Texas sports fans are reeling after a brutal weekend. The Dallas Cowboys sent shockwaves through the NFL by trading away generational talent Micah Parsons on Thursday, and just two days later, Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning, the Heisman Trophy favorite, faced a harsh reality check in a 14-7 loss to the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes. The No. 1 Texas Longhorns’ season opener was a struggle, with Manning and the offense failing to find rhythm until a late fourth-quarter touchdown. The final stat line for Manning—17-of-30 for 170 yards, one touchdown, and an interception—sparked a firestorm of criticism online. But one voice rose above the noise to defend the young quarterback: Cowboys legend Dez Bryant.
The internet, true to form, didn’t hold back. Social media erupted with fans tearing into Manning’s performance, with one user bluntly declaring, “Arch ain’t it.” Enter Dez Bryant, who wasn’t having any of it. The former All-Pro wide receiver fired back with a dose of perspective: “You sound crazy,” Bryant clapped back. “[One] game against the defending national champions.. he missed a couple of throws trying to protect the WRs from getting blown up as well.. His IQ for the game is sky high the minor mistakes will be fixed as the season goes on.”
Bryant’s defense is more than just a feel-good pep talk—it’s rooted in reality. Manning, making his first career road start, wasn’t just facing any team. He was up against the No. 3 Buckeyes, a squad with a top-five defense, playing in the cauldron of Ohio Stadium, notoriously nicknamed “The Shoe” for its hostile environment. Add to that the challenge of a Texas offense rebuilding after losing several key wide receivers to the NFL, and it’s clear Manning was dealt a tough hand. The chemistry with his new targets will take time to develop, and expecting perfection in Week 1 against a powerhouse like Ohio State is unfair at best, delusional at worst.
Bryant’s support carries weight, but it’s not without a hint of bias. The Cowboys icon has been vocal about his admiration for Manning, even campaigning for Dallas to draft the young quarterback in the wake of the Parsons trade. Still, his point stands: Manning’s football IQ and raw talent are undeniable, and writing him off after one game is a mistake. The Longhorns’ loss exposed areas for growth, but it also showcased Manning’s poise under pressure—choosing to protect his receivers rather than force risky throws. Those are the instincts of a quarterback with a bright future.
The criticism raining down on Manning is a classic case of the internet’s rush to judgment. Texas fans, still stinging from the Cowboys’ trade of Parsons, are understandably on edge, but piling on a young quarterback after a single game against an elite opponent risks crushing his confidence. Dez Bryant’s warning is clear: tear Manning down now, and you might derail a generational talent before he has a chance to shine. The Longhorns’ season is far from over, and with Manning at the helm, they’re still a force to be reckoned with. Give him time, and the critics might just eat their words.