Steve Sarkisian Shuts Down Growing Concern About Arch Manning's Fall Camp

Arch Manning is going to be just fine in the Texas offense.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning runs the ball with head coach Steve Sarkisian during warm-ups. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It wouldn't be an offseason without some discourse surrounding Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning.

Oddly enough, it started with a viral catch by Cam Coleman that caused an absurd conversation about his ability to throw a football.

It continued with an NFL Draft article that claimed Manning has been 'underwhelming' at practice (from a writer who was never at practice). That was only exacerbated by comments from head coach Steve Sarkisian about Manning's scrimmage on Saturday.

"I felt like today, similar to last week at the start, a little bit inefficient," Sarkisian said Saturday. "I feel like he could be better."

Obviously, these events caused some level of panic from Texas fans and some prime trolling material from rival fan bases.

But during his Monday Media Availabilty, Sarkisian put those worries to rest.

Sarkisian Speaks Up For Arch Manning

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian reacts with Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning during the fourth quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“Well, he's had a great camp, man. I'm really, I'm pumped about it," Sarkisian said. "You know, I think his rapport with Ryan (Wingo) and Cam (Coleman) and Emmett (Mosley) is really high. I think his rapport with the running backs is really high. I mean, those guys are good players, and they can catch the ball, and that takes timing, that takes rapport, and so I'm very excited. I'm excited for him. I think he's going to play really well. We've got two more weeks to continue to sharpen up, but I'm very excited for where he's at.”

This sounds a lot more in line with what most would expect to hear from Sarkisian about his star QB, and quite frankly, it isn't really a surprise to those who are paying attention.

He is simply being held to a different standard.

Manning isn't just held to a different standard because of his name. He is being held to a different standard because of his immense talent and athletic gifts - the same ones that have famed NFL Draft Scout Dane Brugler projecting Manning to be the No. 1 overall draft pick.

The way he played from October 25th to the end of the 2025 season also provided some massive expectations for him heading into the 2026 season.

Over that time, he threw for over 1,700 yards on 62.3 percent passing, with 14 touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for five more scores.

As a result, it appears that many erroneously expected Manning to look like something akin to 2019 Joe Burrow in the month of August, but it's not that simple, and it never has been.

Fall camp and practice are both built to make football players better. Both through success and - wait for it - through mistakes. Manning has made his fair share, as have others.

The only thing that actually matters is that Manning takes those mistakes, as well as the immense successes he has had in fall camp, builds on them, and applies them to the regular season.

Unsurprisingly, Sarkisian seems confident he will do just that, which is good enough for us.

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