Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: 3 & Out - Arch Manning's HYPE, Takeaways from the Cowboys doc, Anthony Richardson's agent SPEAKS
Host: John Middlekauff
Release Date: August 21, 2025
Platform: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

This episode covers:

• The unprecedented hype surrounding Texas quarterback Arch Manning and generational expectations
• Reflections and takeaways from the new Dallas Cowboys documentary, especially Jerry Jones’ legacy and contrasts with the franchise today
• Controversy around Anthony Richardson’s role, his agent's outspoken approach, and backup QBs in general
• Brief thoughts on the Bengals, Joe Burrow’s future, and NFL defensive challenges

Middlekauff brings his direct, conversational style, blending insight, humor, nostalgia, and candid critique.

1. The Arch Manning Phenomenon

[02:27–15:28]

Key Points

• Singular Hype for a Rookie:
  Middlekauff dives into the Arch Manning mania at Texas, pointing out there's "never been a more hyped guy who has never played in my life watching football" ([03:35]).

  • Most past college hype (e.g., Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush, Caleb Williams) built over time through exceptional play.
  • Arch Manning’s buzz is driven almost entirely by the Manning name and family legacy.

• Family Legacy and Advice:
  Shares laughs and wisdom from Archie Manning's regular advice to Arch:

  “Every time that his grandpa hangs up with him... right before he signs off, he says, ‘get down or get out of bounds.’” ([07:54])

  Middlekauff calls this actually “wise”: with so much SEC/Ohio State defensive talent, Arch will be a target.

• Spotlight Pressure:
  Compares SEC and Ohio State defenses to "NFL factories"—they have a point to prove and a bullseye on Mannings’ heir ([08:44]).

• Media, Draft Hype, and Reality Check:
  Jokes about mock drafts already putting Arch at #1, but notes Arch himself is essentially taking things day by day, not rushing his legacy.

• Broader Impact on College Football:
  The Texas vs. Ohio State opener is "the most watched college football game in a long, long time”—cementing the Mannings' cultural pull ([13:54]).

Notable Quotes

• “I just don’t think we’ve ever seen anything quite like this.” – John Middlekauff ([04:29])
• “It’s not his fault, but when the defensive coordinators get in front of their room, he is going to have a circle around him.” – ([09:12])
• “The Mannings are football royalty. And it’s true.” – ([04:52])
• “I haven’t been more excited to watch a college football game, week one with a lot of unknowns, maybe ever.” – ([12:48])

2. Takeaways from the Cowboys Documentary

[20:22–36:52]

Key Points

• Nostalgia for the 90s:
  Reflects on how the documentary spotlights the energy and fearlessness of Jerry Jones upon buying the Cowboys, contrasting sharply with today’s NFL environment.

• Jerry Jones’ “Big Balls” Approach:
  Middlekauff admires Jones’ risk-taking:

  “He just had big balls, he had stones. And... back then you could just do it all on guile... You could have some big hits if you were willing to do things most people weren’t.” ([21:50])

  • Relates Jerry’s fearlessness to entrepreneurial farmers he knew growing up.

• Franchise Transformation:
  Marvels that Jones immediately fired Hall-of-Fame coach Tom Landry and hired his guy, Jimmy Johnson, despite immense backlash.

• Lamenting Lost Ambition:
  Middlekauff draws a clear contrast:

  “The Jerry Jones in the 90s wouldn’t have hired Brian Schottenheimer in a million years.” ([25:23])

• What Changed?
  Discusses how personal risk aversion, extreme wealth, or age may dull the boldness responsible for past victories. Points out how, despite the franchise's glamour and resources, the Cowboys haven’t won meaningful games in decades.

• Nostalgia/Legend vs. Modern Reality:
  Enjoys that back then, “there was a mysterious element”—now, NFL players’ actions and personalities are instantly known due to social media and constant coverage.

