Cam Newton sees Jerry Jones hiring Brian Schottenheimer as a one-year move, eyeing Arch Manning and Nick Saban in 2026.
Arch Manning, Jerry Jones and Cam Newton (Image via IMAGO)
Cam Newton is no stranger to polarizing takes, and the latest episode of First Take contained a couple of juicy opinions from the former NFL quarterback. Newton hypothesized that Jerry Jones is waiting to draft Texas Longhorns Arch Manning in 2026 and make him the Dallas Cowboys franchise quarterback.
Jones is used to making eyebrow-raising decisions in his tenure as the Cowboys owner, but he has been on a roll recently—for the wrong reasons. After mutually agreeing to part ways with Mike McCarthy following a 7-10 2024 regular season finish and disagreement with his contract (McCarthy wanted five years, but Jones only offered three), Jerry appointed offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer as the Cowboys’ head coach.
Newton wasn’t too thrilled with the appointment, and neither was his veteran colleague Stephen A. Smith.
I just thought there was a level, a floor that you couldn’t go lower. Jerry Jones is in the basement, and it’s like he’s in the basement, and he doesn’t know, and nobody is telling him. He doesn’t know.
Stephen A. Smith said after the Cowboys hired Schottenheimer
Jones ignored all the criticism and backed Schottenheimer’s appointment.
If you don’t think I can’t operate out of my comfort zone, you’re so wrong it’s unbelievable. This is as big a risk as you can take. As big a risk as you can take.
Jerry Jones said
Cam Newton listened to Jones’ statement and concluded that the 82-year-old might be plotting something big.
Cam Newton links Arch Manning to Jerry Jones’ Cowboys
While arguing with Smith about Cowboys coaching and its future, Newton speculated that Schottenheimer’s hire was a clever masquerade from Jones to tank the 2025 season so that they could get a high draft pick and take Texas’ Arch Manning in 2026.
I think they’re [Jerry Jones and Cowboys] tanking for Arch. Make it make sense. Coach Schottenheimer has one-and-done written all over him… one and done? You get the first pick of the draft.
Cam Newton said
Manning is only the tip of the iceberg. Newton further theorized that Schottenheimer would end up like Jerod Mayo, who got fired after just one season in New England. After that, Jones makes a blockbuster appointment by signing Nick Saban as the head coach.
I’m going to go back into my godfather bag and say, ‘Ok, Jerry Jones is a businessman, and he’s going to get into his Don Corleone mentality and he’s going to give him a deal he can’t refuse. Who? Nick Saban. Go get Nick Saban as your head coach and Arch Manning as your No. 1 pick.
Cam Newton said
This sounds outrageous and sensible at the same time. Saban retired last year after coaching Alabama for 17 seasons and six national titles. If anyone can get the 73-year-old to come out of retirement, then it’s Jones or Tom Brady, but the latter has already appointed Pete Carroll (the oldest coach in the NFL).
Who is Arch Manning?
Manning, on the other hand, is a future superstar in the making. He backed up Quinn Ewers for two seasons but saw his game time improve in 2024 as Ewers spent time recovering from injury. In the limited chances, Manning found himself rubbing shoulders with Heisman Trophy favorites for a while before Ewers took over once more.
The nephew of NFL legends Peyton Manning and Eli Manning is set to become the starter for the Longhorns in 2025 as Ewers inches closer to announcing himself for the draft. Manning’s eligibility becomes active in 2026, and Jones will keep an eye on him.
