The Herd with Colin Cowherd — "Best of The Herd"

Date: August 27, 2025
Host: Jason McIntyre (filling in for Colin Cowherd)
Notable Guest: Rachel Nichols
NFL Reporter: Steve Wysh (NFL Network)

Overview

This episode of “The Herd” is packed with topical NFL discussion, sharp analysis on trending teams and players, and lively commentary on the state of the league. With Jason McIntyre and Rachel Nichols leading the conversation, the episode dives headfirst into Travis Kelce’s engagement to Taylor Swift and its off-field ramifications for the Kansas City Chiefs, deep-dive statistical takes on the San Francisco 49ers and Brock Purdy, a critical look at the Washington Commanders’ aging roster, as well as live insights from NFL Network reporter Steve Wysh on breaking news and under-the-radar teams.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift Engagement, and Chiefs’ Outlook

Timestamps: 03:43–11:35

• Celebrity Spotlight and Distractions:
  Jason jokingly notes the cultural saturation of “Kelce-Swift” coverage (sport and gossip media), but pivots to the football implications:

  “How does this impact the actual football product of the Kansas City Chiefs?” — Jason McIntyre [03:58]

• “Last Dance” for the Chiefs Dynasty:
  • McIntyre entertains the idea that this could be the final hurrah for the Chiefs’ core: Andy Reid (67, hinting at retirement), Travis Kelce (almost 36, in final contract year, pondering retirement and a post-football career), and Patrick Mahomes.
  • Kelce’s growing celebrity, media commitments, and movie appearances (Happy Gilmore 2 review) suggest a shifting focus.
• On-Field Concerns:
  • Rashee Rice faces a likely six-game suspension (breaking news), putting more pressure on Kelce.
  • Kelce is coming off career lows in yards and touchdowns.
  • McIntyre downgrades the Chiefs from Super Bowl favorites, declaring:

    “I think the dynasty is over. They had their shot in the Super Bowl. They got smashed.” — Jason McIntyre [06:53]

• Chiefs’ Uncertain Future:
  • The trio of Reid, Mahomes, and Kelce could soon disband; this season feels like the “Jordan-Pippen-Jackson” ‘Last Dance’ analogy.
  • McIntyre concludes with a sense of bittersweet closure for an era:

    “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” — Jason McIntyre [08:25]

2. San Francisco 49ers and Brock Purdy: Setting the Record Straight

Timestamps: 11:35–17:45

• 49ers Super Bowl Prospects:
  • McIntyre is bullish, ranking them in his top Super Bowl tier—despite online “scorn and derision.”
• Brock Purdy’s True Value:
  • Cites Albert Breer’s reporting from 49ers camp and Purdy’s self-reflection about “feeling pressure to be Superman” last season.

    “I felt this pressure last season on myself to be a superman type guy, go out and make plays off schedule.” — Brock Purdy, paraphrased by McIntyre [09:41]

• “Blind Resume” QB Comparisons:
  • McIntyre reveals—by the numbers—Brock Purdy outperformed or matched Matthew Stafford, C.J. Stroud, and Justin Herbert last year.

    “We can bag on Brock Purdy all we want. The numbers, facts say he was better than Justin Herbert, Matt Stafford and C.J. Stroud last year... truth bomb.” — Jason McIntyre [11:13]

• Greg Cosell’s Analysis:
  • Audio insert from Cosell, praising Purdy’s post-snap instincts:

    “He has such an intuitive feel for what he sees and therefore he’s really, really good timing and anticipation thrower. It’s just innate to him. ... as a pocket quarterback, he’s pretty high level.” — Greg Cosell [12:43]

• 49ers Are Heavy Favorites:
  • McIntyre points out the Niners are favored in 15 of 17 games, with a notably easy schedule.

