We are just 37 days away from Texas football and its time for another Thursday Thought. Today, its about the Longhorns head coach and if hes creating more pressure around this team than already exists.During SEC media days, Sarkisian made another in a long-line of offseason headlines, this time around the players Texas had to let go this offseason. Its no mystery Texas made aggressive moves in the portal, but does Texas need their headman talking about it, especially using the players names? Im not sure.Heres the reality around this quote: no one learned something they didnt know before after reading this. It was no mystery that guys like Livingstone, Moore, Wisner and Baxter left and were replaced by Coleman, Smothers, Brown and more. That reality should not have shocked anyone. However, heading into this season, theres not a team in the country that is facing more conversation and expectations than Texas. Avoiding added attention should be one of the goals of the coaching staff.NEW: Steve Sarkisian says Texas had to let players go to create "cap space"To make the moves we make, to bring in a Cam Coleman, to bring in a Hollywood Smothers, to bring in a Raleek Brown, to bring in a Mike Masunas at tight end; we had to let DeAndre Moore go. We had to pic.twitter.com/hdD7D7Y1FN On3 (@On3) July 23, 2026Now, none of this matters if this team is everything it seems to be on paper. Its rather objective Texas upgraded at each of the skill positions Sarkisians talked about. If they play to their potential, its unlikely the added attention will be the reason this team falls short. However, if there are a few cracks early, that added attention can make those cracks bigger as the season goes on.Steve Sarkisian is heading into his sixth season. Thats been the season many coaches have found their way over the hump and added a trophy to their resume. Sarkisian is looking to do the same and theres zero question the outside world expects greatness from this team. Sarkisians comments, while true, does little to keep the pressure and expectations to a minimum for this team."I can't rack my brain recently for a roster, on paper, going into a season that is this good and this flawless... I had a Texas fan say, '8-4 wouldn't be fireable.' Bull crap." - @BrooksAustinBA says the pressure is on Steve Sarkisian to win NOW at Texas pic.twitter.com/zu7yGNAN7A The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) June 4, 2026Steve Sarkisian is confident about this team and, from where Im standing, he should be. There isnt a clear hole on the starting 22, with some great depth that premium positions. This is a team that, regardless of the attention, should be able to go win a National Championship this season. However, the controversial quotes do little to help the team heading into the year, and have the ability to hurt them in the long run.Every coach has a different way of going about their business. Steve Sarkisian has never been someone to mince his words or be known for coach speak. Hes going to tell you how he feels and Id argue, for the most part, that is a good thing from head coaches. That being said, the 2026 Texas football team isnt a normal team under normal circumstances. They are a team that will have the weight of the world on their shoulders to go win a title, all while a Manning is their starting QB.Im not here to say Sarkisians quotes are going to hurt this Texas team. I am here to say I believe his goal should be to stay as quiet as possible until the season and then allow this team to show what they are. Now, the expectations have been set, both by Sarkisian and the outside world, and if Texas doesnt live up to those expectations, its Sarkisian thatll have to answer for it.This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Is Sarkisian adding unneeded pressure for Texas?