The Cleveland Browns head into Week 16 of the 2025 NFL season with questions around HC Kevin Stefanski’s future (as well as GM Andrew Berry’s), DE Myles Garrett in hot pursuit of the single-season sack
record, slotted into the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft order , and questions surrounding QB Shedeur Sanders. Our latest Browns mock draft had the team building an offensive foundation around QB Fernando Mendoza but there are questions about the top QBs in this year’s draft.
Last week, QB LaNorris Sellers reportedly took his name out of the hat for this year’s draft. As expected, QB Arch Manning has now done the same:
Despite much better performances as the college season went on, most expected Manning to avoid this year’s NFL draft in favor of more development at the college level. According to ESPN, Cooper Manning confirmed the news:
In a text message to ESPN’s Dave Wilson on Monday night, Arch’s dad, Cooper Manning, said, “Arch is playing football at Texas next year.” Texas officials told ESPN the full expectation was that Manning would be back next season, even though Manning could have declared for the NFL draft as a redshirt sophomore.
In his first year as a starter, Manning has completed 61% of his passes for 2,942 yards with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He’s also rushed for 244 yards and eight touchdowns.
With Manning and Sellers heading back to school, Cleveland could be left with Mendoza and, if he declares, Dante Moore as the top quarterback options in the 2026 NFL draft. After that, similar to last year with Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough, the Browns would need a quarterback to raise their draft stock in postseason action and the predraft process to select one in the first round.
