The latest wild Dallas Cowboys conspiracy making the rounds? Jerry Jones is secretly tanking, hiring a bad head coach, and setting up a master plan to draft Arch Manning in 2026.
Entertaining? Sure. Realistic? Not even close.
As it happens, our Mike Fisher of CowboysCountry.com this week broke a monster story on the Cowboys and their "targeted intrigue'' in a Texas Longhorns quarterback.
But his name is Quinn Ewers - and that story is now making the rounds, as it should be.
It's credible.
What about Arch to Dallas?
The biggest flaw in this theory?
Problem No. 1: Arch Manning according to a report at Inside Texas, plans on starting at Texas for two more years, meaning he wouldn't officially declare for the draft until 2027.
Hate to burst the Texas sized bubble but Arch Manning most likely starts 2 years https://t.co/BMSRYvDiCB
— Landon Holifield ✭ (@TheLandoShow) January 30, 2025
Meaning, the Cowboys would have to tank for two straight seasons-right after extending Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and soon, Micah Parsons.
There's simply no logical scenario where Dallas burns multiple prime years of their best players waiting for a quarterback who isn't even guaranteed to leave school early.
And if absolutely nothing else in this regard, the Brian Schottenheimer hire was about relationships and culture, not tanking.
Problem No. 2: The Cowboys Just Spent to Win Now
If tanking for a QB was truly the plan, last offseason would've been the perfect setup. The Cowboys sat on their hands in free agency, made zero aggressive moves, and left clear roster holes unaddressed. ... and then bumbled through a Blow It Up season.
But this year? They've restructured contracts, created cap space, and been more active in free agency and trade talks.
That might not be enough ... But is not the behavior of a team planning to bottom out.
Problem No. 3: The Manning Family is Playing the Long Game
The Mannings knew Quinn Ewers was at Texas when Arch committed. They could have easily chosen a school where Arch start immediately, but they embraced patience and a long-term approach.
Arch himself has shown no urgency to rush to the NFL.
Betting the Cowboys' entire future on the assumption that he will suddenly change course makes no sense.
Bottom line? The Cowboys aren't tanking for Arch Manning. The front office has its issues, but this theory collapses under even the slightest scrutiny. ... with Dak Prescott locked in at QB (and a $90 million penalty to change that) and assorted ideas as to his 2025 backup.
A Longhorns QB is among those ideas. But his name isn't "Arch Manning.''
Related: Cowboys Source Reveals 'No. 1 Reason' for Schottenheimer Hiring
Related: Cowboys A 'Sick Disaster' As Jerry Bashed For 2 Major Moves
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This story was originally published March 18, 2025 at 6:41 PM.