3 & Out - CONCERN for Micah's back, Super Bowl FAVORITES, Jaxson Dart named BACK-UP - The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd — “3 & Out: CONCERN for Micah's back, Super Bowl FAVORITES, Jaxson Dart named BACK-UP” (Sept. 3, 2025)

Overview

In this episode of the “3 & Out” podcast (featured on The Herd with Colin Cowherd’s feed), John Middlekauff leads an energetic breakdown of major current NFL and college football topics: examining the real level of concern around Micah Parsons’ back following his trade, outlining this year’s Super Bowl favorites and dark horse contenders, addressing the Green Bay Packers’ thinking in their Super Bowl-or-bust move, exploring locker-room and risk dynamics, and providing sharp commentary on Bill Belichick’s turbulent transition back to the college ranks. Middlekauff also discusses the latest on the quarterback landscape—namely Jaxson Dart’s demotion—and answers an engaging mailbag of listener questions.

Middlekauff’s approach is candid, direct, and rooted in both NFL front office experience and a deep-running “football guy” sensibility. The show’s tone is conversational, opinionated, and sometimes irreverent.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Micah Parsons’ Back: Real Concern or Overblown?

[03:30–07:30]

Media Overreaction: Middlekauff notes the excessive coverage and speculation around Micah Parsons’ back. He draws an analogy between NFL teams’ risk assessment and insurance companies charging higher premiums for young drivers.
- “If you think that a team would trade multiple first round picks and then give a historic amount of money for a guy with a back injury, I want to know what you're smoking.” [04:42]
Severity of Back Injuries: Compares back issues to other injuries, highlighting how unpredictable backs are and referencing Steve Kerr and other athletes whose careers were derailed.
Trade Validity: Middlekauff flatly rejects the idea Green Bay would gamble its future and GM Brian Gutekunst’s job security on a player with a chronic back problem:
- “There’s no way they would green-light it. So this story, I’m glad it’s about to go away.” [07:25]
Risk vs Reward: Concludes that while posturing in negotiations may happen, there’s no real “smoking gun” concern with Parsons’ back health that would’ve blocked the deal.

Super Bowl Favorites & Playoff Landscape

[07:30–14:00]

Clear Tiers: Middlekauff is bored by the usual “pick a division winner” talk but identifies a clear elite group:
- NFC: Eagles (most complete), Packers (ceiling elevated by Parsons), Detroit, and Washington (sleeper potential)
- AFC: Bills, Ravens, Chiefs, Broncos, Texans (the latter two as wild cards with strong defenses)
On the Chiefs: Marvels at their playoff consistency given brutal competition:
- “If the Chiefs are going to keep going to the Super Bowl, even if they lose some of these, what they’re doing—winning these playoff games—is fucking insane.” [10:55]
Eagles as Safe Bet: “It’s hard for me to bet against the Eagles... I’d be a little surprised if… the Eagles aren’t at minimum in the final 4 and representing the NFC.” [11:48]
Darkhorse MVP Bets: Discusses Baker Mayfield’s long MVP odds as a path to believing in the Bucs this year.
Teams He’s “Out” On: Cincinnati Bengals (due to weak defense), Los Angeles Chargers (injury/practical matters), both projected to miss playoffs.
Value and Sleepers: Sees great betting value in the Titans (with rookie Cam Ward) to make the playoffs, and with Seattle to win their division at 5-to-1.

NFC North Deep Dive: Packers’ All-In Move and Division Risks

[13:10–17:25, plus Mailbag at 46:00+]

Packers’ Risk: Applauds Green Bay for being aggressive but notes hidden risks—team chemistry, Parsons’ personality, and the NFC’s “run-heavy” style making defensive fit critical.
- “You make this trade, you're in win now mode… But we have to acknowledge, separate from the money, there are risks.” [50:58]
Lions vs. Packers: Cites Detroit’s roster quality but flags the loss of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as a potentially huge issue—comparing incoming OC Johnny Morton’s resume unfavorably, and expressing skepticism about their ability to stay creative on offense.
- “Sometimes you lose the ingenuity, the innovation, the creativity—you can't fake that… Ben Johnson wasn’t just good, he was great.” [63:31]
Packers’ Organizational Strength: Believes the Packers’ “structure, coach, the GM—just the whole operation” gives them a continuity advantage even as the division’s talent gap shrinks.