  • “Back then you’re like... is this really going on? Some of these stories... No one actually knows if it’s true or not, because we just don’t know. It’s just stuff of legend.” ([33:21])

Notable Quotes

• “Youth is lost on the young.” – ([21:17])
• “You know who one of Andy Reid and the Chiefs’ favorite players was? Chad Henne, backup quarterback. Because you basically become like an assistant coach.” ([32:36])
• “You watch him now, it’s like—you're hiring Brian fucking Schottenheimer. Like, that’s what you’re doing.” ([25:47])
• “None of that actually matters... we just don’t win any meaningful games anymore.” ([25:59])
• “There’s something too... we just do not have a mysterious element to basically any famous person anymore.” ([33:29])

3. Anthony Richardson and Backup Quarterback Drama

[36:52–40:42]

Key Points

• Anthony Richardson’s Struggles:
  Transitioned from college phenom to NFL backup in a hurry. His agent gave outspoken quotes to ESPN, asserting:

  “Trust is a big factor and that is at best questionable right now... Anthony came back and made the improvements... had a great camp. Steichen made a decision. That’s the decision we got to live with. But no hard feelings, nothing personal.” ([38:26])

• Risks of Agent Outspokenness:
  Middlekauff believes these types of agent statements hurt Richardson’s standing:

  • “Most importantly, sometimes you become the company you keep, and this guy works for Anthony Richardson. Anthony Richardson doesn’t work for this guy.” ([39:23])
  • “When you’re the backup quarterback, you don’t want your agent saying things like this. It does not help your case.” ([39:43])
  • It’s best for a backup to be seen, not heard: “Low maintenance... very easy to deal with.” ([40:06])

• Comparisons and Career Management:
  Contrasts this approach with long, drama-free backup careers (Chase Daniel, Chad Henne), suggesting teams want reliability, not drama, in reserve QBs.

• Warning Signs:
  Implies Richardson’s job isn’t at all secure, partly because of the added drama his representation brings.

4. Bengals, Burrow, and NFL Defense Realities

[40:12–40:42]

Key Points

• Burrow’s Future in Cincinnati:
  Raises the discussion—could Joe Burrow request a trade, NBA-style, if the Bengals struggle and defense falls apart? Compares to Carson Palmer’s holdout ([40:15]).

• Defense Is Key:
  Middlekauff emphasizes: “You can win games with an elite offense, but you cannot beat real teams... if your defense just blows.” ([40:35])

• Uncertainties:
  Acknowledges no clear answers yet, but thinks it will be hard for the Bengals to return to contender status if their defense collapses.

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Arch’s “unsolicited” hype:

  “Arch did not create this hype. His family name did. As Colin says, the Mannings are football royalty. And it’s true.” ([04:49])

• On youth and nostalgia:

  “We all become our parents.” ([20:37])

• On boldness vs. caution:

  “I want my son to see a guy who is not afraid... we got some balls, we’re willing to take some swings, and we’re not always going to get it right, but we’re not afraid to fail.” ([22:49])

• On agent overreach:

  “Don’t ever speak for me publicly again.” ([39:51])

• On modern sports “legend”:

  “Now we know so much about guys... There’s not a mysterious element to basically any famous person anymore.” ([33:23])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:27] — John dives into Arch Manning hype and legacy
• [07:54] — “Get down or get out of bounds” Archie Manning wisdom
• [20:22] — Cowboys Doc, Jerry Jones, and ’90s nostalgia
• [25:23] — Jerry’s risk-taking vs. today’s risk aversion
• [33:21] — The lost mystique of star athletes
• [36:52] — Anthony Richardson/Backup QB discourse begins
• [38:26] — Richardson’s agent’s controversial ESPN comments
• [40:12] — Joe Burrow trade/future & Bengals’ defensive woes

Tone and Style

Middlekauff is candid, passionate, and direct—mixing humor, nostalgia, and bluntness. He weaves personal stories and reflections with football analysis, always with a conversational edge.

Takeaway

A lively examination of the sports world’s evolving personalities, from the manufactured stardom of Arch Manning to the legacy and lessons of risk-taking in football, and how today’s players and franchises navigate fame, pressure, and changing expectations. This episode will make you think about hype, success, and the changing face of American football, while offering unfiltered entertainment along the way.