Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Best of The Herd Release Date: June 10, 2025

Overview "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" is a dynamic and engaging sports podcast that delves into the top sports stories of the day with a mix of insightful analysis, passionate opinions, and lively discussions. In the "Best of The Herd" episode, released on June 10, 2025, host Colin Cowherd and his co-hosts Urban Meyer, Nick Wright, Albert Brear, J. Mac, and Ryan tackle pressing topics across the NFL, NBA, and college football, providing listeners with a comprehensive look at the current sports landscape.

NFL Analysis: Pittsburgh Steelers and Defensive Spending

The episode kicks off with a heated discussion about the Pittsburgh Steelers, focusing on the team's defensive strategies and financial commitments, particularly concerning star player T.J. Watt.

• Trade Suggestion for T.J. Watt Colin Cowherd shares a controversial viewpoint, suggesting that the Steelers consider trading T.J. Watt despite his stellar performance and popularity within Pittsburgh.

  • "I know people think I'm crazy in Pittsburgh when I suggest considering moving off T.J. Watt," [04:15]

• Defensive Spending Concerns The Steelers lead the NFL in defensive spending even before T.J. Watt's contract is factored in. Colin highlights the disparity in defensive spending across the league.

  • "The Steelers have the number one defensive spending in the league. Pre, pre T.J. Watt." [06:19]

• Comparative Analysis with Other Teams The discussion extends to how other teams like the Eagles and Rams have low defensive spending but are still contenders in the Super Bowl bubble.

  • "The Eagles and the Rams are both in the Super Bowl bubble with the lowest defensive spending." [05:30]

• Impact on Team Performance Colin critiques the Steelers' performance in the playoffs, questioning the effectiveness of their defensive strategies despite heavy investments.

  • "In four playoff games, T.J. Watt has one sack, no forces, fumbles, six tackles." [06:11]

NBA Focus: New York Knicks vs. Dallas Mavericks

The conversation shifts to the NBA, with a deep dive into the New York Knicks' potential interest in Jason Kidd and comparisons to the Dallas Mavericks' roster strength.

• Knicks' Interest in Jason Kidd Colin discusses reports that the Knicks are eyeing Jason Kidd as a potential coach, expressing skepticism about the team's ability to build a competitive roster around young talent.

  • "The Knicks issues are personnel and contracts. I'm not leaving Dallas with Cooper Flagville from Duke." [10:05]

• Dallas Mavericks' Roster Strength Emphasizing the strength of the Mavericks, Colin praises their young talent and defensive prowess, contrasting it with the Knicks' expensive and potentially limited roster.

  • "Anthony Davis is better than Brunson. Cooper Flagville could become the best player in the league." [10:45]

• Long-term Projections Colin forecasts a bright future for the Mavericks, believing they will outperform teams like OKC and Denver next year, while doubting the Knicks' ability to leverage their current roster effectively.

  • "I don't think the Knicks have the trajectory that Cooper Flagville has. Dallas's whole roster I like." [14:15]

College Football Insights: NIL, Transfer Portals, and Ohio State's Strategy

A significant portion of the episode features a conversation with Urban Meyer, providing expert insights into the evolving landscape of college football, particularly focusing on Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), transfer portals, and Ohio State's recruitment strategies.

• Impact of NIL and Transfer Portals Urban Meyer discusses how the NIL and transfer portals have transformed college football, allowing programs like Ohio State to attract elite talent without disrupting team chemistry.

  • "Ohio State has never been more cautious about what they bring into that program. They recruit at an incredible level." [32:46]

• New NCAA Commission and Enforcement The duo delves into the creation of a new NCAA commission designed to enforce rules with subpoena power, aiming to address past compliance issues.

  • "This new commission is going to have subpoena power that will expedite the process of investigation." [33:47]

• Recruitment and Team Chemistry Urban emphasizes the importance of maintaining team culture despite the influx of transfer players, highlighting Ohio State's success in balancing recruitment with team cohesion.