    “That schedule is cupcake city. ... The Niners are going to be really freaking good.” — Jason McIntyre [13:48]

• Coaching Tandems:
  • Kyle Shanahan & Robert Saleh rank among the top coaching duos in the NFL, comparable only to Andy Reid & Spagnuolo, and Sean Payton & Vance Joseph.
  • Saleh’s defensive success with the Jets is highlighted as evidence of his quality.
• Niners’ Critics Addressed:
  • Reminds doubters that many underestimated Tom Brady as a game manager early in his career.
• Rachel Nichols’ Perspective:
  • Rachel, agreeing on the Niners’ strength, raises concerns about health:

    “That wide receiver room has been decimated ... If they can just return to a normal amount of injuries, then I’m with you all the way.” — Rachel Nichols [16:26]

3. Washington Commanders: The NFL’s Oldest Roster

Timestamps: 23:28–27:52

• Roster Age & Historical Risk:
  • Commanders now have the oldest roster in the last 20 years.
  • Veterans added: Zach Ertz, Bobby Wagner, Austin Ekeler, Von Miller, Laremy Tunsil, Debo Samuel—all experienced but aging.

    “Let’s be real. Once you hit 30 in the NFL, outside of quarterback, you’re getting old.” — Jason McIntyre [24:14]

• Sustainability of Last Season’s Success:
  • Commanders were 8-4 in one-score games and had an “unsustainable” fourth-down conversion rate of 20-of-23 (87%).

    “That is unsustainable. I don’t know if that’ll ever be matched.” — Jason McIntyre [25:22]

• Tougher Schedule Ahead:
  • The team faces a top-five toughest schedule and could regress sharply if injuries hit their older core or luck runs out.
  • Contextualizes their lone playoff win as coming with the opposition’s backup QB starting (minor asterisk on last year’s record).

4. Kansas City Chiefs’ Rashee Rice Suspension — On-the-Ground Update

Timestamps: 32:04–36:37

• Live Reaction with Steve Wysh (NFL Network):
  • Rashee Rice suspended for 6 weeks. This will allow the Chiefs to move forward with certainty and establish their receiver rotation early, rather than face ongoing uncertainty.

    “It just clears a hurdle of the unknown ... all sides can function, kind of knowing what is there.” — Steve Wysh [33:26]

  • Mahomes’ chemistry with Rice is noted, but “they worked around it last year, they’ll work around it again.”
• Receiver Room Concerns:
  • New names (Hollywood Brown, Xavier Worthy, JuJu Smith-Schuster), but Wysh suggests offensive line issues were more significant than receiver play in 2024.
  • Main question: How much does this suspension increase pressure on Travis Kelce?
  • Wysh: Success will depend on the offensive line, not Kelce, and “as long as you got number 15... the Chiefs are going to do what they do.” — Steve Wysh [34:54]

5. Dynasty’s Last Ride? Kelsey, Mahomes, Reid

Timestamps: 35:20–36:37

• Team’s Future Outlook:
  • Jason asks if this is really the last run for the Kelsey-Mahomes-Reid trio.
  • Wysh doesn’t see Reid walking away yet (“he just... I don’t know what he would do without coaching” [35:52]) and describes Kelsey as looking physically ready for another year. He suggests Kelsey might retire, but not both simultaneously—a full-blown dynasty ending seems unlikely in 2025.

6. More on 49ers & Brock Purdy with Steve Wysh

Timestamps: 36:37–38:07

• Validation for Purdy:
  • Wysh is a Purdy believer citing his fast adaptation and resilience, even when playing without top weapons.

    “I think Purdy is the least of their worries. I think he’s kind of the North Pole that everybody can ... look to, to guide them.” — Steve Wysh [38:00]

7. Chicago Bears, Ben Johnson & Caleb Williams Early Signs

Timestamps: 38:07–39:57

• First-Year Coach Ben Johnson’s Stoicism:
  • Jason and Rachel discuss Johnson’s lack of visible praise for Caleb Williams and the potential challenge of coach-QB chemistry.
  • Wysh comments, not all coaches are press conference charmers, reminds that real chemistry is built behind closed doors.

