It’s been widely assumed that Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers would leave the team after this season to enter the NFL Draft, paving the way for Arch Manning to take over as the team’s starting quarterback this year. But in a terrible turn of events for Manning, it sounds like Ewers still hasn’t ruled out the possibility of returning for another season.
Quinn Ewers technically still has one season of eligibility remaining after redshirting his first season with the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2021.
This week, Ewers was asked whether or not this week’s game against the Kentucky Wildcats could be his final game Royal-Memorial Stadium.
Ewers didn’t exactly rule out the possibility of returning next season.
“Who knows?” Ewers said according to the Austin American-Statesman. “I’m just trying to win this week.”
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian had a similar response.
“No idea,” Sarkisian said.
While Ewers was considered one of the top NFL Draft prospects heading into the season, that is no longer the case as he is not even projected as a first-round pick by any prominent NFL Draft analysts. It would make sense for him to return for another season to help bolster his draft stock.
Of course, this would be absolutely horrible news for Arch Manning, who has already sat behind Ewers for his first two seasons with Texas.
Manning will be eligible for the NFL Draft following the 2025 season. If Ewers opts to return, however, it’s unlikely that Manning would have a chance to be the full-time starter at Texas before that point, possibly delaying his arrival in the league by another year.
For this reason, if Ewers does opt to return, there’s a very real chance that Manning could choose to transfer to a different program rather than sit behind Ewers for yet another season.
Needless to say, this whole situation led to a lot of reactions from fans in the comments of the story.
“Ewers needs to go. Even if Manning ends up being a bust, it is time to give him a chance. Either Ewers is the problem or Sarkisian play calling is because Texas is not playing up to the talent and Ewers looks like an average QB right now. Texas still has Kentucky and then at A&M. The way Ewers has played, either could be a loss,” one fan wrote in the comments on Newsbreak.
“Ewers has been in the offense for 3 years. he should not be struggling so much. If Ewers is not ready for the NFL now he will never be,” another fan wrote.
“Manning should join the portal and leave now,” another fan added.
“Manning can leave and there are 100 colleges waiting for him,” someone else pointed out.
“If ewers returns manning will transfer for more money- like he needs it! imagine becoming a millionaire and not even playing pro football, like some are doing now,” another fan said.
“Manning should transfer if Ewers stays for another season,” another fan said.
It’s worth noting that Sarkisian did opt to bench Ewers in favor of Manning earlier this year when Ewers struggled in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs. However, Ewers was re-inserted into the game when Manning struggled, as well.
We’ll have to see what happens, but it’s certainly not a great situation for Manning after he’s already sat on the bench for two years with the Longhorns.
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