Paul Finebaum Hilariously Claps Back at Jordan Rodgers Over Comments About Arch Manning

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt De Lima | Last updated Jul 15, 2025 12:26 PM ET

Paul Finebaum isn’t backing down from the Arch Manning hype, and he’s having a little fun with the critics, too.

After ESPN analyst Jordan Rodgers called the buzz surrounding Manning “out of control” and ranked him as the fifth-best quarterback in the SEC, Finebaum fired back in trademark fashion on "Get Up," with a jab that had the studio laughing.

“My wife and I were Jordan’s biggest fans when he won 'The Bachelorette.' But that’s where it ends,” Finebaum quipped, before addressing Rodgers’ skepticism directly. “I’m amused that he’s using what Arch did last year (as an argument). The whole conversation a week ago was about his potential. I said that I believed he could be the best college quarterback since Tim Tebow. He’s not there yet, but I think he will be.”

.@finebaum reacts to @JRodgers11 comments about Arch Manning:

"My wife and I were Jordan's biggest fans when he won the Bachelorette. But that's where it ends." pic.twitter.com/Ug4y2CIVfJ
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 15, 2025

Then came one final zinger: “And then we’ll come back and see how Jordan’s doing. Maybe he’ll do the senior event, the Golden Bachelorette, whatever it’s called.”

Rodgers, who has emerged as a respected voice on the SEC Network, was blunt in his criticism of Finebaum’s praise for Manning. “Y’all have been drinking Paul Finebaum’s Kool-Aid for way too long,” Rodgers said earlier this week. “The hype train is out of control.”

Finebaum has been one of Manning's loudest supporters, pointing to his high ceiling and flashes of brilliance last season. Rodgers acknowledged Manning’s upside but remains unconvinced he’s ready to dominate in the SEC just yet.

With Manning now officially QB1 at Texas, the 2025 season will provide answers. But until then, the war of words is just heating up between two of college football’s most recognizable TV personalities, well, maybe just one of the most recognizable if you ask Finebaum.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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