The Herd with Colin Cowherd: "Best of The Herd" — August 18, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Herd" is packed with reactions to preseason NFL action, particularly the performance of the Chicago Bears’ rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the new regime under coach Ben Johnson. Colin Cowherd, joined by former coach Dave Wannstedt and co-host Dan Beyer, dives into quarterback battles, coaching fits, NFL culture shifts, and broader themes around backup quarterbacks and team culture. The episode also features the signature "Colin Right, Colin Wrong" segment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Caleb Williams’ Bears Debut: Precocious Steps in a New System

(03:26–08:53, 29:18–33:17)

• Cowherd’s Assessment: Colin is intrigued by how Caleb Williams, despite a rocky camp and new offensive system, displayed growth by getting rid of the ball quickly and minimizing negative plays—showing maturity beyond his years.
  • “At one point, he dirted a ball on a screenplay. Smart play. Get out of that. Get out of the negative plays… That’s growth from last year.” (07:41)
• Coaching Fit: Cowherd sees Johnson, whose style mirrors Kyle Shanahan’s demand for precision, as potentially at odds with Williams’ improvisational, Favre-esque game. The dynamic will be about balance—letting Williams be creative but within structure.
  • “You gotta let him be a little bit of a gunslinger. … But Brett Favre mostly played on time, played on schedule.” (07:21)
  • “I don’t know if this ever will be [a perfect fit], but what you saw was a glimpse of what it can be when Caleb is on time and on schedule.” (07:31)

Wannstedt’s Insider Take

• Practice Observations: Wannstedt reports that Caleb has recently “turned a corner,” with improved command and grasp of the offense. Chicago fans, anxious for signs of progress, saw enough to be optimistic.
  • “Everybody’s admitted that it’s been the last week that he’s really turned a corner as far as how he’s performed, how he’s grasped the offense…” (30:17)
• Scheme Evolution: Wannstedt notes the offense’s balance (21 runs, 29 passes), and how Williams’ athleticism allows for more movement plays, ensuring the system can fit him, but pass pressure remains a question heading into Week 1.

2. Backup Quarterback Dilemma & Celebrity QBs

(08:53–16:09, 36:21–39:34)

• Cowherd on Celebrity Backups: NFL teams don’t want backups who create media frenzies (“circus” situations), referencing Tim Tebow and Colin Kaepernick, and drawing parallels to modern NIL-era names like Shedeur Sanders.
  • “You don’t want a celebrity backup quarterback. … Tebow could have been a backup somewhere. Nobody wanted the nonsense.” (14:10)
• Cleveland’s QB Situation: With Joe Flacco the declared starter, the battle for backup between Shedeur Sanders (talented, high-profile) and Dylan Gabriel (serious, lower-key) sparks debate about locker room dynamics versus upside.
  • “If I have to use you for two games, can you win one? … The other rule about backup quarterbacks. You should be able to put a baseball cap and sunglasses on… walk around and nobody knows who you are.” (12:45-13:18)

Wannstedt’s Perspective

• Rostering Decision: He’d attempt to keep personalities out unless there are true distractions, favoring performance and reliability. Sanders is more talented, but Flacco’s durability is a risk so the team must prep for injury contingencies.

3. Coaching & Franchise Culture: The Mike McDaniel/Miami Debate

(33:17–36:09, 22:24–23:14)

• Culture Concerns: Cowherd has questioned Mike McDaniel’s fit as head coach, citing Miami's historic distractions and the need for strong, CEO-type leadership.
  • “Miami’s a hard place to win, as you know. It’s a distracted market. … I think their culture's off. I don't know what they are. Is that a fair criticism?” (33:43)
• Wannstedt’s Miami Experience: Wannstedt gives firsthand credibility, recalling his own run-oriented, disciplined Dolphins teams and compares it to Miami's cultural preference for offense-first, sometimes at the expense of winning.

