Jets’ answer at quarterback may not declare for 2026 NFL draft originally appeared on The Sporting News
When the New York Jets signed quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year deal, they structured it so that it could easily become a one-year deal, and for good reason. While he’s still brimming with potential and could very well have his long-awaited breakout season in 2025, Fields’ NFL resumé doesn’t inspire much confidence and his recent stats from training camp are concerning. The far more likely outcome is that Fields remains who he’s been through four seasons: a below-average quarterback who happens to be a tremendous athlete.
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In that scenario, the Jets will continue their decades-long quest for a franchise quarterback. Unfortunately for Jets fans, that answer is unlikely to be in the 2026 NFL draft. NFL legend Archie Manning recently spoke about his grandson, University of Texas quarterback Arch Manning and his football future, specifically about whether the Texas QB will declare for the 2026 NFL draft.
His answer was simple and blunt. “Arch isn’t going to do that. He’ll be at Texas.”
Of course, it bears reminding that this statement is not coming from Arch himself but from his grandfather. This is not final and Arch could very well change his mind between now and 2026. But hearing Archie Manning speak so definitively about Arch’s future should be a clue that the young Manning will likely not be an option for QB-needy teams next year.
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Barring a dramatic career turnaround for Justin Fields in the vein of Sam Darnold last season, you can count on the Jets being one of those QB-needy teams. The college football season hasn’t even started yet and some other quarterback may emerge as a blue-chip prospect, but without Manning the quarterback class will likely underwhelm yet again.
For the Jets fans hoping for a franchise quarterback this year or next, I would suggest not holding your breath.