Bill Belichick’s College Transition: Petty or Practical?

[21:36–34:35]

Scout Ban at UNC: Middlekauff reports (citing Pete Thamel) that Belichick has made things difficult for NFL scouts at UNC, even outright banning Patriots personnel—a move he frames as petty and vindictive.
- “To ban the New England Patriots is like an F you to Robert Kraft… It just feels kind of like low-level.” [22:58]
Contrast With Other Coaches: Details how other college programs, especially Alabama under Saban, were famously open-door and NFL-friendly, while Belichick is “turning into a joke.”
- “I’m a defender of Belichick… But what’s going on right now? [He’s] petty, vindictive… kind of sad.” [29:48]
Personality and Aging: Middlekauff empathizes but stresses that Belichick’s “asshole” tendencies were tolerated when he was winning, but now “you just become a laughingstock.”

QB Carousel & Jaxson Dart’s Demotion

[34:35–37:00]

Jaxson Dart as Backup: Middlekauff wasn’t surprised at Dart losing his starting job, likening it to “you just know a relationship isn’t going to last.”
Russell Wilson’s Future: Predicts a short leash for Wilson and expects Dart will get his chance to start by month’s end because “no one's going to want to watch Russell Wilson dink and dunk for 17 points a game.” [33:20]
Coaching Survival: Notes that young quarterbacks sometimes are put in to buy coaches time or job security—even if short-term wins are sacrificed.

NFL Media, Ratings, & The Business of Football

[57:35–63:31]

NFL vs. Nielsen Ratings: Commentates on the NFL contesting Nielsen ratings as inaccurate and underreporting actual viewership. Argues the old TV model is outdated compared to streaming’s accountability.
- “NFL is just driven to make money… it’s never enough. It’s never enough.” [59:00]
Broadcasting Realities: Ponders how TV/radio numbers are “a complete educated guess,” and how much clearer the data is for new media platforms.

Coach, Scheme, and Team Building

[Throughout; Key at 43:00–46:00, 63:31–80:30]

Coach Influence: Warns of hidden variables when coordinators change (as in Detroit), and stresses how play-calling is an art, not just a science.
- “Calling plays—there’s a feel element to it that can’t be quantified.”
Balancing Talent & Fit: Describes the risk of bringing a big personality (Parsons) into a “low-key, easy-going” Packers locker room.
Mailbag Insights: From handling quarterback droughts (Steelers) to evaluating trade logic and value, Middlekauff values organization and coaching continuity over splashy moves.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Packers trading for Micah Parsons:
“If you think that a team would trade multiple first round picks and then give a historic amount of money for a guy with a back injury, I want to know what you're smoking.” [04:42]
On injury unpredictability:
"With the back, the unknowns are kind of like the brain... you have no clue when that thing flares up." [05:15]
On the Chiefs’ playoff grind:
“What they're doing, winning these playoff games is fucking insane. I mean, it really is, right?” [10:55]
On Belichick’s scout ban:
“To ban the New England Patriots is like an F you to Robert Kraft. Guess what? Robert Kraft's not doing ever: making a school call in the history of his life.” [22:58]
On Jaxson Dart’s backup role:
"Sometimes when you go out for cocktails or you have a friend that starts dating someone, and you come home... they're never gonna last, and they don't, right? Jaxson Dart's the backup quarterback. You can see what's going to happen coming from a mile away." [32:38]
On Detroit’s new offensive coordinator:
“Sometimes when you lose the ingenuity, the innovation, the creativity—you can't fake that… Ben Johnson wasn’t just good, he was great. And this Johnny Morton guy, I always get a little nervous when you have a coach that, I’m pretty sure Johnny Morton’s like 55 years old.” [63:31]
On football cultures by region:
"Their inclination to lean negative in Philly, in New York, in New England, just with their disposition as an area is different than we are growing up in Northern California..." [52:31]
On the business drive of NFL leadership:
“The NFL is just driven to make money. I've known a couple of these guys... it'll never be enough.” [59:00]

