The Herd with Colin Cowherd – 3 & Out: Tomlin or McCarthy for the Giants? AJ Brown Speaks Out, Browns Drama & Purdy’s Future

Date: November 13, 2025
Host: John Middlekauff (The Volume)

Episode Overview

This episode dives into major NFL storylines, including A.J. Brown’s public comments, Nick Sirianni’s handling of Eagles drama, the potential coaching fit for the New York Giants (Mike Tomlin vs. Mike McCarthy), fallout in Cleveland after Paul DePodesta’s exit, and looming questions about Brock Purdy’s future. The show wraps with an interactive mailbag, hitting on team outlooks, coaches, and quarterback evaluations.

Tone: Candid, insightful, and often humorous, with a focus on honest football talk and real-world perspectives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A.J. Brown Drama & Nick Sirianni’s Handling of the Eagles

(07:45 – 17:45)

• A.J. Brown aired frustrations with the Eagles offense and his fantasy value, notably on Twitch—a sign of how athlete grievances go public in new ways.
• Middlekauff reflects humorously on how much the world has changed:

  “You stream video games and a bunch of people watch… There’s multimillionaires who got famous just on this thing called Twitch.” (09:15)

• Emphasizes managing stress as a critical head coach skill, especially in pressure-cooker markets like Philadelphia.
  • Praises Nick Sirianni for keeping the team together amid star egos, media scrutiny, and locker room stress:

    “You gotta be able to handle yourself when shit hits the fan...It’s why I say all the time...your ability to handle stress and crazy situations...you have to become numb to [it] fast, because if you do not, it’ll eat you alive.” (11:00)

• Points out that despite criticism, Sirianni’s winning record and playoff consistency stand out.
• Compares Sirianni’s “people skills” to Mike Tomlin’s legendary tenure managing difficult personalities like Antonio Brown.
• On A.J. Brown’s wealth not ensuring happiness:

  “When you’re a wide receiver and they’re not throwing you the ball, A.J. Brown is living proof of that.” (14:15)

2. Giants’ Next Coach: Mike Tomlin or Mike McCarthy?

(18:05 – 28:20)

• Middlekauff discusses Mike McCarthy as the betting favorite for the Giants’ head coaching job, noting the franchise’s need for a proven, stable leader after failed coordinator experiments.
  • On McCarthy:

    “He coached Aaron Rodgers and the Packers… just worked for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys… you know for a fact he can handle the bright lights.” (22:23)

  • On Tomlin:

    “Obviously Tomlin can lead the group, but, like, he’s not coaching the quarterback. I think Mike McCarthy might win out in that situation.” (25:25)

• Outlines the rationale: Giants need a quarterback developer for Jackson Dart, and McCarthy’s offensive pedigree and experience fit.
• Admits each coach brings different strengths: Tomlin for culture and leadership, McCarthy as a “quarterback guy.”
• Concludes McCarthy’s “downfall” is postseason struggles, but for a team desperate to just make the playoffs, he makes sense.

3. Cleveland Browns: Paul DePodesta’s Departure & Lessons

(28:30 – 36:00)

• Discusses Paul DePodesta, a baseball-turned-football executive, leaving the Browns for the Colorado Rockies, and the problems with hiring leaders lacking “Plan A” all-in football focus.
• Offers career advice for young professionals, highlighting the importance of going “all in” if you want to work in sports.

  “If you do accept that [real world] job, you’re never coming back because you’ll start making money, you’ll start living a different lifestyle and it’s going to be very, very different, very hard to transition.” (30:31)

• Uses DePodesta as a symbol of what happens when non-football people are put in charge; suggests his legacy is leaving the Browns “high and dry.”

  “Paul DePodesta will leave a stain on this organization… I think of the guy that helped really ruin the Browns, like make them a complete laughingstock.” (34:40)

• Warns against outsiders with fallback plans in high-pressure, specialized environments.

4. Brock Purdy’s Future & The Quarterback Dilemma

(36:30 – 39:30)

• Talks Brock Purdy’s return for the 49ers after injury, his polarizing status, and the pressure he faces in a “must-win” situation versus the struggling Cardinals.
  • Emphasizes expectations are different once players get paid big money:

    “There is pressure when you pay a guy a lot of money and you know you can’t lose your job to injury… There’s some truth to that.” (37:40)

• Cites historical examples (e.g., Sacramento Kings post-Chris Webber injury) to highlight how contracts dictate opportunity and team decisions.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the challenge of modern head coaching:

  “The wind blows the strongest at the top of the mountain, and most coaches crumble in that situation.” (16:04)

• On Mike McCarthy as a solution:

  “The Giants would die to be in the playoff mix come December 1, let alone December 31, let alone playing a January game.” (24:20)

• On Paul DePodesta leaving:

  “He literally just got in his car and drove off. So if I was a Cleveland Brown fan, my first reaction to this guy would be like, fuck you.” (35:02)

• On the NFL career ladder:

  “Most people in football have been Plan A – there is no Plan B.” (33:49)

Mailbag Highlights & Quick Takes

(After 39:45)

• NFC North Outlook: Lions best positioned for next two years due to young stars and stable QB (Jared Goff), but keep an eye on Packers.
• Run vs. Pass Defense: It’s toughest to stop the run now if you face a good running team; today’s linebackers aren’t old-school run stuffers. (41:00)
• Chargers’ Stock: With Jim Harbaugh, buy high—massive upside if health holds, especially o-line. (43:20)
• On Firing NFL Coaches vs. Regular Employees: The huge difference is contracts and guaranteed millions; NFL coaches “are the top one and a half percenters in America.” (52:10)
• Best “plan B” advice: If someone in the organization isn’t “all in,” they won’t stick through adversity; that’s what happened in Cleveland.
• On quarterback comparisons: “I would take Jordan Love over Trevor Lawrence. I would. But I’m not a Trevor Lawrence guy at all.” (50:25)
• On the pro leap: Smallest college-to-pro gap is in football, widest in golf, basketball is in between.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• AJ Brown & Eagles/Sirianni: 07:45 – 17:45
• Giants Coaching Search (Tomlin/McCarthy): 18:05 – 28:20
• Paul DePodesta & Browns: 28:30 – 36:00
• Brock Purdy/Niners QB Talk: 36:30 – 39:30
• Mailbag Q&A: 39:45 – End

Memorable, Honest, and Entertaining

John Middlekauff delivers sharp, unscripted football conversation rooted in experience, candor, and a “no sacred cows” approach. Whether breaking down the factory of NFL drama, challenging accepted wisdom, or offering real-world career advice, the episode is both insightful and engaging for diehards and casual fans alike.

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