Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: 3 & Out – The Vikings FIRE Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, Raiders HIRE Klint Kubiak, Cardinals FINALLY hire a HC
Date: February 2, 2026
Host: John Middlecoff
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

This episode features John Middlecoff reacting in real time to a flurry of late-breaking NFL off-season news. He covers the surprise firing of Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the Raiders' head coach hire (Klint Kubiak), and rapid-fire updates on coaching hires for the 49ers and Cardinals. He contextualizes these moves, focusing on organizational health, power dynamics, and what they signal for the respective franchises. Middlecoff's signature blend of blunt analysis, industry anecdotes, and humor provides listeners an insider's look at NFL front office chaos and coaching carousel logic.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Fired as Vikings GM

[02:23 – 23:28]

• Timing and Dysfunction:
  • The firing happened after the Senior Bowl and close to Super Bowl week, “a little weird… a little dysfunctional. It does feel a little bizarre. I will not deny that the timing.”
    • (John Middlecoff, 02:34)
  • Middlecoff explains that NFL firings typically happen on “Black Monday” or soon after missing the playoffs.
• Power Struggle and Ownership:
  • Ownership made the final call, but “Kevin O’Connell wanted him gone. 'Cause if Kevin O’Connell liked him, enjoyed working with him, and wanted him around, guess what? Kwesi would still be around.” (03:42)
  • Defensive coordinator Brian Flores also reportedly didn’t want to work with Kwesi.
• Draft Performance – The Real Issue:
  • The justification for firing was easy: "On merit alone, his drafts were really, really bad."
  • Stats: In his 2022–2024 drafts, 22 players made only 153 starts (second lowest in NFL over that period). The Vikings’ drafted starters accounted for just 12% of starts vs. 30–34% for division rivals.
  • Memorable quote: “That is you just become numb to people. You’re just buying assets, whether it’s hotels, whether it’s companies. When you work on Wall Street, you’re kind of numb to human capital because it’s really about the product... In football, your assets are people. And he clearly struggled at acquiring people.” (07:36)
• On “Outside the Box” GM Hires:
  • Minnesota was praised for hiring a Wall Street guy, but “just because you hire outside of the box doesn’t mean it’s the right move… Look at what thinking outside the box got them—historically bad four-year run of drafts.” (12:53)
• The Paternity Leave Story:
  • Middlecoff argues that Kwesi didn’t get fired for taking paternity leave, but “it’s kind of a joke in the league… There are different levels of jobs. No one’s asking you either to miss the birth of your child… It’s then taking off several weeks and working remotely. This ain’t Amazon, homie.” (16:58)
  • “If you want this role in this spot, it kind of comes with the territory. … As Don Draper once famously said, ‘That’s what the money’s for.’” (17:30)
  • He draws comparisons to coaches (McVay, O’Connell) and execs (Howie Roseman) never taking significant time away during peak work periods.
• Macro Takeaway:
  • Kwesi's background, communication quirks, and lackluster GM skills made him a bad fit for an “in the bunker” NFL environment.
  • “If you’re the best in the business, what are they going to say? … LeBron can do that. ... You know who can’t do that? The 75th best player in the league. No one gives a shit what his opinions are.” (21:18)

2. Raiders Hire Klint Kubiak as Head Coach

[26:15 – 34:40]

• Background and Preparation:
  • Kubiak (son of Gary Kubiak) has worked with elite football minds: Mike Zimmer, Kevin Stefanski, Kyle Shanahan, Mike McDonald, Dennis Allen.
  • Played safety at Colorado State; team captain; brings defensive understanding and diverse coaching exposure.
• Fit With Raiders’ Roster and Vision:
  • Middlecoff is bullish: “…for the first time, like, I see what you’re doing there. That’s a good hire. That makes a lot of sense.” (26:19)
  • Kubiak’s scheme fits #1 pick Fernando Mendoza (“That is a Kyle Shanahan offensive player. He’s accurate, he’s mobile, and he’s going to thrive under center.” (27:33)), aligns with existing talent (Jeanty at RB, Brock Bowers at TE), and suits the Raiders’ need for stability.
  • Advocates for trading Max Crosby if massive value is offered: “For the health of your organization, you have to entertain trading Max Crosby this offseason... It's kind of got an NBA, like, Kevin Garnett, Giannis feel. Like, this ain't working.” (29:45)
• Organizational Outlook:
  • New young leadership, a “long-term operation,” and alignment between coach and GM (Spytek) signal a rare moment of vision and stability for the Raiders.

