Arguably, the most fascinating quarterback dilemma of the CFB era in recent memory wasn’t about wins and losses—it was about identity. Last season, Texas Longhorns football found itself in the middle of a narrative showdown between Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. The proven starter versus the legacy phenom. Ewers, with his trademark mullet and laser-sharp release, held the job on merit. But for fans and media alike, there was always an Arch-shaped shadow looming over the Forty Acres. Still, through the noise and the whispers of change, Ewers led, won, and matured—quietly, confidently, and without ever needing to bang his chest.

Now, as Quinn Ewers embarks on the final stretch toward the NFL Draft, he’s not shy about where he sees himself in this QB class. “I think I’m the best [in the class] and the most ready for the NFL because of what I’ve been through,” he recently said. It’s the kind of quote that instantly grabs the room. That unshakable belief might sound familiar—it echoes the same underdog conviction that once fueled a sixth-round pick named Tom Brady. While Ewers might not have the same chip-on-the-shoulder storyline Brady carried from Ann Arbor to Canton. The self-assurance is cut from the same cloth. He’s been through injuries, external pressure, and the scrutiny of one of the most visible programs in the country—and he’s come out polished.

Yet, despite the confidence and experience, there’s a surprising twist to how NFL insiders are talking about Quinn Ewers. On the Football With Friends podcast, a pair of analysts couldn’t help but project Ewers’ career beyond just the field. “Is Quinn gonna be a quarterback coach?” Cody Carpentier asked, drawing comparisons to the Jordan Palmer mold. “I don’t think he’s going to be Tom Brady, I don’t think he’ll have a 20-year career. But I think he’ll play for, you know, you might get a decade out of it.”

The take wasn’t so much a slight as it was an acknowledgment of Ewers’ intangible qualities—the leadership, the likeability, the cerebral nature that often makes for a better sideline presence than a box-office QB. “The guys who play with him, they really, really do love him,” Alex Dunlap added, highlighting something that’s hard to quantify but impossible to ignore in an NFL locker room.

They went even deeper into the personality side of the Texas star. When Dunlap compared Ewers to Colt McCoy, Carpentier chimed in, saying, “He always just… I think you’re right because Colt [McCoy], every time you hear him talk, it almost feels like he doesn’t really want to be talking or he’s kind of shy. Quinn kind of gives off that same vibe.” In a world where quarterbacks are expected to command every mic and own every moment, Quinn Ewers bucks the trend. He doesn’t demand the spotlight—he earns respect by quietly grinding. Alex Dunlap summed it up best: “He’s one of those guys that gets around a ball club and kind of knows how to lead men.” It’s not always the loudest guy in the room who gets followed—it’s the one with consistency, humility, and trust.

And that’s not just media speculation. Even Arch Manning, now in line to take over the Texas offense, gave Ewers his flowers. “Quinn’s been great,” Arch said recently. “He’s just been so good to me over the past few years.” Deference from one highly recruited prospect to another, and it offers insight into the kind of mentor and teammate Ewers has become. It also helps explain why NFL teams like the Raiders and Colts have hosted Ewers for visits. They see the value in bringing in a young QB who might not start immediately but definitely has the presence and poise to contribute from Day 1.

So, what’s next for Quinn Ewers? He could back up a $240 million franchise star. He might hold a clipboard, refine his game, and wait his turn.

Could the Cowboys be the perfect fit for Quinn Ewers?

Could Quinn Ewers find his NFL start right in his home state? ESPN’s Benjamin Solak thinks so. In fact, he’s eyeing the Dallas Cowboys as an ideal landing spot for the Texas gunslinger. And no, this isn’t about Ewers stepping in to take over the offense right away—it’s about development, patience, and a little bit of long-term vision.

“Why not take another sixth-round flier in Ewers?” Solak asked, pointing out that the Cowboys’ current quarterback room gives Ewers exactly what he needs: time. “Ewers remains a developmental prospect in that he has the physical tools of an NFL quarterback but lacks many of the necessary skills to reliably play the position well,” Solak explained.

With Dak Prescott secured through 2028 with that massive $240M deal, and Joe Milton III showing he can be a reliable backup after Cooper Rush’s departure, the pressure’s off in Dallas. They could totally stash Ewers as their QB3 and let him develop, soak in the playbook, and slowly mold him into a reliable option down the road. And hey, Dallas already feels like home for Ewers, making this potential pairing even more natural.