Archie Manning breaks silence, delivers stunning verdict on Arch’s 2026 NFL Draft plans

Arch's famous grandfather recently dropped a bomb in regards to the Texas quarterback's future plans for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; (L to R) Former NFL quarterbacks Eli Manning, Archie Manning, and Peyton Manning pose with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey (2nd Left) prior to the SEC Championship game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; (L to R) Former NFL quarterbacks Eli Manning, Archie Manning, and Peyton Manning pose with SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey (2nd Left) prior to the SEC Championship game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

In a recent interview with Texas Monthly, Archie Manning revealed some information that both Longhorn Nation and members of the national media have been anxiously waiting for.

Despite everything pointing to Arch declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft following the conclusion of the 2025 season, Archie Manning doesn't believe that he'll declare. Though Archie admitted to not speaking directly with Arch about this topic yet, he went on to basically say that knowing his grandson, he has a pretty good idea of what he'll do in 2026.

"Arch isn’t going to do that, he'll be at Texas."

Though this could come as a shock to some, the vibes around Austin have been in agreement with Archie's mindset. Turning down millions of dollars to return to school is always cause for hesitation, but Arch has been a lifelong Longhorn football fan. As everyone has probably seen his childhood videos and pictures wearing a Texas jersey, it's evident that Manning's destiny was always to be a quarterback for the University of Texas.

The NFL folks are also starting to believe that he'll be back at Texas until 2027. Cleveland Browns Owner Jimmy Haslam was asked about Arch last week, and he had similar thoughts on the topic.

"I think, if you know the Manning family, I would bet that – and I don’t know Arch at all. I’d bet he stays in college two years, I don’t even think that’s worth discussing."

Haslam said this in response to Colin Cowherd's question about the Browns possibly planning to select Arch in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.