The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "3 & Out"

Episode Date: September 24, 2025
Host: John Middlekauff
Key Topics: Giants' QB switch, Cowboys-Packers Preview, Mike Gundy Fired, Mailbag Q&A

Episode Overview

This episode of "3 & Out," hosted by John Middlekauff (in The Herd feed), breaks down several major sports stories:

• The New York Giants starting rookie Jackson Dart over Russell Wilson
• Strategic and organizational implications for coach Brian Daboll
• A preview of the Cowboys-Packers matchup with Micah Parsons' dramatic return—this time as a Packer
• The firing of Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State and what it says about modern college football
• An engaging mailbag section covering NFL management, coaching tiers, special teams, the Hall of Fame debate for Russell Wilson, and more

Throughout, Middlekauff’s style is bracingly opinionated, conversational, and heavy on football analogies and insider insight.

Giants Name Jackson Dart Starter: Franchise Crossroads

Segment Start: [04:00]

• The Giants officially name rookie QB Jackson Dart their starter, benching veteran Russell Wilson.

• Middlekauff draws a parallel between fan engagement and emotional relationships:

  “You can lose in the Northeast and people are still pretty dialed in... But on the West coast, apathy sets in really, really quick.” ([05:10])

• He compares apathy and anger as fan motivators and relates it to Howard Stern’s infamous "hate listeners."

  “The average Howard Stern hater listens for two and a half hours. Think about that." ([07:20])

• The implication: The Giants had reached the point of fan apathy, forcing ownership’s hand.

• On Daboll and Dart:

  • Critiques Daboll for both initially starting Russell Wilson and for not putting Dart in sooner.
  • Urges the Giants to give Daboll true time to develop his chosen quarterback:

    “If you’re going to allow Brian Daboll and this organization to run a rookie quarterback out there... you basically gotta give it this year and next to at least see what it looks like.” ([12:50])

  • Warns against the cycle of instability and new coaching for young QBs:

    “Organizations fail players as much as—unless we have an example of Jamarcus Russell, Johnny Manziel, and Ryan Leaf. But there’ve been a lot of guys that failed who tried really hard; they just had turmoil after turmoil after coach and OC and GMs and just moving parts, new schemes. That’s not a healthy way to play.” ([13:55])

  • Believes the move to Dart is mostly good—both for business and football—but only if patience is exhibited.

Cowboys vs Packers: Micah Parsons' Return

Segment Start: [20:20]

• Packers come to Dallas as favorites; Cowboys are missing key WR CeeDee Lamb and defensive woes are mounting.
• Micah Parsons, former Cowboys star, is now with Green Bay.
• Middlekauff expects Parsons to be highly motivated and make a huge impact:

  “It’s going to be ugly. It’s going to look really bad. And Micah’s going to sack Dak maybe a couple times.” ([21:25])

• Criticizes Jerry Jones for waiting too long on the Parsons trade:

  “If Jerry had given Micah Parsons $180 million and he was on this defense, they would not be that much better because they can’t cover a soul and Micah can’t sack the quarterback every single play.” ([22:00])

• Predicts a big Packers win, citing the Cowboys’ inability to score without Lamb and the Packers’ defensive edge.
• Notes Jerry's unique status (owner + GM) insulates him from external blame:

  "Jerry's lucky that by making this move, they only have him to scream at, and he clearly doesn't give a shit." ([23:48])

Mike Gundy Out at Oklahoma State: End of an Era

Segment Start: [25:10]

• Recaps Gundy’s famous "I’m a man, I’m 40" rant—“a defining moment for a guy that’s a legendary coach.” ([25:59])
• Calls out the new reality of money-driven college football with the NIL era:

  “NIL changed college football. T. Boone Pickens is dead. So Oklahoma State’s advantage of having money... doesn’t really exist like it once did.” ([28:52])

• Points out Gundy’s remarkable record (170-90, 12 bowl wins in 18 games, multiple double-digit win seasons).
• Observes that loyalty means little when resources evaporate and success dries up.
• Makes the point that what happened to Gundy is happening to many coaches:

  “Everyone is selectively loyal, and that’s the way business is. And the best things that have happened in my life is getting kicked to the curb a couple times... teaches you how cutthroat [it is].” ([32:50])

• Prognosis for OSU: without renewed financial commitment, it’s a “shitty job” now.

