Much has been made of the rumor that Nick Saban is considering a return to coaching. While it remains just speculation, the buzz has already grown, with many believing that if Saban returns, it would be to the NFL. Amid all the noise, one analyst has outlined a plan involving an NFL team drafting Arch Manning and pairing him with Nick Saban as coach.
Colin Cowherd Speculates Nick Saban Coaching Arch Manning in NFL
Saban retired from coaching in 2024 after 17 highly successful seasons as the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, during which he won six national titles.
Despite the 73-year-old coach seeming to enjoy retirement, his former Alabama quarterback, Greg McElroy, on his radio show, “Mac and Cube,” claimed that a trusted source believes Saban is looking to return to coaching.
REPORT: Greg McElroy said a person ‘in the know’ believes Nick Saban will return to coaching👀
“If it wasn’t someone notable, I would never say a word.”
(via @macandcube)https://t.co/bWMfklaAqJ pic.twitter.com/A4JiDqS9mN
— On3 (@On3sports) July 14, 2025
The report set the internet on fire, with many wondering where Saban might land if he returned to coaching. He left Alabama because of concerns about the direction college football was taking in the NIL era, which leads many to believe his next stop, if any, would be in the NFL.
One of those people is Colin Cowherd, who shared a bold plan on the “Colin Cowherd Podcast” where the Cleveland Browns would hire Nick Saban before the 2026-2027 season.
Cowherd explained that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam loves the spotlight. The plan would include offering Saban a huge contract and pairing him with Texas quarterback Arch Manning, who the Browns would select in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“Jimmy Haslam loves publicity,” Cowherd said. “They’re probably the worst team in the league. Arch Manning goes to Cleveland; the Mannings know Saban. He coached in Cleveland before. They’d be the most interesting team in the league. [Haslam] would give [Saban] a five-year, $75 million deal. I think Nick would do it.”
Cowherd’s proposed plan might be unlikely to happen, but there is some logic behind the idea of Saban returning to the Browns if he were to coach again.
Saban was Cleveland’s defensive coordinator from 1991 to 1994, so he has ties to the organization. Current head coach Kevin Stefanski could also be on the hot seat after a 3-14 season in 2024-2025, potentially creating an opening.
For Cowherd’s theory to come true, a lot would have to fall into place. Manning would need to declare for the 2026 NFL Draft after his junior season and be impressive enough for the Browns to select him early.
To dispel the rumors, Saban’s daughter, Kristen, recently posted on her Instagram story that her father is not returning to coaching.
Cowherd’s vision is exciting and could theoretically fix Cleveland’s recent struggles, but it still remains a long shot.
