There was a ton of hype around Texas quarterback Arch Manning coming into the 2025 season, and many were left questioning his abilities after Texas' season-opening loss to Ohio State.
Manning finished the game 17/30 for 170 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Then, on ESPN's "First Take" on Thursday morning, the question was asked, do you believe Arch Manning is a generational QB?
The simple answer may not surprise you, but the explanation behind the answer has one of the worst takes ever on some of the legendary quarterbacks to play the game.
Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning - Not Generational?
ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, Dan Orlovsky and Ryan Clark had the discussion of whether Arch Manning is a generational talent, and Smith and Clark argued for why the Texas quarterback is not, meanwhile, Orlovsky didn't exactly agree.
But, Clark's explanation behind his take is what may have you confused, or quite frankly, befuddled. Clark made a statement about former Michigan quarterback, and seven-time Super Bowl champion, Tom Brady, that might have your head spinning.
"I think John Elway was a generational talent. I think Patrick Mahomes is a generational talent," Clark said. "I don't think Tom Brady, I don't think Drew Brees, I don't think Peyton Manning are generational talents. I think Andrew Luck ended up being a generational talent. I don't think there's a ton of them out there."
Generational talent is a word analysts like to throw around to label a player who possesses talent rarely seen. Now, every one knows Brady, Brees and Manning weren't dual-threat, running quarterbacks that could beat you in every way.
However, their arms, knowledge of the game and ability to achieve success led to 42 Pro Bowls and 10 Super Bowls between the three. Manning and Brees are some of the best, most accurate quarterbacks to play the game, and Brady is considered by many the greatest player of all time.
"I don't think Tom Brady, I don't think Drew Brees, I don't think Peyton Manning are generational talents." - Ryan Clark pic.twitter.com/sTgNQXxfBY
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 4, 2025
After Clark's take on generational talent, Orlovsky chimed in.
"But so then what, how does one, in your eyes, be a generational talent?" Orlovsky asked. "Because there's not a lot of difference."
That's when Smith gave his opinion. Although, Smith spoke more to why Arch Manning was not a generational talent yet than going forward with Clark's take of Manning, Brees and Brady.
"Production. Let me chime in here, because I love the argument back and forth between y'all. I ain't trying to get in the way of it, but here's the reality. The operative word here is, is," Smith said. "Do you believe Arch Manning is a generational talent? He could be, but he's not. Not yet. What have you seen to say that he is? There's no evidence."
Smith may have a point with Arch Manning. The young quarterback hasn't proven anything past the high school level yet. However, some of the most decorated quarterbacks to play the game certainly have proven their production.
Peyton Manning, Brees and Brady may not have been the top-rated prospects coming out of high school. However, Manning was a first overall pick, and now in the Hall of Fame. Brees was a second round pick, and will end up in the Hall of Fame, and Brady, after being a sixth round pick out of Michigan, may end up as the greatest player of all time.