8. Under-the-Radar Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Timestamps: 40:22–41:29

• Falcons get an injury, McIntyre pivots to Wysh’s sleeper team:
  • Wysh picks Tampa Bay as the most undervalued in the NFC South, noting their strong culture and “solid through and through” roster.

    “There is a standard there now in Tampa Bay. ... Defensively, you better be physical no matter what you do. Offensively, you better be precise and on time.” — Steve Wysh [40:27]

9. The Baker Mayfield Renaissance

Timestamps: 41:11–41:57

• Mayfield’s Comeback:
  • Discussion of Baker Mayfield’s journey from Cleveland exile to Pro Bowler in Tampa, suggesting some QBs flourish in the right environment.

    “Maybe it’s more you get the talented player in the right situation and then that talent can start to shine.” — Steve Wysh [41:48]

10. AFC Outlook & Wrap

Timestamps: 42:00–42:44

• Wysh’s AFC Pick:
  • Loves the Ravens for their completeness on both sides, and is amazed by Lamar Jackson’s efficiency (41 TDs, 4 INTs, but not MVP last year).

    “The Ravens are just so complete. ... 41 touchdowns, four picks, and he wasn’t the MVP.” — Steve Wysh [42:16]

Notable Quotes

• “How does this impact the football product of the Kansas City Chiefs?”
  — Jason McIntyre [03:58]

• “I think the dynasty is over. They had their shot in the Super Bowl. They got smashed.”
  — Jason McIntyre [06:53]

• “We can bag on Brock Purdy all we want. The numbers, facts say he was better than Justin Herbert, Matt Stafford, and C.J. Stroud last year... truth bomb.”
  — Jason McIntyre [11:13]

• “He has such an intuitive feel for what he sees and therefore he’s really, really good timing and anticipation thrower... as a pocket quarterback, he’s pretty high level.”
  — Greg Cosell [12:43]

• “That is unsustainable. I don't know if that'll ever be matched.” (on Commanders’ 87% 4th down conversion)
  — Jason McIntyre [25:22]

• “It just clears a hurdle of the unknown ... all sides can function, kind of knowing what is there.”
  — Steve Wysh [33:26] (on Rashee Rice suspension)

• “I think Purdy is the least of their worries. I think he’s kind of the North Pole that everybody can ... look to, to guide them.”
  — Steve Wysh [38:00]

• “The Ravens are just so complete. ... 41 touchdowns, four picks, and he wasn’t the MVP.”
  — Steve Wysh [42:16]

Segment Timestamps (Highlights)

• [03:43] Travis Kelce/Taylor Swift engagement; Chiefs' future
• [09:41] Brock Purdy’s mindset going into the season
• [11:13] Blind resume QB comparisons—Purdy vs. Stafford/Herbert/Stroud
• [12:43] Greg Cosell’s breakdown of Purdy
• [13:48] Niners' schedule and coaching staff breakdown
• [16:26] Rachel Nichols: Niners’ injury concerns
• [23:28] The Commanders’ aging roster
• [25:22] Commanders’ unsustainable 4th down conversions
• [32:04] Steve Wysh joins: Rashee Rice suspension, Chiefs WR situation
• [35:20] Is this Chiefs’ “last ride”?
• [36:37] Brock Purdy validation with Steve Wysh
• [38:07] Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams, and Bears’ dynamic
• [40:22] Tampa Bay as NFC’s most underrated team
• [42:16] Wysh singles out the Ravens as AFC favorites

Tone & Style

• Jason brings hot takes and directness with a dash of humor; Rachel provides nuanced, pragmatic counterbalances.
• Wysh is factual, experienced, and brings a calming, big-picture perspective.
• The episode blends numbers-heavy analysis with culture-centric sports storytelling, typical of "The Herd".

For New Listeners

If you missed this episode, you’ll come away with a deeper sense of why the Chiefs' dynasty could be wobbling, why Brock Purdy deserves more credit, why the Commanders might regress, and which teams media insiders see rising this season. Quotable moments and sharp banter make it both fun and informative—perfect for NFL fans hungry for more than just the surface headline.