The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Best of The Herd
Date: August 20, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd (with guest Mack Brown)
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Episode Overview
This episode of The Herd dives into the state of the Dallas Cowboys compared to their dynasty years, weighs in on Aaron Rodgers’ preseason absence and the implications for Pittsburgh, and breaks down the philosophy around rookie quarterbacks—especially Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears. The episode is capped off with a rich conversation between Colin and legendary coach Mack Brown, exploring the pressures and peculiarities of big-time college football, name-image-likeness (NIL), the transfer portal, and what makes certain quarterbacks tick.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Cowboys: Then vs. Now
Timestamps: 02:48–12:32
- Netflix’s Jerry Jones “The Gambler” Special Inspriation:
Colin uses the new Jerry Jones Netflix special as a lens to compare the Dallas Cowboys of past and present. - Aggressiveness vs. Reactivity:
- Jerry Jones in the early ’90s: “He was so aggressive, decisive, and had such a clear plan… made strong, swift decisions—the Herschel Walker trade, never looked back.” (04:16)
- Contrast with today: Dallas is now defined by contract drama (Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons) and a lack of strong identity.
- The Eagles Are Yesterday’s Cowboys:
- “The Eagles today are the Cowboys in the Netflix special. Dallas now is reactive. Dallas then was proactive. Philadelphia now, proactive.” (05:48)
- Eagles’ recent moves (Carson Wentz, Tush Push, Saquon Barkley) are cited as examples of decisiveness.
Colin Cowherd [06:20]:
“You knew he was an All-Pro as a rookie. Do what the Eagles do: sign him early or trade him and get a fortune.”
- Cowboys’ Negotiations:
- Ineffective contract strategies cost them money and flexibility.
- “Dak Prescott’s cap hit is bigger than AJ Brown, Saquon Barkley, and Jalen Hurts combined.” (07:44)
- Decisiveness Is Key:
- “Philadelphia is always making moves… That used to be Jerry.” (08:21)
- Jerry’s old maverick spirit is contrasted with his current hesitation.
- Modern Cowboys Lack an Identity:
- The team is still a spectacle, but the results and direction are muddled.
- “We just don’t like the results.” (09:53)
2. Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh, and Quarterback Psychology
Timestamps: 09:56–13:27
- Rodgers Sitting Preseason Again:
- Aaron Rodgers will not play in the preseason finale—second year in a row.
- Context: Steelers face tough early defensive matchups and Rodgers has barely played with new teammates/coaches.
- Rodgers' Statistical Oddity:
- Sixth-most career starts, but just tied for 25th in fourth-quarter comebacks: “He has fewer than Derek Carr, Ryan Tannehill, Andy Dalton…” (11:08)
- Personality and Performance:
- Rodgers’ demeanor changes when trailing; more likely to ‘bail’ rather than lead.
- “Aaron gets dark, he gets moody, his demeanor changes, his facial expressions change.” (11:45)
- Pittsburgh’s Challenges:
- Shaky offensive line, no run game, no live reps with DK Metcalf or new OC.
- “41-year-old, shaky O-line, never taken live snaps in a game with the OC or DK Metcalf.” (13:27)
- Rodgers’ Helmet Observation:
- Light-hearted roast: “That helmet is so outsized…I can see the shadows inside the helmet. He looks like a small plane parked in a Delta hangar.” (13:42)
3. Rookie Quarterbacks & Bears’ Caleb Williams
Timestamps: 19:57–24:43
- Preseason Snaps for Caleb Williams:
- Colin supports young QBs playing in preseason for live reps: “I do like young quarterbacks taking snaps.” (19:57)
- Patience and Development:
- Reminiscing on Troy Aikman’s rough start and organizations showing patience until skills unfold.
- Modern trend of moving off young QBs quickly (e.g. Rosen for Murray).
- Unique Chicago Situation:
- Unlike their history, the Bears finally have both a coveted coach (Ben Johnson) and top prospect (Caleb Williams).
- Colin’s advice: “Just make Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams work. There’s an argument that you just have to make it work…” (22:24)
- Testimony from Camp:
- Albert Breer: “The day I was there, Caleb Williams looked terrible. There’s no better, there’s no sugar coating it.” (24:02)
- The staff is intentionally “feeding him through a fire hose,” letting him take early lumps to foster resilience.
