Cleveland Rejects Jimmy Haslam’s Latest Arch Manning Move Amid Browns QB Drama

Whether quarterback Arch Manning, the nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning, will declare for the 2026 NFL Draft is a hot topic right now. Arch is in his third year of college, and the Texas Longhorns, for the very first time, had him start against the Ohio State Buckeyes just hours ago. So, there are chances of him staying in college for the 2026 season. Earlier this month, his grandfather and legendary quarterback Archie Manning told Texas Monthly that Arch was planning to stay back in 2026. Arch himself, however, has a different opinion.

Speaking of his grandfather’s comment, Arch told the same outlet, “I don’t know where he got that from… I’m really just taking it day by day right now.” That said, hoping he declares for the draft, the Cleveland Browns are seemingly eyeing the potential 2026 first-round pick.

A few hours ago, before the Longhorns vs. Buckeyes game started, ESPN Cleveland shared a photo of Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and general manager Andrew Berry interacting with Buckeyes players on the field on X. Responding to the X post, NFL insider Adam Schefter mysteriously added, “Browns hold two 2026 first-round picks; work is underway.”

Schefter’s comment ended up causing major speculation, leading people to believe that one of the two picks in question is Arch. And all of this is happening amidst the Browns’ ongoing quarterback competition. This year’s training camp saw the team start with five quarterbacks: a recovering Deshaun Watson and new additions in the form of returning Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. An injury mini crisis even saw them add one more, Tyler Huntley, to the room. The situation now, however, is pretty different.

Browns hold two 2026 first-round picks; work is underway. https://t.co/Jtohmnylmi

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2025

Watson, currently, is on the PUP list. And as an insider previously assumed, Huntley was released, and the team traded Pickett to the Las Vegas Raiders. Hence, Flacco, who is set to start the season, is only backed up by Gabriel and Sanders. And although Flacco has won the race, the rookies are still competing for the QB2 role as well as the starting position, i.e., if Flacco ends up injured or misses games for any other reason. And now, with the team rumored to be keen on acquiring another quarterback in 2026, i.e., Arch, are fans really happy about it?

Fans against the idea of the Browns adding Arch Manning

For various reasons, fans of Arch as well as the Browns appear to be against seeing the two come together in 2026. Responding to the said X post from Adam Schefter, many shared their disappointment and concerns. Arch had a decent outing, completing 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but the Buckeyes scored a 14-7 win. While some fans chose to pick on his numbers, others felt like Cleveland would waste his potential.

Replying to Schefter’s post, one person wrote, “The worst franchise in the history of sports will figure out to f— those picks up… I feel sorry for whoever is drafted with them.” Many others have shared the same feeling after noticing a pattern: The Browns fail to put their picks, irrespective of their skills, to good use. Another X user shared a similar reaction, posting a GIF of a man screaming and writing, “But it’s the BROWNS.” This further strengthens the argument that the Browns disappointingly have good players perform poorly.

Another football fan wrote, “Getting started early this year… High picks incoming.” Clearly, it’s a jab at the Browns’ recent performances, which might translate to bad records by the time the season ends. And that’ll, in turn, enable the team to draft high picks in 2026. Another person responded, writing, “If Cleveland gets the #1 [yawning emoji] … If I’m Arch Manning I’m pulling an Eli.” Given that Arch’s own uncle made the Los Angeles Chargers trade him after being drafted in 2004, many on the internet believe it’d be better if Arch does the same.

Another person blamed the authority for the team’s repeated failures, saying, “Browns talking about 2026 picks like the franchise is even gonna be relevant by then. Two first-rounders won’t fix decades of mediocrity if the same people are making the decisions.” And as it turns out, having no faith in the team and its future is a sentiment that many people highlighted on social media.