Cleveland’s quarterback future is already being mapped out, and according to a veteran NFL personnel executive, the Browns’ long-term target is Texas star Arch Manning - not Shedeur Sanders.
Veteran NFL insider Jason La Canfora reported that the thinking inside the organization points toward Manning in the 2027 NFL draft, a plan that would shape the Browns’ quarterback room for years to come. The executive told LaCanfora, “Haslam wants (Texas QB) Arch Manning, that’s what this is really all about,” and added, “I’m not sure he’s coming out (entering the draft).
I know Jimmy, and I know how Jimmy thinks. He’s a huge booster for (University of) Tennessee.
He has always had a hard-on for Peyton (Manning, uncle of the QB prospect). He wants Arch Manning playing in that new stadium.”
That new stadium is part of the picture, too. The Browns are moving ahead with a domed facility in Brook Park, Ohio, with an estimated price tag of about $2.4 billion.
Haslam Sports Group is expected to fund most of the private investment, and the opening is planned for 2029. The idea, based on the reporting, is clear: the Browns would like Manning in place when that building opens.
That doesn’t mean the present situation is settled. La Canfora said there’s already pressure on Deshaun Watson after an unimpressive season-opening performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he expects Watson to lose the job by Week 3. In La Canfora’s view, that opens the door for Shedeur Sanders.
“The Dog 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 wrote.
He was even sharper on Watson’s play, saying, “More than anything else, Watson is committed to this bit, playing the role of game-killing heel. 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.”
Still, even if Sanders gets the starting job, the broader plan apparently does not change. The Browns’ reported interest in Arch Manning remains the long view, and the only thing that would alter that path is Sanders outperforming expectations when given his chances. Sanders started the final seven games of the 2025 season, but the team, according to the reporting, did not see enough to fully trust him yet.
In Other News...
Former Vol Returns To Neyland With Added Intrigue For Tennessee
Cam Millers path has brought him back to Knoxville in an unexpected way, with the former Tennessee receiver turned defensive back set to line up against the Vols at Neyland Stadium this week. Miller began his college career at Tennessee in 2022 as a four-star receiver recruit, but after one season he moved on and eventually landed at Kennesaw State for his final year.
Now healthy again, Miller is expected to be on the field when Kennesaw State meets his old program, adding a little extra intrigue to a matchup that already carries the usual feel of an early-season tuneup. For Tennessee, it is one more reminder that roster movement can circle back quickly, and for Miller it is a chance to revisit the place where his college career started, only this time from the other sideline. [Read more 🡒]
Neylands New Entry Plan Puts Tennessee Fans On The Clock
Tennessee is trying to make the first trip into Neyland Stadium feel a little smoother for Saturdays game against Kennesaw State, doubling the number of metal detectors to 65 in an effort to speed up fan entry. The school is also adding new detector locations and providing updated instructions for fans and students, part of a broader game-day push as the stadium continues to evolve around them.
The timing fits a venue that already looks and sounds different from seasons past. Neyland now has a new sound system, a widened concourse and ongoing construction tied to the 865 Neyland entertainment district, which means Volunteers fans are navigating a stadium experience that is still very much in transition. For now, the biggest variable may be how quickly everyone adjusts to the new entry plan once the gates open. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee's Loaded 2027 Class May Not Be Done Adding Yet
Tennessees 2027 recruiting class already looks crowded, with 19 commitments and a core that includes names such as David Gabriel-Georges, Kesean Bowman and Malik Howard. Even at this stage, the Vols have managed to build real momentum with a group that has drawn attention for both its size and its talent, and the staff is still making sure it stays active on the trail while the class continues to take shape.
One of the latest moves came with a scholarship offer to Joshua Lane, a three-star defensive line prospect who is currently committed to Memphis but has been on the radar of multiple programs. It is another sign that Tennessee is still evaluating ways to add to an already loaded group, and with several recruits turning heads in recent performances, the possibility of more movement in the class is still very much alive. [Read more 🡒]