The Herd with Colin Cowherd

3 & Out - LIVE from The NFL Combine, Howie Roseman stops by, News from the day
Date: February 25, 2026
Host: John Middelkoff (guest co-host for this special, at the NFL Combine)
Guest: Howie Roseman (Philadelphia Eagles GM), Jackson (co-host/contributor)

Episode Overview

This special episode of "The Herd" is broadcast live from the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. John Middelkoff leads the discussion, offering insider stories from NFL circles and his own behind-the-scenes experiences. The episode features a lively, insightful interview with Howie Roseman, GM of the Philadelphia Eagles, and a rapid-fire breakdown of the day’s biggest NFL news with reactions and analysis alongside Jackson. Key topics include the rising role of trades in the NFL, roster-building philosophies, major player personnel news, and a candid look at league culture and the combine itself.

Featured Interview: Howie Roseman (Philadelphia Eagles GM)

Segment Timestamps: [04:32] – [11:14]

Roseman's Tenure and NFL Combine Reflections

• Howie Roseman notes this is his 26th NFL Combine:
  “What combine is this for you?” — John Middelkoff
  “26.” — Howie Roseman [05:48]
• Roseman jokes about aging but says the experience never gets old. “No, I’m not old. I think I’m looking pretty good. … It’s part of what we got to do, right? We want to meet the players, get to know them as well as possible so we can make good decisions.” [05:53]

Team Building: Draft vs. Free Agency

• Roseman emphasizes the draft as the primary focus, starting player study during training camp in July:
  “I would say I’m probably more draft than I am free agents. ... The draft, you gotta know every player. That’s been a huge key to our success.” [06:42]
• The Eagles now target only select free agents, focusing instead on retaining their own developed players:
  “Where we are as a team right now... we’re really trying to retain our own guys... and then periodically dip into free agency.” [07:39]
• Memorable moment:
  “You have this core base of players that are Eagle players...and you’re adding on to it.” [08:22]

Succession and Legacy Players

• With staple veterans retiring or aging (Brandon Graham, Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox), Roseman describes the challenge and opportunity of replacing core Hall of Fame–level talent:
  “Those four guys were special… you’ve got to replace them with great players and great people.” [08:36]

The Evolution of NFL Trades and Roseman's Philosophy

• Discussion on the NFL’s shift towards a more NBA/MLB-style trading mindset. Roseman stresses adaptation and the search for “edges”:
  “It’s constantly finding edges, constantly evolving as a GM, trying to improve … you can’t just keep doing the same things and expect the same results. It keeps you on your toes.” [09:48]
• When pressed for his newest strategy, Roseman stonewalls:
  “You think I’m telling you that.” [10:30]

Light Moments

• Banter on the podcast’s move to Netflix and dinner recommendations in Scottsdale.
  “I’m going to call you up to get me a reservation because I know you got ins with all those people.” — Howie Roseman [11:08]

Combine Culture and Networking

Timestamps: [16:31] – [19:03]

• John and Jackson reflect on the exhausting social environment at the Combine—networking with coaches, GMs, and media figures:
  • “If you don’t know them, they never remember you. So you just got to introduce yourself.” — John Middelkoff [18:05]
  • Their process echoes sales conventions: “Your social battery can just… my social battery’s cool. I’m talking to people I want to talk to.” [18:04]

Major NFL News and Reactions

Trent Williams Contract Stand-off (San Francisco 49ers)

Timestamps: [19:21] – [24:39]

• 5-time All-Pro Trent Williams might hit free agency due to failed contract negotiations.
• Middelkoff’s take: “He’s one of the greatest offensive linemen of all time and he loves his money… if you’re Trent, I understand it. How many years you got left? An extra $10 million… when he’s retired at 43, there probably ain’t many jobs paying that.” [19:48]
• On potential replacements: “The Niners don’t draft offensive linemen. … You just gotta pay him… this is where Trent has them by the balls.” [22:04]

A.J. Brown Trade Speculation (Philadelphia Eagles)

Timestamps: [24:39] – [26:54]

• Head coach Nick Sirianni says he can’t guarantee Brown’s return; Howie Roseman hints at his importance: “It’s hard to improve by subtracting great players.”
• Middelkoff: “They’re not just going to give him away for like pick 50... I originally thought he was going to be somewhat of a bargain... I don’t think the Eagles are just going to hand him off.” [25:05]

Max Crosby Trade Talk (Las Vegas Raiders)

Timestamps: [27:21] – [31:57]

