The Herd with Colin Cowherd – 3 & Out: Drake Maye & Patriots CRUSHED Jaxson Dart & Giants on MNF

Date: December 2, 2025
Host: John Middlekoff (with input and commentary from Colin Cowherd)
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd, iHeartPodcasts & The Volume

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the aftermath of the Patriots’ dominating Monday Night Football win over the Giants, focusing on the ascent of quarterback Drake Maye, Mike Vrabel’s leadership, and New England’s newfound Super Bowl ambitions. John Middlekoff also explores the messy Giants’ situation, the culture of winning teams versus dysfunctional ones, and unpacks the shifting landscape of the NFL and college football coaching worlds—especially the Lane Kiffin/LSU saga.

Listeners’ mailbag questions are answered throughout, offering sharp takes on playoff contenders, coaching trends, and organizational management. The tone is fast, conversational, and opinionated, staying true to the show’s brand.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Patriots’ Dominance & Drake Maye’s Emergence

Timestamps: 03:26 – 18:55

• Patriots as Real Contenders:

  • Middlekoff concedes New England's status as “for real” in the AFC, noting their transformation from league laughingstock to possible No. 1 seed.
  • The team’s balance of youthful talent (Drake Maye, Travion Henderson, Christian Gonzalez) and strong leadership are highlighted.
  • "If you win the AFC, you certainly can win the Super Bowl. I think we have to embrace that the New England Patriots can win the Super Bowl." (John Middlekoff, 04:32)

• Drake Maye’s Impact:

  • The rookie quarterback’s arm talent, poise, and development are praised. Middlekoff compares his trajectory to other QBs who shined on bad college teams before breaking out in the NFL.
  • “He throws like the most beautiful, catchable deep ball in the league, hits everyone in their hands. He’s obviously a fantastic athlete. He’s in complete control.” (JM, 06:27)
  • Maye is now a legitimate MVP candidate.

• Coaching Upgrades:

  • Mike Vrabel is lauded for his ability to relate to all types of players and instilling toughness and cohesion. Josh McDaniels’ presence as offensive coordinator, with his “over-under 40ish playoff games” of experience called, is seen as a massive plus.
  • Patriots’ parallels to early-2000s teams are drawn, with a “throwback” feel to their unity and selflessness.

2. Giants’ Dysfunction & Coaching Search

Timestamps: 18:56 – 28:35

• Organizational Mayhem:

  • The Giants are depicted as a team adrift, with discipline issues (e.g., star rusher Abdul Carter’s repeated benchings for missing meetings).
  • “Guess what happens on bad teams? That type stuff. Guess what does not happen on well-run teams? Players missing meetings.” (JM, 21:18)

• Urgent Need for Leadership:

  • Middlekoff hammers the point that the Giants need an “adult” in the room—specifically endorsing Mike Tomlin as the best possible head coaching candidate.
  • “If I’m Mike Tomlin, I would try to run to the Giants job. ... They are one of the premier franchises in the NFL in terms of brand, in terms of market size, in terms of overall fanbase.” (JM, 19:25)

• Jackson Dart & the Reckless Quarterback:

  • Young Giants QB Jaxson Dart’s toughness and athleticism are praised, but Middlekoff warns about his “reckless” style needing guidance, paralleling Michael Vick’s NFL struggles with injury.

3. Coaching Carousel & College Football Change

Timestamps: 31:44 – 37:18

• Lane Kiffin’s Move & NIL Era Ramifications:

  • Discussion about Lane Kiffin’s jump from Ole Miss to LSU explores changing motivations for coaches (it’s no longer simply about money or recruiting advantage).
  • The dynamics of college football programs, NIL, and transfer portal culture that now allow “stepping stone” schools to compete at higher levels are thoroughly analyzed.
  • Memorable riff: “He wants his cake, and he wants to eat it too. Well, who wants cake and doesn’t want to eat it?” (JM, 37:05)

• Hypocrisy of ‘Team First’ Culture:

  • Middlekoff gripes about the performative nature of ‘team over self’ messaging in football, while coaches and players often operate as mercenaries, especially in college.

