Arch Manning’s uneven start to the 2026 college football season is giving the Atlanta Falcons another reason to think carefully about their future at quarterback… The 2027 NFL Draft may not be the place where the Falcons will find their future under center, and Arch's struggles aren't helping
Through six games, Manning has five interceptions and a completion percentage of just under 64% as his latest performance ( 27-24 loss to Florida) hasn't silenced any doubts. The last two weeks, his struggles in the pocket and poor-decision making have seen Texas drop two straight teams to unranked teams.
Against Oklahoma last week, he threw two late interceptions. Against Florida, he coughed up the football on a possible game-winning drive and sealed the game. The tools and the arm talent are all still there. but it's evident that he needs more development before entering No. 1 pick discussions.
The Falcons still have plenty of reasons to evaluate their quarterback situation. Michael Penix Jr. has dealt with injuries, and Tua Tagovailoa is also in the picture. But Manning’s recent struggles could make Atlanta think twice about pursuing him if the team decides to explore another option in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Arch Manning isn't worth the risk of the Falcons moving on from Michael Penix Jr.
The Atlanta Falcons have their own quarterback questions to answer before deciding whether to pursue a prospect such as Arch Manning.. Michael Penix Jr. is coming off a recovery from a partially torn ACL suffered in 2025, and he suffered a rib injury during the Falcons’ Week 5 loss to the Ravens.
However, the latest update was encouraging as Penix will start against the Chicago Bears this afternoon. If he can stay healthy and show meaningful progress, the Falcons have basically no reason to spend a premium draft pick on another passer since he's finally performing relative to expectations.
Tagovailoa also remains part of the equation. Atlanta named him the starter for its season opener against Pittsburgh, and the team has already had to manage the competition between him and Penix. Adding another quarterback would create another decision for the organization, particularly if the Falcons are still trying to determine whether Penix can become their long-term answer.
There is a reasonable argument for Atlanta to keep evaluating Manning… If the team believes he has the traits to become a franchise quarterback, a difficult stretch at Texas should not automatically remove him from consideration. His remaining games (which include four straight against ranked SEC opponents) could change the conversation, and his eventual draft decision will be important.
But the Falcons should avoid treating Manning as an obvious solution simply because he is one of college football’s most recognizable quarterbacks. His performance needs to support the hype, and his recent turnovers have made that evaluation more complicated.
Atlanta may ultimately decide that Arch Manning is worth pursuing--but right now he could benefit from another year in college. For now, though, the team has more pressing questions to answer about its current quarterbacks, while Manning has work to do to strengthen his case as a top NFL prospect.
Add us as a preferred source on Google