• John Spitek (Raiders GM) says Crosby will be on the team despite trade rumors.
• Middelkoff on Crosby’s value and attitude: “Max Crosby is everything you’d want in a high-end player. ... He’s an all-in guy.” [27:57]
• “I would trade him because I do think it’s time to blow it up, start over... but I think they’ll end up getting two ones and a player or something.” [29:01]

Texans and C.J. Stroud Contract/Trade Chatter

Timestamps: [32:02] – [37:56]

• GM Nick Caserio mocks rumors about trading CJ Stroud, calls it “moronic.”
• Middelkoff: “He’s just going to be on his rookie contract. ... If he crushes it, we give him $200 million. If he doesn’t...” [34:49]
• Discussion about the importance of Stroud playing a “game manager” role and not forcing the issue:
  “My biggest beef with him is... just play more like fucking Ryan Tannehill did for Vrabel and the Titans. ... Play under control, you will win this game.” [35:00]

NFL Franchise Philosophy: Well-run vs. Dysfunctional Teams

Timestamps: [55:29] – [56:52]

• Thorough comparison of “well-run, buttoned up” organizations (Eagles, Seahawks, Ravens) vs. perennially dysfunctional teams.
• “The well-run button-up operations... When you’re just really well run, weird stories when someone gets in trouble... it doesn’t derail your franchise. When you’re bad, that stuff can just...” [56:52]

Other Noteworthy Segments

Coaching and Play Calling Transitions

• Broncos: Davis Webb to call offensive plays, indicating trust and internal politics following Joe Lombardi’s firing. [71:13]
• Panthers: OC Brad Idzik to call plays; Coach Dave Canales takes a big-picture approach. [49:34]
• Discussion on whether head coaches should call plays if they have that expertise: “If I’m a head coach, and I can do it, I would never give that up.” [50:00]

Academic Realities in College Football

• Entertaining discussion on the myth of student-athletes and transcript requirements, revealing how the transfer portal and recruiting have changed college football’s academic standards. [74:07]–[78:09]
• “Do you think that guy went to one class at Ohio State? No freaking chance. Which I respect.” [77:26]

Nostalgia: Physicality and the Changing NFL

• Discussion of the reduced physicality and rule changes in the NFL: “Now the NFL, like, that doesn’t even exist. I don’t think you can tackle anymore.” [81:00]
• Recalling the violence of previous decades: “They would, like, leave their feet from, like, seven yards away, like a torpedo... they were trying to, like, shatter every bone inside your body.” [81:00]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Team-Building
  “You want difference makers on your roster. ... Those are the guys that really show up when you’re talking about big games.” — Howie Roseman [08:36]

• On Trades
  “It’s constantly finding edges, finding value. ... You can’t just keep doing the same things, expect the same results.” — Howie Roseman [09:48]

• On Trent Williams’ Leverage
  “He could shatter his leg in game one and his career could be over. So you gotta ... strike when the iron’s hot and his iron’s still hot.” — John Middelkoff [23:04]

• On Stroud’s Development
  “My biggest beef with him is... just play more like Ryan Tannehill did for Vrabel and the Titans.” — John Middelkoff [35:00]

• On NFL Culture at the Combine
  “Your social battery can just... my social battery’s cool. ... But if you do it a lot, I can see where it would drive you nuts.” — John Middelkoff [18:04]

• On NFL’s Place in Pop Culture
  “Football is the number one television show in America. Not the number one sport... the number one television show.” — John Middelkoff [53:45]

Key Timestamps

• [04:32] Start of Howie Roseman interview
• [06:42] The Eagles’ draft/free agency philosophy
• [07:37] Prioritizing in-house talent over market free agents
• [08:36] Replacing Hall of Fame-level veterans
• [09:48] Roseman on finding “edges” and adapting as a GM
• [19:21] Trent Williams contract standoff discussion
• [24:39] A.J. Brown potential trade talk
• [27:21] Max Crosby and trade market dynamics
• [32:02] Texans/C.J. Stroud future and the value of “game managers"
• [55:29] Philosophy: good vs. dysfunctional NFL teams
• [71:13] Broncos’ Davis Webb play-calling change
• [74:07] On college football academics and transfer realities
• [81:00] Changing physicality and rules in the NFL

Tone and Style

• Candid, conversational, and insider-focused. The tone matches the informal, behind-the-curtain feel of being live at the Combine, laced with humor, self-awareness, and honest opinions—true to the personalities of the hosts and guests.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode:

This episode is an essential listen for NFL fans interested in how championship front offices think, how NFL Combine networking works, and how off-season news shapes teams’ fates. The Howie Roseman interview offers unmatched insight into modern NFL management, while the news rundowns provide lively, informed context on current roster rumors and league storylines.