The New Orleans Saints have been connected to Arch Manning for years. He’s the hometown hero, the football royalty, the quarterback fans have been quietly hoping would one day suit up in black and gold.
But recent noise from Los Angeles should make Saints fans uncomfortable. Because the Rams aren’t just interested in Manning, they might be all in.
According to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, the Rams are making Manning a “top priority” for the 2026 NFL Draft.
That’s not speculation. That’s the kind of leak that doesn’t happen unless something real is taking shape behind the scenes.
It might sound wild, but Manning being considered the top quarterback in the 2026 class is not new. Scouts and media have been saying it for a while. Based on pedigree, mechanics, and early flashes at Texas, Arch is widely seen as the face of the next wave of NFL quarterbacks.
What is surprising, though, is a contending team like the Rams letting it be known they’re targeting him, even with Matthew Stafford under contract and possibly playing another season after this one.
“Arch Manning is very likely going to be a Ram. I just have this feeling and you know to back it up I tweeted it out after they won the Super Bowl. I feel like they’re going to get Arch Manning, I just do,” said Jake Ellenbogen on his YouTube channel.
“Is he going to force himself there like Eli did with the Giants? That I don’t know. But the Rams have two first-round picks.”
And that’s the part Saints fans have to reckon with. The Rams have the fodder. Two first-round picks in 2026 and potentially more in 2027. That’s more than enough to move up and grab Arch, especially if they’re trading with anyone other than New Orleans.
It’s not just about picks either. When multiple reputable voices start saying the same thing that the Rams and the Arch are circling each other, that matters. News like this doesn’t hit the public unless someone wants it to.
This could end up feeling a lot like 2019 all over again. The Saints might be just good enough to miss out on the top of the draft, winning too many games to be in position for a generational quarterback.
Meanwhile, the Rams, a team with a proven front office and a willingness to go bold, could step right in with the perfect trade package to grab the hometown superstar.
For Saints fans, it’s the kind of nightmare scenario that hits twice. Not only would they miss out on Arch, but they’d have to watch him flourish somewhere else. Somewhere like Los Angeles with Sean McVay and Puka Nacua, which could be more Super Bowls in the making.
And if the Rams are lining up to take that shot, they might just break New Orleans’ heart again, worse than 2019.
