Podcast Episode Summary
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: 3 & Out - McVay REMINDS us of Belichick, Flaccos named the STARTER, Backups in the NFL
Date: August 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, the focus is on the dynamic landscape of NFL coaching, quarterback controversies, and evolving roster management both in the NFL and emerging trends in college football. The central themes revolve around Sean McVay’s leadership style and its parallels to Bill Belichick, the Browns’ quarterback situation featuring Joe Flacco, and the evolving roles and importance of backup quarterbacks. Additionally, the episode briefly explores the rise of the General Manager (GM) role in college football and how it mirrors developments in the NFL.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sean McVay: An “In Shape, Smiley, Good-Haired Belichick” (02:46–11:50)

• Edgy McVay & the Stafford Saga:
  McVay was notably irritated when repeatedly questioned about Matt Stafford’s health and practice status. Rams’ communications about Stafford’s injury were unclear, leading to persistent media scrutiny.

  • "McVay was getting really edgy and he's tired of talking about it." (04:19)

• Comparison with Other Coaches & Belichick:
  The host draws a parallel between McVay’s handling of personnel and Belichick’s ruthlessness, contrasting it with Kyle Shanahan’s approach, which tends to show loyalty to players.

  • “He’s an in shape, smiley, good haired Belichick.” (05:25)
  • “McVay is very Belichickian. They’ve gotten rid of everybody... If he thinks you’re slipping—Cooper Kupp, he will get rid of you.”* (07:14)

• Information Management:
  Unlike Belichick, who never reveals potentially damaging information, McVay’s openness has occasionally backfired (notably regarding Jared Goff).

  • "What Belichick did takes skill. Most human beings... can't put up the guardrails and say nothing at a press conference for 25 years." (08:14)

• Managing Star Players’ Injuries:
  The major story is whether Stafford’s health will permit him to play early in the season, and whether McVay can maintain a tighter information policy.

  • “With a superstar player, like, we’re just going to talk about Matt Stafford more than we’re going to talk about Puka Nacua, right?” (08:45)

2. Browns’ Quarterback Carousel: Flacco, Dylan Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders (11:50–20:02)

• Joe Flacco as the Inevitable Starter:
  The Browns officially named Flacco as QB1—a move the analyst saw coming months before.

  • “Joe Flacco was always going to start Week 1 for the Cleveland Browns. That’s not the story.” (12:03)

• Dylan Gabriel vs. Shedeur Sanders:
  The Browns drafted Gabriel over the buzzier Sanders, indicating organizational preference independent from external pressures.

  • “The Browns had the opportunity to take either quarterback in the third round and they chose Dylan Gabriel, which I didn’t even agree with.” (13:13)
  • “This is why when they took Dylan Gabriel, I will die on this hill. They did not want to draft Shedeur Sanders. If they did, they would have taken him. The owner forced this on them.” (14:36)

• Roster Drama Ahead:
  Prediction that both Gabriel and Sanders will start games due to Flacco’s likely health issues and the instability of the Browns’ roster.

  • “Shedeur Sanders and Dylan Gabriel are going to play games this year in the regular season for the Cleveland Browns. Joe Flacco is not going to start every game.” (15:16)

• Backup Quarterback Hype & Pitfalls:
  The discussion includes notable former backups who turned into starters, like Matt Schaub, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jalen Hurts, Brock Purdy, and especially Steve Young.

  • “Matt Schaub would be the backup for Michael Vick and people would be like, I think Matt Schaub is a legitimate starter.” (17:50)

3. Emerging Backups to Watch (20:02–22:00)

• Tyson Bagent (Bears) & Tanner McKee (Eagles):
  Both are highlighted as promising backups with potential trade or starting value in the near future if circumstances align.
  • “Tyson Bagent and Tanner McKee are just two individuals... worth keeping an eye on.” (20:40)
  • “The Eagles are not going to get rid of Tanner McKee because if Jalen Hurts were to have an injury and miss a month, the Eagles would be like, we go 3–1 with Tanner McKee.” (21:10)

4. The Rise of College Football General Managers (25:10–32:51)

• Evolution of the Role:
  The GM position in college football has grown from nonexistence in the late 2000s to a key, high-authority role—especially in the NIL era.

  • “The GM position honestly didn’t start till like 10 or 11... The title GM in college football is relatively new.” (25:14)
  • “These GMs aren’t going to just answer to the head coach... The head coach technically answers them.” (25:52)

• Andrew Luck at Stanford:
  The Athletic’s feature on Luck’s transition from NFL QB to Stanford’s football GM—written as a “job created around you” with Luck humorously listing “professional football player” on his resume.

  • “Andrew Luck... had to turn in a resume—he’s like, I’ve never created a resume in my life...” (26:41)

• NFL–College Crossover & New Career Pathways:
  NFL scouting execs (e.g., director of college scouting) may migrate to lead college programs for more money and more authority—potentially short-cutting their path to NFL GM jobs.

  • “There are a lot of boxes getting checked... that are going to make these jobs really, really desirable for NFL people.” (32:44)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On McVay’s Toughness (07:14):
  “McVay is very Belichickian. They’ve gotten rid of everybody, you know, beside Aaron Donald, who retired on his own... If I ever slip, they will kick me to the curb.”

• On Belichick’s Mastery of Press Conferences (08:14):
  “What Belichick did takes skill. Most human beings...can’t put up the guardrails and say nothing at a press conference for 25 years.”

• On Browns’ Organizer vs. Owner Dynamics (14:36):
  "They did not want to draft Shedeur Sanders. If they did, they would have taken him. The owner forced this on them. They're not dummies. They realize what would come with this."

• On Backup QB Opportunity (17:50):
  “Matt Schaub would be the backup for Michael Vick and people be like, I think Matt Schaub is like a legitimate starter and then he would get traded to the Houston Texans and go on to have a long career.”

• On the College GM Trend (25:52):
  "These GMs aren't going to just answer to the head coach...The head coach technically answers them, but they answer to the president. They are essentially the boss of the program."

• On Andrew Luck's Resume (26:41):
  “Andrew Luck, like, based on Stanford's compliance, had to turn in a resume. He's like, I've never created a resume in my life. So he wrote, like, professional football player... His references were like Chris Ballard and Jacoby Brissett. It was just classic.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• McVay vs. the Media; Comparison to Belichick: 02:46 – 11:50
• Browns QB Situation (Flacco, Gabriel, Shedeur): 11:50 – 20:02
• Backups to Watch (Bagent, McKee): 20:02 – 22:00
• Rise of the College Football GM (Andrew Luck, Trends): 25:10 – 32:51

Tone & Style

The analyst maintains a knowledgeable yet conversational tone, blending keen football insights with storytelling and humor. The delivery is opinionated but accessible, often using illustrative comparisons and first-hand anecdotes.

Summary Takeaways

• Sean McVay is emulating Belichick’s cutthroat, close-to-the-vest management style—except for those instances when candor gets the best of him with the media.
• Cleveland’s quarterback room is a powder keg of organizational politics, looming injuries, and high-profile draft decisions that could lead to a revolving door at starter.
• Backup quarterbacks remain a fascinating NFL subplot—especially as several current backups (Tyson Bagent, Tanner McKee) could be “next in line” trade or starting candidates.
• In college football, the GM role has exploded in significance, offering new, lucrative career paths for NFL execs frustrated by slow pipelines to power.