The Herd with Colin Cowherd: "Best of The Herd" – March 12, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode embodies the signature style of The Herd: sharp takes, deep dives, and marquee interviews around the day’s top sports stories. Colin Cowherd reflects on the legacies of NBA greats, offers insight on NFL quarterback narratives, ranks impactful free agency moves, and sits down for a candid, revealing interview with Johnny Manziel. The episode blends analysis, storytelling, and real talk about character, growth, and the finer nuances of pro sports legacies and careers.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The LeBron Statue Debate and the Lakers' High Standard
[04:37 – 07:48]
- Colin revisits a conversation with NBA champion Robert Horry about whether LeBron James deserves a statue in front of the Lakers' arena.
- Robert Horry’s take: LeBron is deserving of statues in Cleveland, LA, and Miami for transforming every organization he touched, noting, “Sometimes it’s not about the wins, it’s about the butts you put in the seat.” [04:37]
- Colin’s perspective: The Lakers’ standard is elite—reserved for lifetime “family” members like Kobe, Magic, Shaq, Kareem, Pat Riley, and Chick Hearn, who defined eras. LeBron, as great as he is, feels more like a consultant or “life preserver” than a foundational Laker legend:
- “LeBron feels more like a consultant. He adds value, new set of eyes, polishes up the problems. And then when he leaves and the contract’s done, you’re like, alright, see ya. Nobody sheds tears, nobody cries. This is not family.” [05:45]
- Argument summary: It’s not just about titles or popularity—the Lakers (like Notre Dame or Yankee baseball) honor players who are synonymous with the brand for years, not just transformative icons from elsewhere.
- Memorable quote: “With LeBron, the first sentence is Cleveland’s finest, most points ever, part of the Heels. Is he really family?” [06:30]
Quarterback Trajectories: Darnold, Kyler Murray, and Reclamation Projects
[07:48 – 13:55]
- Colin compares the NFL careers of Sam Darnold, Kyler Murray, and the concept of ‘reclamation’ quarterbacks.
- Colin’s reputation as an early Darnold backer—validated after Darnold’s Super Bowl win.
- He highlights Kyler Murray as this offseason’s prime “reclamation project,” similar to Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield previously.
- “He is a more athletic, elusive version of Russell Wilson in his prime. He throws a beautiful deep ball, and because of his baseball background, he doesn’t get hit that much.” [10:00]
- Argues that coach and organizational stability dictate if talented but embattled QBs can turn their careers around—citing Darnold thriving under Kyle Shanahan and Baker Mayfield’s revival with Sean McVay, etc.
- Albert Breer on rumors of Kyler to the Vikings: “I think right now, things are lining up for the Vikings to bring Kyler Murray in on the minimum… the opportunity to work with Kevin O’Connell, an offensive line they’ve invested in, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson…” [11:48]
- Colin’s conclusion: If Kyler lands in Minnesota, he’s set up with weapons, stability, and the best possible scenario for a rebound season: “You find your guy, you find your coach.” [12:19]
- Quote on Kyler’s upside: “If you told me I had one drive to win a game, I’d take Kyler over Daniel Jones or Mac Jones or Geno Smith.” [13:25]
NFL Free Agency: Top Game-Changing Moves
[19:09 – 22:52]
- Colin’s “Five Favorite Free Agency Moves”
- Raiders sign Tyler Linderbaum (center) and Jalen Nailor (WR) – Emphasizes the importance of pairing a young QB with a top-tier center and fast, under-the-radar receivers.
- Rams add Trent McDuffie and Jalen Watson (CBs) – Their defense transforms into a Super Bowl favorite with a stacked young core and veteran corner to lock down NFC West receivers.
- Malik Willis to Miami – Impressed by his accuracy and fit; predicts he will outperform his contract and become at least league average at QB17.
- DJ Moore to Buffalo – Durable, underutilized in Chicago, expects him to explode with Josh Allen.
- Tariq Woolen to the Eagles – Now joining arguably the NFL’s only defense with three elite-trait corners.
