Peyton Manning credits brother Cooper for Arch's 'swagger'

Arch Manning has a little extra something to him when stepping on the football field. A more reserved, well-media-trained 21-year-old turns into somebody a little more open when putting on a uniform. The best example might be after Manning got into the endzone against Texas A&M this past season, showing some emotion and personality back on the Texas sideline.

Usually, that’s not something we see from a Manning — at least Arch’s uncles. Peyton and Eli were a little more reserved during their playing days. But this from Arch has to come from somewhere within the family.

“They moxy, that was his Dad,” Peyton Manning said Monday on The Pat McAfee Show. “Cooper was a cocky wide receiver that was open every time in the huddle, as you can imagine. I think my sophomore year of high school, I was the quarterback. Cooper was a senior. I think I completed 120 passes, I threw 90 of them to my brother. And he would’ve liked all 120. He did not care about his teammates or his friends. I think that little swagger comes from his Dad and that’s good to see.”

Cooper Manning is the least discussed player of them all, mainly because his career never saw the NFL. A spinal issue popped up and ended his playing days before ever taking the field for the Ole Miss Rebels. Even so, based on his brother’s words, he had the usual mindset of a wide receiver.

Now, Arch is the one who carries on with the “swagger” for the entire family. And for the most part, everything has been backed up. Appearances have not come too often for Manning but results have been positive thus far.

Manning appeared in 10 games last season for Texas, two of which were starts when Quinn Ewers went down with an injury. He completed 67.8% of his 90 attempts, adding 939 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. The ground ability, something else he got from his father, was on full display too, with 108 yards and four touchdowns on just 25 carries.

Stepping into the full-time role, we will have to wait and see where Manning stands with “swagger.” Hopefully, he continues to play like himself as Texas goes through the entire 2025 season. Big stage after big stage will present itself, beginning with the season opener on Aug. 30 against the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus.