Best of The Herd

Summary

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.

Transcript

[Dave Wannstedt]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Commercial Announcer]

Banking with Capital One helps you keep more money in your wallet with no fees or minimums on checking accounts and no overdraft fees. Just ask the Capital One Bank Guy. It's pretty much all he talks about in a good way.

[Dan Beyer]

He'd also tell you that this podcast is his favorite podcast too.

[Commercial Announcer]

Oh really? Thanks Capital One Bank Guy. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See capital1.com Bank Capital One NA Member.

[Dan Beyer]

FDIC UFC 319 is blowing back to the Windy City for the first time in six years. Check out the fight card. Get in on all the action at DraftKings Sportsbook, the official sports betting partner of UFC. Don't miss out. UFC 319 download the DraftKings Sportsbook app now. The code is heard H E R D for new customers to get 200 bucks in bonus bets immediately. When you bet just five bucks only on DraftKings, the crown is yours.

[Gambling PSA Announcer]

Gambling Problem Call 1-800-Gambler in New York, call 877-8-HOPE NY or text Hopeny 467-369 in Connecticut. Help is available for problem gambling. Call 888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org Please play responsibly on behalf of Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Kansas. 21 plus. Age and eligibility varies by jurisdiction. Void bonus bets expire seven days after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see DKNG co Audio.

[Commercial Announcer]

Balancing work, family and education isn't easy, but American Public University makes it possible with online courses, monthly start dates, and flexible schedules. APU is designed for busy professionals who need education that fits their lives. And Affordability matters, too. APU offers the Opportunity Grant, giving students 10% off undergraduate and master's level tuition, helping you reach your goals without breaking the bank. Plus, they provide career services and 24. 7 mental health support at no extra cost. Visit Apu Apus Edu to learn more. That's Apu Apus Imagine never buying gas again. EVs are as easy to charge as your phone and perfect for everyday life. Drive daily with confidence everywhere you go. Most Americans drive 40 miles a day. Most EVs are equipped with 200 to 400 miles of range. They've got fewer parts, fewer repairs, and fewer headaches. With hundreds of new and used EV models available today, there's an EV to fit every lifestyle and every budget. I love my electric vehicle. It's easy. No more gas stations. The way forward is electric. Learn more@electric for all.org thanks for listening.

[Dan Beyer]

To the Best of the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio at noon.

[Commercial Announcer]

To 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific.

[Dan Beyer]

Find your local station for the [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

[Colin Cowherd]

This is the Best of the Herd with Colin Cowher on Fox Sports Radio.

[Dan Beyer]

All right, here we go. It is a Monday. Now we're getting football games. Now we're getting opinions. Now we're getting what looks like the makings. Okay, maybe not Buffalo and Kansas City, but it does look like we're getting kind of a feel for what's happening. One hour from now, we're calling went right where Colin was wrong. John Middelkoff is joining me this week for four days. J. Mack is on vacay and we'll come back the following week. So, John, I don't remember a preseason game. Bills, Bears, which turned out to be a blowout that I was more interested in watching the first two series. You feel that way.

[Dave Wannstedt]

Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

That was the Bear super bowl last.

[Dan Beyer]

Night and it went well. It was Buffalo can't get to a Super Bowl. Bears had theirs in preseason. Not ideal for both. So Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears, I thought he looked decisive. I thought he looked sharp. At one point, he dirted a ball on a screenplay. Smart play. Get out of that. Get out of the negative plays. I think basically, if you're a Bears fan, it's been a rough camp. It's a new system, a new coach. It hasn't been pretty. Even at Friday's practice, there were false starts. It was a bit ugly. So it's a big sigh of relief. The there's a new system. Caleb likes to freelance. His coach doesn't not necessarily want that from his quarterback. So last night, Caleb Williams actually looked a little bit like Jared Goff. He quarterbacked like Jared Goff. He dirted the ball on screens. He got rid of and out of trouble. No negative plays. When he had a guy open, he hit him. Now we know he's not Jared Goff. I honestly feel like Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams and you'll see this sometimes where you'll see a crazy talented artist marries an accountant and it's not ever perfect. That doesn't mean it can't work. I mean, Andy Reid is a creative. Mahomes is a creative that's perfect. I think Sean Payton feels like Bo Nix can run my play, but he can also run on his own. That feels perfect. Ben Johnson I feel he's got a little bit of Kyle Shanahan run my play, and Kyle Shanahan's great, but you're going to have to let Caleb breathe. So to me, this whole relationship is about. Because we know that Ben Johnson is going to win. The first several arguments in this. Ben Johnson's a new coach. It's not a rich ownership group. They're not flushing him out. Caleb struggled his first year, so Ben comes in with leverage. But offensive coaches and Andy Reid would tell you this. When you get somebody as gifted as Mahomes and Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen and Caleb Williams with that kind of horsepower, with that kind of firepower, it is your job as a coach to figure out how to maximize all that amazing clay. All you need, because I think Caleb's got a little Brett Favre. All you need is for that player, Mahomes, Lamar, Josh Allen, Brett Favreau to be amenable to throwing on time and on schedule and avoiding negative plays. I don't care how gifted you are. Josh Allen's not great if he's not on time, he's not on schedule, and there's negative plays. Last year, Caleb was none of those consistently. So you don't have to. You don't have to be a perfect fit with Ben Johnson. But nobody succeeds in this league running around. It's not high school or college. Defensive ends here run 4, 5, 5. They can catch you and they'll punish you, and they'll lean on you and sit on you and drive you into the ground, whether it's legal or not. And you won't play long. Go ask Lamar Jackson, who suddenly in year two and three, put on weight. Go ask Michael Vick who started staying in the pocket. I think Caleb Williams comp. When I watch him is a little Brett Favre. You gotta let him be a little bit of a gunslinger. You gotta let him be himself. But Brett Favre mostly played on time, played on schedule. He threw a lot of bad picks, farve through a lot of bad picks. You could get away with that in Favre's era. I think offensive coaching is smarter. I think turnovers are more punitive. So I think this is a marriage stylistically that is not perfect. But I know Caleb. I like Caleb. I think he's coachable. But it may never be. It may never be Stafford and McVeigh or Reid and Mahomes or John Harbaugh and Lamar, where it just feels like, what a good marriage. I don't know if this ever will be, but what you Saw was a glimpse of what it can be when Caleb is on time and on schedule and just get out of the negative place so much. It's almost like being somebody that runs a movie studio. Not everything has to be Goodfellas. Not everything has to be Avatar. What you're trying to avoid is that Disney movie, John Carter. You're just trying to avoid a $350 million disaster as a studio head. Not everything needs to be Moulin Rouge and be a hit. It doesn't all have to be that. Just avoid the potholes. That is largely quarterback play. That is largely what Belichick says about Brady. No negative plays. It was either, you know, second and six or second and four. It was never second and 15 and third and 18. Get out of that stuff. And I thought when he dirted the screen pass, I thought, oh, that's perfect. That's growth from last year.

[Dave Wannstedt]

Just.

[Dan Beyer]

Just dirting the screen pass. You're like, okay, that last year he would have tried to make something out of it. Now, in Ben Johnson school of offense, get out of the play. Give up the play. Don't extend the play. Just get out of there. Here was Caleb after a month ago. I think I've grown a lot. Now. My mindset is, you know, keep growing. If that's handling everything at the line, handling everything, you know, and taking things off other people's plates, you know, that's what it is. And being able to do that consistently over the next couple years is, you know, important. Okay, so I saw the media. It was partially media and partially, like, people online. So the quarterback battle. And now. Now the Cleveland Browns and Kevin Stefanski. And I like Kevin Stefanski a lot. But you gotta offer some clarity here, guys. You gotta tell us what's going on, because we're getting into a Tebow situation, and this happens a lot. I've seen this in the NFL with Cam Newton, Colin Kaepernick, Tim Tebow. Nobody wants a celebrity backup quarterback. Now, years ago, Bill Parcell said one of the rules of drafting was don't draft a celebrity quarterback. Yeah, that. That's over. You. Sorry. Half of these guys, Baker Mayfield, I mean, Sam Darnold out of usc, beaten Penn State in a Rose Bowl. He becomes a celebrity. Half these guys are making 7 million bucks in college. Arch Manning's a celebrity. Get over it. Draft him. So. But. But. But this still holds true. You don't want a celebrity backup quarterback. And that hurt Tebow and Kaepernick and Cam Newton in New England. What Bell Belichick is You know, I like you, Cam. We can't have a superstar backup. You guys who love Shador and Carolina wearing his jerseys, you're making him into a celebrity. So if I'm a coach and I have to choose. Okay, Joe Flacco starting. Dylan Gabriel may be easier to deal with. You don't have to deal with the nonsense. So this weekend, Dylan Gabriel went on camera and said something that people blew way out of proportion. So here's what he said. You gave us some fabulous wisdom on how you tune out the noise and you don't let it infiltrate yourself. Will you share that with everybody at home? Yeah, I think just part of it, you know, there's. There's entertainers and there's competitors, and I totally understand that. And my job is to compete, and that's what I'm focused on doing. That was not a shot at Shedeur Sanders. Shame on everybody. That said it was, do not. You're hurting Shedeur. You're turning a non circus into a circus. When he said that he was taking a shot at us, he was taking a shot at guys like me. He was saying, listen, there's people that talk about this stuff on the air. They're entertainers. I'm. I'm a quarterback, and I don't know exactly who blew it out of proportion, but when I was on my phone all weekend, the first three or four hours of this, until I did some digging, I'm like, why is he taking a shot at Shador? He wasn't. So essentially, everybody proved Dylan Gabriel's point, which is all about clicks and look at me and no nuance. He was not taking a shot at Shador Sanders. He was taking a sh. And he wasn't even really taking a shot at the media. He was describing what the media is. Entertainers, they got to get ratings. They got to drive revenue. Yeah, guilty as charged. Like, I try to do a good job of it, but, like, I want the most entertaining topics. So the truth is about these guys, I have two strong opinions. I think Dylan Gabriel size is an issue. I would have a hard time building around him. He's small, he's serious, and he's businesslike. I like. I like his temperament more than Shador, who's silly and kind of goofy. But I think Shedeur was underdrafted. Shador is bigger. I think he moves well. I would choose Shador over Dylan Gabriel, but Kevin Stefanski, he liked the seriousness, the accuracy, and the way he ran an offense. Dylan Gabriel at Oregon, I don't think either is transformational and here's the thing. What NFL GMs really want from quarterbacks. They want you to be Andrew Luck. Great and boring. Brady was mostly boring when he played Peyton Manning. Got really, really funny when he retired. Most of your great quarterback, even Mahomes with a huge personality kind of hides in the off season. They want you to be great and boring. If you're not great and neither one of these quarterbacks is, you can't be the life of the party. I've said this for years. There's two rules about backup quarterbacks in the NFL. If I have to use you for two games, can you win one? Can you just win one of the two games? I need you two of my starters out for four. Cooper Rush, great. He can win half the games. Starters should win 65% of the games. If they're great Lamar, they win 75% of the games. And the other rule about backup quarterbacks. You should be able to put a baseball cap and sunglasses on in your local mall, walk around and nobody knows who you are. You can never be a Headline Tebow headline Backup Cam Headline Kaepernick headline Shador is becoming that. And this story again, you think it helped Shador? It's hurting him. This story hurt. You know what the staff is saying in Cleveland this morning? Oh, Jesus. Maybe we just got to get out of this nonsense. Let's just get out of this nonsense. We got people thinking Dylan's taking shots. They'll get out of this business because Shador is not good enough. Tebow was not good enough to deal with the nonsense. So this was a prime example of. Sometimes you squeeze so tight. Shador's my guy and I love Shadour. And that guy's trying to get Shadour. You're making. This is such a negative for Shedeur Sanders. This is what happened with Tebow. He'd take his shirt off and walk through practice, and it was four live shots at espn. And after a while, coaches are like, you know, I kind of. I had a coach tell me this. I kind of like him for the locker room in the roster. He's a. He's a. He's a good football player, but God, who wants that circus? I mean, he won a playoff game in Denver against Pittsburgh, beat Tomlin, and they're like, we're getting out of this business. Tebow could have been a backup somewhere. Nobody wanted the nonsense. And that's what this was. All right, John boy, I gotta tell you, we don't want to take too much from the preseason. I'D be a little worried if I was Dallas. A little. No Micah? No. Trayvon Biggs Good luck. Brian Schottenheimer There is going to be There is an art to knowing when you know they call. It's a funny line, the Irish exit. When you leave a bar and you don't tell anybody, do it all the time. Yeah, I mastered it. I'm married to an Irish girl, so we've mastered leaving the party and not giving everybody a heads up. Some people know when to get off the train, when to exit. Mike McCarthy A lot of you rolled your eyes at Mike McCarthy. In six months, Mike McCarthy may be a leading candidate for other NFL jobs. We'll talk about that coming up.

[Colin Cowherd]

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.

[Dan Beyer]

He's Mike Carmen I'm Dan Byard. We have a fantasy football podcast called I Want your Flex. That's right, Dan. Every week we're gonna scour the waiver wire to find the pickups to turbo boost your fantasy lineup. Sits starts fantasy football players rankings to get you ready to dominate the competition. Listen to I Want yout Flex with Mike Harmon and me, Dan byer on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts and wherever you get your podcasts.

[WashablesOfAs.com Advertiser]

Tired of spills and stains on your sofa? WashablesOfAs.com has your back, featuring the Annabe Collection, the only designer sofa that's machine washable inside and out. Where designer quality meets budget friendly prices. That's right, sofas start at just $699. Enjoy a no risk experience with pet friendly stain resistant and changeable slipcovers made with performance fabrics. Experience cloud like comfort with high resilience foam that's hypoallergenic and never needs fluffing. The sturdy steel frame ensures longevity and the modular pieces can be rearranged anytime. Check out washablesofas.com and get up to 60% off your Anna Bay sofa, backed by a 30 day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not absolutely in love, send it back for a full refund. No return shipping or restocking fees. Every penny back Upgrade [e-mail] Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Commercial Announcer]

American Public University is the number one provider of education to our military and veterans in this country. They offer something truly unique special rates and grants for the entire family, making education affordable not just for those who serve, but also for their loved ones. If you have a military or veteran family member and are looking for affordable, high quality education. APU is the place for you. Visit APU APU edumilitary to learn more. That's APU APUS Edu Military. Imagine never buying gas again. EVs are as easy to charge as your phone and perfect for everyday life. Drive daily with confidence everywhere you go. Most Americans drive 40 miles a day. Most EVs are equipped with 200 to 400 miles of range. They've got fewer parts, fewer repairs and fewer headaches. With hundreds of new and used EV models available today, there's an EV to fit every lifestyle and every budget. I love my electric vehicle. It's easy. No more gas stations. The way forward is electric. Learn more at Electric for All.

[Dan Beyer]

Summer.

[Commercial Announcer]

Is here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now, what do we mean by almost?

[Dan Beyer]

Well, you can't get a well groomed.

[Commercial Announcer]

Lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A day at the lake, That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak? That's a yes.

[Dan Beyer]

A nice tan.

[Commercial Announcer]

Sorry. A box fan? Happily, yes.

[Dan Beyer]

What about a day of sunshine?

[Commercial Announcer]

Not happening. How about a box of fine wines? Yeah, that's happening. Delivery's on its way.

[Dan Beyer]

Okay.

[Commercial Announcer]

How about some clear skies?

[Dan Beyer]

Nope.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, how about some French fries?

[Dan Beyer]

Yeah.

[Commercial Announcer]

So how about a freshly cut lawn?

[Dan Beyer]

Can't help you there. But a barbecued prawn?

[Commercial Announcer]

Order it and it's on its way. Even throw in some paper towels. Clean up after the feast. So while you can't get fun in the sun delivered. Don't worry because you can get pork buns delivered. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets.

[Dan Beyer]

Product availability may vary by region.

[Commercial Announcer]

See app for details.

[Dan Beyer]

Colin right? Colin wrong. We do it every Monday. Here we go.

[Colin Cowherd]

Where? Colin was right.

[Dan Beyer]

Sam Darnold and the Seahawks, yeah, they looked really, really good. I just think John Snyder, the gm, they've had three straight back to back to back great drafts. They're just too good. If Jackson, Smith and Jigba, the Ohio State Buckeye, if he can become a number one and they think he is, I don't think they have a unit that's a problem. This, this Gray's able. This, this offensive lineman they got, oh my God, he's moving Chris Jones around like he's a loaf of bread. So Seattle Darnold look comfortable. I think when you watch the Seahawks, they are a top five or six roster.

[Colin Cowherd]

I really believe that Where Colin was wrong.

[Dan Beyer]

I'll give myself another wrong on Jackson Dart. He just looks really poised. I mean, you put him on a field, you watch Justin Fields and you see a big, big gap. I think a lot of his coaching, but I felt he was more of a mid second round guy. I've always felt the Giants talent is. I, I think they're a quarterback away, but he is better and more comfortable than I thought he would be.

[Colin Cowherd]

Even in the preseason, where Colin was.

[Dan Beyer]

Right, I've said the Bengals ownership gets in the way of Joe Burrow. Reportedly, they're shopping outside pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who, by the way, when he was not on the field last year for Cincinnati, they were 32nd in the league in defense. You can't ask Joe Burrow to have to win a track meet every Sunday. Kansas City figured it out. They hire spags, they get a great defense, and if Mahomes is off, they can still win a game. So this is what I've been saying for years. I think this year for Burrow, if they don't make the playoffs, he's going.

[Colin Cowherd]

To demand to move where Colin was wrong.

[Dan Beyer]

There's two things in life I know aren't good for me, but I. I can't help myself. Cigars and Joe Milton. He didn't have a very good performance. The kid's got a cannon. He is so mercurial. He is so up and down. He's. He's all over the map. This was not good. Took a sack, took a safety. I know, I know. I've been tongue in cheek for years. But I'll tell you what, he'll have one or two preseason throws that look like Elway, and I'll take it wrong on that.

[Colin Cowherd]

Where Colin was right.

[Dan Beyer]

What have I said about Mike McDaniel? I know he's smart, but the Dolphins feel like a bowl of jello. Where's the meat in the culture? Where's the meat in the sandwich? Listen to Jalen Ramsey, the fourth former Dolphin, talk about moving away from Miami.

[Jalen Ramsey]

I do appreciate the Dolphins and them working with me and David, you know, not just, hey, this team called and you know, we going to send you here and this and that. Like, it wasn't any of that. It was very open communication. Y' all been good to us. I've been good to y'. All. Like, let's do it the right way. Let's go to a team that's going to be able to compete. Let's go to a team where there's a lot of respect for the head coach.

[Dan Beyer]

Interesting. Go to a team where there's a lot of respect for the head coach. Feels like a little shade thrown at.

[Colin Cowherd]

Eminem where Colin was.

[Dan Beyer]

You know, I've downplayed Matt Stafford's back injury. It feels more serious. He's out at practice today, but they don't really have a contingency plan. Stetson Bennett's not the answer and you know, Jimmy Garof blows aged quickly. So this multiple reporting today that I trust is they're crossing their fingers on this stuff. Like there's a reason they're keeping him out of practice because when he had a practice with 30 snaps the next day he couldn't practice. So this is probably more serious than I've let on.

[Colin Cowherd]

Where Colin was right.

[Dan Beyer]

I've said it. The minute Taylor Swift started showing up on tv, guys, she is great for football. She's going to expand the base. Listen to this. The Chiefs principal owner Clark Hunt said last week, our fan base used to be 50, 50 men and women. It's now 57% of our fans are female, probably the highest in the National Football League. So she has expanded the fan base. There was this sense that she's gonna turn a lot of guys off. Never bought into that. She is a stimulus package with a microphone. She is great for every business. She's likable, she's gifted. She seems to deeply want to learn and know a lot about football. Guys, take a deep breath. We're all going to be okay with.

[Colin Cowherd]

Taylor Swift where Colin was, right?

[Dan Beyer]

Well, Treveon Henderson, the running back out of Ohio State, I didn't understand how you could not draft him before. Quinshon Judkins, the ever Ohio State running back, well, from what I've seen in the preseason, he may be the steal of the draft. So of the two Ohio State backs, he's a better receiver, he's a better pass blocker, he's a better runner. He was also better in high school. Early in college, he was a five star running back. He has been really, really good for New England. So. And we had said this last year, like very few guys, last year was a weak draft. There were very few players in the draft that jumped off the television when you watched him. Henderson was one of them. And I think they have got, they've got themselves the steel of the draft. A home run. I would not be shocked if he's not a top five or six running back in the league because running backs age quickly in the NFL. For the record, the Browns now are officially naming Joe Flacco is their Week one starting quarterback against the Bengals. Yeah, we knew that.

[Colin Cowherd]

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific.

[WashablesOfAs.com Advertiser]

Life's messy we're talking spills, stains, pets and kids. But with Anibe, you never have to stress about messes again. At washablesofas.com, discover Anibe Sofas, the only fully machine washable sofas inside and out, starting at just $699. Made with liquid and stain resistant fabrics, that means fewer stains and more peace of mind. Designed for real life, our sofas feature changeable fabric covers allowing you to refresh your style anytime. Need flexibility? Our modular design lets you rearrange your sofa effortlessly. Perfect for cozy apartments or spacious homes. Plus, they're earth friendly and built to last. That's why over 200,000 happy customers have made the switch. Upgrade your space today. Visit washablesofas.com now and bring home a sofa made for life. That's washablesofas.com offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Commercial Announcer]

American Public University where service members like you can access high quality, affordable education built for your lifestyle. With online programs that fit around deployments, training and unpredictable schedules, APU makes it possible to earn your degree no matter where duty takes you. Their preferred military rate keeps tuition at just $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and MAST tuition.

[Dan Beyer]

And with 24.

[Commercial Announcer]

7 mental health support plus career coaching and other services, APU is committed to your success during and after your service. Learn more at Apu Apus Edumilitary. That's Apu Apus Edu Military Imagine never buying gas again. EVs are as easy to charge as your phone and perfect for everyday life. Drive daily with confidence everywhere you go. Most Americans drive 40 miles a day. Most EVs are equipped with 200 to 400 miles of range. They've got fewer parts, fewer repairs and fewer headaches. With hundreds of new and used EV models available today, there's an EV to fit every lifestyle and every budget. I love my electric vehicles. It's easy. No more gas stations. The way forward is electric. Learn more@electric for all.org Summer is here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now, what do we mean by almost?

[Dan Beyer]

Well, you can't get a well groomed.

