Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – 3 & Out

Episode: Aaron Rodgers, Steelers ROUTED by Justin Herbert, Chargers on SNF + NFL Week 10
Host: John Middlekauff
Date: November 10, 2025

Overview

This episode of The Herd’s “3 & Out” podcast dives into the fallout of a dominant Sunday Night Football performance by the Chargers over the Steelers, dissects Aaron Rodgers’ career-worst game, examines Jim Harbaugh’s impact in Los Angeles, and surveys the broader NFL landscape after Week 10. John Middlekauff provides his distinct, candid takes with a mix of rapid insights, humor, and tough love for underperforming teams.

Main Themes

• The Power of Great Coach/Quarterback Duos
• Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers vs. Mike Tomlin’s Declining Steelers
• Aaron Rodgers’ Aging and the Steelers’ Offensive Struggles
• Ascending NFL Teams: Ravens, Rams, Seahawks
• Organizational Stagnation & Need for Coaching Change
• Notable Performances and Play Calling Trends
• NFL Officiating Frustrations & Player Safety Rules

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Chargers Rout the Steelers: Coaching, Quarterbacks, and Reality Checks

• Harbaugh + Herbert: Middlekauff argues the combination is now top-3 in the NFL, behind only Andy Reid/Mahomes and maybe Harbaugh/Lamar or Sirianni/Hurts—if you “get Howie Roseman.”
  • "[Harbaugh and Herbert] are a top three or four combination in the NFL." (05:38)
• Mike Tomlin’s Aura Is Fading: The "edge" Tomlin once had is gone, the Steelers look bereft of fire.
  • Steelers have lost three of four; offense is stagnant, relying on one (overpaid) receiver who isn’t a true difference-maker.
• Rodgers’ Rapid Decline:
  • "Better than Aaron Rodgers," Middlekauff scoffs, referencing how rough Rodgers was on SNF. He highlights Rodgers “not wanting to get hit,” much like Tom Brady’s final Tampa year:
  • "I'm married, I'm really rich, I probably don't have a Super Bowl team. I'm not standing in there.” (16:00)

What's Wrong with the Steelers?

• An offense built on sand: Only one key WR, a committee of non-threats, no reliable run game.
• Middlekauff projects them to max out at 8-9 wins, while touting the Ravens' easy upcoming schedule:
  • “If you told me right now, 8, 9 wins probably feels about the max. Guess what? The Ravens are going to win more than that.” (13:41)
• Critiques Steelers’ roster construction and growing lack of personnel depth.

Harbaugh’s Unmatched Flexibility

• Despite losing key players to injury, the Chargers don’t flinch. Harbaugh’s coaching culture shines through.
  • "There is something about the power of Jim. And when he coaches you as a quarterback, you just play at a different level. You play with a different belief." (10:57)
• Calls Harbaugh a unique all-levels winner, likely to join rare company winning both a college national title and, potentially, a Super Bowl.

2. The Need for Fresh Starts: Tomlin, Coaching Tenures & Stale Messages

• Middlekauff compares Tomlin’s extended tenure in Pittsburgh to the natural fatigue in any long relationship.
  • "After a period of time, once you go on 15+ years, it’s just, it’s time for a change." (24:32)
  • Discusses how legendary coaches (Andy Reid, Pete Carroll) benefited from being fired or moving on.
• Questions whether a comfort zone has limited the franchise’s killer instinct.

3. Play Calling: Harbaughs & Dan Campbell

• Jim Harbaugh’s CEO Style:

  • Harbaugh’s never called plays at any level—and doesn’t need to. Middlekauff likens him and his brother John to Dan Campbell, calling them “incredible leaders of men”—the new model for head coaching.
    "He does not have to call plays to be a great coach." (31:32)

• Dan Campbell Calls His Own Plays:

  • Campbell took the play sheet during Detroit vs. Washington, resulting in an offensive explosion; Middlekauff calls Ben Johnson possibly the best play-caller in Lions history, notes that not all OC candidates cut it, and marvels at Campbell’s ability to step in and immediately impact the game.
  • "Dan Campbell’s like, f** it, hand me the sheet, I’ll put up 35 next week."* (45:53)

4. Around the League: Rams, Seahawks, and Quick Hits

• Rams and Seahawks look like the class of the NFC, routinely blowing out opponents despite injuries.

• Sam Darnold and Davante Adams are highlighted as the league’s best offseason signings for LA and Seattle.

  • Notable praise for Stafford-Adams chemistry:
    "That play was football porn." (49:20)

• 49ers’ Quarterback Dilemma:

  • Advocates for keeping Mac Jones in while Purdy recovers—don’t risk your $200 million QB in a lost season with a lingering injury.
    • "I'm not one of those people that acts like Brock Purdy sucks...but a huge part of his game is moving around..." (58:09)

5. Game and Coaching Blunders: Giants/Mistakes & Rule Rants

• Ridicules Brian Daboll’s decision to decline a 12-men penalty at the one-yard line, predicts his job’s in peril.
  • "I would say Brian Dabel's decision would go down as the dummy of the week." (51:23)
• Rails against unnecessary roughing/“body weight” penalties on defenders, especially Dallas Turner’s questionable flag against Lamar Jackson.
  • "Once I am around him and going down, I can't then magically fly away. That rule is outrageous. It really is." (52:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the simplicity of winning football:
  • "At the end of the day, do you have a good coach? Do you have a good quarterback? ...are my two better than your two?" (04:36)
• On Harbaugh’s unique skillset:
  • "Jim could coach the junior midgets down the street...high school, college, and he can coach pros. He’s kicking ass at every level. It is unreal to watch." (22:14)
• On Tomlin’s time in Pittsburgh:
  • "Sometimes your message just falls flat. They don’t listen to it. It’s human nature, right?" (24:13)
• On Dan Campbell taking over playcalling:
  • “Dan Campbell’s like, f*** it, hand me the sheet, I’ll put up 35 next week. Give me the sheet again, I’ll do it. So congrats to Dan Campbell. What a badass.” (45:47)
• On NFL’s tackling rules:
  • "The overregulation. It feels like California government...Lamar Jackson was fine. He got right up...Why can that same tackle happen to literally everyone else on the field?" (52:30)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Chargers rout Steelers, QB/Coach Rankings: 03:25 – 13:00
• Harbaugh vs. Tomlin, Steelers’ roster issues: 13:00 – 18:50
• Aaron Rodgers’ future, Steelers offensive woes: 18:50 – 21:30
• Organization culture/stagnation, coaching changes: 21:30 – 24:45
• Harbaugh’s career narrative and versatility: 22:14 – 26:00
• Dan Campbell as play caller, Detroit’s offense: 31:32 – 46:00
• NFC landscape: Rams, Seahawks dominance: 46:00 – 50:00
• Giants/Bears coaching mistakes: 50:00 – 52:00
• NFL officiating frustration: 52:00 – 54:35
• 49ers QB situation & Brock Purdy’s injury: 58:09 – 60:55
• Final Picks and Closing Thoughts: 61:00 – 62:00

Conclusion

Middlekauff’s episode delivers a hard-nosed postmortem on the Steelers’ collapse, heaps praise on Jim Harbaugh’s culture-building, and drills down on coaching as the differentiator in today’s NFL. He blends sharp tactical critique (play calling, game management) with big-picture organizational insight and never shies away from calling out underperformers, both on the field and on the sideline. If you want to understand why the Chargers are surging, the Steelers are sinking, and what’s brewing across the league in Week 10, this episode is essential listening.