Wait… was that Cooper Manning on the screen? Nah, it has to be a glitch. A fever dream. Maybe a deleted skit from The Manning cast, right? Wrong. That was 100% real. No promos, no ESPN alert, just straight-up Cooper out of nowhere, calling plays on The Rookie like it was game day in Los Angeles. And right when folks were still waiting for Arch Manning to show anything on TV, ABC said, “Nah, we’ll take his dad instead.” What kind of plot twist is this?

Well, it’s his pops Cooper Manning’s cameo appearance in the American drama series The Rookie, created by Alexi Hawley for ABC. And that’s where the fun begins. So, Texas Longhorns reporter Brian Davis hits X, dropping dad jokes on Arch, “Cooper Manning just randomly appears on my TV in tonight’s episode of The Rookie as part of an LAPD flag football game. ABC couldn’t afford Arch?”

Cooper Manning surprised The Rookie fans in Episode 14 of Season 7. He unexpectedly appeared as the LAPD flag football team coach. With no prior announcement, Manning strolled onto the field, calling plays with his signature laid-back style, reminiscent of The Manning Hour.

It was a clear attempt by ABC to shake things up, and it worked. His cameo added a spontaneous, unpredictable element that the show thrives on. Manning’s appearance was a fun twist, no grand expectations, just Cooper doing what he does best: leading the team and effortlessly stealing the spotlight. This isn’t his first foray into television either.

TV shows like Capital One College Bowl, Fox NFL Kickoff, and Ridiculous Cash Bash! are some of his prominent TV work. On top of it, he also hosts the College Bowl alongside his brother and NFL legend Peyton Manning. And let’s be real, Arch Manning needs a lot of time to even make it halfway through it. But this season is going to be massive for him, and his pops is right behind him to help and guide him through it.

Cooper Manning is making sure that Arch’s focus remains on the game, not on the hefty price tag that comes with it. “I think the best advice I can give is to look at the school where you’re going to go and where you’re going to be happy,” Cooper said. “If money is dictating where you’re going for the next four years, you’re probably going to make a mistake.” But it looks like NIL is not something that Cooper should be worried about. As their family name’s already putting a lot of pressure on Arch Manning.

Pressure mounts over Arch Manning’s future

The Arch Manning era dawns in Austin. Two years of anticipation culminate as the generation’s most hyped recruit takes the reins. Manning boasts two starts from last season, stepping up admirably after Quinn Ewers’ injury. He excelled, accumulating 939 passing yards, nine touchdowns, only two interceptions, plus 108 rushing yards and four more rushing touchdowns in nine games. But the true test arrives now.

This season, he isn’t merely a backup; he’s the leader. The name “Manning” carries immense expectations, fueled by the legendary legacies of Archie, Eli, and Peyton. Even ESPN’s Greg McElroy confessed, “You see the last name Manning, you already assume that this guy is phenomenal, without even watching anything from him so far this year.” This fame, however, is a double-edged sword. The spotlight, while bright, is unforgiving and intensely pressuring.

And on College GameDay Podcast, Rece Davis offered a sobering prediction about Arch Manning: “Here’s what I think that’s going to happen with Arch, and it’s unfortunate,” he said. “Because of the attention he’s going to get, he is going to become a fan favorite by those outside of Texas. And others outside of Texas, he is going to be the ultimate villain.” He’s right. Manning’s name guarantees headlines, amplifying both successes and failures.

“Everything’s going to be amplified. The dart that he throws in between two defenders for a touchdown is going to be hailed as the greatest pass in the history of college football. And the interception on the misread is going to be ‘see, he’s not good,” Davis added. Arch Manning isn’t just a quarterback; he’s a legacy. But if anyone can handle the pressure, it’s a Manning. As he joins a Texas team hungry for its first national title since 2005, all eyes – for better or worse – will be on him. So, let’s wait and see if last name’s pressure takes a toll on Manning or gives him another reason to shine.