- “They need the snaps because they’ve got to make this work.” (24:42)
4. Mack Brown Interview: College Football, Quarterbacks, NIL & Golf
Timestamps: 29:15–43:09
On Coaching at Texas and the Challenges
- Texas Job Dynamics:
- “I think it’s the best job in the country, especially with NIL… you got people that are passionate… pride, not pressure.” (30:38)
- “When you’re winning, [the AD’s] job is easy; when you’re losing, he doesn’t have a job.” (31:19)
On Arch Manning and Quarterback Pressure
- The Manning Family Influence:
- “Arch is smart, he’s self-deprecating… he’ll laugh at criticism. He’s really into the guys in that locker room… that’s what’s so critical for a quarterback.” (32:34)
- “Arch can run, and that will give him a chance… makes those offensive linemen look a lot better.” (33:30)
Bill Belichick Taking Over at UNC
- Pros & Cons for Belichick:
- “We no longer have amateurism. We have payment scales… so being like the NFL will really help Bill with this transition.” (34:56)
- “He’s brought in 72 new guys… I think he has a chance to win big and win big fast.” (35:42)
On Player Development & NIL Impact
- NIL and Locker Room Chemistry:
- “The brand programs… will have the majority of the money… if you can keep recruiting high school guys, you’re fine. But bringing in a lot of transfers is hard for team chemistry.” (37:50)
- “If you’ve got the money and you buy a team, doesn’t mean you’re going to win. Number one, you’ve got to buy the right ones. Number two, they’ve all got to fit well in that locker room.” (38:38)
- Memoir of old-school loyalty: “Cedric Benson in the locker room crying… not sure we’re going to have that loyalty at schools bringing in all the transfers now.”
QB Profiles: Klubnik & Drake Maye
- Cade Klubnik (Clemson):
- “Tough, can run and throw, accurate, confident… gives Clemson a chance to be really, really good.” (36:36)
- Drake Maye (UNC):
- “He said when he was a kid, he had to fight for food… so competitive… wonderful team leader… I think he’s a quarterback that’s going to win a Super Bowl.” (40:08)
On Retirement, Golf, and Life Perspective
- Life After Football & Golf Wisdom:
- Mack uses his free time to golf nearly every day, relishing the hobby he couldn’t truly enjoy while coaching.
- Anecdote from a friend:
“It costs a lot of money, takes all day, you hit a lot of bad shots and makes you miserable. And as soon as you get through, you can’t wait to get back on the course.”
(42:25 – Mack Brown)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Jerry Jones and courage in ownership:
“Jerry just didn’t pause... That’s business. Hundred miles an hour. And Jerry knew as an oil catter, a maverick, that you’re not going to go 100 for 100. But it didn’t stop him.”
(08:27 – Colin Cowherd) -
On the challenge of coaching at Texas:
“When you’re winning, mine’s easy. When you’re losing, I don’t have a job.”
(31:19 – Mack Brown, quoting Texas AD) -
On NIL and college program chemistry:
“We have payment scales... It’s hard to mesh together as a team in a short period of time... I’m not sure we’re going to have that loyalty at schools that are bringing in all the transfers now.”
(37:47 – Mack Brown) -
On Drake Maye’s competitiveness:
“He said the tight end beat me in ping pong. And I said, yeah, but I still think you can keep the paddle clean without breaking it. But he is so competitive... He’s a quarterback that’s going to win a Super Bowl.”
(40:08 – Mack Brown) -
On golf as a post-retirement passion:
“It costs a lot of money. It takes all day to play. You hit a lot of bad shots and it makes you miserable. As soon as you get through, you can’t wait to get back on the course.”
(42:25 – Mack Brown)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Cowboys then vs. now / Eagles as model franchise: 02:48–09:55
- Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers’ outlook: 09:56–13:27
- Caleb Williams and philosophy of QB development: 19:57–24:43
- Mack Brown Interview: 29:15–43:09
Tone and Style
Colin’s commentary remains sharp, direct, and laced with his trademark dry humor, especially while diagnosing dysfunction in Dallas and poking fun at Rodgers’ helmet. The tone with Mack Brown is warm and reverent, with both men sharing honest insight, gentle ribbing, and memorable stories from inside the game.
Summary Takeaways
- The Cowboys have strayed from their bold roots—today’s Eagles reflect the old Cowboys’ decisiveness and aggression.
- Aaron Rodgers brings intrigue to Pittsburgh, but faces significant hurdles and skepticism from Colin about his in-game demeanor and the fit.
- The Bears are in unfamiliar territory: they have the right coach and (potentially) the right QB, urging an overdue commitment to patience and continuity.
- Mack Brown delivers insider wisdom on modern college football’s shifting landscape, NIL’s double-edged sword, and how intangible traits define great quarterbacks.
- A lighthearted finale on golf and retirement closes the episode on a relatable, personable note.