Arch Manning answers questions about his future at Texas and the 2027 NFL Draft
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Arch Manning answers questions about his future at Texas and the 2027 NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Texas Longhorns are a few weeks out from kickoff, with the program opening the 2026 season Sept. 5 against Texas State at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. Before any of that, though, Arch Manning is already facing questions about how long he plans to stick around in Austin.
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His first full season as Texas' starter wasn't smooth out of the gate. He struggled early, taking heat nationally before completely turning his performance around. Over his final six games, he threw 14 touchdowns against just two interceptions.
He closed the year completing 61.4% of his passes for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns, and seven interceptions, helping Texas finish 10-3 with a Citrus Bowl win over the Michigan Wolverines.
That improvement was not enough for Manning to draw first-round buzz for the 2026 NFL Draft. So, he passed on it anyway, opting to return to Texas for his junior season. And while a starting SEC quarterback of his caliber has a projected market value between $5.5 million and $6.8 million, Manning voluntarily accepted roughly $2 million.
This selfless move left over $4 million on the table, freeing up room for Steve Sarkisian to add elite pieces like receiver Cam Coleman and running back Hollywood Smothers as Texas builds a championship-ready roster for 2026.
But it seems like he has his focus clear. When asked about the possibility of returning to Austin for 2027, the 22-year-old didn't commit. Instead, he said, “I am just focused on today. One of my goals this offseason was to stay present and take it one day at a time.”
#Texas QB Arch Manning asked about the possibility of returning to Austin for 2027:
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) July 23, 2026
"I am just focused on today. One of my goals this offseason was to stay present and take it one day at a time."
Manning avoided giving a straight answer, which makes total sense. He knows NFL teams are watching his every move, so revealing his plans a year early doesn't help him at all. Right now, his only focus is helping Texas win the national title they missed out on last year.
He is keeping his future completely private, but he will almost certainly declare for the NFL Draft early if a first-round spot becomes a sure thing.
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