The Herd with Colin Cowherd – “3 & Out: Phillip Rivers is BACK, Is Jordan Love a legit MVP candidate, time to move on from Harbaugh”
Date: December 13, 2025
Host: John Middlecoff (on Colin Cowherd’s feed, produced by iHeartPodcasts & The Volume)
Episode Overview
This episode of the 3 & Out podcast, hosted by John Middlecoff, dives into several current football stories, including the surprise return of Philip Rivers to the NFL, a lively debate on whether Jordan Love is a genuine MVP contender, and speculation about the future of Ravens coach John Harbaugh. The episode largely unfolds as an unscripted mailbag, as Middlecoff answers pressing listener questions about coaching, players, team strategy, college football, and the changing sports landscape.
Main Topics & Key Points
1. Phillip Rivers’ Comeback: Is It Safe? (03:56)
- Background: Phillip Rivers, now 44 and coaching high school ball, is reportedly set to return as an NFL starter, running Shane Steichen’s offense, which he already knows from ongoing contact.
- Is it safe for Rivers to return?
- Middlecoff expresses a mix of lighthearted skepticism and genuine concern about the physical risks for Rivers, citing the league’s increased speed and Rivers’ limited athleticism and declining arm strength.
- Fun/nostalgia factor: Rivers’ presence is seen as entertaining—echoing how Charles Barkley and John Madden remained beloved presences post-retirement—but the NFL isn’t forgiving to old QBs.
- Rivers’ upcoming schedule: Seattle, San Francisco, Jacksonville, and Houston—all teams with dangerous defenses.
“Is he safe out there, right? He cannot run. He can’t get away. ... I don’t care what you do in life ... there is a massive curve because of the speed in which things change now. Well, football is the same thing.”
—John Middlecoff (07:03)
- Desperation moves: Middlecoff notes that the Colts have no realistic alternative, so bringing Rivers back, while risky, is a move born of necessity—not hope.
Notable Quote:
“This story is one of those that just makes you smile. Partly because it’s so ridiculous, partly because it’s Philip Rivers who I’ve been banging the table forever ... But is this safe?”
—John Middlecoff (06:22)
Memorable Moment:
- Middlecoff jokes about how retired QBs like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees must be jealous of Rivers for even getting the call to lace ‘em up again, though they know better than actually doing it.
2. Mailbag – Answering Listener Questions (18:40)
Middlecoff tackles a variety of mailbag questions, peppered with his usual quick takes and analogies. Below are highlights from the segment:
a) Bills’ Offseason Priorities (18:45)
- Pass rush over skill players: “The easiest way to make a defense better is to have awesome defensive linemen … I would worry less about the offseason and kind of enjoy the ride.” (19:45)
b) College Football Scholarships & NIL (19:41)
- Scholarships are now almost “irrelevant”; NIL/revenue sharing is what matters “moving forward.”
c) CJ Stroud’s Mid-Career Plateau (20:36)
- Still top-10 caliber; “At worst he could have a Dak Prescott-like career … Against the Chiefs, honestly, I thought he outplayed Patrick or every bit as good as him in that game.”
d) Scouting QB Mendoza (21:49)
- Momentum shifted after the Oregon win; now a real top-prospect, “a real, real prospect ... high character ... kind of goofy, like Cousins, Luck, which is actually a plus.” (22:46)
e) Giants as NFC East Standard (23:06)
- Skeptical: “They’re 2 and 11 ... Let’s get a real coach, get some better players, and just try to become an eight win team.” (23:15)
f) Jordan Love as MVP Candidate (23:48)
- On cashing out a longshot MVP bet: “If you need that $200 today, then cash out. But if you don’t ... it makes the last month of the season really fun. Sometimes, when I do some of these hundred dollar parlays ... the entertainment I got out of that game is worth a hundred dollars.” (29:07)
Notable Quote:
“When I bet on these PGA Tour events and I get a guy 30 to 1 or 40 to 1 and I put $50 on him, if he’s in the mix on Sunday ... even if I don’t get my money back, that $50 has me glued to the couch in the middle of May when there’s nothing else going on.”
