Arch Manning Taking Pay Cut To Play For Texas In 2026

Arch Manning is doing Texas a favor well before Week 1 of the 2026 season arrives.

Despite a rough start to the 2025 season, Manning still had 3,163 passing yards, 399 rushing yards and 36 total touchdowns for the Longhorns. Although there were rumblings about him potentially going pro, he decided to return to Austin for another year.

"He's a young man who's gotten better as the season's gone on, and not only physically, but mentally, maturity-wise," Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said at the end of the 2025 season. "I would think he's going to want another year of that growth to put himself in position for hopefully a long career in the NFL. And he's got some unfinished business of what he came here to do and what he came here to accomplish."

Manning could've commanded a hefty NIL deal from Texas for the 2026 season, make no mistake about it. However, he's not in it for the money.

Sarkisian revealed this week that Manning's willingness to take less opened up about $5 million for Texas to use on other players.

"Arch could have dragged us over the coals for six million, seven million, whatever he wanted," Sarkisian told On3. "That's an extra five million that I can go get a Cam Coleman, go get a Hollywood Smothers and go get a Rasheem Biles."

There are already suitors emerging for Arch Manning.

The Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets have already been mentioned as potential options for Manning. All three of those teams have concerns at the quarterback position.

We also can't rule out the Cleveland Browns since their owner apparently loves the Manning family.

"This is the worst-kept secret in the South," Cowherd said, "Jimmy Haslam, owner of the Browns. Huge SEC, Tennessee booster, leans heavily on the Manning Family. Very close to the Manning Family."

Barring injury or a sharp decline this fall, there'll be a strong market for Manning next NFL offseason.

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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 12:07 PM.