Notable Quote

• “Another way that a coach can lose your team is by what happens off the field… You got your hands around this thing, and I think [Miami] has caught up with them.” – Dave Wannstedt (35:10)

4. Overarching NFL Takeaways: “Colin Right, Colin Wrong”

(20:05–25:43)

Cowherd alternates between calling his successes and misses on preseason takes:

• Sam Darnold & the Seahawks: Praises Seattle as a top roster and Darnold’s fit (20:10).
• Jackson Dart: Underrated him, now impressed by poise (20:51).
• Bengals Troubles: Ownership shopping key defensive player, predicts Burrow unrest if situation stagnates (21:16).
• Joe Milton’s Inconsistency: Admits being too high on the mercurial QB (21:54).
• Mike McDaniel’s Soft Culture: Lack of “meat in the sandwich” for the Dolphins, highlighted by Jalen Ramsey’s parting comments about wanting “a team where there’s a lot of respect for the head coach.” (22:39)
• Matt Stafford’s Injury: His back issue may be more serious than previously stated (23:17).
• Taylor Swift's NFL Impact: Applauds her for helping expand the Chiefs' fan base (23:48).
• RB Treveon Henderson: Declares him the “steal of the draft” (24:39).

5. Running Back Mentality: The Case of Ashton Jeanty

(39:34–41:38)

• High-Contact Runners: Cowherd and Wannstedt discuss the modern balance for hard-nosed running backs like Ashton Jeanty.
• Wannstedt’s Philosophy: Don’t try to change a great back’s style; magnify their strengths, manage touches, and let them win games.
  • “Great backs are going to win games for you. … You throw it to score points, but you gotta run it to close out games.” (41:28)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Caleb Williams’ Growth:
  • “When he dirted the screen pass, I thought, ‘Oh, that’s perfect. That’s growth from last year.’” – Colin Cowherd (07:41)
• On the Coach/QB Dynamic:
  • “You gotta let him be a little bit of a gunslinger. … But Brett Favre mostly played on time, played on schedule.” – Colin Cowherd (07:21)
• On Celebrity Backups:
  • “You should be able to put a baseball cap and sunglasses on in your local mall, walk around and nobody knows who you are.” – Colin Cowherd (13:04)
• On Miami Culture:
  • “Another way that a coach can lose your team is by what happens off the field… you got your hands around this thing, and I think [Miami] has caught up with them.” – Dave Wannstedt (35:10)
• On Great Running Backs:
  • “The great backs are going to win games for you. You throw it to score points, but you got to run it to close out games.” – Dave Wannstedt (41:28)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment Topic | Start Time | |----------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Preseason Bears reaction, Caleb Williams analysis | 03:26 | | QB relationships, Ben Johnson/Caleb Williams | 04:39–08:53 | | Celebrity QB/Backup QB dynamics | 08:53–16:09 | | "Colin Right, Colin Wrong" segment | 20:05–25:43 | | Wannstedt on Caleb Williams progress | 30:01–33:17 | | Dolphins/Miami culture discussion | 33:17–36:09 | | Cleveland Browns QB room, Flacco, Sanders, Gabriel | 36:21–39:34 | | Power running backs and coaching philosophy | 39:34–41:38 |

Tone and Style

• The episode is energetic, direct, and full of the show’s signature blend of insider perspectives, strong opinions, and witty analogies.
• Cowherd is candid and self-critical in “right/wrong” segments, while Wannstedt brings a straight-talking, coach’s authenticity.

Concluding Takeaways

• The NFL preseason stirs hope, concern, and big questions about new systems and personnel across the league.
• Caleb Williams’ readiness is a major storyline: can precision coaching and creative talent blend in Chicago?
• The “celebrity QB” problem is evolving in today’s era, but old-school coaching anxieties persist.
• Miami and other franchises face existential questions about identity and leadership in a distraction-heavy sports landscape.

This episode is a must-listen for NFL fans wanting sharp preseason analysis, historical perspectives, and candid takes on the league’s evolving culture.