Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of The Herd" (Released July 7, 2025)

The Herd with Colin Cowherd presents a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the most pressing sports topics of the day. In the "Best of The Herd" episode, host Colin Cowherd, alongside guest analysts LeVar Arrington and Jonas Knox, delves into a variety of discussions ranging from post-Independence Day fireworks incidents to intricate NFL quarterback dynamics and the evolving landscape of the NBA.

1. Fourth of July Fireworks Frenzy

Timestamp: 04:00 – 16:47

The episode kicks off with a vivid recounting of the chaotic fireworks displays that marred the Fourth of July weekend. Guest Ryan Music shares a firsthand account of an alarming incident involving a portable fire pit that inadvertently attracted emergency services.

• Ryan Music: "The girls went up to light the fire pit and put five doro flames on there... the flame was giving off black smoke... the firemen come out... they thought the house was burning down."

This incident not only caused confusion among neighbors but also highlighted the dangers of unsupervised fireworks usage. Colin Cowherd expresses his bewilderment at the recklessness displayed by some individuals:

• Colin Cowherd: "The number of people that decide... to fire off four or five mortar bombs within close proximity to somebody's house, children, and cars... just see what happens."

The discussion extends to the accessibility of fireworks, contrasting the past when obtaining them required traveling to specific locations like Fillmore, California, with the present ease of purchasing them from various retail outlets. The guests lament the surge in non-stop fireworks displays, questioning their safety and purpose.

• Ryan Music: "From 9am literally from 9am to 1am it was non-stop. You could hear the fireworks going off non-stop."

2. NFL Quarterback Conundrums: Justin Fields, Aaron Rodgers, and Russell Wilson

Timestamp: 17:07 – 43:27

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to dissecting the current quarterback scenarios in the NFL, with a particular focus on Justin Fields of the New York Jets, Aaron Rodgers of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Russell Wilson of the New York Giants.

Justin Fields and the Jets: Jonas Knox provides insights into Justin Fields' transition to the Jets, emphasizing the skepticism surrounding his potential success given his past performance.

• Jonas Knox: "He has the athletic ability about him and the possibilities of his trajectory still going up... I don't think you're going to get to the next level of competition with a quarterback that can't break 3,000 yards plus throwing the ball during the course of a season."

Colin Cowherd echoes this sentiment, expressing doubt about the Jets' organizational stability and its impact on Fields' performance.

• Colin Cowherd: "I am skeptical that Justin Fields has this success... There's a reason why Rodgers was open to going there, because he saw that, man, this is a place where we could win."

Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson: The conversation shifts to Aaron Rodgers' tenure with the Steelers and Russell Wilson's challenges with the Giants. The hosts discuss the lack of consistent high-yardage performances from these quarterbacks and the implications for their respective teams.

• Jonas Knox: "Kenny Pickett's best year in Pittsburgh was in 2022 with 2,400 yards. Russell Wilson had no more than 2,000. Justin Fields didn't break 2,000 in Pittsburgh."

Colin adds a critical perspective on the Steelers' leadership and their handling of quarterback selections, hinting at possible organizational dysfunction.

• Colin Cowherd: "If the ownership and culture remains the same... I don't think there will be enough growth... to turn into the culture that Aaron Glenn is probably hoping that he's able to do."

Comparative Analysis: The hosts draw parallels between these quarterback situations and broader team dynamics, questioning the future prospects of the Jets and Steelers based on their current quarterback strategies.

• Colin Cowherd: "If Justin Fields thrives in New York, that's a really bad look for Aaron Rodgers and a really bad look for Mike Tomlin."

3. NBA’s Star Dependency and LeBron James’ Legacy

Timestamp: 43:27 – 62:43

Transitioning from football, the episode delves into the state of the NBA, particularly focusing on the dependence on marquee players like LeBron James and the league's struggle to cultivate comparable stars.

LeBron James' Influence: There is a profound discussion on how LeBron James has been the central figure in the NBA, driving conversations and maintaining the league's popularity. The hosts ponder the implications of his eventual retirement.

• Ryan Music: "He's the lifeblood of topics and discussion in the National Basketball Association. Oh, he's good at it, he's great at it."

Colin Cowherd raises concerns about the NBA's ability to sustain interest without a dominant star:

• Colin Cowherd: "Without LeBron James, it feels like the NBA is on life support when it comes to interest, intrigue, and talking points."

Current NBA Stars and Media Attention: The conversation highlights the lack of a singular superstar in the NBA today comparable to LeBron James, noting that even prominent players like Steph Curry and Draymond Green don't command the same level of centralized attention.

• Colin Cowherd: "Steph Curry, Draymond Green... it's not to the level of what we're talking about with LeBron James."

The hosts discuss how the NBA's reliance on personalities has shifted in the social media era, making it challenging for players to build and maintain mega-star status.

• Ryan Music: "It has desensitized fans and athletes as well... How do you build as big as Shaquille O' Neal or Michael Jordan if you can get a hold of them so easily?"

Franchise Relevance and Market Impact: They analyze the importance of strong franchises and markets in maintaining the NBA's relevance, stating that without anchor teams like the Lakers or Knicks, the league struggles to captivate a broader audience.

• Colin Cowherd: "Green Bay is not a big market... The relevance of the franchise drives it."

4. Community Support and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: 17:07 – 62:43

Throughout the episode, Colin Cowherd takes a moment to express solidarity with those affected by the Texas floods, highlighting iHeart’s partnership with the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.

• Colin Cowherd: "Our hearts are with everyone affected by the Texas flooding... Join us in supporting recovery efforts@communityfoundation.net."

In wrapping up, the hosts reiterate their support for the sports community and tease upcoming discussions, maintaining engagement with their audience.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [07:59]: "The number of people that decide... to fire off four or five mortar bombs within close proximity to somebody's house, children, and cars... just see what happens."

• Ryan Music [12:12]: "The man's jewels was in his belly by the time. It's just, it's the dumbest thing that people do to try to go viral sometimes during the Fourth of July."

• Jonas Knox [30:00]: "The team has a good enough personnel where you can have success with Justin Fields as your quarterback."

• Colin Cowherd [51:17]: "If you are an adult, anybody over the age of nine, if you use bumpers when you bowl, you should be arrested immediately."

• Ryan Music [55:05]: "They have to drive it. They have to keep the Lakers as strong as they can... you have to try to keep those anchor teams, those anchor markets."

Conclusion

The "Best of The Herd" episode offers listeners an in-depth analysis of recent sports events and trends, particularly emphasizing safety concerns around fireworks and the strategic complexities within the NFL and NBA. Colin Cowherd and his guests provide thoughtful commentary, rich with personal anecdotes and expert opinions, making this episode a valuable listen for sports enthusiasts seeking a nuanced understanding of current sports dynamics.