- “Those were as good as it gets to me. And I will say this, I do think Bradley Chubb coming in late… solid. Trey Hendrickson to the Ravens, solid. Those are good plays as well.” [22:25]
Johnny Manziel Interview: Growth, Redemption, and Real Talk
[26:33 – 46:21]
Learning from Mistakes: Mentorship & Advice to Diego Pavia
- Manziel on mentoring Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia:
- Defends the value of learning from his own failures. “...it’s that same kind of thing, like, hey, man, you don’t have to do what I did, and here’s why.” [27:11]
- Warns Pavia of the pitfalls: “You have to do the things that I didn’t do. You have to carry yourself with a little more class. ... All the things that I didn’t do that got my ass kicked out of the NFL in two years.” [30:04]
- Memorable moment: Manziel’s candid recounting of a club incident with Pavia and subsequent “tough love” phone call. [28:19-31:08]
Regrets, Maturity, and the Impact of Environment
- On regrets and environment:
- “You can always go back and have fun later in your life after you set yourself up for success… I look back at a career that … I know and I’m honest with myself about how it went.” [31:52]
- Reflects on his own lack of preparedness, regardless of team: “I had Joe Thomas, Alex Mack, Joe Haden… really good people in the building that tried to get through to me. But … I was still headed down a path where I needed to get woken up by life.” [35:06]
- Quote: “From 2010 to 2019, only three of 29 first-round quarterbacks are still with their teams… We’re all influenced by our environment.” – Colin [34:12]
The New NIL/Transfer Era in College Football
- Johnny’s take on NIL/transfer portal: Generally supportive, but sees risk without education.
- “If you’re a high school kid, you could get a million dollars dropped in your bank account by the first day that you get on campus. That’s crazy. ... It shouldn’t be pay-for-play.” [37:01]
- Warns of “Wild West” dynamics and the risk of bad advice/management.
- On the transfer portal: “The thing you can’t do as a college athlete is transfer or get into the transfer portal and then not find a new home… you may never get back.” [38:39]
Parity and What Powers College Football
- Predicts more parity thanks to NIL: “With the right coach, the right leadership, the right money of boosters, you can have Vandy have a season like they had… I like the parity of college football.” [41:00]
- Notes the Big Ten’s power over the SEC currently.
Personal Growth, Therapy, and Meaning
- Manziel on how he matured: “I’ve spent a lot of time with therapists. I’ve worked through a lot of trauma… I hold myself to my own standard. ... I have better friends that surround me. I have a passion and a purpose in my life of things that I want to do moving forward that get me out of bed every day.” [42:48]
- Quote: “When you come into my life and you have me on your show, I want you to feel like, man, that guy is doing better in life. He has grown up.” [44:25]
Quick Hit: Evaluation of Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza
- “I think he throws a really good ball, has a lot of zip on his passes, reads coverage very well… And I feel like this kid is going to be very good.” [45:23]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Robert Horry: “He should get a statue in Cleveland, he should get a statue in LA, he should get a statue in Miami because you think about what he’s done for every organization.” [04:37]
- Colin on LeBron/Lakers: “LeBron feels more like a consultant… more consultant than family.” [06:14]
- Colin on Kyler Murray: “He is a more athletic, elusive version of Russell Wilson in his prime. He throws a beautiful deep ball… One of the great sliders in the sport, really knows how to avoid contact.” [10:00]
- Albert Breer: “I think right now, things are lining up for the Vikings to bring Kyler Murray in on the minimum.” [11:48]
- Manziel on advice to young QBs: “You have to do the things that I didn’t do that got my ass kicked out of the NFL in two years.” [30:04]
- Manziel on growth: “I’m in a great place in every sense of the way—work wise, family wise, where I live, what I have going on in my life. And I’m proud of those things.” [43:50]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- LeBron statue debate: 04:37–07:48
- QB reclamation projects and Kyler Murray: 07:48–13:55
- Top free agency moves: 19:09–22:52
- Johnny Manziel interview (his journey, mentorship, NIL, parity): 26:33–46:21
Final Thoughts
This episode masterfully weaves Colin’s distinct perspective with deep guest conversations, mixing sharp sports analysis (from legacies to roster moves) with an inspirational, authentic look at human growth through Johnny Manziel’s journey. Not only does the episode serve up the key news and debate of the week—it offers a rare, sincere check-in on personal character, resilience, and what it truly means to learn from experience.
For listeners who haven’t heard the episode, this summary encapsulates all the central arguments, emotional moments, and lively sports insight without commercial breaks or filler.