Timestamps for Important Segments

03:30 – 07:30: Parsons back injury discourse and risk
07:30 – 14:00: Super Bowl favorites and playoff analysis
13:10 – 17:25: NFC North, Packers/Lions, and sleeper teams
21:36 – 34:35: Bill Belichick’s college transition, scout ban, and personality dynamics
34:35 – 37:00: Jaxson Dart, quarterback landscapes
46:00 – 80:30: Mailbag: Packers’ trade risks, Lions/Packers comparison, NFL business, broadcast metrics, coaching changes

Listener Mailbag Highlights

[46:00–80:30]

Packers’ Strategy: Concern over run defense and locker-room fit with Parsons—Middlekauff sees the trade as high-risk, high-reward, but with genuine divisional challenges.
Trade Economics: On hypothetical complex trades (e.g., Myles Garrett + Deshaun Watson), stresses that perceived player value and “ruining your books” with bad contracts keeps most GMs from executing such moves.
Lions’ Outlook: Doubts about Detroit’s loss of Ben Johnson and whether the risk is underestimated by most.
Steelers QB Puzzle: Defends sticking with value signings and not throwing resources at marginal QBs.

Tone and Style

Middlekauff’s language is punchy, at times irreverent, and punctuated with sports-guy banter; he’s frank about both front office mindsets and fan perspectives, providing both big-picture philosophy and granular roster analysis. His style merges media savvy with the energy of a former scout/executive who still “lives it.”

Conclusion

This episode delivers authentic, bold takes on the latest NFL and college storylines, grounded in the realities of team-building, coaching, and the business of football. From debunking panic around Parsons’ health to outlining playoff tiers and the dangers of over-relying on legacy or personality, Middlekauff drops actionable insights and sharp commentary—making it a “must-listen” for serious football fans wanting an edge.

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd — “3 & Out: CONCERN for Micah's back, Super Bowl FAVORITES, Jaxson Dart named BACK-UP” (Sept. 3, 2025)

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Micah Parsons’ Back: Real Concern or Overblown?

[03:30–07:30]

Media Overreaction: Middlekauff notes the excessive coverage and speculation around Micah Parsons’ back. He draws an analogy between NFL teams’ risk assessment and insurance companies charging higher premiums for young drivers.
- “If you think that a team would trade multiple first round picks and then give a historic amount of money for a guy with a back injury, I want to know what you're smoking.” [04:42]
Severity of Back Injuries: Compares back issues to other injuries, highlighting how unpredictable backs are and referencing Steve Kerr and other athletes whose careers were derailed.
Trade Validity: Middlekauff flatly rejects the idea Green Bay would gamble its future and GM Brian Gutekunst’s job security on a player with a chronic back problem:
- “There’s no way they would green-light it. So this story, I’m glad it’s about to go away.” [07:25]
Risk vs Reward: Concludes that while posturing in negotiations may happen, there’s no real “smoking gun” concern with Parsons’ back health that would’ve blocked the deal.

