What’s Arch Manning’s biggest issue after first two starts?

One can’t help but look at Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning’s throwing motion and believe it looks awkward. 

The 21-year-old QB even looks uncomfortable while throwing. He grimaces while releasing the ball, creating speculation that Manning is battling an undisclosed shoulder injury. Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian denied that on Monday. 

Regardless, Manning must improve his throwing mechanics. They could be preventing the former five-star recruit from reaching his potential.

Arch Manning’s throwing mechanics are contributing to his accuracy issues 

Through two starts, Manning has completed 36-of-60 passes (60%). That’s not terrible, but it should be better in a QB-friendly offense. His predecessor, Quinn Ewers, completed 737-of-1,135 passes (64.9%) in three seasons under Sarkisian. 

If Manning improves his mechanics, he should complete more passes. This was apparent on a missed throw to Texas wide receiver Ryan Wingo in Saturday’s 38-7 win over the San Jose Spartans. ESPN broadcaster Jesse Palmer, a former Florida Gators QB, noted his footwork caused him to short-arm the throw. 

“We talked about mechanics, that keeps coming up,” Palmer said (h/t The Athletic’s Sam Khan Jr). “That time, poor mechanics by Manning. His feet were way too spread apart when he let go of that football, and that forced it to nosedive on him.”

ESPN NFL Draft analyst Jordan Reid also criticized Manning for his mechanics in a story published Sunday. 

“Where Manning has been the most disappointing is his mechanics,” Reid wrote. “His body isn’t in sync with his throwing motion, causing him inaccuracy on what should be routine throws. To really hit the next level, he needs to iron that out.”

Manning should consider keeping his weight distributed evenly on his feet while throwing. In a June 2022 interview with NBC Sports’ Chris Simms, Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow said he had been focusing on this to make his throwing motion “more compact.”

Per Stats Perform, Burrow completed 68.9% of his passes from 2022-24, which ranked second in the NFL (min. 500 attempts).

Fixing his mechanics should take time for Manning. But that should help him start throwing more smoothly. When he does that, Texas’ aerial attack — tied for 55th in the FBS in passing yards (243.5) — could kick it into high gear.