[Commercial Announcer]

Lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered a day at the lake? That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak? That's a yes.

[Dan Beyer]

A nice tan?

[Commercial Announcer]

Sorry, a Box fan. Happily, yes.

[Dan Beyer]

What about a day of sunshine?

[Commercial Announcer]

Not happening. How about a box of fine wines? Yeah, that's happening. Delivery's on its way.

[Dan Beyer]

Okay.

[Commercial Announcer]

How about some clear skies?

[Dan Beyer]

Nope.

[Commercial Announcer]

Well, how about some French fries?

[Dan Beyer]

Yeah.

[Commercial Announcer]

So how about a freshly cut lawn?

[Dan Beyer]

Can't help you there. But a barbecued prawn?

[Commercial Announcer]

Order it and it's on its way. Even throw in some paper towels. Clean up after the feast.

[Dan Beyer]

So while you can't get fun in.

[Commercial Announcer]

The sun delivered, don't worry because you can get pork buns delivered. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets.

[Dan Beyer]

Product availability may vary by region.

[Commercial Announcer]

See app for details.

[Dan Beyer]

What? Four? No, last year in the preseason. So they're all fired up about what happened. Dave Wanstadt, who's the last Bears coach to win a road playoff game. Six years in Chicago, five with the Dolphins. Last head coach to win a playoff game. So listen, it's. I guess my take is because of the style that Ben Johnson demands. It's a very precise, exact style. He's like Shanahan. He wants his play run. And because of the style of Caleb Williams, which is a little Brett Favre, it's a little ad lib. I don't think they're a perfect marriage. I think it can work. But you've been at practice. You said it was pretty rough a couple weeks ago. Yeah.

[Dave Wannstedt]

And Caleb and Ben, everybody in Chicago. Here I am in Chicago. Do you recognize the set call? And I got your microphone right here. Okay. But I. And Caleb, everybody's admitted that it's been the last week that he's really turned a corner as far as, you know, how he's performed, how he's grasped the offense. Everything about his play has gotten better. And so that's a real positive. When you think, how did the game start? I could have turned it. Think about this. He was up under center, which everybody in Chicago has been screaming about. The tailback was at what I call a dotted position. You know, where he would be if it was a two back eye formation. They fake a running play. You see Caleb's athletic ability on the move and they throw the ball. The first round draft pick, I mean, that was. That was enough for me to see right there. I could have turned the TV off and said, I saw enough. Let's get ready for the next game. So my point is, though, that, that I think Ben, really, he understands that Caleb is a good enough athlete, that he's going to have enough movement, plays for him and at the same time we saw it going into the third quarter they had 21 runs and 29 passes. So they are going to be balanced and run the football. If he does those things, it's a quarterback friendly offense and I think Caleb can really excel in that type of environment.

[Dan Beyer]

But let's. Could I argue this that the backup Tyson Bagent is a better fit actually for the offense that Ben wants to run. He's not as talented, but you could make an argument that if you had if and again they're going to play Caleb. This is not a quarterback controversy. But my argument is when you the farve even with Mike Holmgren Farve could frustrate a coach that Caleb's style coach is going to frustrate Ben Johnson at times. Well, I don't know that yet.

[Dave Wannstedt]

I don't think anybody does. Okay. And Benjamin had a great camp. I mean if you went every day and I don't have the day I was up there, I was standing on the field, we were talking, I was Ryan Poles and Beijing took him down the field and scored a touchdown. And I said to Ryan, well, at least you know you got a backup. And he says, oh, we definitely got a backup. So my point is that he had a outstanding camp. Okay. And they recognize that. But I really think that keep in mind last night Caleb, okay, we know the numbers he was didn't see it against pressure. That to me is what separates quarterbacks. Now Caleb said, okay, I had a good, good day. You know that every time they blitzed them, it wasn't a real good result. That's when he threw his incomplete passes opening day against Minnesota Monday night. Brian Flores, he is a blitz king. So that's gonna, that's gonna open up a whole nother light for us to look at and say, okay, can he handle the blitz? Because everyone talks about Jared Goff, but if you look at Jared Goff's numbers against the blitz, they're really good. They really are good. So I think that's gonna probably be a big deal how far Caleb can advance at least progress this first year.

