Arch Manning and the Rams: Buzz Builds Around L.A.’s Long-Term Quarterback Plan
For the second time in as many days, the Los Angeles Rams have been linked to the most famous name in college football—and no, this isn’t just another case of wild speculation. Arch Manning, the Texas quarterback with a last name synonymous with NFL greatness, has the Rams’ attention in a big way. First, former ESPN NFL Draft Analyst, Todd McShay, teased that the Rams are a “team to watch” for Manning in the 2026 NFL Draft. Now, Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson has gone a step further, reporting that sources inside the Rams’ building view Manning as the quarterback to target when the Matthew Stafford era ends.
According to Robinson, several Rams staffers already consider Manning the lone “Tier One” quarterback in the 2026 class. The team is enamored with his prototypical size, high football IQ, and surprising athleticism—enough so to compare his potential to Josh Allen, with some even saying he might be more physically gifted than the Bills’ star was in 2018. That’s high praise for a player who’s only thrown 95 college passes. The connection goes beyond talent. Rams GM Les Snead’s stepson is reportedly a close friend of Manning’s, and Snead personally spoke with Arch at Texas’s 2025 pro day. Combine that with the Rams’ acquisition of a second first-round pick in 2026, thanks to trading back with the Falcons, and you can understand why the smoke is turning into fire.
Of course, a lot has to happen between now and April 2026. Manning may not even declare for the draft. He could choose to follow in the footsteps of his uncles, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, by playing a full four years in college. While the Rams do see Stafford as their starter for 2025—and maybe 2026—his absence from early camp practices due to back soreness has only highlighted the importance of preparing for the future. Head coach Sean McVay insists this is all part of the plan: keeping Stafford fresh, not rushing him into early reps, and managing the workload of a 37-year-old quarterback with a Super Bowl pedigree. Behind the scenes, the Rams clearly understand the clock is ticking. A team source even told Yahoo that if L.A. wins the Super Bowl this season, Stafford could go full John Elway and retire on top.
In that scenario, the Rams would be perfectly positioned to hand the keys to Manning, even if it means letting him sit and learn like Patrick Mahomes did behind Alex Smith. According to Robinson, Stafford would be open to mentoring his successor for one final year. It’s still early, but the dots are connecting: A legendary last name, a trusted family friend in Snead’s orbit, and a franchise with draft capital and an aging QB all align for what could be the NFL’s most intriguing quarterback handoff since Mahomes. The Rams are keeping one eye on the present—and both eyes on Arch Manning.
