Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is blaming Texas Longhorns star Arch Manning for why the upcoming NFL Draft may be deemed weak. On Tuesday, March 3, Newton uploaded a clip from a recent episode of his “4th&1” show to X/Twitter, wherein he opined that the 2026 NFL Draft class of quarterbacks is the worst ever.
This comes as the likes of Indiana Hoosiers standout Fernando Mendoza and Alabama Crimson Tide’s Ty Simpson are vying for a spot in the league this year. Newton explained why this class of quarterbacks is the worst for him, pointing out that Manning decided not to declare for it and opted to continue playing college football.
“This is the absolute worst quarterback draft class in the last two decades, and you wanna know who’s to blame? Arch Manning. He was supposed to be (in this draft class). What Arch Manning was supposed to be was everything that Fernando Mendoza was. National Championship, all-American Heisman, face of college football, all the above. Generational talent, the athleticism and the running ability of his grandfather, Archie,” Newton said.
“He had the throwing power and the throwing ability as his Uncle Eli, and he was supposed to be and is as cerebral as his other uncle, Peyton. This is not a beat on Arch Manning not being a good football player. This debate is about Arch Manning not developing fast enough to be what everybody, including myself, expected him to be,” he continued.
Manning just wrapped up his junior year of collegiate football in the recently concluded 2025 season, having spent all of his college tenure so far with the Longhorns. Under the tutelage of coach Steve Sarkisian, Manning has become one of the brightest young talents in football, as he led the Texas-based program to an overall record of 10-3 (6-2 SEC) last year.
Cam Newton Says That With Arch Manning, The 2027 NFL Draft Class Will Be The Best Ever
In the same video, Cam Newton explained why he believes that with Arch Manning, the 2027 NFL Draft class of quarterbacks can be the best. He mentioned Ole Miss Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss joining the fray.
“The decision for Arch Manning to go back to Texas now can potentially put the 2027 quarterback class better than we probably have ever seen. It was an aggressive take by saying Arch Manning is to blame. But what Arch Manning really did was bolster, potentially, the greatest quarterback draft ever in the history of drafts,” Newton shared.
You have Arch Manning, you have Dante Moore, you have Trinidad Chambliss, LaNorris Sellers, Julian Sayin; those guys are loaded. The best draft class ever, in my honest opinion, in the last 20 years,” he added.
Also Read: Texas QB Arch Manning Drops 4-Word Message on Progress After Undergoing Ankle Surgery
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