[Dan Beyer]

Not only were you a head coach, you worked with a great head coach, Jimmie Johnson. And I think I told you this privately, probably over a little Italian dinner or cocktail a couple of years ago. I said, I think Mike McDaniel's smart. I'm not doubting the smart thing, but I need my head coach. I need him to be a CEO. And I've been doubting him for a couple of years. I'm like, I know, he's got all the motion. But Miami's a hard place to win, as you know. It's a distracted market. It's got perfect winter weather. It's got a lively port it you players. It gets loose very quickly there. And I think maybe Mike McDaniel in Boring Indianapolis. Right. Would be a better fit than distracted la. But I think their culture's off. I don't like their. I don't know what they are. Is that a fair criticism? You coached in Miami, you know, it's a distracted market.

[Dave Wannstedt]

Yeah, Miami is a little different. And obviously the thing that they didn't like about me, I never got caught up in that. Because we were a running team with Ricky Williams, we know we led the league in rushing, okay, so we were going to play defense and run the ball. Miami was. And we were winning games. Miami almost sometimes seemed to be happier when they would lose, when, when they weren't running the ball, Marino was throwing. They lose 35, 34. And people would say, well, it was an exciting game. I mean, you know, so. So you're right. I mean the culture down here is to throw it when I had my doubts. And it really surprised me because McDaniel, supposedly he was in charge of the running game at San Francisco. Go back two or three years ago, that playoff game, I think it was against Buffalo. And they had their third team quarterback in their kid from Kansas State, I believe it was. And they, they threw the ball with their 13 quarterback. I think it was three or four times. You can look up the numbers more than they ran it. And they lost the Buffalo in that playoff game. And that, that was a big red flag to me. Big red flag to me. And I think another way that a coach can lose your team by what's happening on the field, we're talking about the physicality, but also by what happens off the field sometimes from a press conference standpoint. And last year, you know, with Tyreek Hill, I mean, they had an outside shot of the playoffs. Let's be real. You know, it's a lot of things had to happen for them to get in. But they still were playing for a possible playoff game, their last game of the season. And Tyreek Hill doesn't go in on the field the last two or three sessions. And I'm watching the press conference and they asked Mike Butt, well, what happened to Tyreek? And he says, I don't know, I haven't talked to him yet. Floyd, you know, if you're a player that just doesn't give you. You know, a good grasp, but you got your hands around this thing, and I think it's. It's caught up with them, so hopefully they can rebound, but it's going to be a tough one.

[Dan Beyer]

Yeah. Staff just sent this to me. Skyler Thompson threw it 45 times in a playoff loss to Buffalo. Skyler Thompson.

[Dave Wannstedt]

Thank you.

[Dan Beyer]

Yeah. What are you doing?

[Dave Wannstedt]

Made.

[Dan Beyer]

Yeah.

[Commercial Announcer]

What are you doing?

[Dan Beyer]

Okay. So I had said this. I think Shador Sanders is probably more my cup of tea as a quarterback. He's a legit six two. He's accurate, he moves. I don't like the celebrity stuff. Joe Flacco was named starter today. Coach Parcells used to say, no celebrity quarterbacks, but I think that ship has sailed. Some of these nil guys. Arch Manning is going to be a celebrity quarterback. You just got to. If you're a quarterback at, you know, Michigan or Notre Dame, you're going to be a celebrity quarterback. Are you. Would you. I mean, what would you do with a situation? Do you like Shador over Dylan Gabriel? Dylan's a little more serious. Shador is a little more playful. What do you do in the backup role in that team? If you run the team, Flacco's your guy. Do you keep four guys?

[Dave Wannstedt]

No, I don't think you can keep four guys. I really don't. You know, I don't. Kenny Pickett was my pick to come out of this thing, not just because he's a pit guy like me, but he was my pick when it started that he was going to come surface in this thing as the starter and obviously injuries or whatever happen. So it sounds like that thing has gone cold. Sanders has the most talent in my mind, just watching them both play. As far as the personalities, God, I mean, I don't know. You know, unless he's a distraction to members on the team, which I don't think he is. I think Sanders is probably your second best option. And Gabriel, will he ever get better? And that's the question mark. I think, you know, what's the upside on Gabriel? And I love them. Just like everybody wants to talk about at Oregon, you know, the guy had 75% completions or whatever it was. But is that, you know, is he about as good as he's going to be right now? Can he improve? I don't know. That's a real tough one. I try to keep the personalities out of it as long as they're doing all the right things in the classroom and on the field.

[Dan Beyer]

So you didn't worry too much about, you know, if some guys are quirky and some guys aren't, you try to just eliminate that.

