Peyton Manning Speaks Candidly About Arch Manning’s Development and Pressure as Texas Longhorns Quarterback Heading Into 2025 Season
Peyton Manning has never been one to mince words when it comes to football, especially when it involves family. As the legendary former NFL quarterback, two-time Super Bowl champion, and one of the most cerebral minds the game has ever known, Peyton’s insights always carry significant weight. But when he recently spoke publicly about his nephew, Arch Manning, and the immense expectations surrounding him as the potential starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns in 2025, his words were especially powerful—because they were raw, honest, and devoid of the usual PR polish.
Arch Manning’s name has been in the national spotlight since middle school, partly due to his football lineage and partly because of his undeniable talent. As the son of Cooper Manning, nephew to Peyton and Eli Manning, and grandson of Archie Manning, Arch inherited a football legacy unlike any other. But legacy alone doesn’t win college football games. And as Arch enters what could be a defining season with the Longhorns, Peyton is making it clear: name recognition means nothing without performance.
Peyton, speaking on a podcast recently, didn’t hold back when asked how he felt about Arch’s readiness to handle the spotlight at Texas.
“Arch knows better than anyone that his last name doesn’t guarantee him anything,” Peyton said. “He’s got to earn it every day—every snap, every meeting, every rep in practice. That’s how you get respect in a locker room, not because you’re a Manning, but because you show up and deliver.”
The 2024 season saw Arch mostly in a backup role behind Quinn Ewers, who guided the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff. But with Ewers now gone to the NFL, the battle for QB1 in Austin is wide open. And while reports from spring practice suggest Arch has grown into the role, the scrutiny is only intensifying.
Peyton, known for his meticulous preparation during his playing career, stressed the importance of mental toughness.
“Texas is one of the biggest stages in college football. Arch chose that pressure. He embraced it. But being a Manning won’t win you a Big 12 title. He’s got to go out there and command the offense, lead those guys, and make plays when it counts. That’s the test.”
Critics have already raised doubts about whether Arch can live up to the hype. While his talent is evident—possessing elite arm strength, poise, and athleticism—he hasn’t yet had the chance to prove himself over a full season at the college level. Peyton addressed that skepticism head-on.
“Everyone wants instant greatness these days,” he said. “But development takes time. I didn’t start my freshman year at Tennessee and neither did Eli at Ole Miss. When Arch gets his shot, he’ll be ready. And if he’s not, he’ll keep working until he is.”
That work ethic has been something of a family hallmark. Archie Manning famously stressed humility and preparation in raising his sons, and Cooper passed that same message on to Arch. Peyton reiterated that while the last name brings attention, it also brings a burden.
“Arch can’t worry about being a Manning. He needs to worry about being the best quarterback he can be for Texas. That’s what matters. Not what I did, or what Eli did. He’s got to write his own story.”
From a technical standpoint, Peyton also highlighted areas where Arch has grown.
“He’s gotten a lot better with his footwork and his pocket movement,” he said. “He’s watching tape with intent. He’s asking the right questions. That’s the stuff that separates good quarterbacks from great ones.”
And perhaps most importantly, Peyton emphasized that Arch isn’t doing this for the fame or headlines. He’s doing it because he loves the game.
“I’ve watched a lot of young quarterbacks get caught up in the noise—social media, rankings, NIL deals. Arch doesn’t care about that. He wants to play ball. He wants to win. That’s what makes me proud.”
But the path to becoming QB1 at Texas will not be smooth. There’s heavy competition in the quarterback room, including talented underclassmen and transfers who have their own claims to the starting role. The coaching staff, led by Steve Sarkisian, has not named a starter, keeping the competition wide open through the summer.
Peyton acknowledged that challenge but called it an opportunity.
“Some guys run from competition. Arch doesn’t. He’s been competing since he was in Pop Warner. I think it’ll bring the best out of him.”
Texas fans are split. Some believe Arch is the future of the program and destined to bring championships to Austin. Others are more skeptical, pointing to his limited collegiate experience. But Peyton doesn’t believe Arch needs to win over the fanbase—just the locker room.
“Your teammates know when you’re the real deal. They know if you’ve put in the work. That’s who you play for—the guys in that huddle. Win their trust, and the rest takes care of itself.”
Peyton was also asked about what advice he’s given Arch behind the scenes.
“I’ve told him to control what he can control,” Peyton said. “You can’t control what the media says. You can’t control who doubts you. But you can control your preparation, your attitude, and your effort.”
Despite the outside pressure, the Manning family has tried to shield Arch from the noise. Archie, Cooper, Peyton, and Eli have all played a role in advising him, but they’ve also stepped back to let him carve his own path.
“That’s important,” Peyton said. “You don’t want to be a helicopter uncle. I give advice when he asks, but he’s smart enough to figure it out. He’s got great coaches. He’s in good hands.”
There’s no denying that 2025 is a pivotal year for both Arch and the Texas Longhorns. After a taste of national contention in 2024, expectations are sky-high. Fans and analysts alike see the upcoming season as a potential breakthrough moment—if the quarterback position solidifies.
And with Peyton’s recent comments, it’s clear the family believes Arch is not just capable of filling that role, but thriving in it.
“Arch has all the tools,” Peyton concluded. “But it’s not about tools. It’s about how you use them under pressure, in the fourth quarter, on the road, when nothing’s easy. That’s when you find out who a quarterback really is.”
Whether Arch becomes a star in Austin or not, one thing is certain: he won’t be defined by the name on his back, but by the plays he makes when the game is on the line.
And if there’s anyone who understands that, it’s Peyton Manning.