—John Middlecoff (29:40)
g) Choosing a Non-Bandwagon CFB Team (30:04)
- Suggests Utah or Vanderbilt for an “off-the-beaten-path” option with real upside.
h) Halftime Adjustments: Myth or Reality? (31:17)
- Most adjustments are made throughout the game, not just at halftime: “Halftime’s more about like, everyone gather yourself ... a big picture message.” (32:05)
3. CJ Stroud “Narrative” & Texans Talk (33:13)
- Listener pushes back on the “CJ regressed” narrative: Middlecoff largely agrees, saying Stroud’s recent games, especially versus the Chiefs, illustrate he still has “playmaking ability” and is the kind of player who can elevate a franchise. Middlecoff shares his personal betting interests involving Houston, Denver, Green Bay, and Seattle. (35:14)
4. Should the Ravens Move On from Harbaugh? (37:52)
- Fan frustration: Some Ravens fans want John Harbaugh held accountable, suggesting alternates like Brian Flores or Clint Kubiak.
- Middlecoff responds: “What drives fans nuts ... is when everyone agrees the O line’s terrible ... but the coach defends it. ... If John misses the playoffs, it’ll get louder [the calls for his head].”
- Reasons Harbaugh hasn’t faced Tomlin-level scrutiny: recent success (hosting AFC title game, #1 seed status)—but he’s not immune if the Ravens stumble.
5. QB Market, Draft and Trade Scenarios (40:25): Giants, Eagles, and 2026 Draft
- On the Giants likely having the #1 pick: “You might as well just lose out and get that number one pick ... if Fernando comes out ... they would definitely trade out of it ... if only one star quarterback comes out it's just them versus a group of other guys ... the negotiation power isn’t quite the same.” (41:24)
- Jalen Hurts’ struggles: “One little problem when it comes to Jalen Hurts ... this thing called a contract. ... He is 100% the quarterback at least next year.” (41:59)
6. Dark Horse Super Bowl Contenders (47:12)
- Texans and Niners:
- Texans: Defense in “mediocre AFC.”
- Niners: “Best coaching staff in the Shanahan era ... But ... if they're a wild card team ... margin for error on offense would be slim to none. … Defensively ... they do not have the bodies.”
- Colts QB Woes:
“At what point you might as well try Nikola Jokic to be your quarterback. Where do the Colts go from here? ... you just have some injuries ... You’re too close to the sun. My mother could tell you you’re screwed. It sucks, but you’re screwed.” (48:41)
7. Shadur Sanders’ Draft Stock & Reflections on Scouting/Media (50:54, 54:09)
- Shadur would’ve gone late second to mid-third if his camp hadn’t told teams not to draft him.
- Middlecoff reflects on his shift from NFL scouting to media:
“I control my own destiny here ... I’m no longer in the backseat.”
(54:44) - Importance of authenticity and the value—and sometimes the pressure—of being “independent” in sports media.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Rivers’ Comeback:
“There are certain athletes that, whenever they come back in your life ... they just make you smile. ... But is this safe?”
—John Middlecoff (06:22) -
Jealous Legends:
“You know who’s very jealous right now? ... Tom Brady ... Peyton Manning ... Drew Brees ... Not that they’d want to play in a game ... but just getting that call ... had to get his juices going.”
—John Middlecoff (11:03) -
On Sports Betting as Entertainment:
“The enjoyment I got out of that game was worth a hundred dollars of entertainment. Like, nothing.”
—John Middlecoff (29:07) -
On being a Media Entrepreneur:
“I control my own destiny here ... once I started doing this, I realized ... I control way more ... than I did as the scouting world.”
—John Middlecoff (54:44)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 03:56 – Rivers’ NFL return analysis
- 06:22 – Phillip Rivers nostalgia and risk
- 11:03 – Jealousy of retired star QBs
- 18:40 – Start of mailbag segment
- 19:45 – Bills’ offseason focus
- 23:48 – Jordan Love MVP ticket discussion
- 29:07 – Sports betting as entertainment
- 31:17 – Halftime adjustments mythbusting
- 33:13 – CJ Stroud “narrative” discussion
- 37:52 – Ravens, Harbaugh accountability
- 41:24 – Giants #1 pick/draft strategy
- 41:59 – Hurts’ contract and Eagles’ future
- 47:12 – Dark horse Super Bowl picks
- 50:54 – Shadur Sanders’ draft evaluation
- 54:44 – Reflections on sports media independence
Tone & Style
Middlecoff’s podcast maintains its regular direct, conversational, and often irreverent tone—balancing analytical insight, personal anecdotes, sharp humor, and listener interaction. He is candid about what’s plausible in football, not shy about poking fun at desperate teams, and reflects deeply on changes within both the NFL and sports media landscape.
Conclusion
This episode is an engaging blend of hot takes, measured skepticism, and advice for both sports fans and bettors. Middlecoff’s personality shines through as he weighs the glory and danger of Rivers’ comeback, debates real and imagined MVP candidacies, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at football—and sports media—decision-making.