[Dave Wannstedt]

Well, yes, as long as it's not affecting your football team from the standpoint. Are they on time for meetings? I mean, do they know what they're doing on the field or they practice? Are they getting in early and staying late? If they're doing all those things, you know, I think sometimes, you know, that off the field stories will get blown out of proportion to one extent. You know, that's a tough one. That's a tough one because Gabriel's not going to back away. I mean, you know, you got two good, young, talented quarterbacks. Maybe you need to play them both and you. And see what falls. Because the tough thing is Flacco's probably. It's going to be tough with. Joe can last a whole season, whether he just gets tired, he gets hurt, or whatever happens. So you got to be looking at thing. If you're Stefanski and you got to be saying, who can go in here and finish the season for me and win enough games to give us a playoff run or save my job or whatever the situation is, who can win games for me? Who do I have the most confidence in? Because the thing with Joe, hopefully it lasts, but it probably won't. He may not have confidence any of the three, to be quite honest with you.

[Dan Beyer]

So we got into this discussion. John Middlekop, my buddy here, he's a former scout, and we got. We were talking about Ashton Genty, and he's just. He is tough, Dave. He is. He runs right. He looks. Reminds me of Adrian Peterson. He is like a missile. He is seeking contact. He's 5, 7, 5, 8, whatever. What do you tell a running back? I mean, when you're coaching men, you're seeking guys who like physicality. But there are positions in football like quarterback and running back, where I feel like I look, I'll. I'll show you the clips of Ashton Genty. He is just getting throttled. And I think to myself, how does a coach send the message live for another day to a. To a power running back?

[Dave Wannstedt]

I don't know if you do. I think it's just in their nature. And, you know, Ricky Williams, let's just use him as an example because we were talking Dolphins, you know, I remember my first year, we had Thurman Thomas, who I signed as a free agent. He was done at the Bills, so I was using Thurman in third Don and Ricky in first and second Don. After about two games, Ricky came in my office and said, coach, what are we doing here? And I said, well, you know, you're playing first and second. I'm trying to, you know, keep everybody fresh. I want the ball. I want the ball. So I think the great running backs, they want the football. Can you change their style? I wouldn't try that. I would not try that. I think you got a great back. You hand him the football and you try to win as many games as you can. I mean, that's in my opinion, the philosophy I came up with looking at the Eric Dickerson's and I played with Tony Dorsett and we saw Emmett Smith firsthand. I was with him, as you know, for four years. The great backs are going to win games for you. And we all know you throw it to score points, but you got to run it to close out games. And Genti's what, he's one of those guys, he will close a game out and win it for you if you got the lead.

[Dan Beyer]

Dave Wannstadt, you know, you look good in that chair. If, you know, maybe someday they're gonna, you know, my days could be numbered. You look pretty good in that authoritative chair.

[Dave Wannstedt]

Well, I'll tell you what, I'm going to look better in Tafano's restaurant in about five hours. Okay. In that chair in Little Italy. So let's think about that, okay?

[Dan Beyer]

I'm totally jealous, by the way. Completely jealous. Dave wants good seeing you. What a good friend, what a good guy. All right.

[Commercial Announcer]

American Public University is the number one provider of education to our military and veterans in this country. They offer something truly unique. Special rates and grants for the entire family, making education affordable not just for those who serve, but also for their loved ones. If you have a military or veteran family member and are looking for affordable, high quality education, APU is the place for you. Visit APU Apus Edu to learn more. That's APU Apus Edu Military. Imagine never buying gas again. EVs are as easy to charge as your phone and perfect for everyday life. Drive daily with confidence everywhere you go. Most Americans drive 40 miles a day. Most EVs are equipped with 200 to 400 miles of range. They've got fewer parts, fewer repairs and fewer headaches. With hundreds of new and used EV models available today, there's an EV to fit every lifestyle and every budget. I love my electric vehicle. It's easy. No more gas stations. The way forward is electric. Learn more@electric for all.org Summer is here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now what do we mean by almost?

[Dan Beyer]

Well, you can't get a well groomed.

[Commercial Announcer]

Lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered.

[Dan Beyer]

A nice tan?

[Commercial Announcer]

Sorry, A box fan? Happily, yes. A day of sunshine?

[Dan Beyer]

No.

[Commercial Announcer]

A box of fine wines? Yes. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets.

[Dan Beyer]

Product availability may vary by region.

[Commercial Announcer]

See app for details. Every once in a while, you get the chance to make a real difference, and this is one of those moments. Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military members and first responders. It's a powerful mission, honoring their sacrifice through the Gift of Education. But last year, about 7,000 qualified students didn't receive funding, and that number is expected to grow to nearly 10,000. Don't let financial needs stand in the.

[Dan Beyer]

Way of their future.

[Commercial Announcer]

Visit foldsofhonor.org to donate. Any amount helps.

[Dan Beyer]

Together, we can close that gap one.

[Commercial Announcer]

Scholarship at a time.

[Dave Wannstedt]

This is an iHeart podcast.