The Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees recently joined “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd to discuss the career arc of Super Bowl-winning quarterback Sam Darnold. What began as a conversation about Darnold’s rocky start in the NFL quickly evolved into something deeper, a reflection on perseverance, growth, and the value of enduring hardship.
For Brees, the message was personal as he spoke about the future of one of the best CFB quarterbacks in the mix.
Arch Manning’s Growth Moment Mirrors Sam Darnold’s Journey
Early in his career with the San Diego Chargers, Brees faced doubt, inconsistency, and organizational uncertainty. Injuries and criticism clouded what many believed would be a short-lived tenure as a starter.
It wasn’t until his move to the New Orleans Saints that Brees fully realized his potential, ultimately delivering a Super Bowl title and cementing his Hall of Fame legacy.
Reflecting on Darnold’s journey, Brees emphasized the life lessons embedded in athletic struggle. “All the lessons we hope to teach our kids through sports, through team athletics, that is you will face adversity… It’s how you react to it that matters,” Brees said.\
The quote wasn’t just a defense of Darnold. It was a blueprint for navigating professional and personal trials. Darnold’s career hasn’t unfolded exactly as envisioned when he entered the league with lofty expectations, but according to Brees, growth rarely follows a straight line. It demands resilience.
Host Cowherd took that sentiment a step further, drawing a compelling comparison to Arch Manning and his trajectory at Texas Longhorns football.
Manning’s journey has been defined by patience, a rare trait in today’s transfer-heavy, NIL-driven era of college football. Despite being one of the most hyped quarterback prospects in recent memory, Manning spent two seasons waiting his turn.
Many quarterbacks with his pedigree might have transferred in search of immediate playing time and lucrative NIL opportunities. Manning didn’t.
Even when he finally stepped onto the field, the transition wasn’t seamless. Early-season struggles fueled weekly media scrutiny. In his first three games, his individual PFSN CFB QB Impact metrics scores were 69.3, 57.5, and 68.3, numbers that reflected a player adjusting to the speed and complexity of the college game.
The pressure mounted. Yet, much like Brees described, adversity became fuel rather than frustration.
Manning responded with poise and steady improvement. He finished the season on a tear, posting an 83.1 PFSN CFB QB Impact score, good for 37th nationally, and compiling a 5-1 record as a starter.
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Over that stretch, Manning threw 20 touchdowns to just two interceptions while averaging 320 passing yards per game. He led Texas to wins over rivals Texas A&M Aggies football and Vanderbilt Commodores football, helping power the Longhorns to a 9-3 record.
Importantly, Manning did it without the benefit of a dominant ground attack. Texas averaged just 137.8 rushing yards per game, 90th nationally, often forcing the offense to lean heavily on his arm.
In a largely one-dimensional system, Manning carried the burden and delivered, culminating in a bowl victory over the Michigan Wolverines football to cap the season. The parallels Cowherd highlighted weren’t about identical statistics or circumstances. They were about mindset.
Brees’ early career in San Diego, Darnold’s uneven NFL path, and Manning’s patient rise in Austin all share a common thread: adversity is inevitable. The difference-maker is response.
In an era where immediate gratification often trumps development, Manning’s willingness to wait, absorb criticism, and grow mirrors the very philosophy Brees articulated. Darnold’s continued fight to redefine his narrative echoes it as well.
Adversity doesn’t disqualify greatness. Sometimes, it’s the very thing that shapes it.
