Former Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton recently caught the attention of fans with his bold predictions for Jerry Jones’ Dallas Cowboys and potential new additions in 2026 that can turn things around for the franchise.
Newton is known for his off-beat analysis time and time again, but this time, the fans were quick to harshly reject his ideas.
NFL Fans React to Cam Newton’s Idea of Nick Saban-Arch Manning-Cowboys Union
During a recent episode of “First Take” on ESPN, Newton caught fans’ attention when he suggested that Jones might have hired Brian Schottenheimer as a pitstop so they could tank in 2025 and then hire seven-time national champion Nick Saban as their head coach and select Texas’ Arch Manning as their quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.
NEW: Cam Newton believes Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have a master plan to draft Arch Manning and hire Nick Saban🫣
“I think they’re tanking for Arch. Make it make sense. Coach Schottenheimer has one-and-done written all over him…
Jerry Jones is a businessman, and… pic.twitter.com/eX3g0Ea8QC
— On3 (@On3sports) January 30, 2025
“I think they’re tanking for Arch. Make it make sense. Coach Schottenheimer has one-and-done written all over him; 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,’” Newton said on the Jan. 30 episode of “First Take.”
When other panelists pointed out that QB Dak Prescott wouldn’t be OK with this plan, Newton suggested that it’s not about him. It’s about Schottenheimer, who has “one-and-done” written all over him, and how he wouldn’t be able to handle the star players.
Reacting to this prediction, NFL fans expressed their honest thoughts on the matter.
One fan said, “The team has too much high-level talent to keep wasting seasons. QB isn’t the real issue here; it’s just the easy and popular take.”
“Cowboys can tank all they want for Arch Manning. Because Arch’s grandfather would pull another Eli Manning moment like with the Chargers. Archie Manning despises Jerry Jones. It won’t ever happen,” another fan highlighted, calling back to the Manning-San Diego Chargers drama from his NFL Draft.
Cowboys can tank all they want for Arch Manning. Because Arch grandfather would pull another Eli Manning moment like with the Chargers. Archie Manning despise Jerry Jones. It won't ever happen.
— Dre Dre〽️ (@crispcorp1) January 31, 2025
“I guess the guy who sold him that hat gave him a deal he could not refuse,” another fan joked.
Another fan said, “Cam’s goofy hats may be a little too tight.”
The Cowboys ended the 2024 season with a disappointing record of 7-10, which resulted in Jones letting Mike McCarthy go and hiring Schottenheimer instead.