Archie Manning, the former NFL quarterback and current voice of the NFL’s Monday Night Football, has made it clear that his grandson, Arch Manning, will not be leaving for the NFL any time soon. In an exclusive interview with Texas Monthly, the 76-year-old legend stated that Arch has no intentions of declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft and that his grandson will be at Texas for at least a couple of years.
Arch Manning, the starting quarterback for the University of Texas Longhorns, has been making waves in the college football world. His performance during the 2024 season, where he took over as the starting quarterback after Quinn Ewers suffered an oblique injury, has drawn a lot of attention. Despite being considered a potential Heisman Trophy candidate, Archie has dismissed the hype, stating, ‘You’re not a He’isman Trophy candidate when you haven’t played but three games. It’s crazy.’
Manning has continued to show his versatility on the field, with his ability to both pass and run being a significant asset. The 2024 season has been a standout year for him, with 67.8% of his passes completed, including 939 yards and nine touchdowns. He has also rushed for 100 yards and four touchdowns, demonstrating his dual-threat capability. Even with Ewers returning to the field, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian has continued to utilize Manning’s skills, sometimes substituting him for plays that require the quarterback to run.
The excitement surrounding Arch Manning has been palpable as the Longhorns have been ranked as the No. 1 team in the preseason top 25. However, with expectations high, Archie has been vocal about his desire for his grandson to develop further. The 2024 season has been a critical one for Arch, as he looks to lead the Longhorns to a national championship. Last year, the team had a strong season with a record of 13-3 but was eliminated by the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
As Arch Manning continues to make an impact this season, the NFL community will be watching closely to see how he progresses. With a significant number of games remaining in the season, his performance could shape his decision on whether to enter the NFL Draft in 2026. For now, his grandfather’s words have been clear—Arch is not leaving Texas any time soon.