Arch Manning Returning to Texas in 2026: A Big Decision with Bigger Implications
Arch Manning isn’t headed to the NFL just yet - and for Texas fans, that’s more than just good news. It’s a signal that the Longhorns’ young quarterback is betting on growth, unfinished business, and another shot at greatness in Austin.
The confirmation came not from Arch himself, but from his father, Cooper Manning, who told ESPN on Monday that his son will be back with the Longhorns in 2026. Simple and direct: “Arch is playing football at Texas next year.”
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian hadn’t publicly pressed Manning on his future earlier this month during Early Signing Day media availability, but with exit meetings now in the rearview, the decision is official. And Sarkisian didn’t sound surprised.
“He’s a young man who’s gotten better as the season’s gone on,” Sarkisian said during a media event in Orlando. “Not just physically, but mentally and in terms of maturity.
I think he wants another year of that growth to get ready for what we all hope is a long NFL career. He’s got some unfinished business here - things he came to Texas to do, and he’s not done yet.”
That unfinished business? It starts with championships.
Texas had its moments this season, but also its stumbles. The Longhorns opened the year with sky-high expectations, ranked No. 1 in both preseason polls and set to face Ohio State in Columbus.
But the debut didn’t go as scripted. Manning struggled, and Texas came up short in a 14-7 loss that set the tone for a rocky non-conference stretch.
Manning, a redshirt sophomore and first-year starter, battled through mechanical issues and took his share of hits behind an inconsistent offensive line. The loss to Florida in Gainesville was a grind, and while the Longhorns showed flashes, the offense hadn’t quite clicked yet.
Sarkisian adjusted. To protect a defense that was quietly holding its own, Texas slowed things down and leaned into complementary football.
That strategy paid off in a statement win over then-No. 6 Oklahoma in Dallas - a performance that may not have been flashy, but showed this team could win ugly when it had to.
An overtime escape in Lexington against Kentucky followed, where the offense again sputtered before Manning found his rhythm.
The real turning point came against Mississippi State. Down 17 points in the second half, Manning engineered a gutsy comeback, leading Texas to another overtime win.
That momentum carried into a breakout performance against then-No. 9 Vanderbilt in Austin, where Manning threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns.
He topped that effort the very next week with 389 yards and four scores in a blowout win over Arkansas.
The regular-season finale against then-No. 3 Texas A&M was a rollercoaster - and a perfect snapshot of Manning’s season.
The first half was rough, with Sarkisian’s downfield passing game stalling out. But the second half?
That was Manning at his best. He led a 24-point surge, capped off by a 35-yard touchdown run that sealed the win and sent DKR into a frenzy.
Now, as the Longhorns prepare for a Citrus Bowl clash with No. 19 Michigan, Manning’s stat line tells the story of a quarterback who took his lumps, learned from them, and kept getting better: 227 completions on 330 attempts (61.4%), 2,942 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Add 244 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, and you’ve got a dual-threat QB who’s starting to figure it out.
Texas finished the regular season 9-3 - not quite the dream season fans envisioned, but far from a disappointment. With three wins over top-10 opponents, including that rivalry win over the Aggies, there’s no question this team showed flashes of what it could become. And with Manning returning, the foundation is there for a serious run in 2026.
Sarkisian sees it too. The bowl game isn’t just a reward - it’s a launching pad. The Longhorns are heading into the offseason with momentum, a quarterback who’s growing into his potential, and a program that’s learning how to win the hard way.
Arch Manning’s decision to return doesn’t just give Texas stability at the most important position in football - it gives them belief. The kind of belief that says the next time this team is ranked No. 1 in the preseason, they just might live up to the hype.