Quinn Ewers grew up watching the Longhorns play. Ever since he saw their first game, he dreamt of donning that burnt orange and pushing their side to victory. So when reports revealed that an unnamed school made him an $8 million NIL to transfer, fans were not too surprised to know he rejected it. Could it be that he said no because of the 2025 NFL Draft? Possible. But it could also have been because of his loyalty to his school.

“Texas was the only place he wanted to play college football,” Riley Dodge, Ewers’ high school coach at Southlake Carroll stated. “He wanted to leave Texas in good standing.”

Well, it may sound like a bad financial decision to some, and to others, it may sound like an overly romantic perception of his loyalty. But Ewers might not care too much. That being said, there are some new developments that might affect the QBs future and perhaps make him rethink the $8 million offer.

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, one of the biggest questions is where Quinn Ewers will land. Will he go early, or will the uncertainty around his future shake things up? There are too many questions right now, but there is a QB who is stealing the show and it is not Ewers!

In a new Instagram post, ‘NFL Rookie Watch’ wrote: “Jaxson Dart has reportedly started to “surpass” Jalen Milroe, Will Howard, and Quinn Ewers on the majority of NFL scouts’ boards. A handful of scouts even reportedly have Dart as their “QB2” only behind Cam Ward. Eli Manning (former Giants QB) is reportedly a “huge fan” of the Giants potentially selecting Dart.

“Dart had a strong showing at the Senior Bowl this week, and was reportedly the best QB in attendance. Dart is reportedly believed to have the “capabilities” to make a Bo Nix type jump by draft night. Ole Miss may finally have their next elite QB since Eli Manning.”

At this week’s Senior Bowl, Dart was said to be the best QB in attendance, putting on a show. So, by draft night, he might just make a jump further, which would surely Ewers a tough competition.

In his three years as Texas’ starting QB, Ewers made a massive impact, leading the Longhorns to back-to-back CFP semifinals. He finished 2023 with a 27-9 record in 36 starts, completing 69% of his throws for 3,479 yards and 22 TDs. And this last season, he completed 65.8% of his passes for 3,472 yards and 31 TDs. As of now, he leaves as the program’s third-leading passer of all time, following in the footsteps of legends like Sam Ehlinger and Colt McCoy.

Now the big question is: Will Ewers regret turning down that $8M offer, or could his NFL entry lead to an even bigger payday? It’s not just about the money, though. The real question is, will any team take a chance on his talent? Scouts are still unsure, and the clock is ticking as Ewers awaits his fate.

Quinn Ewers: How is the QB being perceived ahead of the NFL Draft?

The latest mock draft from Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman of The Athletic has Ewers landing with the Seattle Seahawks at No. 50 in the second round. However, according to Dochterman, the NFC West squad is already looking ahead, scouting a potential successor for Geno Smith, who signed a three-year, $75 million deal in 2023. With Smith at 34, the Seahawks might see Ewers as their QB of the future—but will they pull the trigger on draft night?

While most draft experts see Ewers as a mid-to-late 2nd-round pick, right in line with Baumgardner and Dochterman’s prediction, some scouts question his accuracy and arm strength, raising concerns about his NFL career.

But don’t worry. CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso praised his “arm arrogance” and athleticism—he plays with confidence and isn’t afraid to take risks.

But it’s not all perfect. If Quinn Ewers lands in Seattle, he won’t be stepping into the spotlight just yet. As a rookie, he’d likely be third on the depth chart, sitting behind Geno Smith—the clear starter—and Sam Howell, the current backup.

It wouldn’t be a glamorous start, but it could be the perfect place to develop. Can Ewers embrace the grind and prove he’s the future QB1 for the Seahawks, or whichever team drafts him? If he does, the NFL payday could make that $8 million he turned down look like pocket change.