Mailbag & Extended Analysis

Segment Start: [38:01]

Building a Franchise: Coach or GM?

• Q: Would you rather have Howie Roseman or the best NFL coach to build your franchise?
• Middlekauff likens it to the "QB vs. pass rusher" dilemma:

  “You would take an elite head coach. The top six or seven coaches, especially offensive ones, call plays, their value’s really high.” ([39:00])

Special Teams Apathy Among Offensive Coaches

• Why do some (McVay, Shanahan) not prioritize special teams?

  “He doesn’t pay attention. He does not give a shit. And he can’t fake it... I just think they hate those two positions [kicker/punter].” ([44:34])

Russell Wilson and the Hall of Fame

• Has Wilson played himself out after his post-Seattle collapse?
  • Weighs resume against negative narratives:

    “If Eli Manning is going to get in, then he’s got to get in... If Matt Stafford is in the conversation, then Russell has to get in. Do I think he ends up getting in? I do.” ([47:22])

Coaching Hierarchies & Surprises

• On the rise of Dan Campbell (Lions) and Sirianni (Eagles):

  “What Campbell and Brad Holmes have done—the Lions were like the losingest franchise of the 2000s... They resurrected this franchise... I would take Campbell over Sirianni if all things are equal.” ([49:39])

• Argues current hot coaches sometimes outshine established ones like Mike Tomlin.

Chiefs vs. Ravens GM Role

• Ravens easier division, more stable approach
• Chiefs: “From a personal standpoint... I would much rather live in Kansas City than I would Baltimore.” ([52:25])

The Narrative Around Lamar Jackson

• Is media too lenient? Is he an NFL James Harden?

  “I think Lamar Jackson is way more likable than James Harden. And Joel Embiid, dramatically more. Like, no one's ever said you’re fat.” ([57:16])

• Points out playoff underachievement but gives credit to Lamar's likeability.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “When you own one of these teams, you’re guaranteed to make money. The New York Giants cannot lose money. It's literally impossible... but you can get to a point where it feels like... they’re an afterthought.” ([09:10], Giants on the verge of irrelevance)
• “This isn't one of those where it’s like, ‘I’m fake done.’ Like, you do kind of care. And then you cross that line, and it’s like, ‘I'm out.’” ([15:59], on fan apathy)
• "Anytime in sports when you trade a guy that's clearly one of the best... it's going to look— it can't look much worse." ([22:43], on Cowboys trading Micah Parsons)
• “NIL changed college football. T. Boone Pickens is dead. So Oklahoma State’s advantage... doesn't really exist like it once did.” ([28:52])
• “Everyone is selectively loyal. That’s the way business is.” ([32:50])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Jackson Dart/Giants QB Debate: [04:00]–[17:00]
• Cowboys-Packers Preview / Micah Parsons: [20:20]–[25:00]
• Mike Gundy Fired / NIL College Football: [25:10]–[38:00]
• Mailbag (Coach vs. GM, Special Teams, Russell Wilson, etc): [38:01]–[60:00]
• Vikings Super Bowl Prospects: [61:11]
• Extra Mailbag & Closing Football Thoughts: [61:40]–[71:31]

Tone and Style

Middlekauff is direct, irreverent, self-deprecating, and laces football talk with relatable real-life analogies. He’s comfortable staking big positions, but also quick to admit when he’s been wrong ("I don’t ever make up takes... I have no problem if we didn’t let any of them in [the Hall of Fame]... but that’s not the way it is.").

In Summary

This episode captures the challenges facing NFL and college franchises at turning points—whether it’s organizational patience with new QBs, managing superstar trades, or the harsh business of college football coaching. With sharp analogies, notable behind-the-scenes details, and frank mailbag exchanges, it’s classic Middlekauff: provocative, knowledgeable, and always entertaining.