Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of The Herd" (March 11, 2025)

The Herd with Colin Cowherd, hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, delivers an engaging and insightful exploration of the top sports stories. In the "Best of The Herd" episode released on March 11, 2025, Colin Cowherd engages in deep discussions with guests Jason McIntyre and Urban Meyer, covering a range of pressing topics in the NFL and college football landscape. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. Team Overpayments and Front Office Strategies

San Francisco 49ers' Rebuilding Approach

Colin Cowherd opens the discussion by analyzing the San Francisco 49ers' recent strategic decisions. After a six-year period of consistent performance, including multiple Super Bowl and NFC Championship appearances without securing a trophy, the 49ers have opted to release a number of high-caliber players.

Colin Cowherd [03:44]: "San Francisco yesterday and over the last couple of days has done what's very hard to do. They walked away from really, really good players..."

Cowherd attributes this move to overconfidence and inflated player salaries, suggesting that the 49ers are poised for a significant rebuild that could provide them with a substantial number of draft picks in the coming years.

Chicago Bears' Recent Acquisitions

Shifting focus to the Chicago Bears, Cowherd praises their recent upgrades on both the offensive and defensive lines, particularly highlighting the acquisition of center Drew Dahlman.

Colin Cowherd [12:28]: "I think Devonte Adams to the Rams and Drew Dahlman the center for the Bears. And again, you think Joe Tuney to the Bears. Again, you're overpaying in a lot of eyes. But he’s also a really good off..."

Despite these improvements, Cowherd expresses caution, noting that the Bears have had to overpay for these players, which could strain their financial flexibility moving forward. He emphasizes the importance of drafting and developing talent internally, contrasting it with the Bears' current strategy of purchasing established players.

2. Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers

Potential Acquisition of Aaron Rodgers

A significant portion of the episode revolves around the speculation of Aaron Rodgers joining the Pittsburgh Steelers. Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre delve into the implications of such a move for both Rodgers and the Steelers.

Colin Cowherd [24:38]: "So the story is Jordan Schultz around the corner that Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers could have a deal in place by today. So if it happens, you know, my guess is today 70-30. It's going to happen."

Cowherd expresses skepticism about the fit, comparing the Steelers' potential reliance on Rodgers and star wide receiver DK Metcalf to a makeshift solution rather than a strategic overhaul. He draws parallels to past successful Steelers eras featuring legendary quarterbacks, suggesting that Rodgers might not replicate that success within the current organizational framework.

Colin Cowherd [24:38]: "I think Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf in Pittsburgh would win about nine games and so Mike Tomlin streak would be alive. But... When you keep finding stop gaps for the leaky roof, you end up with a bunch of buckets inside the house instead of just replacing the roof."

3. Quarterback Market Trends

Overpaying and Its Consequences

Colin Cowherd discusses the broader trends in the quarterback market, highlighting a pattern of overpayment and the subsequent challenges teams face in translating that investment into wins.

Colin Cowherd [17:04]: "Lot of bad teams reaching at quarterback. And I've said this before, where you land as a quarterback. Unless you're like Andrew Luck, where you land as a quarterback is about 80% of your success rate."

Cowherd emphasizes that the success of a quarterback is heavily influenced by the organization they join, including the quality of the offensive line and overall team strategy. He contrasts successful quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Jaden Daniels with Justin Fields, who despite talent, struggles due to suboptimal team environments.

Colin Cowherd [17:04]: "The really good young quarterbacks, even with average rosters like the Washington Commanders or the Bengals with Joe Burrow, they make it look easy. ... Justin Fields is a career disaster. His passer rating in the fourth [quarter] 67, completes 56% of his throws."

4. College Football Playoff and Draft Insights with Urban Meyer

Proposed Changes to the College Football Playoff

In an insightful segment with college football legend Urban Meyer, the discussion shifts to the future of the College Football Playoff (CFP). Both Cowherd and Meyer advocate for a 14-team playoff model, specifically a 4-4-2-2 structure representing the SEC, Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12.

Urban Meyer [29:12]: "It's a 14 playoff. Now there's going to be a big caveat in there and that's going to be the Big 12 and ACC or are going to be pissed on this thing."

This model aims to ensure that top teams from each major conference have automatic qualification spots, thereby reducing the reliance on the selection committee and promoting more equitable access to the playoff stages.

NFL Draft Prospects and Player Evaluations

Urban Meyer provides expert analysis on upcoming NFL draft prospects, focusing on positions like tight end and running back. He commends players such as Tyler Warren for his versatility and readiness for the NFL, while also evaluating other candidates based on their collegiate performance and potential.

Urban Meyer [33:07]: "Tyler Warren, if I'm an NFL coach drafting, I'm getting them on my team somehow. I would trade for him. I mean he is, was a quarterback in high school. He can throw..."

Meyer also touches upon the challenges faced by players like Abdul Carter, discussing the balance between physical prowess and injury concerns.

Urban Meyer [40:52]: "You know, it would worry me. I do. I do. Everything worries you as you're starting to invest that kind of money and that kind of capital into a player."

5. Closing Thoughts and Final Analysis

As the episode winds down, Colin Cowherd reflects on the interconnectedness of team strategies, player acquisitions, and overall league dynamics. He underscores the importance of organizational stability and strategic planning in achieving long-term success.

Colin Cowherd [44:27]: "You got a lot of talk about the college football CFP format and what they're going to do with it. Some proposals."

The discussions throughout the episode highlight the intricate balance teams must maintain between immediate performance and sustainable growth, emphasizing that success in sports extends beyond individual talent to encompass comprehensive team and organizational strategies.

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd [03:44]: "San Francisco yesterday and over the last couple of days has done what's very hard to do. They walked away from really, really good players..."

• Colin Cowherd [12:28]: "I think Devonte Adams to the Rams and Drew Dahlman the center for the Bears. And again, you think Joe Tuney to the Bears. Again, you're overpaying in a lot of eyes."

• Colin Cowherd [17:04]: "Lot of bad teams reaching at quarterback. And I've said this before, where you land as a quarterback. Unless you're like Andrew Luck, where you land as a quarterback is about 80% of your success rate."

• Urban Meyer [33:07]: "Tyler Warren, if I'm an NFL coach drafting, I'm getting them on my team somehow. I would trade for him. I mean he is, was a quarterback in high school. He can throw..."

Conclusion

The "Best of The Herd" episode offers a comprehensive analysis of current trends and pivotal moments in the NFL and college football. From strategic team overpayments and quarterback market dynamics to proposed reforms in the College Football Playoff system, Colin Cowherd and his guests provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the sports landscape. This episode serves as an invaluable resource for fans seeking in-depth discussions and expert insights into the world of American football.