Texas quarterback Arch Manning, four years deep into his college career, is still getting absolutely roasted as “one of the more frustrating watches in football right now” by The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner. This stinging assessment dropped right after Saturday’s brutal 27-24 loss to Oklahoma, a game where Manning’s play had experts ripping into his decision-making like never before.
Two ‘Inexcusable’ Picks That Cost Everything
Manning went 19-of-31 for 260 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions in the Oklahoma game. And man, those two picks were brutal. The last turnover he threw set up the Sooners’ game-winning field goal. But that wasn’t even the worst of it. Earlier in the fourth quarter, Manning’s pick-six let Oklahoma take a 24-17 lead. Dane Brugler, Baumgardner’s colleague, called both those interceptions “inexcusable” and said they perfectly reflect what’s holding Manning’s game back. Brugler wrote that Manning’s “root issue” is being “too aggressive in moments he should be more conservative, then plays overly conservative when you would like to see an aggressive decision.” While Brugler pointed out NFL-ready aspects like his pocket movements, passing anticipation, and physical profile, he also stressed that Manning’s decision-making is “still being developed.” It’s tough to hear, especially when we saw a glimpse of brilliance on a 42-yard completion to Cam Coleman that set up the game-tying touchdown with 6:32 left in the fourth. That throw was on the money, but it was also into double coverage, a high-risk play that could blow up entirely different in the NFL.
Beyond The Name: Are These ‘Bad Habits’ Just Who He Is?
Baumgardner chimed in, saying Manning still has “a bunch of bad habits he has to get rid of before anyone can think about him starting in an NFL game.” He highlighted the Oklahoma game showing Manning’s “inability to be consistent against any type of pressure and/or unexpected coverage.” Baumgardner saw Manning “frozen in the pocket, staring down his first read before bailing to play backyard ball” for most of the second half. And here’s the kicker: he said this isn’t new, it’s “been a problem throughout his career.” According to Baumgardner, Manning “has to value the football more than he does, and the turnovers in this game were beyond inexcusable for a player of his experience level, let alone his talent.” Back in September, Bleacher Report’s 2027 big board had Manning as the fourth-best quarterback and No. 17 overall player, but he hasn’t done much since then to boost that stock. It’s getting harder and harder to look past the family name and recruiting hype and just focus on what he’s actually putting on film. He frankly doesn’t look dramatically different from the guy who filled in for an injured Quinn Ewers in 2024 or the one who became the starter in 2025. Midway through Year 4, you’d expect to see some of those glaring flaws getting ironed out. An AFC assistant general manager even told ESPN’s Jordan Reid, “What’s giving so many people this blind faith that there’s just this monstrous ceiling with him? Maybe this current state is just who he really is as a prospect.” Oof.
Manning is clearly a long way from being a finished product. With the 2027 draft clock ticking louder every week, he absolutely has to show something dramatic to reassure NFL teams he isn’t just a name. Does he come back for another college year, or does he roll the dice in the draft? Either way, the stakes couldn’t be higher for the guy, and the NFL is watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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