Super Bowl Favorites & Playoff Landscape

[07:30–14:00]

Clear Tiers: Middlekauff is bored by the usual “pick a division winner” talk but identifies a clear elite group:
- NFC: Eagles (most complete), Packers (ceiling elevated by Parsons), Detroit, and Washington (sleeper potential)
- AFC: Bills, Ravens, Chiefs, Broncos, Texans (the latter two as wild cards with strong defenses)
On the Chiefs: Marvels at their playoff consistency given brutal competition:
- “If the Chiefs are going to keep going to the Super Bowl, even if they lose some of these, what they’re doing—winning these playoff games—is fucking insane.” [10:55]
Eagles as Safe Bet: “It’s hard for me to bet against the Eagles... I’d be a little surprised if… the Eagles aren’t at minimum in the final 4 and representing the NFC.” [11:48]
Darkhorse MVP Bets: Discusses Baker Mayfield’s long MVP odds as a path to believing in the Bucs this year.
Teams He’s “Out” On: Cincinnati Bengals (due to weak defense), Los Angeles Chargers (injury/practical matters), both projected to miss playoffs.
Value and Sleepers: Sees great betting value in the Titans (with rookie Cam Ward) to make the playoffs, and with Seattle to win their division at 5-to-1.

NFC North Deep Dive: Packers’ All-In Move and Division Risks

[13:10–17:25, plus Mailbag at 46:00+]

Packers’ Risk: Applauds Green Bay for being aggressive but notes hidden risks—team chemistry, Parsons’ personality, and the NFC’s “run-heavy” style making defensive fit critical.
- “You make this trade, you're in win now mode… But we have to acknowledge, separate from the money, there are risks.” [50:58]
Lions vs. Packers: Cites Detroit’s roster quality but flags the loss of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as a potentially huge issue—comparing incoming OC Johnny Morton’s resume unfavorably, and expressing skepticism about their ability to stay creative on offense.
- “Sometimes you lose the ingenuity, the innovation, the creativity—you can't fake that… Ben Johnson wasn’t just good, he was great.” [63:31]
Packers’ Organizational Strength: Believes the Packers’ “structure, coach, the GM—just the whole operation” gives them a continuity advantage even as the division’s talent gap shrinks.

Bill Belichick’s College Transition: Petty or Practical?

[21:36–34:35]

Scout Ban at UNC: Middlekauff reports (citing Pete Thamel) that Belichick has made things difficult for NFL scouts at UNC, even outright banning Patriots personnel—a move he frames as petty and vindictive.
- “To ban the New England Patriots is like an F you to Robert Kraft… It just feels kind of like low-level.” [22:58]
Contrast With Other Coaches: Details how other college programs, especially Alabama under Saban, were famously open-door and NFL-friendly, while Belichick is “turning into a joke.”
- “I’m a defender of Belichick… But what’s going on right now? [He’s] petty, vindictive… kind of sad.” [29:48]
Personality and Aging: Middlekauff empathizes but stresses that Belichick’s “asshole” tendencies were tolerated when he was winning, but now “you just become a laughingstock.”

QB Carousel & Jaxson Dart’s Demotion

[34:35–37:00]

Jaxson Dart as Backup: Middlekauff wasn’t surprised at Dart losing his starting job, likening it to “you just know a relationship isn’t going to last.”
Russell Wilson’s Future: Predicts a short leash for Wilson and expects Dart will get his chance to start by month’s end because “no one's going to want to watch Russell Wilson dink and dunk for 17 points a game.” [33:20]
Coaching Survival: Notes that young quarterbacks sometimes are put in to buy coaches time or job security—even if short-term wins are sacrificed.

NFL Media, Ratings, & The Business of Football

[57:35–63:31]

NFL vs. Nielsen Ratings: Commentates on the NFL contesting Nielsen ratings as inaccurate and underreporting actual viewership. Argues the old TV model is outdated compared to streaming’s accountability.
- “NFL is just driven to make money… it’s never enough. It’s never enough.” [59:00]
Broadcasting Realities: Ponders how TV/radio numbers are “a complete educated guess,” and how much clearer the data is for new media platforms.

