Poor Steve Sarkisian! Just when the Texas Longhorns HC has surrendered to his ill fate, not making it to the finals, even then he is not left alone. The QB dilemma has haunted Sarkisian for the whole 2024 season. To choose Quinn Ewers or to play Arch Manning, has been the biggest confusion for the Longhorns HC.

Now that Ewers has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, Sarkisian’s situation was supposed to be a bit better. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Now that after Ewers’ exit, Manning’s era has officially begun. Sarkisian will be haunted by how he snubbed his now QB1. After all, Manning’s future looks all bright, that too outside Texas.    

Arch Manning comes with a wake-up call for Steve Sarkisian

Now if you think that Sarkisian did not favor Ewers above Manning, please put your blinds down! The game where the Longhorns lost the game 28-10 to Ryan Day’s Buckeyes, says it all. They got kicked out of the Playoffs! CFB fans are still mad at Sarkisian for not bringing in their backup QB Manning when Texas reached the 1-yard line. And we all know what the outcome has been, right? Ewers drove the ball to Ohio State’s 1-yard line in the fourth quarter, but running back Quintrevion Wisner got stuffed for a loss of seven on second down. Later on, the Buckeyes’ Jack Sawyer sacked Ewers, recorded the fumble, and came up with a game-defining defensive touchdown. Even after that, Sarkisian did not bring Manning who has repeatedly proven himself in short-yardage and red-zone situations. Looks like everything is coming back at Sarkisian.

If the Texas HC feels that he will make up for all the snubs, time is limited for him. On January 18, NFL Rookie Watch came up with an IG post. The caption read, “Arch Manning’s time as the QB1 at Texas could reportedly be “cut-short” as multiple NFL scouts reportedly believe Manning has Top-5 pick potential in the 2026 NFL Draft.” To enter the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from high school. In order to fit that description, Manning will have to wait till 2026 since he is a 2023 high school graduate. 

Even though it has been an on-and-off season for Manning in Texas, he has been shifty in the pocket and calls his own number far more often than Ewers ever did. So, he is likely to maintain the quarterback status quo and improve his stocks while staying in Austin, already having a 87.5 QB rating. Fans are already going gaga over the chances of the quarterback landing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But why would Sarkisian even bother about Manning since he is himself believed to be NFL-bound? Looks like he is going to wait. 

What’s next for Steve Sarkisian? 

This was the best opportunity for the Longhorns HC to make an exit. After all, Sarkisian did not live up to the expectations of the Longhorns fans. So, he could have easily opted for a fresh start. It’s not that the NFL scouts did not show any interest in him. Rumors started to do rounds, that Dallas Cowboys GM Jerry Jones is seeking Mike McCarthy’s replacement. For that, he sees multiple options like the Colorado Buffaloes HC Deion Sanders. Interestingly, Sarkisian also falls into their radar.

This could have been passed as a sheer rumor until on the Pat McAfee Show, the SEC insider doubled down on the chances of Sarkisian’s first head-coaching break in the NFL. Adam Schefter said, “Steve Sarkisian is a name that has swirled around out there in NFL circles for weeks now.” After all, the Longhorns HC comes off as the hot target carrying a rich NFL resume. But looks like, Sarkisian is not going to take that leap.

As CFB insider Brett McMurphy tweeted, “Steve Sarkisian agrees to contract extension w/Texas after declining interviews w/2 NFL teams, sources said.” The latest reports say the Longhorns locked him renewing his contract with a seven-year deal. Now is it because of giving himself another chance to win the Playoffs, after two consecutive trips? Or is it his intention to join hands with Arch Manning and enter the 2026 NFL draft together? The answer awaits in the wings of time.