The Cleveland Browns are set to kick off training camp this week, meaning the four-way quarterback competition between Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders will also begin.
Pickett and Flacco are viewed as the favorites to capture the starting job, but rookies Gabriel and Sanders also have golden opportunities to impress in camp. However, it’s incredibly unlikely that any of the players currently in the Browns’ quarterback room can be long-term answers.
With Deshaun Watson’s future also very uncertain due to injury, Cleveland will likely be in the market for a new starting quarterback next offseason. Pro Football Network’s Owain Jones predicts the Browns will land the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and select Texas signal-caller Arch Manning.
“There will be debate over whether Arch Manning will enter the 2026 NFL Draft right up until the deadline next January. While all signs and priors point towards the Texas Longhorns’ quarterback returning, there is a possibility that he will declare, especially if he is likely to be the No. 1 overall selection,” Jones wrote.
If Manning decides to declare for the 2026 draft, it likely means he put together a masterful 2025 campaign with the Longhorns and is a surefire first-round pick.
Manning hasn’t seen the field much through two years, but the 21-year-old has shown flashes in limited playing time.
In ten games with two starts last year, Manning tossed nine touchdowns and two interceptions with a 67.8% completion rate. The Louisiana native also added four touchdowns on the ground, showcasing his exciting dual-threat capabilities.
Selecting Manning as the quarterback of the future in 2026 would be an exhilarating move from Cleveland, assuming the Texas quarterback has a breakout season in 2025. The Browns need a savior, and Manning could be the guy who turns the franchise around.
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