Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning has been seen as a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. With the Arizona Cardinals already being mentioned as a possible landing spot for him in early draft projections, NFL insider Mike Florio has issued a strong warning about the speculation.
Mike Florio Sends Strong Message Amid Arch Manning-Cardinals Draft Rumors
After finishing 3-14 last season, the Cardinals made huge changes by hiring head coach Mike LaFleur and parting ways with franchise quarterback Kyler Murray. However, Florio still remains skeptical that the team will be competitive in 2026.
Florio pointed to Arizona’s uncertain quarterback situation, which currently features Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, and rookie Carson Beck, as a major concern.
“I think the Cardinals are tanking this year,” Florio said on “Pro Football Talk” on Wednesday. “Whether they want to or not, they’re in the toughest spot of any team in any division. They’re the fourth-place team with three Super Bowl-caliber teams in front of them… So, I don’t know whether they’re doing this intentionally or whether it’s just chronic ineptitude. After they released Kyler Murray, they made no effort to go out and sign a clear starter.
“They wanted to sign Jimmy Garoppolo. That didn’t work out. They signed Gardner Minshew. He’s presumably the backup to Jacoby Brissett. Brissett’s not happy because he signed to be a backup, not to be the starter… That’s a fair position for him to take. So, Brisset, I don’t know, Brisset, until all hope is lost, then Carson Beck to see what he has.”
If the Cardinals end up with the NFL’s worst record in 2026, they would earn the No. 1 overall selection in the 2027 NFL Draft, where they can select Manning.
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Such an outcome would create the possibility of Manning teaming up with wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The pairing would remind many of the legendary connection between Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison Sr. during their years with the Indianapolis Colts.
However, Florio questioned whether Manning would even be willing to join the Cardinals if they held the first overall pick.
“And then the Cardinals end up with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, and they take Arch Manning, and Arch Manning says, ‘No thank you,’ to the Arizona Cardinals,” Florio said.
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The warning is not surprising, and the Manning family earlier used its leverage to avoid unstable organizations, as Eli Manning did in 2004. He refused to play for the San Diego Chargers due to perceived organizational friction between the front office and coaching staff, forcing a draft-day trade to the New York Giants.
The same case may happen with Arch as well, and he might even decide to go back to college for one more year, instead of getting drafted to the Cardinals as the 2026’s No. 1 pick.