Coach, Scheme, and Team Building

[Throughout; Key at 43:00–46:00, 63:31–80:30]

Coach Influence: Warns of hidden variables when coordinators change (as in Detroit), and stresses how play-calling is an art, not just a science.
- “Calling plays—there’s a feel element to it that can’t be quantified.”
Balancing Talent & Fit: Describes the risk of bringing a big personality (Parsons) into a “low-key, easy-going” Packers locker room.
Mailbag Insights: From handling quarterback droughts (Steelers) to evaluating trade logic and value, Middlekauff values organization and coaching continuity over splashy moves.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Packers trading for Micah Parsons:
“If you think that a team would trade multiple first round picks and then give a historic amount of money for a guy with a back injury, I want to know what you're smoking.” [04:42]
On injury unpredictability:
"With the back, the unknowns are kind of like the brain... you have no clue when that thing flares up." [05:15]
On the Chiefs’ playoff grind:
“What they're doing, winning these playoff games is fucking insane. I mean, it really is, right?” [10:55]
On Belichick’s scout ban:
“To ban the New England Patriots is like an F you to Robert Kraft. Guess what? Robert Kraft's not doing ever: making a school call in the history of his life.” [22:58]
On Jaxson Dart’s backup role:
"Sometimes when you go out for cocktails or you have a friend that starts dating someone, and you come home... they're never gonna last, and they don't, right? Jaxson Dart's the backup quarterback. You can see what's going to happen coming from a mile away." [32:38]
On Detroit’s new offensive coordinator:
“Sometimes when you lose the ingenuity, the innovation, the creativity—you can't fake that… Ben Johnson wasn’t just good, he was great. And this Johnny Morton guy, I always get a little nervous when you have a coach that, I’m pretty sure Johnny Morton’s like 55 years old.” [63:31]
On football cultures by region:
"Their inclination to lean negative in Philly, in New York, in New England, just with their disposition as an area is different than we are growing up in Northern California..." [52:31]
On the business drive of NFL leadership:
“The NFL is just driven to make money. I've known a couple of these guys... it'll never be enough.” [59:00]

Timestamps for Important Segments

03:30 – 07:30: Parsons back injury discourse and risk
07:30 – 14:00: Super Bowl favorites and playoff analysis
13:10 – 17:25: NFC North, Packers/Lions, and sleeper teams
21:36 – 34:35: Bill Belichick’s college transition, scout ban, and personality dynamics
34:35 – 37:00: Jaxson Dart, quarterback landscapes
46:00 – 80:30: Mailbag: Packers’ trade risks, Lions/Packers comparison, NFL business, broadcast metrics, coaching changes

Listener Mailbag Highlights

[46:00–80:30]

Packers’ Strategy: Concern over run defense and locker-room fit with Parsons—Middlekauff sees the trade as high-risk, high-reward, but with genuine divisional challenges.
Trade Economics: On hypothetical complex trades (e.g., Myles Garrett + Deshaun Watson), stresses that perceived player value and “ruining your books” with bad contracts keeps most GMs from executing such moves.
Lions’ Outlook: Doubts about Detroit’s loss of Ben Johnson and whether the risk is underestimated by most.
Steelers QB Puzzle: Defends sticking with value signings and not throwing resources at marginal QBs.

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3 & Out - CONCERN for Micah's back, Super Bowl FAVORITES, Jaxson Dart named BACK-UP

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Summary

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Micah Parsons’ Back: Real Concern or Overblown?

Super Bowl Favorites & Playoff Landscape

NFC North Deep Dive: Packers’ All-In Move and Division Risks

Bill Belichick’s College Transition: Petty or Practical?

QB Carousel & Jaxson Dart’s Demotion

NFL Media, Ratings, & The Business of Football

Coach, Scheme, and Team Building

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Listener Mailbag Highlights

Tone and Style

Conclusion

Summary

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Micah Parsons’ Back: Real Concern or Overblown?

Super Bowl Favorites & Playoff Landscape

NFC North Deep Dive: Packers’ All-In Move and Division Risks

Bill Belichick’s College Transition: Petty or Practical?

QB Carousel & Jaxson Dart’s Demotion

NFL Media, Ratings, & The Business of Football

Coach, Scheme, and Team Building

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Important Segments

Listener Mailbag Highlights

Tone and Style

Conclusion