Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of The Herd" (Released August 6, 2025)

The "Best of The Herd" episode of Colin Cowherd’s popular sports podcast delves into the latest happenings in the NFL, focusing primarily on the Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation and features an insightful interview with former NFL star Philip Rivers. This comprehensive summary captures the episode's key discussions, analyses, and noteworthy quotes.

1. Cleveland Browns’ Quarterback Conundrum

Timestamp: [03:01] – [17:02]

Colin Cowherd opens the episode by addressing the ongoing controversy surrounding the Cleveland Browns' decision to start Shedeur Sanders as the quarterback for the upcoming game against the Carolina Panthers. The discussion centers on allegations of sabotage orchestrated by Coach Kevin Stefanski, who is accused of limiting Sanders' practice time to hinder his performance.

• Cowherd’s Argument: He posits that Sanders is being unfairly treated, especially when compared to other quarterbacks like Josh Dobbs and Baker Mayfield, who have succeeded despite minimal practice time. Colin criticizes the media and network narratives labeling Stefanski’s actions as sabotage, arguing instead that it's a strategic move to evaluate Sanders under challenging circumstances.

  "Shador Sanders has been with the Browns through OTAs, rookie mini camp and training camp. He knows the playbook, the head coach, the coordinator and his teammates. And because he only gets one practice with the ones, it's sabotage." ([03:45])

• Comparative Analysis: Colin draws parallels to previous instances where quarterbacks thrived with limited preparation, suggesting that Stefanski is providing Sanders with a valuable opportunity rather than undermining him.

  “Baker Mayfield came to the Rams on a Tuesday, had to play Thursday against the Raiders. 98-yard, fourth-quarter, game-winning drive with a single practice in the highly sophisticated Sean McVay offense.” ([04:10])

• Strategic Implications: The conversation explores the Browns' broader strategy, including the potential to draft promising players like Arch Manning or Drew Allen by leveraging additional draft picks, positioning Sanders as a short-term solution to ongoing quarterback injuries.

  “The perfect scenario actually is he plays kind of well, establishes himself as a backup. You move off Kenny Pickett, get a draft pick...” ([06:00])

2. Ben Johnson’s Remarks on Caleb Williams and Backup Tyson Padgett

Timestamp: [09:23] – [15:35]

The discussion shifts to Ben Johnson’s recent comments regarding quarterback Caleb Williams and his backup, Tyson Padgett. Colin criticizes the language Johnson used, suggesting it implicitly undermines Williams' capabilities.

• Colin’s Critique: He questions the intent behind Johnson’s praise of Padgett, implying it subtly signals Williams’ deficiencies.

  “It was kind of, you know, it was a little over the top. Locked in, prepared, focused, smart as a whip. That's a little.” ([11:05])

• Implications for Team Dynamics: Colin highlights the potential negative impact of such statements on team morale and the perception of Williams within the organization.

  “Ben Johnson has worked with the number one pick before Jared Goff and he's now worked with undrafted quarterback Tyson Bajan...” ([11:45])

• Caleb Williams’ Performance: An analysis of Williams’ recent performances, noting recurring issues with "hero ball" and mechanical inconsistencies stemming from mistrust in the offensive line.

  “Compared to the second year when he started playing hero ball, he got into really bad habits...” ([14:10])

3. Chicago Bears’ Offensive Challenges

Timestamp: [17:02] – [28:41]

Colin examines the Chicago Bears' offensive struggles, particularly focusing on the integration of Caleb Williams into the team and the challenges Coach Ben Johnson faces in revamping the offense.

• Cultural Overhaul: Colin refers to Johnson as the "Janitor," emphasizing his role in cleaning and restructuring the team’s offensive strategies.

  “Ben Johnson, nickname should be the Janitor. He's just trying to clean stuff off in Chicago.” ([17:36])

• Comparison with Other Coaches: Drawing comparisons to other NFL coaches like Matt LaFleur and Andy Reid, Colin underscores the immense pressure and complexity Johnson faces in turning around the Bears’ fortunes.

  “Chicago is a big loud market, you know, rival with the Packers. It's a big, big lift.” ([17:58])

• Future Prospects: The conversation anticipates the Bears’ draft strategy, emphasizing the need for additional picks to secure promising talent like Arch Manning to bolster the team’s competitiveness.

  “They need as many picks as they can. If they win five games, have the number two pick to give up the house to get Arch Manning.” ([16:50])

4. Interview with Philip Rivers: Legacy and Next Generation

Timestamp: [31:06] – [48:57]

In a highlight of the episode, Colin interviews Philip Rivers, former NFL quarterback and current high school coach, discussing his transition from player to mentor, and insights into his son's budding football career.

• Philip Rivers’ Coaching Philosophy: Rivers emphasizes the importance of passion and intensity in developing young quarterbacks, highlighting his son's, Gunner Rivers, dedication and natural aptitude.

  “I do think that the passion and the fire and the intensity was genuine.” ([32:51])

• Innate Skills vs. Learned Abilities: The discussion delves into the balance between inherent quarterback traits and those that can be cultivated through coaching and practice.

  “There are some things, you know, being able to have to be accurate, you can work on accuracy.” ([37:13])

• Gunner Rivers’ Development: Rivers shares anecdotes about coaching his son, noting Gunner’s alignment with his own playing style while also benefiting from the evolved nature of the modern game.

  “The game has just changed so much... he’s just thrown the football in a competitive environment a whole lot more.” ([43:31])

• Legacy and Mentorship: Rivers reflects on his lengthy NFL career, his reliability as a player, and his aspirations to instill similar values in his son and other young athletes.

  “The best ability is dependability. And that was one thing I was going to be, I was going to be out there every week.” ([48:10])

5. Final Thoughts and Concluding Remarks

Timestamp: [48:56] – End

Colin wraps up the episode by commending Philip Rivers on his coaching achievements and the promising future of Gunner Rivers. He briefly touches upon additional topics, including product endorsements, ensuring listeners are left with a comprehensive overview of the day's discussions.

Notable Quotes:

• “Shador Sanders has been with the Browns through OTAs, rookie mini camp and training camp. He knows the playbook, the head coach, the coordinator and his teammates. And because he only gets one practice with the ones, it's sabotage.” — Colin Cowherd ([03:45])

• “You don't want to go overboard in the backup. Be like, hey, he's a hustler. He's going to be a great backup for us.” — Colin Cowherd ([11:05])

• “There are some things you can't make vast improvements. Some guys just, you know, you can't improve them to elite levels.” — Philip Rivers ([37:13])

• “The best ability is dependability. And that was one thing I was going to be, I was going to be out there every week.” — Philip Rivers ([48:10])

Conclusion:

In this episode of "The Herd," Colin Cowherd provides a critical analysis of the Cleveland Browns' quarterback strategies and delves into the pressures faced by teams like the Chicago Bears in a competitive NFL landscape. The highlight interview with Philip Rivers offers valuable insights into quarterback development, blending personal legacy with the future of the sport. Listeners are treated to a blend of strategic sports analysis and personal narratives that underscore the complexities of modern football.