Steve Sarkisian might be confused about many things, but when it comes to Quinn Ewers, it’s almost like his opinion was set in stone. We all know about the big QB debate—Quinn Ewers vs. Arch Manning—that the 2024 season came with. Sarkisian could not be blamed. After all, that man faced a double-edged sword. He got criticized for playing both Ewers and Manning differently. But, now that Ewers is on his way to join the big league, a different kind of conundrum has taken up space in the Longhorns’ roster—one that points out the alleged mishandling of Manning…

It’s now an open secret (or not) who Sarkisian’s favorite QB was. Relying on his QB1 Ewers since Day 1, Manning had to spend two years in the wings. Now, as a coach, Sarkisian had his reasons. But that doesn’t mean the football community at large would essentially agree. And that’s exactly what happened during the Andy & Ari On3 podcast on February 20. But before we get to that…

Let’s not forget that it was the 19-year-old who came to help when Sarkisian’s QB 1 was down with an oblique injury sustained during a Week 3 win over UTSA, forcing him to miss two games. And in those two games, Manning impressed with wins over UL Monroe and Mississippi State, throwing for throwing for 901 yards, nine touchdowns, two interceptions while completing 70.5 percent of his passes during the 2024 season. The youngster also added three rushing scores, tied for second on the team. 

Yet as Ewers returned to his starting position after missing two games, Manning retreated to the sidelines in the most professional way possible. Ahead of the Super Bowl, he was even asked the question that’s been on everybody’s mind: “Have you considered making a move while practicing as third on the depth chart most of the season?” Manning’s answer?

“I haven’t looked into transferring at all. I’m just focused on developing and helping this team in any way I can. And hopefully one day playing for the University of Texas like I’ve always wanted to.” In July, earlier that year, he had further talked about the hidden heartbreak. “It’s tough because you want to be out there playing with your boys,” Manning said, before adding, “But (it came down to) just realizing there’s nowhere else I want to be, and it was my dream to play at Texas. I’m going to stick it out and play there eventually.”

Perhaps there was something more important than starting a game. For Eli and Peyton Manning’s nephew, that was playing under the Texas coach’s tutelage—who has a track record of churning out the best QB’s including former Washington quarterback Jake Locker, former Alabama quarterbacks Tua Tagovaiola and Mac Jones, and former USC quarterbacks Carson Palmer, Mark Sanchez, and Matt Leinart. But what’s Sarkisian’s opinion about the Ewers-Manning drama?

Well, he’s never even thought of addressing it. In October last year, when a reporter asked the HC he would need to see to make an in-game switch at quarterback, Sarkisian answered, “I’m not even going to answer that. I don’t know what the question is. Next question.” Well, looks like no matter how much he tries to dodge the question, it’ll find its way back..

For analyst Ari Wasserman, Manning won his heart after his feat against the Georgia Bulldogs.

On the On3 podcast, the former senior writer for The Athletic, stated, “Texas’ offense needed something. Like they needed something to spark them. And because he [Sarkisian] threw Arch Manning into the game against Georgia…and he had a multiple-game run of starting as a result of Quinn Ewers injury, I was led to believe…I got to a point that well, maybe they need him.” Manning’s trick play did win Wasserman’s heart. In that game, Georgia’s defense was all over Manning, especially when he faked a quarterback sneak. Then the Texas center snapped the pigskin, legs wide, and Jaydon Blue caught it clean. And, not just this.

Do you remember how Manning was picked off by UL Monroe’s Carl Fauntroy on the first possession of the game? However, he turned it on from there and led Texas to a 51-3 rout at Darrel K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. So, in this way, the analyst has been left confused, realizing that Sarkisian could have used Manning a bit more. As he said, “At a point I think they could have used him. He was confusingly absent. The whole way they kinda used him all year was kind of odd to me.”

Now that Ewers is gone, we can hope that there remains no more confusion. However, Manning has too many things on his plate.  

Arch Manning’s burden grows as he steps into the next chapter 

Now for the young chap, he does not have to look outside to know what competition is. Being the son of Cooper Manning, the grandson of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, and the nephew of Super Bowl-winning QBs Peyton and Eli Manning, his family is the OG. Carrying such a big legacy on his shoulders is not the only challenge. Chris Phillips on the SEC Unfiltered podcast shed light on how Manning himself has set the ceiling high.

“There are challenges. It’s going to be different. Now listen, I’m high on Arch Manning; I think Arch Manning, when it’s all said and done when the dust settles and we’re doing our postseason quarterback rankings, can be a top three or four quarterback in the league; maybe he can be top two or three. He has the potential and the talent to be number one; that said it’s a lot of pressure to put on a kid,” stated the SEC insider. Forget his own family; another analyst came with a rude awakening for Manning, naming five QBs who might threaten the Texas star’s spotlight. 

Josh Pate curated the list that features the Oregon Ducks’ QB Dante Moore, Washington Huskies QB Demond Williams Jr., and Austin Simmons of the Ole Miss Rebels. They are followed by Ohio State Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin and Baylor Bears QB Sawyer Robertson. But the HC Steve Sarkisian has turned dead ears to all this. Rather, he thinks Arch Manning is “ready for the moment.” Now the Manning torch is in Arch’s hands!