When Tom Brady speaks about quarterbacks, college football, or the state of the game, people listen. He is not just a seven-time Super Bowl champion and arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history, but he is also someone who has lived through the highest levels of scrutiny, pressure, and performance. So when Brady weighed in on the Ohio State Buckeyes’ victory over the Texas Longhorns and suggested that the Buckeyes may have actually done Arch Manning a favor in the long run, it struck a chord with fans, analysts, and football insiders alike. The matchup between Texas and Ohio State was one of the most anticipated early-season games, not only because of the top-ranked programs on display but because of the quarterback matchup and what it meant for Manning’s development. Brady’s perspective adds an intriguing layer to the story, and it raises some interesting questions about growth, adversity, and what it truly means to become great in the game of football.
Ohio State’s dominance over Texas in that contest was clear. The Buckeyes’ defense was relentless, the pass rush ferocious, and the secondary blanketed receivers all night. Arch Manning, despite all the hype and expectations that have followed him since high school, was under siege. He took sacks, made hurried throws, and at times looked overwhelmed against the speed and execution of Ohio State’s defense. For casual fans, it might have seemed like a setback for Manning or even a warning sign about his ability to live up to the family legacy that includes Peyton and Eli. But for Brady, this was the exact type of challenge that could set Manning up for long-term success. He suggested that being humbled in such a fashion early in a career can instill lessons that smooth victories never could. It forces a quarterback to confront weaknesses, adapt, and rise from failure with a clearer sense of what it takes to win at the highest levels.
This perspective is important because Brady himself went through moments where he wasn’t the golden boy. He was famously a sixth-round pick in the NFL Draft, buried on depth charts, overlooked by scouts, and considered too slow, too weak, and too unathletic to ever thrive as a professional. Yet those doubts fueled him, and the adversity shaped his legendary career. Brady knows firsthand that the toughest days often build the strongest players, and he sees parallels in what Manning experienced against Ohio State. To Brady, losing in such a manner is not a death sentence for a career but rather a foundation for growth, provided Manning embraces the lessons that come from it.
For Texas fans, it is easy to feel deflated when a high-profile quarterback doesn’t light up the scoreboard in a big game. Manning came to Austin with enormous expectations, carrying the Manning name and being billed as the future face of the program. But Brady’s comments invite a different perspective: perhaps this isn’t about one game or one season, but about the trajectory of a quarterback’s entire career. The Mannings have always spoken about patience, preparation, and steady improvement. Peyton took his lumps in college at Tennessee and later in his early NFL years before becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks ever. Eli had ups and downs as well, but he developed resilience that later helped him lead the New York Giants to two improbable Super Bowl wins. Arch is in that same family mold, but he must carve out his own journey, and facing the storm against Ohio State could be one of those defining moments.
What makes Brady’s take even more compelling is that it flips the narrative. Instead of viewing the Ohio State loss as a blemish on Manning’s record, he sees it as a blessing in disguise. The Buckeyes may have exposed flaws, but that exposure gives Manning and the Longhorns’ coaching staff a roadmap of what needs to be fixed. It gives Manning film to study, experiences to learn from, and the motivation to adjust his mechanics, decision-making, and ability to handle pressure. These are things you cannot simulate in practice; they must be felt in the heat of competition against elite opponents. Brady understands that the quarterbacks who rise are the ones who endure the growing pains and find a way to use them as fuel.
Fans of Ohio State may smile at Brady’s comments, knowing that their team not only strengthened its own playoff case but also played a role in shaping the narrative around one of the sport’s most talked-about players. Buckeye Nation has long prided itself on a defense that can rattle even the best quarterbacks, and doing so against Manning only adds to that legacy. But even they might recognize the truth in Brady’s perspective: if Manning becomes the star so many expect him to be, this game might be remembered as a turning point, a humbling moment that sharpened his edge.
The broader implication here is about how we, as fans, interpret the careers of young quarterbacks. The culture of sports media often demands instant results, and when a five-star recruit like Manning stumbles, the criticisms are quick and loud. But development is rarely linear. Brady’s comments are a reminder to take a longer view, to understand that greatness is forged through trial and error. If Arch Manning uses this experience correctly, he may someday look back on the Ohio State game as one of the best things that happened to him, not one of the worst.
This also raises questions about the Texas program as a whole. Can the coaching staff support Manning in his growth? Will the offensive line improve to protect him better in future games? Can the scheme evolve to give him easier reads and quicker throws against elite defenses? Brady’s words point to the idea that Manning cannot do it alone; he needs the structure around him to adapt as well. Texas has invested heavily in recruiting and facilities to position itself as a perennial contender, but games like this show there is still work to be done. Manning might be the centerpiece, but football remains the ultimate team sport.
What cannot be ignored is the weight of expectations on Manning’s shoulders. Every move he makes is dissected, every throw analyzed, every game framed as part of a larger narrative about his potential greatness or supposed shortcomings. That pressure is immense, and part of Brady’s insight likely comes from knowing what it’s like to carry the weight of expectations in a high-profile role. Manning must learn not only the Xs and Os of the game but also the mental toughness to block out the noise, stay grounded, and focus on the process. Brady sees a chance here for Manning to develop that mental edge, forged not in triumph but in struggle.
For Ohio State, the game was another feather in their cap, proof that their defense can disrupt any quarterback, even one with the pedigree of Manning. It also demonstrated why the Buckeyes are consistently in the national championship conversation. But for college football as a whole, this moment is about something bigger: the ongoing story of Arch Manning and how he responds to adversity. Brady’s comments highlight the fact that what happens next matters more than what just happened. Will Manning bounce back stronger, more focused, and better prepared? Or will the weight of expectations and criticism drag him down? That is the story fans will be watching unfold in the weeks and seasons to come.
The history of sports is filled with examples of great players who were tested early and came out stronger. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team before becoming the greatest player of all time. Peyton Manning threw 28 interceptions as a rookie in the NFL before winning two Super Bowls and setting numerous records. Tom Brady himself started as an afterthought before dominating the league for two decades. Arch Manning now has his own chance to write that kind of story, and Ohio State may have simply provided the first real chapter.
It is natural for fans, especially Texas fans, to feel disappointed after a big loss. But Brady’s perspective offers hope and a challenge: see this game not as a disaster but as an opportunity. If Manning responds the right way, if Texas builds around him and he continues to grow, then the Buckeyes may have actually done him the favor of showing him what he must become. That is the essence of competition—steel sharpens steel, and only by facing the best do you discover what you are truly made of.
What do you think? Was Tom Brady right in saying Ohio State may have done Arch Manning a favor by humbling him early in his career? Do you believe this kind of adversity is necessary for a quarterback’s development, or do you see it as a warning sign about the challenges ahead? How much responsibility should fall on Manning himself, and how much on the Texas coaching staff and roster? These are the conversations that make college football so compelling, and your thoughts can help shape how we view the bigger picture. Share your opinion in the comments below—because this debate is far from over, and the story of Arch Manning is only just beginning.
