Todd McShay throws cold water on Colin Cowherd's Browns plan for Arch Manning and Nick Saban, hints another team

Yahoo

2 days ago

Colin Cowherd thinks he knows exactly where Texas Longhorns' quarterback Arch Manning is headed next season.
And it's not back to Austin.
On The Herd this week, the longtime FOX Sports host boldly predicted that the Texas signal caller will end up with the Cleveland Browns — and that a familiar face could follow him.
Cowherd said the 'worst-kept secret in the South' is that the Browns plan to pair Manning with newly retired Alabama coach Nick Saban, banking on ownership ties with the Manning family and Saban's NFL itch to create a blockbuster duo in 2026.
The Ringer's Todd McShay said that may not be the case, however.
McShay threw cold water on Cowherd's theory and hinted at a very different — and perhaps much more realistic — landing spot for Manning.
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'Not refuting this as a 'worst-kept secret,'' McShay wrote on X. 'But it's not the only situation to monitor… There's another team with two first-round picks in '26 whose GM's son is a close friend to Arch at Texas. And the HC has a pretty good history with QBs. Just sayin…'
That team? The Los Angeles Rams.
McShay's post refers to Rams general manager Les Snead and his son, Tate Harver, a long snapper at Texas and reported friend of Manning. The Rams will also have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft after trading their 2025 No. 26 pick to the Atlanta Falcons. If Manning enters that draft, L.A. could be perfectly positioned to make a move.
There's also a strong coaching connection. Rams head coach Sean McVay and Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian are said to be close — another dot potentially linking Manning to Los Angeles.
It helps that the Rams are expected to be in the market for a quarterback soon. With 37-year-old Matthew Stafford possibly retiring at season's end, McShay's post may be signaling more than just speculation.
Cowherd's idea of a Saban-Manning NFL pairing might generate headlines, but McShay's insight suggests the next big college-to-pro leap could be happening under the radar — and in Hollywood.