Arizona Cardinals Already Playing the Long Game for Arch Manning, and the 2027 Draft Race Is On

It's official: the Arch Manning sweepstakes have begun, and we're still a full year out from the 2027 NFL draft. After the Texas quarterback announced he'd return to the Longhorns for one more season, the race to land him next spring is already heating up. And if you're paying attention, one NFC team looks like it has the clearest path to his jersey.

Three Teams in the Hunt, But Arizona's Playing It Different

The Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, and New York Jets are considered the three front-runners to land Manning when draft day rolls around. But here's the thing: the Cardinals' approach feels different from everyone else's. They're not desperately patching holes at quarterback for 2026. Instead, they appear to be playing the long game, accepting this season for what it is and keeping their eyes on the real prize.

Mike Florio laid it out plainly: the Cardinals' lack of a clear plan at the position might actually be their greatest strength. "Maybe the overriding plan, if there is one, is to accept reality for 2026 and allow nature to take its course," Florio wrote. "The prize could be dibs on whoever the top quarterback is after the 2026 college football season."

Don't Sleep on the Chaos Factor

Here's the catch, though. The popular assumption right now is that Manning will be the consensus number one pick. But that doesn't always hold up. "As we've seen, however, the player who emerges as the consensus number one for the next year could be a player no one is even thinking about currently. It happened with Mendoza. It happened with Joe Burrow."

Manning's 2025 season was solid: 3,163 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and seven interceptions with the Longhorns. He's got the name, the pedigree, and the family that could attract any franchise. But Arizona seems willing to wait it out, trust the process, and position themselves to be first in line when the dust settles after the college football season ends.

The Cardinals' patient approach gives them an edge. While other teams might feel pressure to draft a quarterback sooner, Arizona can afford to let 2026 play out and be ready to strike when Manning's ready for the NFL.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.