The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Best of the Week

Date: August 23, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)
Episode Theme: A wide-ranging review of the week's sports headlines, NFL preseason takeaways, quarterback analysis, a new "Herd Hierarchy," and an in-depth conversation with legendary coach Mack Brown about college football's evolving landscape.

Episode Overview

In this "Best of the Week" episode, Colin Cowherd delivers his signature takes on the NFL preseason, player performances, organizational issues, and trending sports stories. The episode features his weekly "Colin Right/Colin Wrong" segment and the anticipated "Herd Hierarchy," ranking the NFL’s top teams ahead of the season. A highlight of the show is a lively interview with championship-winning coach Mack Brown, covering Texas football culture, the impact of NIL and the transfer portal on college football, and plenty of inside stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Preseason Takeaways — Quarterbacks & Teams

(03:20 – 06:20)

• Colin on Caleb Williams in Chicago:

  • Despite a "choppy camp," Williams' first preseason performance signaled hope for Bears fans:

    "As I watched that, I thought, oh, everybody in Chicago is breathing a sigh of relief." (03:59)

  • The contrast is drawn with ex-Bears QB Justin Fields struggling elsewhere.

• Sam Darnold & Seahawks’ Potential:

  • Seattle's roster depth, offensive line strength, and successful draft picks are lauded.

    "Seattle Darnold look comfortable. I think when you watch the Seahawks they are a top five or six roster. I really believe that." (04:36)

• Jackson Dart Surprise:

  • Cowherd admits skepticism was unfounded; Dart’s poise and readiness exceed expectations.

• Cincinnati Bengals' Management Issues:

  • Ongoing concerns over the franchise’s handling of roster and Joe Burrow's support, particularly with rumors around trading top pass rusher Trey Hendrickson:

    "You can't ask Joe Burrow to have to win a track meet every Sunday." (05:08)

• Joe Milton’s Inconsistency:

  • The Tennessee QB’s performances remain unpredictable:

    "He is so mercurial. He is so up and down...I'll take a wrong on that." (05:52)

2. NFL Culture & Player Moves

(06:21 – 08:01)

• Dolphins’ Culture Questioned:

  • Colin wonders about Miami’s organizational substance.
  • Notable quote from ex-Dolphin Jalen Ramsey signals the importance of culture and respect for the head coach:

    "Let's go to a team where there's a lot of respect for the head coach." — Jalen Ramsey (07:04)

• Concerns Over Matthew Stafford’s Health:

  • Injury feels "more serious" than previously conveyed; the team’s lack of contingency plan is flagged.

• Taylor Swift & the NFL:

  • Colin celebrates the expansion of the Chiefs’ (and NFL’s) female fan base since Taylor Swift’s involvement, refuting claims her presence would alienate male fans:

    "She is a stimulus package with a microphone. She is great for every business." (08:04)

• Trayvon Henderson Draft Steal:

  • The Ohio State running back impresses in preseason and could be the "steal of the draft."

• Joe Flacco as Browns’ QB1:

  • Cowherd quickly acknowledges the Browns naming Joe Flacco as their starting quarterback for week one.

3. Herd Hierarchy: Top 10 NFL Teams Pre-Season

(13:27 – 21:25)

Cowherd ranks the most promising NFL teams of the upcoming season, with context and rationale for each placement:

Top 10 (with commentary & salient notes):

1. Philadelphia Eagles
   • Praised for a young, inexpensive, and dominant defense complemented by a strong roster. Concerns exist only at quarterback when playing from behind.

   • "They do everything right. They GM well, they quarterback well…Saquon Barkley has just been jet fuel to an uber talented roster." (20:17)

2. Buffalo Bills
   • Despite not being the most complete, Josh Allen’s playmaking is unmatched; enough to elevate the team.

   • "I think the world's best football player is Josh Allen." (19:50)

3. Baltimore Ravens
   • Consistent strength on both sides of the ball but lack postseason success.

   • "They do everything well…Maybe the best-run organization along with Kansas City." (19:10)

4. Denver Broncos
   • Not just added players, but elite talent; top offensive line according to PFF.
5. Kansas City Chiefs
   • Still dangerous but questions at wide receiver and age in certain positions (e.g. Travis Kelce).
6. Seattle Seahawks
   • Three strong drafts in a row; Colin suggests Sam Darnold is an athletic upgrade at QB.
7. Washington Commanders
   • A viable, "fun" team despite some injury and depth concerns.
8. L.A. Rams
   • Plagued by Stafford's injury concerns; youngest team, disciplined.
9. Green Bay Packers
   • A "quiet" camp regarded as a good sign; upgrades without major splashes.
10. Detroit Lions

• Loss of both coordinators and key linemen count as warning signs.

