If you’ve been following the Cleveland Browns lately, you might quietly suspect that the team is in what many would classify as a rebuilding phase this year. Myles Garrett speaks with optimism about making a Super Bowl run, declaring himself “expecting” to get there, but let’s be honest—the chances of the Browns representing the AFC in February 2026 look pretty bleak, especially when there isn’t a solid starting quarterback in place.
After finishing with just three wins last season, it’s clear that a lot is riding on this year’s performance. If things don’t turn around, head coach Kevin Stefanski could be on the chopping block. With four new quarterbacks brought in since last season, Cleveland seems to be probing its options. Yet, unless one of them steps up dramatically, the team could find itself searching for yet another replacement next offseason.
Recently, sports commentator Colin Cowherd stirred the pot with an intriguing rumor: that the Browns might have their sights set on a future power duo—none other than legendary college coach Nick Saban and rising star quarterback Arch Manning for the 2026 season.
𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: Colin Cowherd has heard that the Browns are eyeing both Arch Manning and Nick Saban for 2026.
“This is not a conspiracy theory… this story is a poorly kept secret. The Mannings, Haslem, Jimmy Sexton, Nick Saban”😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/nR40bFWIj5
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 23, 2025
While it’s fun to think about a Saban-Manning partnership, let’s take Cowherd’s claims with a hefty grain of salt. After all, Manning has yet to announce any intention of entering the 2026 NFL Draft after just one full season at Texas. If the Browns are already strategizing for a coaching change, it certainly signals that they have little faith in Stefanski’s leadership moving forward.
Yet, the thought of pairing Coach Saban with the gifted Manning does have a certain allure. You can almost picture Browns’ owner Jimmy Haslam crafting a vision board filled with ambitious plans for a brighter future. After years of ups and downs, fans can’t help but dream of a better era for the franchise, one where winning is no longer just a distant hope but a tangible reality.
So, as we move forward in the season, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the Browns. Can they push through and prove the skeptics wrong, or will they find themselves back at square one, searching for yet another quarterback and coach? It’s a gamble that could either pay off big-time or lead to more frustration for the loyal fan base who just wants to see their team thrive.
Image Source: Myles Garrett @ Instagram
