Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – 3 & Out: Massive Mailbag Part 1

Host: John Middlekauff (filling in for Colin Cowherd)
Episode Date: April 6, 2026
Format: Extended mailbag edition with listener questions driving in-depth discussion on NFL and sports topics

Overview

In this episode, John Middlekauff hosts a special mailbag edition, responding to listener questions on current NFL storylines, contracts, the college landscape, and more. The episode features candid analysis, personal anecdotes—especially around family and fatherhood—and perspective on player movement, contracts, team-building strategies, and league culture. The tone is conversational, insightful, and at times humorous, drawing on John’s experience as an NFL analyst and former scout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Player Movement and Home Team Sentiment

(04:20–06:23)

• Josh Allen to 49ers?
  A listener asks if Josh Allen might join his childhood team, the 49ers, if he doesn't win a Super Bowl with the Bills.
  • John emphasizes that "childhood teams" are overrated in pro sports:

    “Josh Allen is a farmer’s kid from the Central Valley who has become an absolute rock star in Buffalo.” (05:21)

  • He notes that successful players like LeBron and Steph Curry build their legacy beyond their origins.

2. NIL, College Football, and Staying in School

(06:53–10:31)

• Dante Moore Staying at Oregon:
  John discusses how NIL has dramatically changed college football, allowing players to make millions and reconsider entering the draft early.

  “When you’re 20, 21 years old and you’re making $5 million and then $8 million, the guy is living like a king... when you're getting these huge checks and life’s awesome, it’s pretty easy to do.” (08:12, 10:07)

  • Personal, immediate rewards can outweigh the allure of a massive rookie contract.

3. The Bills & Joe Brady's Prospects

(10:34–11:54)

• Can the Bills Get Over the Hump?
  John bets on Josh Allen eventually reaching a Super Bowl, emphasizing historical patterns:

  “All the best quarterbacks win them, so I would bet on Josh winning a Super Bowl” (11:39)

4. Rookie Contracts and NFL Quarterback Money

(15:14–18:16)

• Guaranteed Money:
  The discussion covers why franchise QBs often see every penny of their deals, unlike other positions where only the absolute stars (e.g., AJ Brown, Aaron Donald) earn their whole contract.

  “Franchise quarterbacks... they're not getting cut.” (15:37)

5. Jalen Hurts and Eagles Dysfunction

(18:41–22:17)

• Leadership, Play Calling, and Media Narratives:
  John addresses reports critical of Hurts’ leadership and refusal to go under center, attributing team issues to more than just the QB:

  “When you won, you band aid the issues. What happens when you have a weird season and lead the league in three and outs?” (21:19)

  • He calls for more balanced media coverage and notes the complexity of locker room dynamics.

6. Draft Strategy: The Value of WRs & BPA

(27:36–30:59)

• Why Teams Draft WR2 in Round 1:
  John breaks down why some teams ignore depth and continue to take top WR talent due to clear separation on their draft board, despite already having stars:

  “Mistakes happen when you avoid the top player on your board... just take the highest guy.” (30:35)

  • He walks through the Vikings' decision to select Jordan Addison in 2023 as an example.

7. NFC North QB Rankings

(31:00–32:37)

• Goff, Caleb, Love, Kyler:
  John’s assessment for the upcoming season:
  1. Jared Goff ("he’s established one now")
  2. Caleb Williams ("high end is higher than all these guys")
  3. Jordan Love
  4. Kyler Murray

8. Baker Mayfield & The Art of Letting It Play Out

(32:49–34:01)

• Baker's Contract Year:
  John advocates for letting Baker play out his contract year in Tampa before considering a big extension, noting,

  “To me, it’s an auto: play this season out.” (33:43)

9. Super Bowl Formula & Rookie QBs

(34:20–35:45)

• Rookie QB Contract Myth:
  John challenges the idea that having a QB on a rookie deal is a surefire path to a Super Bowl:

  “There is no formula to winning a Super Bowl.” (34:27)

10. Seahawks' Championship Teams: 2014 vs 2025

(64:40–68:11)

• Comparing Seahawks Eras:
  John puts the edge on the dynasty-era (2014) team over the more recent champion Seahawks, largely due to the 2014 team’s physicality and cultural edge.

