Cleveland Browns remain interested in Arch Manning, but with an important condition

The Cleveland Browns are one of several teams that have shown specific interest in Arch Manning ahead of the 2027 NFL Draft. Still, according to a prominent insider, the Longhorns star must meet a certain condition for his future to be tied to the Dawg Pound.

“Absolutely, yep. I mean, he’s got to have a good year, but yeah,” Tony Grossi said on ESPN Cleveland when asked if Browns and Jimmy Haslam are still interested in the quarterback.

Cleveland is in the midst of a rebuilding process. With a new head coach at the helm and Shedeur Sanders leading the way, it doesn’t sound far-fetched for the Browns to focus even beyond this season.

What would a “good year” look like for Manning?

In his first full season as the Texas Longhorns‘ starter in 2025, Arch Manning delivered an impressive performance by throwing for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions over 13 games. He also showcased his dual-threat ability by rushing for 399 yards and 10 additional scores, leading Texas to a 10-3 record and a victory in the Citrus Bowl.

Arch Manning #16 of the Texas Longhorns.

While these numbers established him as one of the top quarterbacks in the country, a “good year” in 2026 would mean taking the next step by improving his completion percentage and total yardage. Most importantly, Manning‘s primary goal will be to stay healthy and avoid the minor injuries that have sidelined him in the past to ensure he is available for a potential College Football Playoff run.

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With Shedeur at the helm

The Browns are entering the 2026 season with a completely new look under head coach Todd Monken. The quarterback room is headlined by Shedeur Sanders, who is currently the frontrunner to start after taking over the job late last year.

He will compete with Dillon Gabriel, a third-round pick from 2025 who started six games but struggled with efficiency and a late-season concussion. Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson returns as the veteran presence following two Achilles surgeries, though he is widely considered to be on his final chance with the franchise.