The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "3 & Out" AFC & NFC Championship REACTION, McCarthy to the Steelers, What's Going On in Cleveland

Date: January 26, 2026
Host: John Middlekoff
Summary by Podcast Summarizer

Main Theme

This episode of "3 & Out" with John Middlekoff reacts to the latest NFL playoff games, focusing on the AFC and NFC Championship outcomes, key coaching decisions, and developing stories around coaching hires—particularly Mike McCarthy’s surprising move to the Pittsburgh Steelers and the evolving situation with the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills. The conversation is laced with strong opinions, personal stories, and plenty of insight into NFL team dynamics, coaching philosophies, and what sets winners apart at the highest level of football.

Championship Game Reactions & Analysis

1. NFC Championship: Seahawks vs. Rams

Segment start: [02:18]

• Seattle Seahawks defeat the LA Rams: Focus on Sam Darnold’s polarizing reputation, his issues in big games, and the evolution culminating in his best-ever performance—346 yards and three touchdowns in the biggest game of his life.
  • "Sam Darnold tonight validated it all ... in the biggest game of his life. He threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns." — John Middlekoff [05:02]
• Quarterback dependency: Reflecting on how even the best QBs are dependent on surrounding talent, standards, and coaching. Middlekoff likens his own career trajectory to quarterbacks needing the right ecosystem to succeed.
  • "Most human beings are dependent on others, and I'd argue no position on the field is more than the quarterback." — John Middlekoff [07:58]
• Comparisons to Matt Stafford’s career arc, noting how Stafford’s move to a competent franchise changed his legacy.
• Sam Darnold’s maturity: Praises Darnold for taking "smart sacks," no more hero ball, recognizing growth and situational awareness.
  • "There were a couple times tonight ... the old Sam Darnold might have [tried hero ball]. And usually, that leads to disaster. Tonight, he just hit the ground. ... I thought they were all smart sacks." — [12:23]
• Offensive playcalling: Offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak is called out for being "in his bag," and offensive weapons like Jackson Smith and Kenneth Walker are praised.
• Cooper Kupp’s redemption narrative: Kupp scores a big touchdown after being cut by Sean McVay; Middlekoff empathizes with the emotional weight.
  • "I can't imagine the joy Cooper Kupp felt when he scored that touchdown. ... Tonight has to feel pretty good." — [14:49]
• Rams’ special teams woes: Middlekoff repeatedly excoriates Sean McVay for failing to emphasize special teams, blaming coaching priorities for recurring mistakes.
  • "You can't convince me that Sean McVay takes special teams seriously because they fucking suck. And it has been atrocious in every instance imaginable." — [17:30]
• Game-altering moments: Taunting call on 3rd-and-12, followed by a Rams touchdown, and a dropped punt—both highlighted as pivotal moments.

2. AFC Championship: Patriots vs. Broncos

Segment start: [27:14]

• Unlikely Super Bowl run for the Patriots: Middlekoff marvels at a “coaching, high-level coaching operation” overachieving without superstar talent.
  • "The Patriots probably, more than any team in recent memory, are just overachievers ... I view the Patriots as a coaching, high-level coaching operation." — [27:56]
• Game conditions: Snow game in the teens; the weather becomes a primary factor.
  • "In a snow game like that ... once the blizzard hits, dumb is going to lose more than great's going to win." — [28:23]
• Critique of Sean Payton (Broncos) for eschewing field goals: Harshly rebukes Payton’s decision to go for it on 4th-and-1 instead of taking easy points in a low-scoring, brutal weather game.
  • "If you don't kick a field goal in a 0–0 game in the first half, you're a fucking idiot. I don't care what the spreadsheet says." — [28:35]
• Mike Vrabel’s conservative approach: Praised for understanding situational football and emphasizing not making mistakes in tough conditions.
• Defining plays: Two mistakes by Stidham (Broncos’ backup QB)—a botched fourth-down and a critical fumble—are blamed for the Broncos' collapse.
• Broad themes: Emphasizes the difference between defensive coaches (valuing special teams, situational football) and offense-first risk-takers; highlights the value of old-school conservative game management.

3. Super Bowl Outlook

• Seattle vs. New England: Initial take is the Seahawks should win “kind of big” if Darnold plays well; Patriots’ hope rests on defense and stalling Darnold.
  • "If Sam Darnold is going to play well, they're not going to lose to the Patriots." — [22:08]
  • Patriots lauded for beating strong opponents and finding a way to the biggest stage.
• Mike Vrabel’s legacy: Could become the first player and coach to win Super Bowls with the same team.
  • "Be a remarkable accomplishment. Three Super Bowls as a player, win one as a coach, man." — [37:36]

Coaching & NFL Team Developments

1. Steelers Hire Mike McCarthy

Segment start: [44:02]

• Fan shock to McCarthy’s hire: Middlekoff says this makes sense once you heed the Steelers ownership’s stated desire not to rebuild.
  • "Did you hear the owner? ... We will not rebuild. We do not plan on throwing a year away." — [44:23]
• McCarthy’s career luck: Points out he always inherited solid QBs—Favre/Rodgers in Green Bay, Dak in Dallas—raising questions about his ability to develop a new one from scratch in Pittsburgh.
  • "When he got hired by the Green Bay Packers, they had two quarterbacks on the roster—both Hall of Famers." — [46:53]
• Cultural fit: McCarthy is from Pittsburgh, joining a historic franchise at a tough entry point.
• Front office concerns: Cites negative reports about the Steelers’ internal operations and roster depth; questions the standard.
  • "The standard is the standard—it's kind of BS. The standard in Pittsburgh now is just clawing your way to a first-round exit." — [47:43]
• McCarthy’s personal arc: Compares it to perennial winners getting glamorous jobs, but notes this is his toughest gig yet.