  “Their style was putting people in body bags... You can’t really play like that now.” (65:49)

11. Other Notable Mailbag Questions & Topics

• Seahawks’ Ideal Draft Target (12:55–14:54): John says, for a Super Bowl winner, the “world’s kind of their oyster”—draft the top guy on your board, regardless of position.
• Contract Dynamics Beyond QB Position (17:03–17:55): Most star players (not just QBs) see most of their contract, but the majority of the league gets cut if overpaid or performance falls.
• Travel Impact on NFL Players (71:37–74:22): John explains the physical toll of long flights, dehydration, and recovery time as legit concerns for teams, not just logistical gripes.
• Life Changes with Fatherhood (56:17–58:27): Amusing life advice for expecting dads, focusing on the loss of spontaneity and the value of sleep before the baby arrives.
• International Games & Time Difference (58:27–60:42): Listener clarification on lengthy travel logistics for NFL’s Australia game, plus John’s first-hand reactions.
• Anthony Richardson’s Colts Future (60:50–62:40): John predicts a draft trade but is skeptical of Richardson’s starting prospects—"he’s kind of in that Trey Lance world."

12. Tiger Woods, Celebrity Incidents, and Public Perception

(40:17–51:35)

• Discussion on Celebrity Arrests:
  A law enforcement listener prompts an inside take on how high-profile figures are actually processed (not “in general pop”).
  • John empathizes with Tiger Woods’ struggles post-injury:

    "Tiger’s a weird cat, man. But if you think he’s just going cold turkey on the stuff that allows him to do the two things—golf and working out—you’re crazy.” (48:12)

  • On Tiger’s cheapness:

    “Some of these owners... it is a disease. It can’t kill you... but it’s something you never shake.” (49:00)

  • He marvels at the global reach of Tiger and Michael Jordan compared to today’s athletes.
  • Contains one of the most memorable lines recounting bodycam footage:

    “When he walks by, he’s like, ‘Just talking to the President...’ I mean, that’s truly one of the greatest lines in body cam footage.” (43:22)

13. LA Rams' Roster Building & Cap Situation

(37:12–38:33)

• John notes with Stafford possibly coming off the books, the Rams will soon face big decisions on young stars, particularly Puka Nacua’s contract demands.

14. Advice: Scottsdale Restaurants

(74:22–76:30)

• John shares favorite Phoenix-area restaurants, from classic steakhouses (Dominick’s, Mastro’s) to local scene bars for a listener’s work trip.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the new NIL world:
  “It’s dramatically different when you factor in that these guys can get paid now. As a young person, your perspective changes a lot as you age.” (10:07, John Middlekauff)
• On contract guarantees:
  “You have to be a train wreck to get cut, right?” (16:30, John Middlekauff)
• On Jalen Hurts’ play style:
  “If he’s not going to run anymore, he’s going to be an average player. Period, point blank.” (21:44, John Middlekauff)
• On the 2014 Seahawks:
  “Their style was putting people in body bags essentially… You can’t really play like that [now].” (65:49, John Middlekauff)
• On Tiger Woods’ habits:
  “He should have had a guy for decades on staff that his only role was to drive the guy around.” (49:13, John Middlekauff)
• Fatherhood reflections:
  “The ability to just be like ‘hey, you want to go to dinner tonight?’—doesn't exist. ... Ten minutes after [the baby] started screaming.” (56:57, 57:15, John Middlekauff)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mailbag segment launch / NFL player legacy talk: [04:54–06:23]
• NIL and college football’s new landscape: [06:53–10:31]
• Bills/Joe Brady Super Bowl chances: [10:34–11:54]
• On guaranteed money and QB contracts: [15:14–18:16]
• Eagles, Jalen Hurts, and offensive leadership debate: [18:41–22:17]
• Drafting wide receivers & best player available: [27:36–30:59]
• NFC North QB rankings: [31:00–32:37]
• Baker Mayfield and extension philosophy: [32:49–34:01]
• Rookie contracts & Super Bowl formula: [34:20–35:45]
• Compare Seahawks championship teams: [64:40–68:11]
• Fatherhood advice & daily logistics: [56:17–58:27]
• Tiger Woods and celebrity incident perspectives: [40:17–51:35]
• NFL travel and recovery concerns: [71:37–74:22]
• Phoenix/Scottsdale restaurant advice: [74:22–76:30]

Final Thoughts

John Middlekauff delivers a spirited, insightful mailbag episode rich with NFL analysis, relatable life talk, and stories from both inside the league and everyday life. The Q&A format provides fresh angles on current headlines—from contracts to player movement to off-field culture—while also diving into timeless themes like legacy, team building, and the changing college sports world.

With memorable moments, honest opinions, and plenty of humor, the episode is essential listening for any NFL or sports fan wanting to take the pulse of the league right now—without having to sift through the mailbag themselves.