I agree with you here.
It's between Eli and Archie. There's some sort of assumption that Archie forced himself into the situation. If anything, Archie has been, for years, pretty willing to sit and watch his sons in the shadows.
And considering all the accolades the Peyton has gotten, and all the criticism that Eli has gotten, I'd think Archie is probably pretty relieved to see Eli share in some of the limelight.
Dumb writing.