It's good to have old Arch Manning back, demeanor returns to normal

It's good to have the old Arch Manning back. The Texas Longhorns quarterback has had a little bit of an up and down year on the field. But off the field, his season has been a real roller coaster that, for a while, completely changed his demeanor.

>After getting into hot water nationally for a comment he made in a press conference, Manning's natural jovial personality retreated into a shell. Manning's press conferences have always been fun and gregarious. The New Orleans native would would lean back and banter with the media like a conversation with friends.

>But after a PR firestorm following the Ohio State game, Manning's demeanor is completely changed.

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#Texas QB Arch Manning’s first answer of the evening about his performance vs. UTSA. pic.twitter.com/MsZGs0J0jm

— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) September 20, 2026We all know what happened: a question led to an answer Manning would like to take back. After the controversy was discussed in all corners of the national media and a public apology issued, the days of "off-the-cuff" Manning seemed over.

>Manning looked exhausted and joyless. With deep, dark circles under his eyes, his answers were a cross between serious and solemn. His demeanor was much more reserved. His answers were short and to the point. There were no tangents, no emotion, no fun and very few smiles. You could hear it in his voice and see it on his face.

>But two weeks later, Manning looked like his old self in his Monday afternoon press conference leading up to the annual Red River Shootout against the Oklahoma Sooners.

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Arch Manning on his rivalry experiences- pic.twitter.com/eK1StdjUqK

— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) October 5, 2026Manning was bubbly and smiling talking about a wide range of topics from facing his former roommate at the Cotton Bowl Stadium to the differences between high school and college football. He even joked about his sponsorships.

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I can’t tell you how happy I am to see him laughing and smiling again after everyone tried to tear him down.#rideordie#hookemhttps://t.co/uiQOSs04ZF

— Kathryn (@TexBlonde05) October 5, 2026Arch will probably always be more careful about what he says in the public eye. Many athletes have had that moment. His uncle Eli said he can relate.

"A lot of it is growing pains," Eli said in September. "You feel like [the media's] your pal, you relax with them a little bit, you try to be funny, and then they can take it and run."

"You feel like [the media's] your pal, you relax with them a little bit, you try to be funny, and then they can take it and run."

Eli Manning spoke with FOS on the Arch Manning-Holly Rowe situation and his advice to Arch.

Full conversation: https://t.co/pHv3iB5WTIpic.twitter.com/EQ2PXA7yQC

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) September 22, 2026Arch wants to be liked. He comes from a family where his grandfather and two uncles are all beloved for being great quarterbacks that are also funny and endearing. After a brief pause, Arch seems to have found the right balance between being himself and being careful.

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Arch Manning was asked by @ParkerKeston about facing his old roommate Parker Livingstone

"Its going to be different obviously being roommates and best friends, now he's at a different school. I'm not going to think anything of it...I'll say what's up to him after"#HookEm |… pic.twitter.com/Xl5rX9CyN5

— Cory Mose (@Cory_Mose) October 5, 2026Most Longhorns fans have grown to love the funny, silly Arch Manning they've come to know over the past few years. That Arch Manning seems to be back and that can only mean good things as the season continues Saturday in Dallas.

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Arch Manning speaking on what he did during the bye week, as well as the rivalry vs. OU.@ontexasfootballpic.twitter.com/X0HCQIjjEu

— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_OTF) October 5, 2026

Asked Arch about what he learned from his middle school scout...

"It was funny, those Westlake middle school games that's about as many people as I had at my high school game"#HookEm | #Texashttps://t.co/uQT2eCDdbepic.twitter.com/bvztGzf6QH

— Cory Mose (@Cory_Mose) October 5, 2026Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions. Follow Trey on X: @TreyLuerssen.

>This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: It's good to have old Arch Manning back, demeanor returns to normal