Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton yells "I'm back!" after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in a game in 2021.

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Cam Newton claims Cowboys may tank for Arch Manning and lure Nick Saban

Cam Newton’s Cowboys tanking claim explained.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton yells "I'm back!" after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in a game in 2021.

The Dallas Cowboys recently hired Brian Schottenheimer as their head coach. Former NFL quarterback Cam Newton believes this move is a smokescreen for a bigger plan. He claims Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is preparing to tank the 2025 season to land Arch Manning and recruit Nick Saban as the next head coach.

During his appearance on ESPN’s First Take, Newton didn’t hold back. “I think they’re tanking for Arch. Make it make sense. Coach Schottenheimer has one-and-done written all over him,” Newton said, according to On3. He continued, “Ok, why do you want one and done? You get the first pick of the draft. Not only that, 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.”

This idea sounds like something straight out of a football fantasy, but it’s not entirely without logic. Landing a quarterback as hyped as Manning and a legendary coach like Saban would redefine the Cowboys. Manning, who hasn’t solidified his role as a starter for Texas yet, is still being talked about as a top 2026 draft prospect.

Why Newton’s theory is unlikely

For this plan to work, a lot has to fall into place. First, Arch Manning would need a breakout season at Texas. His current experience is limited—he’s started just two games and thrown fewer than 100 passes. Projecting him as NFL-ready after one full season is a huge stretch. His draft stock is far from guaranteed.

Then there’s the Nick Saban factor. Saban left coaching in the NFL years ago and has built an empire at Alabama. Leaving a stable, high-paying ESPN analyst role to return to the NFL—especially to a franchise that could struggle during a rebuild—feels improbable. His prior stint as an NFL coach didn’t go well, making a comeback even less likely.

Cowboys’ strategy: tanking or business as usual?

The Cowboys have struggled to break through in the playoffs under previous head coach Mike McCarthy. However, a calculated tank strategy would be unprecedented for a team that tries to stay competitive year after year. Still, Newton’s claim fits the narrative of Jerry Jones as a risk-taker who loves flashy moves. Targeting a marketable name like Arch Manning would certainly align with Jones’ brand-building ambitions.

Newton’s theory, while bold, remains highly doubtful for now. Manning hasn’t proven himself as a top prospect yet, and Saban’s NFL return feels more like wishful thinking. But in the unpredictable world of football, never say never.

(Image: Imagn Images)

Cam Newton

Natasha Bose

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