4. Audience Mailbag Rapid-Fire

Timestamps: 52:32 – 96:00

• Bears & Playoff Scenarios:

  • Optimism about Chicago’s run-heavy style and defense being “playoff-proof,” but Middlekoff urges caution and points toward key games against the Packers and 49ers.

• QB Frustrations in Minnesota:

  • Fans’ patience with J.J. McCarthy is thin after woeful performances. Middlekoff is blunt: “There’s not a fan alive that’s going to want to give him more reps.” (JM, 45:11)
  • On harsh NFL realities: “Some players just aren’t going to be good enough. ... It’s the cream of the crop and it even separates.” (JM, 48:13)

• Coaching Evaluation – Mike Tomlin Debate:

  • With Steelers fans restless, Middlekoff suggests Tomlin’s true coaching legend will be determined by what he does outside Pittsburgh in a big market like New York.

• NFL’s Parity & Playoff Outlook:

  • “It seems that any team could beat any team on a given weekend. ... To my mind, I would just trust the people who have been to the dance before.” (JM, 54:27)
  • Emphasis on coaching experience as a separator in the playoffs.

• Lane Kiffin’s Image Makeover:

  • A mailbag comment asserts Kiffin’s “reinvented image is entirely superficial,” with Middlekoff agreeing that lifestyle changes “don't always change mentality.” (JM, 59:13)

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The scary part for the AFC is this is a team on-the-come; in the next couple years, they’re going to be way better.” (JM, 10:55)
• “There’s literally not a guy in the room that Mike Vrabel can’t relate to.” (JM, 09:50)
• “The Patriots, a little bit of a throwback... arm-in-arm, very connected, well-coached, tough, and that quarterback is extremely talented.” (JM, 15:40)
• “Congats to the Patriots. That was a ‘step on their throat early’ type of game; the game was over in a blink of an eye.” (JM, 17:25)
• “You need to get a guy in there... to corral [Jackson Dart’s] reckless nature. I'm watching Mike Vrabel with Drake Maye—he's clearly corralled some of his reckless nature.” (JM, 25:47)

6. Quick Takes on NFL & College Topics

Timestamps: Throughout mailbag

• Lane Kiffin’s move to LSU illustrates the restless pursuit of the “highest level”—even when already successful at Ole Miss.
• Organizational discipline, culture, and veteran leadership are the intangible but crucial difference-makers between contenders and pretenders.
• The NFL’s current landscape is fluid; momentum, injuries, and coaching experience matter as much as raw talent.

Important Segment Timestamps

• Patriots’ rise, Vrabel’s impact, Maye’s development: 03:26 – 17:00
• Giants dysfunction, Tomlin speculation: 17:01 – 28:35
• Lane Kiffin coach talk, selfishness in football culture: 31:44 – 37:18
• Audience Mailbag (Bears/NFC Playoff Picture, McCarthy): 52:32 – 61:00, 69:55 – 76:00
• NFL parity & playoff trust in coaches: 54:27 – 60:47
• Mike Tomlin legacy/Steelers fan frustration: 89:30 – 92:30

Tone & Style

The conversation is brisk, candid, and irreverent, with Middlekoff mixing strong opinions, NFL insider perspective, and locker room humor. The tone is both casual and insightful, reflective of an analyst who “lives football” and is quick to call out hypocrisy—whether it’s in fans, franchises, or coaching icons.

Summary Takeaways

• The Patriots are not just back—they are a legitimate Super Bowl threat, fueled by a unique blend of youth, coaching pedigree, and quarterback star power.
• The Giants, meanwhile, are talent-rich but in desperate need of organizational culture and leadership.
• The coaching carousel is in full swing, with college moves now about opportunity, not just salary, amid the shifting sands of NIL and transfer portal reforms.
• Consistency, coaching experience, and cohesion still trump hype and individual talent come playoff time.

For anyone who missed the episode, these are the big arcs and sharpest observations—a fast-moving, wide-ranging breakdown from football’s most opinionated analyst pod.