Jordan Rodgers reaches his annual quota for trying to place doubt on Arch Manning

Almost one year ago to the day, ESPN analyst Jordan Rodgers (yes, the brother of future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers) decided to try to place doubt on Arch Manning's career.

As the 2026 SEC Media Days unfolded, Rodgers joined ESPN's Get Up to discuss the SEC and some of his biggest beliefs heading into the upcoming season. For a second year in a row, he voiced his concerns about Manning.

"I don’t think Arch [Manning] is a first-round draft pick," Rodgers said. "I don’t think Arch has a generational arm or generational athleticism."

This isn't exactly an original idea for Rodgers, having expressed similar doubts during last year's SEC Media Days.

"I have Arch Manning at fifth in the SEC when it comes to quarterbacks, when a lot of the media and a lot of the landscape of college football is talking about him being a top 10 or a No. 1 overall draft pick next year," Rodgers said in 2025. "I think that is insane."

Well, last season, Manning was one of the best college football players in the country by the end of the year, despite the Texas Longhorns missing the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoff.

Read more: Arch Manning may be more ready than ever after recovering from offseason foot surgery

Yet, once again, Rodgers felt the need to echo his doubt in the Texas QB1, even as the rest of the country rallies behind Manning for another year.

Jordan Rodgers might be taking out his failed career on other QBs

Of course, Rodgers didn't live up to his older brother's dominance on the football field. His career in the NFL was nowhere near the same caliber, despite the fact that the younger Rodgers played in the SEC, suiting up for the Vanderbilt Commodores, after the elder played at Cal.

Now a television personality for the SEC Network, Rodgers spent two years "in" the league, acting as an offseason or practice squad member for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Miami Dolphins from 2013-14.

Maybe, as the Manning family name has done nothing but help the Longhorns' starting quarterback, other than adding a little unwanted pressure and attention, the younger Rodgers is a little frustrated that he couldn't tap into his family tree's success.

Rodgers has become a well-known personality since signing on with ESPN and the SEC Network, but maybe he should check his negative opinions about Manning at the door, especially if they find themselves in a similar situation at next year's SEC Media Days.

Also read: The most pressing question for Arch Manning to answer at 2026 SEC Media Days

The day after Rodgers voiced these doubts on Get Up, Manning and head coach Steve Sarkisian were scheduled to take the podium at this year's SEC Media Days. What a perfect opportunity for Texas to silence the doubters.

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