The San Francisco 49ers can rest easy knowing they have their quarterback situation figured out. This offseason, San Francisco extended 26-year-old Brock Purdy with the richest contract in franchise history (five years, $265 million) to cement him as the cornerstone piece under center for years to come. Of course, there is still work to do be done on the field to prove this investment worthwhile, but the Niners should feel comfortable compared to other teams in the NFC West when it comes to quarterback security.
The Arizona Cardinals are locked in with Kyler Murray, but are still waiting to see if he can produce the same success as the younger Purdy already has. The Seattle Seahawks are banking on newcomer Sam Darnold repeating his impressive performance from last season when he led the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 record, but that is far from a guarantee. Lastly, the Los Angeles Rams re-signed Matthew Stafford to a two-year, $84 million deal, but the team knows that he is entering the twilight of his career.
Stafford, 37, has put together an iconic career that includes a Super Bowl title with the Rams, but even if he excels during these next two years with LA’s great receivers, coach Sean McVay and the front office must start thinking of a succession plan. With Stafford suffering injuries in recent years, they may already have.
Depending on how 2025 goes, there could be an expectation – or pressure – for Stafford to retire a year before his contract expires, or at worst, bringing in a potential replacement. Yahoo! Sports recognizes this upcoming possibility.
“The leadership both in the coaching staff and front office is steadfast in [Stafford’s] ability — if fully healthy — to lead Los Angeles to one more title in the next two seasons,” writer Charles Robinson said. “That said, it’s clear there is a fixed vantage on the horizon, with Rams decision-makers knowing the next offseason is where they have to start moving toward a succession plan. Most likely toward a very young player who can grow with McVay and spend an elongated period attached at the hip.”
Robinson’s proposed heir? One of the most talked-about figures in the class.
“One prominent name that surfaces inside this ideology is Texas quarterback Arch Manning, who some believe will end up being the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft following his 2025 season — if he actually chooses to leave college before his senior year in 2026.”
Charles Robinson, Yahoo! Sports
If this were to pan out, although Los Angeles would rave about the NFL legacy rookie that oozes star-power potential, it would take a tanked 2025 season to get to that spot in the draft order. With an underwhelming losing season, surely Stafford would then retire, which timely opens the door for a rookie QB.
But as Robinson wisely noted, Manning isn’t necessarily a shoe-in to come out of college next spring. Yes, it’s his third season in college, but it will be just his first as a full-time starter. Even if the nephew to Peyton and Eli shines and continues receiving the first-round predictions he is now, he could still decide to milk his time with the Longhorns and prepare as much as possible for the next level with more game experience from another full season.
For now, the idea of the Rams drafting Arch – following a losing season, of course – is still intriguing.
Even if Stafford were to decide to ride out his contract through 2026 and Manning comes out after this season, there could be a one-year passing of the torch where Manning would back up Stafford (something he’s shown to willingly do after spending two years behind Quinn Ewers), and at the least, learn from him every day. A source told Robinson that Stafford would be open to this possibility if Manning was gettable in the draft.
“Manning is tied to the Rams for a very obvious reason: Les Snead’s stepson Tate is known to be a close friend of Arch Manning, and Snead himself was seen chatting up Arch Manning at the Texas pro day prior to the 2025 NFL Draft.”
Aside from past relationships, Robinson claims McVay and the Rams value Manning’s frame and intangibles, which are reminiscent of Stafford … but with greater mobility.
“The Rams covet Manning’s prototypical size (6-foot-4, 219 pounds) and throwing acumen … but also believe it’s his level of athleticism that sets him apart from from every other college football quarterback.”
This is very high praise, but of course, a lot still needs to transpire before the dream gets close to fulfillment.
From a 49ers perspective – and the rest of the NFC West – this plan for the Rams to key in on a top quarterback prospect is worth monitoring in the next few years.
For the immediate future, it would mean Los Angeles would have to play much worse than their current roster projects in order to get a top pick. With a new dynamic offensive duo of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams pairing with a promising young defense led by the Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse, it’s hard to believe the Rams will be anything less than a contender.
Don’t expect a Tank for Arch scheme coming from the 49ers’ rivals, but do keep in mind that San Francisco (or someone else?) would have to run away with the division in order to get the Rams closer to this idea. This year or next.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.