Arch Manning has become one of the most talked-about names in college football as he nears the end of his NCAA career and eyes the NFL. Despite not yet starting a full college season at quarterback, the Texas signal-caller is generating serious buzz—thanks largely to his famous lineage as the grandson of Archie Manning and nephew of Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. Now, it appears the Los Angeles Rams could be among the teams most interested if he declares for the 2026 NFL Draft.
The potential pairing of Manning with offensive mastermind Sean McVay has many intrigued. McVay has never drafted and developed his own starting quarterback—he inherited Jared Goff and later traded for Stafford—so the opportunity to groom a young QB like Manning could mark a new chapter for both coach and franchise.
These rumors also surface as Stafford begins training camp on the sidelines, although McVay assured reporters that limiting Stafford’s workload early was always part of the plan.
“He was with the training staff. Could he be practicing? Sure,” McVay said. “But it’s smarter to manage him now. I probably should have clarified what I meant when I said ‘working off to the side.’”
The Rams coach added that managing Stafford’s reps early in camp was always intended as both a mental and physical strategy to preserve him through the season.
Still, despite their commitment to Stafford for the 2025 campaign, it’s clear the Rams view the veteran as being in the final stretch of his career—especially after a contract standoff earlier this offseason that allowed him to explore options with other teams. The two sides ultimately reconciled, but Stafford’s future in LA will likely be a year-by-year evaluation moving forward.
Enter Arch Manning, whose name has been linked to the Rams not just for football reasons but also personal ones—Rams GM Les Snead’s stepson Tate is reportedly a close friend of Manning, and Snead was seen speaking with the quarterback at Texas’ Pro Day in March.
If Manning were to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft after his junior year, many expect he’d be the top overall pick. That creates a potential hurdle for the Rams, who are projected to be playoff contenders this season and might not draft high enough to select him without a major trade.
However, the team does have options. After trading back with the Falcons during the 2025 NFL Draft, the Rams now own two first-round picks in 2026. That extra capital, plus potentially including Stafford in a trade, could give them the ammunition needed to move up the draft board and land Manning.
There’s even a scenario where the Rams could keep Stafford and still draft Manning, allowing the young QB to sit and learn—similar to how the Chiefs handled Patrick Mahomes behind Alex Smith in 2017. According to Yahoo Sports, a high-ranking Rams official said the organization would still prioritize drafting Manning even if Stafford remained on the roster in 2026.
Reportedly, Stafford would be amenable to such an arrangement, understanding that 2026 will likely be his final NFL season regardless of how the year plays out.
This approach would allow LA to maximize its present championship window with Stafford while also setting up for the long-term future with Manning on a rookie contract. That would free up cap space to extend key young talent like Jared Verse, Puka Nacua, and Braden Fiske.
So while Stafford remains firmly entrenched as the team’s starter for now—and still very much capable of leading a Super Bowl run—the Rams are clearly eyeing what’s next. And if everything aligns, that future could very well include Arch Manning.