Additional mentions:
— Chargers: O-line concerns and distrust in depth at receiver keep them outside the top 10.
— Bengals: Placed at #12, with unresolved key issues notably at defense.

4. Mack Brown Interview: The State of College Football

(23:26 – 40:10)

Texas Football – Pressure, Passion, and the Arch Manning Factor

• Texas: Best but Toughest Job?

  • Brown acknowledges Texas is a dream job, but candidly discusses the "outside noise" and intense booster influence:

    "I love the University of Texas. I think it is the best job in the country…but after you coach at Texas, it's really tough because you really got everything you need." (26:56)

• Arch Manning & the Program:

  • The Manning family praised for handling expectations with "class, charisma, confidence."
    • On Arch Manning's readiness:

      "He's smart, he's self-deprecating… I'm really excited to watch him play." (28:42)

  • Arch’s mobility could help offset a young, inexperienced O-line.

NIL & The Transfer Portal

• Brown foresees NIL accelerating "professionalization" of college football, making it familiar ground for NFL-experienced coaches (e.g., Bill Belichick at UNC):

  "We no longer have amateurism. We have payment scales. We've got NIL. Kids are asking for money. They have agents…much more like the NFL than ever before." (31:27)

• Building Teams in the NIL Era:

  • Brown warns of "competitive imbalance," with only the richest programs remaining perennial contenders.

    "If you've got money and you buy a team, it doesn't mean you're going to win. Number one, you got to buy the right ones. Number two, they've all got to fit well in that locker room." (34:11)

  • Loyalty—like seeing top draft pick Cedric Benson cry over leaving Texas—is fading in a transfer-driven era.

QB Analysis & Recruiting

• Cade Klubnik (Clemson QB):
  • Brown is bullish—Klubnik's athleticism, confidence, and leadership "give Clemson a chance to be really, really good." (32:56)
• Drake Maye (UNC QB):
  • Competitive spirit born from an athlete family ("He said when he was a kid, he had to fight for food.")
    • On Maye’s NFL potential:

      "He is so competitive...I just love him. I think he's a quarterback that's going to win a Super Bowl." (37:12)

On Retirement and Golf

• Brown shares newfound joy for golfing post-coaching, punctuated with humor:

  "'It costs a lot of money. It takes all day...You hit a lot of bad shots and it makes you absolutely miserable. And as soon as you get through, you can't wait to get back on the course.'" (39:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "As I watched that, I thought, oh, everybody in Chicago is breathing a sigh of relief." — Colin Cowherd on Caleb Williams (03:59)
• "You can't ask Joe Burrow to have to win a track meet every Sunday." — Colin Cowherd (05:08)
• "Let's go to a team where there's a lot of respect for the head coach." — Jalen Ramsey (07:04)
• "She is a stimulus package with a microphone. She is great for every business." — Colin on Taylor Swift’s influence (08:04)
• "If you've got money and you buy a team, it doesn't mean you're going to win...They've all got to fit well in that locker room." — Mack Brown (34:12)
• "He is so competitive...I just love him. I think he's a quarterback that's going to win a Super Bowl." — Mack Brown on Drake Maye (37:12)
• "'It costs a lot of money...You hit a lot of bad shots and it makes you absolutely miserable. And as soon as you get through, you can't wait to get back on the course.'" — Mack Brown quoting a friend on golf (39:15)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Colin and Mack Brown on Texas job/NIL: 26:50 – 31:27
• Herd Hierarchy (NFL Top 10): 13:27 – 21:25
• Cowherd "Right/Wrong" mini-segments: 04:12 – 10:36
• Dolphins culture & Jalen Ramsey quote: 06:21 – 07:14
• Brown on transfer portal's impact: 34:07 – 35:41
• Cowherd on Taylor Swift & NFL fandom: 08:04 – 08:40
• Drake Maye's competitive spirit (Brown): 36:58 – 37:45
• Humorous golf philosophy story: 39:15

Conclusion

This “Best of the Week” episode blends trademark Cowherd NFL analysis, speculation and humor, with a particularly engaging segment featuring Mack Brown’s wisdom on college football’s evolution. The show strikes a balance between hard sports analysis and lighter, personal stories, making it accessible to both hardcore fans and more casual listeners interested in the larger sporting culture.