The Los Angeles Rams are enjoying a season that could still be full of potential if they can manage to navigate a very difficult NFC West division in order to reach the postseason. But regardless of what happens this season, Matthew Stafford is getting closer to the end of his playing career.
Stafford, who will turn 38 years old in February, is having an MVP-caliber season. However, we can't just gloss over the back problems that hobbled him this summer. Though he may still have a few solid seasons left in him, should he desire to continue playing, the organization is going to have to start working up a contingency plan.
The Scouting Department over at Bleacher Report released a fresh 2026 mock draft and that plan starts this offseason, in their minds. Picking at No. 11 in the first round, the Rams select a name that will be talked about as much as any heading into the draft: Arch Manning out of Texas.
Manning is the nephew of both Peyton and Eli Manning, two of the greatest quarterbacks of their generation. He is also the grandson of Archie Manning and because of his last name, will be considered a can't-miss prospect by many. But is he?
Manning has had his ups and downs this season at Texas. He has thrown 18 touchdowns against only six interceptions, but the Longhorns have already lost two games this season and Manning played quite poorly in the season opener against Ohio State.
Though Manning does possess exciting physical traits, there are many who feel he's not quite ready to live up to the family name. Just a sophomore, he could easily choose to stay in college for at least another year. But Bleacher Report likes him for the Rams in the first round of next April's draft. Here was their analysis:
"The Los Angeles Rams are playing with house money thanks to the extra first-round pick acquired from the Atlanta Falcons in last year's draft-day trade.
As such, the Rams can take a big swing here and select Matthew Stafford's heir apparent.
Texas' Arch Manning endured the heavy burden that comes from his family name, and many buried him after a slow start to the 2025 campaign. An understanding was needed then and now. He is still in his first season as a full-time collegiate starter. Maybe a contest against the best team in the nation isn't an ideal opening for an inexperienced signal-caller.
How Manning has responded says a lot about him and where he can eventually be as a future NFL starter. The Longhorns have won four in a row, with their quarterback providing eight total touchdowns and only one interception during that stretch."
If Manning is ready to enter the NFL, there may not be a more perfect scenario than this one. Not only could he sit behind an all-time great like Stafford, but he would also learn under Sean McVay, a true quarterback guru in today's NFL.
This would be an intriguing move for the Rams as Manning could sit behind Stafford for at least one full season, if not two, before getting onto the field as the new face of the franchise and the next great player from the legendary Manning family.