With Quinn Ewers committing to the 2025 NFL Draft, Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning is at long last likely to assume leadership in Austin. The son of Cooper Manning and nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, Arch steps into the limelight with enormous expectations and even more buzz about his professional football career.

Manning, who sat out as a freshman, is now in his third year away from high school, putting him into eligibility for the 2026 NFL Draft. But per ESPN insider Adam Schefter, teams and fans need to slow down on believing Arch is a sure thing in next year's draft class.

Adam Schefter Advises Don't Bet on Arch in 2026

Arch Manning's NFL Future in Question: Will the Texas Star Arch Manning's NFL Future in Question: Will the Texas Star
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On ESPN's Get Up, Schefter revealed information that has already disrupted NFL draft predictions, Bleacher Report wrote.

"First of all, there's no guarantees that Arch Manning's coming out after next year," Schefter said.

"It sounds like he certainly could be staying beyond next year. I'm not a college football insider, but none of the Mannings ever went out early, and I don't know with NIL money being what it is, why Arch would do that. So, all of this conversation about 'tanking for Arch next year,' he could be in the draft in 2027, not even next year," the sports reporter added.

Schefter noted that neither of the Manning quarterbacks, Peyton or Eli, left college early, and with the new landscape of big-money NIL contracts, there's even less reason for Arch to hurry to the NFL.

He's already worth $6.5 million in NIL income, based on On3, which ranks him among the highest-paid college football players ever without ever having begun a full season.

What If Arch Manning Doesn't Dominate in 2025?

Though hopes are high, there are no assurances Arch Manning will rule the college football landscape immediately. In limited playing time last season, 10 games including two starts, he passed for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions, and rushed for 108 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Promising numbers, but not enough to make him a top-flight NFL prospect at this point.

If his play doesn't live up to the hype, or if he wants more college experience and decides he wants it, remaining for another year might be a financially and developmentally sound decision.

Could Arch Pull an Eli Manning Move?

Schefter also hinted at another intriguing angle: Arch could follow in Uncle Eli's footsteps. When the San Diego Chargers drafted Eli in 2004, he refused to play for them and forced a trade to the New York Giants. If Arch does not land on his favorite team, this could be the path that he might take.

Teams thinking about "tanking for Arch" might want to reconsider. Manning has options—and power.