Daniel Oyefusi reported on July 29, 2025, that Jimmy Haslam, co-owner of the Cleveland Browns, addressed rumors about the team’s interest in Texas quarterback Arch Manning in the 2026 NFL Draft. Despite Haslam’s connections to the Manning family—he is a Tennessee alum and related to Archie Manning’s family through Peyton—he downplayed the speculation, suggesting Arch Manning would likely stay in college for at least two more years. The Browns hold two first-round picks in the 2026 draft, where Manning is eligible, but Haslam emphasized that he was not involved in draft decisions, which are made by GM Andrew Berry. He also denied influencing the selection of Browns quarterback Chedure Sanders in the fifth round of the 2025 draft, despite being present in the draft room during the pick announcement. Sanders was the second quarterback picked by the Browns that year, after Dillon Gabriel.
Fan Take: This clarification from Haslam is important because it underlines the Browns’ commitment to a measured draft strategy rather than making headline-grabbing moves based on player lineage. For NFL fans, it highlights the evolving dynamics between team ownership and decision-makers, emphasizing a more structured approach to building competitive rosters.
