The Herd with Colin Cowherd – 3 & Out Podcast (John Middlekauff)

Episode: Bill Belichick’s Disconnect, QB Redemption Stories, and Joe Flacco to the Bengals
Date: October 8, 2025

Overview

This episode of the "3 & Out" podcast with John Middlekauff dives deep into contemporary NFL topics, focusing on:

• Why Bill Belichick's coaching style and personality are ill-suited for today’s college football landscape
• The importance of relationships—both in football and elsewhere
• The evolution and redemption of several NFL quarterbacks, including Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and Mac Jones
• How changes to kickoff rules and field goal kicking have transformed the sport
• Reactions to Joe Flacco’s move to the Bengals
• Listener mailbag: Steelers’ defense, QB evaluations, coach/GM salaries, and more

Middlekauff maintains his conversational, unfiltered tone as he shares stories, strong takes, and industry insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bill Belichick's College Experiment: Doomed by Personality and Approach

[02:08 – 19:41]

• Middlekauff admits he was wrong for previously insisting relationships no longer matter in recruiting due to NIL and money-driven decisions. Instead, he points out, relationships still play a crucial role.

  “Relationships matter. I had a front-row seat when I worked in college football … guys like Pat Hill cared about his players … you can’t just treat this like a transaction.” (04:35)

• Belichick’s personality and lack of genuine engagement are liabilities:

  “No one has ever confused Bill Belichick for caring about others… he gives no shits about anyone.” (10:11) “In college football … even in this transactional time, you have to know players’ families … you gotta play coach psychologist on the fly. You’re not coaching a 40-year-old Tom Brady.” (13:04)

• Successful college coaches (Kirby Smart, Ryan Day, Dan Lanning) develop deep relationships with recruits and their communities:

  “Do you think Dan Lanning knows Dante Moore's family? I would bet a million dollars he does. You think Belichick has any fucking clue? No.” (15:36)

• Belichick’s old-school approach is increasingly out of step:

  “If the only thing you’re hanging your hat on is, you know, in 2015 we were down 28-3… Coach, I was nine years old.” (17:20)

• Prediction: The experiment is likely to get even uglier as Belichick refuses or fails to adapt.

2. NFL vs. College: Why Personality Fits Matter

[19:41 – 24:30]

• The kind of personality that thrives in college (relationship-driven, outgoing, adaptable) is very different from what’s needed in the NFL (strategic, focused on scheme/QB development).
• Pete Carroll and other coaches are cited as natural fits for college, while pros can survive with less ‘glamorous’ social skills.

  “It’s easy to see Pete Carroll’s personality … sitting in a dude’s house and landing the recruit with a big smile … legendary stories.” (19:43)

3. Quarterback Redemption Stories: Mayfield, Darnold, Daniel Jones, and Mac Jones

[24:30 – 35:10]

• Middlekauff highlights the resurgence of QBs like Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold—players who struggled on bad teams, then flourished with support:

  “Sean McVay claimed him and Kyle Shanahan signed Sam Darnold, and their careers ever since have been like rocket ships.” (32:41)

• The importance of fit, coaching, and support is paramount for most quarterbacks:

  “Most people are not Peyton Manning or LeBron James… Most need a catalyst.” (27:55) “More teams fail quarterbacks than quarterbacks fail teams… 100%.” (30:45)

• Examples: Daniel Jones and Mac Jones—both considered over-drafted, but thriving with good coaching and supporting talent.
• Quick takes on the psychology of backup QBs and the mismanagement by organizations that don’t support young quarterbacks.

4. Joe Flacco to the Bengals: Why It’s a Non-Solution

[35:10 – 37:13]

• Flacco’s signing with the Bengals is viewed skeptically due to his lack of mobility and the team’s struggling offensive line:

  “He is probably the least mobile of any guy that can be a starter in the NFL… He’s going to get killed.” (36:21)

• Middlekauff would have preferred the team pursue a younger, more mobile option, comparing the move to short-sighted decisions by other franchises.

5. Kicking and Comebacks: The New NFL Landscape

[38:11 – 44:21]

• Recent changes to kicking balls and kickoff rules have resulted in more high-scoring comebacks.
• Kickers are now able to “doctor” balls all week, leading to more long field goals.

  “If you’ve been watching football for 10, 20, 30 years, 60 is the new 50… 65 is the old 50.” (38:37)

• The new kickoff rule changes starting field position and risk/reward late in games:

  “With this new kickoff rule and with the kickers being able to doctor the balls… the comebacks, more points… It’s dramatically changed the math.” (39:55)

• Middlekauff is entertained by the new style, but notes that the sport is becoming less predictable and may frustrate "old school" fans.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Belichick’s potential in college:
  “Belichick’s personality is a negative. No one’s ever argued that his football knowledge isn’t elite … but no one has ever confused Bill Belichick for caring about others.” (10:07)
• On recruiting’s lasting importance:
  “This college football, well, kinda. It still is a relationship-based business, just like the real world is.” (16:46)
• On young quarterbacks:
  “Most people are not Steve Jobs… Most people need someone in their life to help them…” (27:55)
• On the new NFL landscape:
  “60 is the new 50… These guys are draining kicks from so deep, it’s stupid.” (38:37)
• On Flacco to the Bengals:
  “He's going to get killed … your offensive line is like me and you and three other guys blocking.” (36:30)

Timestamps (Important Segments)

• Opening/Topic Roadmap & Belichick Setup: [02:08 – 04:05]
• Belichick’s College Football Disconnect: [04:05 – 19:41]
• NFL vs. College Coaching Personalities: [19:41 – 24:30]
• QB Redemption Stories (Mayfield/Darnold/Mac/Daniel Jones): [24:30 – 35:10]
• Joe Flacco to Bengals Analysis: [35:10 – 37:13]
• Kicking, Comebacks, & Kickoff Rule Impact: [38:11 – 44:21]
• Interactive Mailbag (Flacco, Steelers D, GM salaries, etc.): [47:19 – 78:50]

Listener Mailbag Highlights

• Joe Flacco to Bengals:
  “I think you guys are completely screwed. I would rather have Jake Browning than Joe Flacco.” (47:22)
• On Steelers Defensive Coordinator:
  “If TJ is going to dominate … your defense is going to be solid … It comes down to pass rush and corners.” (48:51)
• On NFL front office and GM salaries:
  Detailed breakdown of how GMs and other staff are paid, with comparisons and insights into team management structures (75:35 – 78:50).

Tone and Style

Middlekauff keeps it direct, accessible, often humorous, and isn’t afraid to punctuate his points with some colorful language. He leans heavily into personal stories and experiences within the football industry, providing a blend of insider perspective and relatable commentary.

Takeaway

This episode is a must-listen for those curious about the “soft skills” that still matter in football, the thin line between bust and redemption for NFL quarterbacks, and how subtle rule changes can utterly transform America’s most popular sport. With plenty of memorable one-liners and experience-driven insight, Middlekauff makes a compelling case that, in football and in life, relationships and adaptability still matter—even as money and analytics play a bigger role than ever.