Texas football news: Arch Manning draws Joe Burrow comp heading into 2026 season

Texas football quarterback Arch Manning hears the link to his famed uncles often. Yet one analyst avoided the Peyton and Eli Manning comparisons. Instead the Longhorns signal-caller received a different comparison: Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals.

The “Bussin With the Boys” podcast sees a lot of Burrow in Manning. More so in bringing up an old clip involving Manning.

The Texas quarterback was caught on camera mouthing the words “I’m just going to stop giving a f—” against Michigan. Manning struggled early before shredding the Wolverines after blurting out the expletive.

The podcast, which now features longtime college football radio personality Josh Pate, sees Manning having “Joey B” tendencies. The past AFC champion Bengals quarterback is one who plays with a vulgar confidence to him. Then morphs into a signal-caller carrying his team on his back.

Will Arch Manning have a Joe Burrow type year? pic.twitter.com/9greZ5eaV0

— Bussin’ With The Boys (@BussinWTB) July 29, 2026

Texas watched flashes of Manning’s potential last season. Granted, Manning’s highly-anticipated 2025 season endured a rough start versus Ohio State. Plus endured a two-interception outing in Gainesville versus Florida during that upset loss.

Yet that Cheez It Bowl game versus Michigan watched Manning rise as the dual-threat many believed. He torched the Wolverines with 376 total yards and four touchdowns in rolling to the 41-27 win and capped a 10-3 campaign.

Longhorn fans now will hope Manning’s late season surge carries over. He flipped from delivering just one 300-yard outing in the first six weeks to delivering three during the final stretch. Texas walks into the 2026 season facing immense national championship expectations too with Manning back behind center.