Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – 3 & Out Massive Mailbag

Host: John Middlekauff (The Volume/iHeartPodcasts)
Date: March 25, 2026
Episode Theme:
This episode is an open mailbag session, where John Middlekauff fields listener questions primarily centered on NFL quarterback situations, free agency dynamics, college football tampering scandals, coaching philosophies, and the comparative value of sports leagues in the current media landscape. The tone is candid, conversational, occasionally irreverent, and consistently analytical.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kyler Murray to the Vikings Debate

• Listener Challenge: Danny criticizes John’s take that trading for Kyler Murray would be bad for the Vikings, arguing that Murray is better than Darnold and could win 10+ games.
• Middlekauff’s Response:
  • Reviews Kyler Murray’s career: recognizes Murray’s early dynamic play and production (20 TDs as a rookie, 26/11 TD-pass/rush year two, mobility).
  • Notes Murray “accounted for a lot of offense” but expresses doubt about long-term sustainability:
    • "He just hasn't been that productive since 2021. ...How potent is he as a runner?" (06:50)
  • Puts Murray in a category closer to Watson/Russell Wilson than Lamar Jackson, owing to reliance on out-of-pocket plays, less size, and durability issues.
  • Quote:
    • "To me, Kyler is much more like those guys because he just can't see it – 5’9”." (10:25)
    • “The hype… they could resurrect at 12, 13 wins. I don’t see that.” (11:45)
• Big Picture: Likes the coaching staff but doubts Vikings' upside with Murray, citing injuries, roster-building mistakes, and regression to the mean.

2. Clemson/Ole Miss Tampering & the End of NCAA Authority

• Listener Question: Does Dabo Swinney’s public scorched-earth accusation against Ole Miss over recruiting tampering signal the “end of the NCAA?”
• Middlekauff’s Take:
  • The NCAA has been functionally irrelevant for a while (“immediately get sued”), and vacating wins is “stupid” – fans remember what happened.
  • Dabo’s rant is “probably for show” and nobody in the industry takes tampering seriously because “there are no rules.”
  • Quote:
    • “There is nothing stupider to me than pretending wins or games didn’t happen. It’s like…No one cares.” (18:10)
    • “When you’re in a free-for-all, you get two options: you can bitch and moan about it, or just join in on the fun.” (21:00)
• Final Thought: Coaches only object when their guy gets poached; “if these are the rules, play the hand you’re dealt.” The sport’s chaos will persist until tangible penalties occur.

3. Tom Brady as a Hypothetical 48-year-old QB (in 2026)

• Listener Question: Is Tom Brady still a top QB in 2026?
• Middlekauff:
  • Brady still “as accurate and throws as good of a ball as anyone,” but age, arm strength, and lack of mobility are limiting factors.
  • Quote:
    • “He cannot move…His style of play is not as suited for [today’s] league.” (26:20)
  • Could deliver in single games, but not over a season: “He wanted no part of it” with Tampa late in his career.

4. Patriots 2026 Outlook

• Listener Concern: Post-free agency Patriots playoff hopes?
• Middlekauff:
  • Key is left tackle health and development.
  • Roster features “explosive young players,” elite QB, great OC, and the franchise is trending up.

5. Steelers’ Roster Construction & QB Mystery

• Listener analysis: Pittsburgh building a “quarterback non-dependent offense” with huge skill positions.
• Middlekauff:
  • Agrees skill positions are imposing.
  • Defense is aging; much depends on the health/impact of TJ Watt and Cam Heyward.
  • QB situation is highly uncertain: “Are they just big, overpriced, older names?” (35:00)

6. A.J. Brown vs. Jaylen Waddle Trade Value

• Listener disagrees with John’s comparison of the Waddle and A.J. Brown situations.
• Middlekauff:
  • Waddle is more durable, but hasn’t matched Brown’s peak performance.
  • A.J. Brown is “beloved in the locker room”; his trade value can’t be set by Miami’s fire sale, no matter the narrative.
  • Quote:
    • “If they’re both on, I’m taking A.J. Brown every day of the week.” (42:00)

7. Steelers Waiting for Aaron Rodgers

• Listener Rant: Thinks Pittsburgh is foolish for waiting, suggests alternatives.
• Middlekauff:
  • Doesn’t fully understand the approach, expects they won’t “go all-in on a sixth-round pick.”
  • “If you give me Tom Brady and Purdy…Neither were the starter [from Day 1].” (45:00)

8. NFC East Stock Market: Investing $10K

• Listener asks: How would John invest $10K among Giants, Eagles, Cowboys for 3-5 years?
• Middlekauff:
  • Eagles = “Meta, Microsoft” of NFC East – established, steady, less upside.
  • Giants, with Harbaugh, are “a little overvalued.”
  • Cowboys have risk but upside, especially if draft picks hit.
  • Says he’d put “all on the Cowboys” for a high-upside bet. (54:40)
  • Quote:
    • “There is a path for the Cowboys to just be pretty good this year."