2. Cleveland Browns’ Odd Interview Process

Segment start: [52:14]

• Coaching candidates forced to write essays and take personality tests.
  • Middlekoff ridicules the academic approach:
  • "Forcing coaches ... it's just clown activity. There's no way around it. This is a verbal communication job." — [53:11]
  • Compares executive Andrew Berry’s Ivy League, academic bent to football realities; says nobody does this elsewhere.
  • "When you are an organization around the league that is a laughingstock ... it's hard for you to throw curveballs that other organizations simply are not doing." — [54:00]
• Implication: Cleveland’s process—a sign they “have no fucking clue what you’re doing.”

3. Bills Involve Josh Allen in New Coaching Search

Segment start: [56:14]

• Allen’s role: Middlekoff is generally supportive, though he notes the risk if a star QB wants something management doesn’t.
  • "I understand ... you want him to have a rapport, understanding and feel like he is a business partner." — [56:21]
  • Emphasizes NFL QBs (Allen, Mahomes, Lamar) as good business partners, unlike NBA stars.
• Dream scenario: Jokes about hiring Philip Rivers as both backup QB and head coach.
  • "How awesome would it be for Philip Rivers to coach a game in pads?" — [57:26]
  • Discusses how cerebral ex-QBs could easily transition to head coaching roles.

Miami Dolphins’ Philosophical Shift

Segment start: [64:28]

• Dolphins go opposite of Steelers: Explicitly embracing a rebuild and youth movement.
• Personal aside: Middlekoff was moved watching the Dolphins’ new regime’s press conference, noting both new GM and coach became emotional talking about family.
  • "A lot of you guys have hit me in the DMs like, when you become a father ... things trigger you to make you emotional. Both of them started crying about their families." — [64:37]
• Culture challenges: Miami framed as a tough market for building discipline due to "the city doesn’t sleep," nightlife, and distractions.
• Optimism: Impressed by GM Eric Sullivan’s Packers pedigree and Jeff Hafley’s blue-collar approach; commends willingness to bottom out for long-term gain.
  • "Bottom out. Like if you are OK with bottoming out, hiring young people and taking a chance is OK, right?" — [65:17]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On QB dependency:
  "Most human beings are dependent on others and I'd argue no position on the field is more than the quarterback." — John Middlekoff [07:58]
• On Sean McVay & special teams:
  "You can't convince me that Sean McVay takes special teams seriously because they fucking suck. ... Simply an embarrassment." — [17:30]
• On Patriots' run:
  "The New England Patriots are in the Super Bowl. That's insane. Their offensive line stinks. Will Campbell can't block anybody." — [36:59]
• On Browns’ coaching search:
  "Forcing coaches ... it's just clown activity. There's no way around it. This is a verbal communication job. ... No one else is asking you to do this." — [53:11]
• On coaching hires and the business of football:
  "You want him [Josh Allen] to have a rapport ... to feel like he is a business partner in this venture. Because he is." — [56:21]
• On Miami’s new direction:
  "Bottom out. Like if you are OK with bottoming out, hiring young people and taking a chance is OK, right?" — [65:17]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• NFC Championship Seahawks vs. Rams in-depth reaction: [02:18] – [23:23]
• AFC Championship Patriots vs. Broncos analysis: [27:14] – [40:11]
• Super Bowl preview & Mike Vrabel discussion: [36:59] – [40:11]
• Steelers hire Mike McCarthy reaction: [44:02]
• Cleveland Browns’ coaching search critique: [52:14]
• Josh Allen’s involvement in Bills coaching hire: [56:14]
• Miami Dolphins press conference and rebuild philosophy: [64:28]

Tone & Style

Middlekoff’s delivery is unapologetically direct, often irreverent, heavy on personal anecdote, and keen on tracing how organizational culture shapes on-field results. He blends insider knowledge with relatable stories, keeping the analysis sharp but accessible.

Takeaways for Listeners

• The championship games reflect the critical importance of coaching, adaptability, and situational football—especially under playoff pressure and adverse weather.
• Quarterback success hinges as much on ecosystem, timing, and coaching as on raw talent.
• Coaching hires in Pittsburgh and Cleveland underscore the vast cultural divides in NFL ownership philosophies and hiring practices—with clear implications for future competitiveness.
• The upcoming Super Bowl will test whether the Patriots’ overachieving defense can overcome a now-legit star in Sam Darnold and the balanced Seahawks.
• Across the NFL, the off-field decisions—from who gets to make key hires, to the value of academic-style vetting—are nearly as impactful as on-field play.