Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of the Week on The Herd"

Release Date: August 2, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

1. Introduction and Overview (02:49 – 12:05)

Danny Parkins kicks off the episode from Los Angeles, highlighting the exciting lineup for the day. The show prepares listeners for discussions on upcoming Bears’ insights, NFL game analysis, and unexpected NBA rumors involving LeBron James.

**2. NBA Rumors: LeBron James’ Potential Move to Denver Nuggets (02:49 – 12:06)

The conversation delves into a surprising Instagram post suggesting that LeBron James might join the Denver Nuggets, stirring widespread speculation.

• Parkins expresses skepticism:

  "I just don't think LeBron is leaving L.A." (04:30)

• Discussion Points:

  • LeBron's Legacy: His deep roots in Los Angeles, including championship contributions, personal investments, and long-term plans with the Lakers.
  • Nikola Jokic's Future: The possibility that Jokic's agent might be hinting at significant plans for the 2026 season, possibly aligning with LeBron for a championship run.
  • Comparisons to Giannis Antetokounmpo: Highlighting inconsistencies in how Jokic’s potential moves are discussed versus Giannis in Milwaukee.

• Parkins’ Analysis:

  "LeBron James, Denver Nuggets. I just don't believe it." (09:15)

• Conclusion: Despite the buzz, Parkins maintains confidence that LeBron will continue his career with the Lakers, emphasizing his established legacy and ongoing contributions to the team.

3. NFL Focus: Micah Parsons and Dallas Cowboys’ Contract Negotiations (12:06 – 29:32)

The episode shifts focus to Micah Parsons, a standout player for the Dallas Cowboys, and the ongoing contract negotiations with Jerry Jones, the team’s owner.

• Micah Parsons’ Stance:

  "He brings to this table, honestly, for this team, for himself, and he should get what he deserves." (12:21)

• Parkins’ Perspective:

  "Micah Parsons will stay in Dallas, he will get another contract. He will top T.J. Watts." (27:09)

• Key Discussion Points:

  • Jerry Jones’ Management Style:
    Jones is portrayed as a media-savvy owner who prioritizes keeping the Cowboys in the public eye, often handling contract negotiations in a manner that generates continuous media buzz.

    "Jerry Jones is competitive. Jerry Jones wants to win. He just also wants to be the most talked about." (12:11)

  • Contract Negotiations:
    The conversation highlights how Micah Parsons is poised to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, surpassing T.J. Watt. Discussions include the strategic delays in offering contracts and how this impacts both player morale and team dynamics.

    "Micah Parsons is going to make the highest paid non-quarterback ever. But he might go well above T.J. Watts, $41 million per because he likes having that reputation." (27:38)

  • Impact on the Team:
    Emphasizes that while the Cowboys' strategies might increase their financial obligations, it simultaneously elevates the team's profile and competitive edge.

  • Fan Reactions:
    Parkins underscores the Cowboys' unique position in the NFL as both a high-value franchise and a consistent media phenomenon, regardless of on-field success.

• Concluding Thoughts:
  Despite the prolonged negotiations, both Parkins and guest Chris Broussard agree that Micah Parsons will secure a lucrative deal, reinforcing his value to the Cowboys and setting a precedent for future contracts within the league.

4. Quarterback Rankings and Performance Analysis (29:58 – 47:44)

Danny Parkins engages in an in-depth discussion with Micah Parsons and later with Mike Jones from The Athletic about quarterback rankings and emerging NFL prospects.

• Quarterback Rankings Debate:

  • Parkins’ Rankings:
    Parkins presents his top 10 quarterback rankings, positioning himself ahead of peers like Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts.

  • Parsons’ Critique:
    Micah Parsons challenges Parkins’ rankings, particularly questioning the placement of Justin Herbert due to his performance in high-stakes playoff games.

    "I do not believe Justin Herbert deserves to be in the top five right now." (26:10)

  • Key Points:

    • Performance Under Pressure: Evaluating Herbert’s statistics and playoff performances against his potential.
    • Team Dynamics: How offensive lines and supporting casts influence quarterback performance.

• Emerging NFL Prospects:

  • Arch Manning and Travis Hunter:
    Discussion centers around Arch Manning’s potential impact in the NFL and Travis Hunter’s role as a two-way player for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

    "It's going to be a real interesting experiment." (35:09)

  • Travis Hunter’s Dual Role:
    Parkins theorizes that Travis Hunter could revolutionize the game by excelling both as a wide receiver and defensive back, leveraging modern sports science and athlete conditioning.

  • Mike Jones’ Insights:
    Mike Jones provides expert analysis on how high-performance training and data analytics are enabling players like Hunter to take on more versatile roles without traditional physical decline.

• Conclusion:
  The segment underscores the evolving nature of quarterback evaluations and the potential for new player roles to reshape NFL team strategies.

5. Final Thoughts and Upcoming Segments (47:44 – End)

As the episode progresses, the focus shifts to teasing future discussions and segments, including:

• Heisman Trophy Predictions:
  Parkins mentions the need for more college football insights and hints at upcoming bets related to the Heisman Trophy.

• Preview of Next Week’s Episode:
  Teasing a quarterback from the previous year who deserves more recognition, setting the stage for continued analysis and debate.

• Listener Engagement:
  Encouraging listeners to tune into live editions and interact through various platforms.

Notable Quotes

• Danny Parkins:

  "LeBron James, Denver Nuggets. I just don't believe it." (09:15)
  "Micah Parsons will top T.J. Watts as the highest paid pass rusher." (27:09)
  "We have the Cowboys on the forefront of everybody's mind and talking about them." (39:20)

• Micah Parsons:

  "He brings to this table, honestly, for this team, for himself, and he should get what he deserves." (12:21)
  "I do not believe Justin Herbert deserves to be in the top five right now." (26:10)
  "The entertainment value, the value of the franchise, keeping the Cowboys on talk shows..." (28:45)

• Chris Broussard:

  "It's a soap opera, a drama. That's in a football setting." (27:09)
  "Over the last five to ten years, football still king." (53:32)

• Mike Jones:

  "It's going to be a real interesting experiment." (35:09)
  "The science behind all of this has changed." (36:49)

Conclusion

In this episode of "Best of the Week on The Herd", Colin Cowherd hosts a dynamic discussion covering high-profile NBA rumors, in-depth NFL contract negotiations, and evolving quarterback rankings. With expert guests like Micah Parsons and Mike Jones, the podcast offers listeners comprehensive insights into the latest sports developments, blending analysis with engaging debates. The episode underscores the ever-changing landscape of professional sports, highlighting the intersection of performance, management, and media influence.

Stay Connected:
To catch live editions of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," tune in weekdays at noon Eastern / 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, or stream via the iHeartRadio app by searching "Fox Sports Radio" or "FSR."