Manning Family Plans to Steer Arch Away from Jets in 2027 NFL Draft, Claims Mike Francesa

New York Jets enthusiasts dreaming of Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning as their savior in the 2027 NFL Draft might need a reality check, as sports analyst Mike Francesa advises against getting their hopes up.

Francesa, a stalwart in sports radio, believes the illustrious Manning family is likely to steer Arch away from the Jets. Given the team’s playoff drought since 2010, Francesa suggests they will guide him towards a more successful franchise.

During his podcast, Francesa confidently stated, “Mark my words, the draft will be manipulated. The Mannings will never allow him to be picked by the Jets. You can be sure of that.”

Speculation about the Jets’ strategy intensified when they re-signed former New York quarterback Geno Smith, who had a rough 2025 season with Las Vegas, leading the league in interceptions. This move has led fans to suspect the Jets might be aiming for a poor 2026 season to potentially snag Manning in 2027.

Considering the Jets’ dismal 3-14 finish last season, it’s easy to imagine them at the bottom of the league standings again, eyeing the top draft pick and the possibility of selecting the latest Manning prodigy.

Although it’s more than a year away, the 2027 NFL Draft is expected to be headlined by Arch Manning (pictured), the Texas Longhorns star and newest quarterback in his family 

(From left) Arch’s dad, Cooper, uncles Eli and Peyton, and grandfather Archie are seen in 2025

Jets fans hoping to land Texas Longhorns quarterback and top NFL prospect Arch Manning in the 2027 NFL Draft should quickly lower their expectations, according to Mike Francesa

But that may not be so easy.  

As Francesa was quick to remind his audience, the Mannings haven’t been happy to simply see where the draft takes them. Patriarch Archie Manning was a Pro Bowl talent in the 1970s but spent the decade playing for the miserable New Orleans Saints. As an NFL dad, he ensured sons Peyton and Eli (Arch’s uncles) didn’t have that problem.

When middle son Peyton had a chance to turn pro in 1997, the quarterback opted to return to Tennessee for his senior season rather than be drafted by the Jets with the first-overall pick. Officially, Peyton wanted to graduate, play for a national championship and hopefully win a Heisman Trophy, but many have long suspected the decision had more to do with avoiding a dysfunctional Jets team coached by the soon-to-be-fired Rich Kotite.

‘Remember,’ Francesa told his audience, ‘Peyton didn’t want to play for the Jets.’

Arch Manning helped steer sons Peyton and Eli away from difficult situations in the draft  

Arch Manning went to two Pro Bowls, but won very few games with the miserable Saints 

Peyton would ultimately be taken first overall in 1998 before winning Super Bowls in Indianapolis and Denver.

In 2004, San Diego had the first pick in the draft, but the Mannings had misgivings about the team and Archie’s youngest son, Eli, simply refused to play for the Chargers. As a result, San Diego drafted Eli only to trade him to the New York Giants, where he would go on to win a pair of Super Bowls.

Both Cooper Manning’s son and the Jets have a lot of football to play before the 2027 NFL Draft. The Longhorns’ season starts September 5 against Texas State and Arch still has Texas’ annual spring game on April 18.

Plus, Arch still has two seasons of eligibility remaining. So as was the case with uncle Peyton in 1997, Arch could simply return to school for another season rather than enter the draft.

And he’d have financial motivation to do so. Whereas Peyton was prohibited from being paid during his college days, Arch has NIL deals with brands like Nike, Panini America and Red Bull.

So even if the Jets do ‘win’ the first pick of the 2027 draft, they could still miss out on the next Manning.