Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has a plan at quarterback, but it apparently doesn’t involve Shedeur Sanders.

An NFL executive close to the Browns told NFL insider Jason La Canfora that the team is all in on Arch Manning.

Arch Manning 16 of the Texas Longhorns passes the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the third quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 12, 2026 in Austin, Texas.
Arch Manning is firmly on the Cleveland Browns’ radar
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“Haslam wants (Texas QB) Arch Manning, that’s what this is really all about,” the executive told La Canfora.

“I’m not sure he’s coming out [for the draft]. I know Jimmy, and I know how Jimmy thinks.

“He’s a huge booster for [the University of] Tennessee. … He wants Arch Manning playing in that new stadium.”

The Ohio-based franchise has grand plans to build a state-of-the-art, $2.4 billion domed facility in the Brook Park suburbs, around 16 miles southwest of their current downtown home on the shores of Lake Erie.

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If all goes to plan, the new Huntington Bank Field will open in time for the 2029 NFL season, despite a rise in construction costs.

By then, if Haslam’s plan comes to fruition, Manning will be entering his second year as quarterback for the Browns.

Haslem’s Manning plan could also include former Alabama head Nick Saban.

“I have to say this because I’ve heard a lot of rumors, but I heard Jimmy is not done going after Nick Saban,” Tony Rizzo noted on ESPN Cleveland. “Now, Nick wouldn’t coach but he would have some kind of role. And to combine him… with Arch Manning, they want badly in Berea. I think that stuff’s all still in play.”

“Jimmy leans heavily on the Manning family,” Fox Sports’ Colin Cowherd said in July.

“Saban is incredibly close to not only Haslam, but also the Manning family. If Saban can land a top quarterback, he would take a phone call for the NFL.”

During Manning’s first season as a starter for the Texas Longhorns, he finished with 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns, seven interceptions and 10 rushing scores.

He opted to return to the Longhorns for his second season and as one of the best quarterbacks in a stacked 2027 draft class.

Managing and principal partner Jimmy Haslam of the Cleveland Browns looks on prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Huntington Bank Field on November 30, 2025
Haslam wants Arch Manning as his quarterback moving forward
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Nick Saban
Haslem’s grand plan could also involve Saban
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A render of the proposed Brook Park site that features a soon to be built New Huntington Bank Field for the Browns
The Browns have big plans to move to a new $2.6bn Brook Park stadium in 2029
Cleveland Browns

Manning opened 2026 by falling on his way out to the field, but then fired four touchdowns, and one interception in a 59-7 win over the Texas State Bobcats.

A week later, Manning went 23-of-37 for 196 yards, one touchdown, and one interception as Texas scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to beat No.1 Ohio State 24-23.

Shedeur Sanders could start Week 3

Haslam’s desire to land Manning in the draft is yet another blow for Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders lost out on the starting quarterback role to Deshaun Watson during the offseason in a move that had fans weighing up a boycott.

La Canfora wrote that new head coach Todd Monken gave in to ownership on that decision and did not fully commit to a Week 2 starter after the loss in Jacksonville.

The executive added that he believes Sanders will be handed the keys by the time Cleveland returns home to face the Carolina Panthers.

“The Dawg Pound is contemplating what is to come, Haslam will recognize the optics of the situation and we strongly suspect it will be time for youngster Shedeur Sanders to take over,” LaCanfora added.

“More than anything else, Watson is committed to this bit, playing the role of game-killing heel.

Sanders continues to make his case to be named the Browns' QB1 over Watson
Sanders could start Cleveland’s home opener against the Panthers
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“He seemed intent on trying to throw an early interception against the Jaguars, he never really looked fired up to be playing, he embodied the idea that he is just there for the paycheck and it shows in pretty much everything he does on the football field.”

Whether Sanders can capitalize on the likely imminent opportunity remains to be seen, but the signal from ownership is clear.

If the present roster is a placeholder for a future built around Manning, short-term periods for young signal-callers like Sanders are merely steps toward a much bigger, multi-billion-dollar destination.

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