the narrative. Speaking to reporters, the Browns owner suggested that Manning may not even enter the draft as soon as some expect:
“I bet he stays in college two years… I don’t even think that’s worth discussing,” Haslam remarked.
While that may appear to shut the door on immediate plans, fans and analysts know Cleveland has long struggled to find stability under center, and a quarterback with Manning’s pedigree will always attract attention. That if he gets the needed experience.
Arch Manning’s Debut Raises Questions
For all the hype around his name, Arch Manning’s first start for Texas did not matche the high expectations set on him. Against Ohio State, he completed just 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception. While flashes of potential were evident, the performance left many wondering if he is ready to live up to the Manning legacy at the college or NFL level.
For a team like the Browns, who have cycled through dozens of quarterbacks in the past two decades, the thought of drafting another unproven player is already making fans a bit shacky.
#Browns Jimmy Haslam stresses that Shedeur Sanders was Andrew Berry’s pick, not his. pic.twitter.com/sD3yQYwSq8
? Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) July 29, 2025
Fans Push Back Against the Idea
The backlash has been loud on social media. Responding to Schefter’s post, one fan wrote: “The worst franchise in sports… I feel sorry for him.” Another added, “If I’m Arch, I’m pulling an Eli,” referencing Eli Manning’s refusal to play for the San Diego Chargers in 2004 before forcing a trade to the New York Giants.
The sentiment underscores Cleveland’s reputation as a graveyard for quarterbacks, something seen as a reality that Haslam and Berry are desperate to change.
What Could Be Next for the Browns?
The Browns enter the season with major uncertainty at their quarterback position. Deshaun Watson remains unavailable, while rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders battle for snaps. Veteran Joe Flacco provides experience, but at 40, he is far from a proper long-term solution for the team.
That makes Haslam and Berry’s rumored interest in Manning understandable. But if his early performances continue to raise doubts like his last game, the Browns may face the same criticism that has haunted them for decades: chasing a “savior” who is not ready yet to deliver the expected meets.
This news was originally published on this post .
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