It's hard not to look ahead when the New Orleans Saints feel so stuck in mediocrity, but that's what many fans have done this offseason. Do we really believe this Saints team is going to make some noise in 2025?
It's gotten so bad with some fans that they've been talking themselves into the Saints landing next year's top pick (if not a top-3 selection) and drafting Texas quarterback Arch Manning. If this happens to be your dream, it's time to think again. Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer is here to pass along a splash of logic.
"I get that putting Arch Manning’s name into a headline probably makes smoke come out of a search engine. But can we let the kid actually settle in as a college starter before we talk about teams positioning to get him in a draft that I’m pretty sure he won’t declare for?"
The Saints' Arch Manning dream might be dead before it has a chance to breathe
Look, on one hand, I understand how bad this looks for guys like Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler. These two are working their tails off and battling it out for the starting quarterback job.
Sure, we can throw Jake Haener's name in there too.
But, in all likelihood, none of them are going to be a long-term starting option for the Saints. If any of them end up doing so, then I'll happily eat my words. But, for the sake of common sense and all logic, it probably isn't happening.
Still, that doesn't mean the Saints are automatically a top candidate to land Arch Manning in the 2026 NFL Draft. He hasn't even spent a season as a full-time college starter yet, so why would he immediately declare after just one season?
If anyone understands the fact that football is about playing the long game, it's the Manning family. I agree with Breer, here, and don't see it as a no-brainer that Manning ends up declaring for the draft. If he doesn't, then the Saints better pray they land the no. 1 overall pick and can snag Clemson's Cade Klubnik.
To be fair, that's once again assuming none of the current quarterbacks pan out. But, we're a ways away from finding out. So, maybe we can try and enjoy the moment -- just a little?