  • "If that can disrupt the culture, don't do it. That's what they're doing at Ohio State." [32:46]

• Future of College Football Scheduling The discussion touches on the complexities of college football scheduling, particularly for independent teams like Notre Dame, and the potential impacts of conference alignments.

  • "Notre Dame just signed a 12-year deal with Clemson because the ACC stinks and they need one great game on their schedule." [39:37]

Player Performance and Team Dynamics

Colin and his co-hosts analyze individual player performances and team dynamics, particularly focusing on college quarterbacks and NFL players emerging from minicamps.

• Shador Sanders and the Browns' Quarterback Race Colin critiques Shador Sanders' performance in the Browns' minicamp, contrasting it with veteran Joe Flacco's steadiness.

  • "Shador Sanders, 10 of 12, two touchdowns. Now, last week when he was good, it was like, well, it's OTAs." [22:30]

• Comparisons to NBA Rookies Drawing parallels between NFL and NBA rookies, Colin references Lonzo Ball's challenges in the NBA as a cautionary tale for evaluating young quarterbacks like Shador Sanders.

  • "Lonzo Ball was an acclaimed college basketball player, but he clearly could not play. I wonder if there's a parallel with this OTA nonsense where Shador's cooking and Lonzo Ball in summer." [25:23]

Personal Anecdotes and Lighthearted Moments

Throughout the episode, Colin shares personal anecdotes, including a humorous take on his golf experiences, adding a relatable and entertaining element to the discussion.

• Golf Struggles Colin humorously recounts his poor performance in golf due to new clubs, bringing a lighthearted twist to the intense sports analysis.
  • "I had a terrible round of golf in Rhode Island. I don't want to talk about it, but I got new clubs, so that's my excuse." [46:33]

Conversations with Co-Hosts and Special Guests

The episode features engaging interactions between Colin and his co-hosts, including Urban Meyer, fostering a dynamic and informative environment.

• Urban Meyer's Coaching Insights Urban Meyer provides seasoned perspectives on coaching strategies, handling player dynamics, and adjusting to the changing collegiate sports environment.

  • "You've got to motivate, inspire these guys. It is what it is." [45:37]

• Nick Wright and Albert Brear Contributions Co-hosts like Nick Wright and Albert Brear contribute to the discussions, offering their unique viewpoints and expertise, enriching the overall conversation.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "I know people think I'm crazy in Pittsburgh when I suggest considering moving off T.J. Watt," – Colin Cowherd [04:15]
• "The Steelers have the number one defensive spending in the league. Pre, pre T.J. Watt." – Colin Cowherd [06:19]
• "Anthony Davis is better than Brunson. Cooper Flagville could become the best player in the league." – Colin Cowherd [10:45]
• "If that can disrupt the culture, don't do it. That's what they're doing at Ohio State." – Urban Meyer [32:46]
• "Shador Sanders, 10 of 12, two touchdowns. Now, last week when he was good, it was like, well, it's OTAs." – Colin Cowherd [22:30]
• "Lonzo Ball was an acclaimed college basketball player, but he clearly could not play. I wonder if there's a parallel with this OTA nonsense where Shador's cooking and Lonzo Ball in summer." – Colin Cowherd [25:23]
• "You've got to motivate, inspire these guys. It is what it is." – Urban Meyer [45:37]
• "I had a terrible round of golf in Rhode Island. I don't want to talk about it, but I got new clubs, so that's my excuse." – Colin Cowherd [46:33]

Conclusion In "Best of The Herd," Colin Cowherd and his team provide a thorough and spirited examination of current sports topics, blending expert analysis with candid opinions. From dissecting the Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive strategies and the New York Knicks' coaching prospects to exploring the evolving dynamics of college football, the episode offers listeners a multifaceted view of the sports world. Personal stories and interactions among co-hosts add depth and relatability, making this episode a must-listen for avid sports enthusiasts seeking comprehensive coverage of their favorite leagues and teams.