Aaron Murray casts doubt on Arch Manning: 'Why in the hell are you not playing above a seventh round pick?'

Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray is not sold on Arch Manning heading into the 2025 season. The new Texas starting quarterback takes over for Quinn Ewers, but Murray isn’t ready to crown him like others.

It particularly comes to the 2026 NFL Draft, where some believe Manning could be the No. 1 overall pick. Manning could elect to stay in school, too, and go into the 2027 draft, but either way, he has a lot of hype despite not being a full-time starter yet.

So, Murray couldn’t believe why Manning would get all of this praise, maybe because of his family name. But if Manning couldn’t beat out Ewers, when the latter was struggling anyway, then he shouldn’t be on a pedestal, he feels.

“I am not sold, like so many of the other people are, that this guy is going to be the number one pick in NFL draft, that he’s going to just be unbelievable, that he’s going to be the next coming of Peyton and Eli, but that’s mobile,” Murray said on Sirius XM. “And I said this last year during the season, too, because I was a big fan of Quinn Ewers heading into the season. I thought Quinn did some good stuff at times last season, but let’s be honest, Texas had probably the second or third best roster in America, probably the second or third. Why were they not competing for a national championship? 

“Because Quinn was holding them back. Quinn did not perform to the level that I thought he could and then you see now in the NFL Draft, I mean, he gets drafted in the seventh round? So even NFL scouts are saying, like, this guy’s just maybe not as good as anticipated coming out as a recruit, or maybe even two years ago.” 

Last season, Manning threw for 939 yards, nine touchdowns, two interceptions, 67.8% completion percentage and had 108 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. But, that was in a relief role while he saw Ewers end up as a seventh round pick this year.

“So all in all, Quinn Ewers had a disappointing season, and it reflected in his draft stock,” Murray said. “If you are so good and everyone has you projected number one pick in the NFL Draft, come 2026, why in the hell are you not playing above a seventh round quarterback? If Steve Sarkisian knows what he’s doing and he knows how good their roster is, which I’ve talked to a lot of coaches and a lot of different teams and I asked them, like, what are the top rosters? Ohio, State, Texas, probably Georgia. What was holding them back? Queen Ewers. Why was Arch not playing? It’s like that rubs me the wrong way a little bit.” 

Sure, Manning has some elite qualities, but maybe not enough in Murray’s mind. He doesn’t see first round talent right now.

“And then you watch the tape, and yeah, it looks good at times,” Manning said. “I wouldn’t say, it looks incredible. It doesn’t scream first round talent to me off the back. And I’m not saying he can’t get there. And I’m never going to talk bad about a quarterback, because I know how difficult it is. I’m cheering for him like I cheer for every quarterback. 

“I want them all to have success, but I need to see it first. I’m not going to crown you this All-American superstar.”