3. 49ers and Cardinals Fill Coaching Vacancies

[34:41 – 38:58]

• 49ers Hire Raheem Morris as DC:
  • Middlecoff prefers Morris over internal candidates. He describes Morris as “a really, really good defensive mind.… Certain guys, Saleh has this, they’re just elite with players. And Raheem is.” (35:38)
  • Predicts smooth continuity: “I don’t think the 49ers will really skip a beat… He just had a ton of success before with Sean McVay in LA.”
• Cardinals Hire Mike LaFleur as HC:
  • Middlecoff is blunt: “Whatever.… This Arizona job’s horrendous… They have no quarterback, and they’re in a division with [McVay, Shanahan, McDonald]… They have no path forwards.” (37:43)
  • He expects LaFleur to be paid well to eventually get fired: “I don’t blame LaFleur for taking this job. You get a huge raise, they fire you in a couple years, they gotta pay you to go away, and you can just be an offensive coordinator somewhere else.”

4. The Looming Sale of the Seattle Seahawks

[38:58 – 42:46]

• Franchise on the Market:
  • The Paul Allen estate is expected to sell; Middlecoff notes the NFL’s selectiveness: “The NFL is just not selling to anybody. They gotta feel comfortable. ... Once you’re in the club, you’re in the club, but everything stays in the club. Anything gets leaked, you're in big trouble. That’s not gonna fly here.” (40:19)
• Ownership, Value, and Commissioner Pipeline:
  • Predicts enormous demand as the team is a rare “ready-made,” “unique buy,” likely to command a huge price.
  • Identifies NFL’s “keep it in the family” philosophy, hinting Brian Rolapp (former NFL executive, now PGA Tour commissioner) could be the next NFL Commissioner.
  • “Whoever does buy this team is going to be pretty lucky because this team is a pretty unique buy. … When’s the last time… a championship team within a week or a month just is available for purchase?” (41:35)

Notable Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• On NFL Ownership and GM Power:
  • “The decision-making power is with the guys that sign the checks, the Wilfs. But Kevin O’Connell wanted him gone... If Kevin O’Connell liked him... Kwesi would still be around.” (03:42)
• On NFL GMs’ Draft Record:
  • “Let’s just pick his first three years as GM, right? ... 22 players have made 153 starts. That is the second lowest in the NFL over that period of time...” (08:49)
• On Paternity Leave Culture Clash:
  • “There are different levels of jobs… It’s then taking off several weeks and working remotely. This ain’t Amazon, homie.” (16:58)
  • “As Don Draper once famously said, ‘That’s what the money’s for.’” (17:30)
• On Max Crosby and the Raiders’ Future:
  • “For the health of your organization, you have to entertain trading Max Crosby... It's kind of got an NBA, like, Kevin Garnett, Giannis feel. Like, this ain't working. ... We're not on the same timelines here.” (29:45)
• On the Seahawks’ Rarity as a Sale Prospect:
  • “Whoever does buy this team is going to be pretty lucky because this team is a pretty unique buy. ... When’s the last time... a championship team within a week or a month just is available for purchase?” (41:35)

Key Timestamps

• 02:23: John Middlecoff introduces the episode and the breaking Kwesi firing.
• 03:42 – 12:53: Power struggle in Minnesota and evidence for Kwesi's firing.
• 12:53 – 22:09: Kwesi’s Wall Street background, failed “outside the box” experiment, and the social/media paternity leave narrative.
• 26:15 – 34:40: Analysis of the Raiders hiring Klint Kubiak – scheme fit, roster implications, and long-term vision.
• 34:41 – 38:58: 49ers hire Raheem Morris (DC) and the Cardinals hire Mike LaFleur (HC) – reactions.
• 38:58 – 42:46: The potential Seahawks sale, NFL exclusivity, and the commish pipeline.

Episode Tone & Style

Middlecoff’s delivery is rapid-fire, irreverently honest, and loaded with NFL “inside baseball.” He’s blunt about mediocre execs, skeptical of headline- or social media-driven narratives, and thoughtful about long-term organizational building. His analogies—to Wall Street, NBA trades, and restaurant kitchens—add humor and clarity for casual and hardcore fans alike.

Summary Takeaway

This episode is essential listening for anyone following NFL front office intrigue and the coaching carousel. The key takeaway: real NFL power lies with owners and head coaches, “outside the box” isn’t always better, and even in a multi-billion dollar league, culture fit and “football guy” grind still matter. Middlecoff lauds the Raiders’ finally coherent vision, is skeptical the Cardinals can fix their franchise malaise, and forecasts massive drama (and profit) as the Seahawks hit the open market.