9. NFL Free Agency Tampering & ‘Sniping’ Deals

• Listener wonders: Why aren’t more deals ‘sniped’ during tampering period?
• Middlekauff:
  • Tampering really starts at the Combine, not when official window opens.
  • By the time news breaks, market has been explored – “the most they can get.”
  • Quote:
    • “These meetings with agents are exhausting… At the combine, numbers are just thrown at the wall.” (1:01:45)

10. Larry Fitzgerald’s All-Time Standing

• Listener asks: Is Fitzgerald underrated?
• Middlekauff:
  • First-ballot HOFers can’t be underrated.
  • Puts Jerry Rice, Randy Moss, and T.O. a tier ahead, but Fitzgerald is “properly rated…a badass.” (1:09:00)

11. Niners’ Veterans Likely to Be Moved or Extended

• Question: Who among Kittle, Warner, Bosa are risk to be moved?
• Middlekauff:
  • New contracts for Kittle/Warner signal short-term safety; Bosa is “the guy to watch.”
  • “Bosa…underwhelming...injured…2026 could be his last season on the 49ers.” (1:16:10)

12. Short QB Ranking

• Question: How does John rank Nix, Baker, Purdy, Bryce, Kyler?
• Middlekauff:
  • “Purdy, Baker, Nix, Bryce. Kyler’s a wild card…hasn’t played much, major injuries.”

13. The NFL’s Dominance & Why Other Leagues Lag

• Listener ponders: Could NBA, MLB, NHL improve by reducing season length?
• Middlekauff:
  • NFL’s weekly schedule, TV appeal, scarcity of games = immense importance for every match.
  • Cites business model of MLB, NBA requiring many home games (local TV, gate revenue), thus no change coming.
  • “The NFL, you make so much from TV that even if you didn’t make a penny [on attendance], doesn’t matter.” (1:25:00)
  • Quote:
    • “In the NFL, every game matters. In baseball, it just doesn’t.”
    • “Adam Silver would cream his pants to get Lakers-Knicks in the NBA championship.” (1:40:40)

14. Football’s Cultural Peak and Future

• Middlekauff muses: The NFL is at an all-time high for interest and relevance, but “can’t maintain this forever.”
• Sees global expansion as next phase but warns of inevitable plateau:
  • “I don’t want to say it’s the peak…but eventually something will happen. ...How do you keep getting bigger?”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “When you’re in a free for all, you get two options: you can bitch and moan about it while you’re getting lapped, or you can just join in on the fun.” (21:00)
• “Brady…he cannot move…His style of play is not as suited for [today’s] league.” (26:20)
• “You cannot be underrated if you're a first ballot hall of famer…Larry Fitzgerald is a fucking badass.” (1:09:00)
• “NFL…every game matters. In baseball, it just doesn’t.” (1:25:00)
• “Adam Silver would cream his pants to get Lakers-Knicks in the NBA championship.” (1:40:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Kyler Murray to the Vikings: 03:00 – 12:00
• Dabo/Ole Miss tampering/NCAA: 15:30 – 22:30
• Tom Brady at 48: 25:30 – 27:30
• Patriots Playoff Outlook: 28:00 – 30:00
• Steelers Offense & Defense: 34:30 – 37:30
• A.J. Brown vs. Waddle: 41:00 – 44:45
• Steelers QB & Rodgers: 44:45 – 48:30
• NFC East Investment: 53:30 – 56:00
• NFL Free Agency Tampering: 59:30 – 62:30
• Larry Fitzgerald/RWR Top 5: 1:08:00 – 1:11:00
• 49ers Core (Bosa, Kittle, Warner): 1:15:00 – 1:18:00
• Short QB Ranking: 1:19:00 – 1:20:00
• NFL’s Superiority/Game Scarcity: 1:22:00 – 1:33:00
• NFL’s Future & Expansion: 1:44:00 – End

Overall Tone & Style

• Breezy, colloquial, confident.
• Brings in personal experience (“waiting for my smoothie… ran into Richie Incognito at the gym”).
• Willing to admit when wrong, but stands by strong takes.
• Frequent analogies to investment, real estate, and gambling.
• No sugar-coating: calls out fan “delusion,” front office missteps, and media misperceptions.
• Explains industry realities: tampering, contract negotiation, business models behind pro sports.

For the Uninitiated

If you missed the episode:
This “Massive Mailbag” is a clinic in football realism and unvarnished sports industry commentary. John gives serious context to coach/front office decisions, debunks myths about player deals and value, highlights major differences in how sports leagues handle business, and doesn’t shy from lampooning the NFL’s unchecked popularity or college football’s regulatory chaos. The episode is essential for insiders and fans hungry for unfiltered, pragmatic takes with a distinctive, relatable voice.