Episode Summary: "Best of the Week on The Herd"

Release Date: July 12, 2025

Host: Jason McIntyre (filling in for Colin Cowherd)

1. NBA Free Agency and the JMax Six-Pack

Timestamp: [02:36] - [08:22]

Jason McIntyre kicks off the episode by diving into the current state of NBA free agency, introducing his "JMax Six-Pack"—a selection of six NBA teams he believes have the highest potential to clinch the championship next season. Drawing from last year's unpredictability, McIntyre emphasizes the importance of team retention and strategic acquisitions.

Key Teams Discussed:

• Cleveland Cavaliers:
  McIntyre praises their retention of core players despite minor losses, stating, “The pieces are there for sure” ([03:03]).

• New York Knicks:
  With a new head coach and stable starting lineup, the Knicks are projected to achieve a 55-60 win season. McIntyre highlights the potential for them to secure the top spot in the East ([04:00]).

• Los Angeles Lakers:
  Addressing recent challenges, McIntyre remains optimistic about the Lakers' chances, especially with potential player additions like Bradley Beal. He remarks, “They're going to be fine” ([04:30]).

• Denver Nuggets:
  Commending their offseason moves, including the acquisition of Cam Johnson and re-signing key players, the Nuggets are seen as strong contenders ([05:15]).

• Houston Rockets:
  Significant upgrades, such as adding Kevin Durant, position the Rockets as the "team to beat in the West." McIntyre asserts, “Houston’s good” ([07:00]).

• OKC Thunder:
  Despite some skepticism, the Thunder make the six-pack due to their young talent and strategic acquisitions ([08:00]).

Notable Quote:
"No defending champ has gotten out of the second round since the KD Curry Warriors. Let's have the six pack. Let's get started..." ([03:29])

2. College Football Salary Cap Debate

Timestamp: [09:05] - [13:22]

Transitioning to college football, McIntyre engages in a deep discussion with Albert Breer about Deion Sanders' recent advocacy for implementing a salary cap in college football. Sanders argues that a salary cap would create competitive balance among universities, ensuring that no single program can dominate purely through financial means.

Key Points:

• Implementation Challenges:
  Breer highlights the complexities of enforcing a salary cap, including potential unionization of players. He notes, "If you're going to put a salary cap in place, it would pretty much necessitate a collective bargaining agreement, which would necessitate unionization" ([12:14]).

• NIL Regulations:
  The conversation touches on the evolving landscape of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations and how they intersect with potential salary caps.

• Fair Competition:
  Breer emphasizes the need for "guardrails" to level the playing field, especially for schools that aren't traditional powerhouses ([11:23]).

Notable Quote:
"I think if you're at a place like Colorado, which is not, you know, a blue blood at the level of Alabama or an Ohio State or a Texas, then it really does behoove you to have those sorts of guardrails in place..." ([09:36])

3. NFL Quarterback Dynamics and Team Management

Timestamp: [13:22] - [25:57]

McIntyre shifts focus to the NFL, addressing the intricacies surrounding quarterback trades and team strategies.

Key Topics:

• Kirk Cousins and the Vikings:
  McIntyre criticizes the Vikings for potentially misleading Cousins regarding long-term commitments, suggesting a lack of transparency in their strategic planning ([13:56]).

• Jared Goff and the Rams:
  Discussing Goff's abrupt trade to the Lions, Breer reflects on the Rams' organizational regrets and the impact on team dynamics, noting lingering tensions and potential future developments ([16:14]).

• Kansas City Chiefs and Travis Kelce:
  The conversation delves into the Chiefs' considerations for Kelce's future, with Breer analyzing Brett Veach's comments and the implications for the tight end's longevity ([20:11]).

• T.J. Watt and the Steelers:
  Breer anticipates mutual interests facilitating Watt's retention or transfer, despite contractual complexities, emphasizing the strategic importance for both parties ([25:57]).

Notable Quotes:

• "He probably would not assign there, right?" ([13:56])
• "The Rams have some regret over the way that they handled that." ([16:14])

4. Guest Interview: Marlon Humphrey on Ravens' Defense and Career Insights

Timestamp: [31:14] - [57:57]

Introduction:
Marlon Humphrey, an All-Pro cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens, joins the show to discuss his offseason activities, team performance, and personal insights.

Offseason Activities:
Humphrey shares personal milestones, including becoming a father and developing a passion for golf. He humorously touches on adjusting to reduced sleep and balancing family time with training ([42:22]).

Ravens' Defense and Performance:
Addressing the team's defensive ranking, Humphrey acknowledges past challenges and emphasizes his focus on improving defensive play. Despite the defense being ranked last previously, there's optimism about upcoming improvements ([44:06]).

Secondary Enhancements:
Humphrey expresses excitement about adding Jair Alexander to the Ravens' secondary, highlighting the enhanced defensive lineup and the potential for increased turnovers ([49:19]).

Facing Tough Quarterbacks:
Reflecting on matchups against elite quarterbacks like Joe Burrow and Josh Allen, Humphrey differentiates their game management and performance. He notes, “Josh Allen by far managed the game. Yeah, that playoff game in just a great way” ([45:35]).

Career Reflections and Future Plans:
Humphrey discusses his role in the documentary "Nothing but a Winner," reflecting on his college days at Alabama and aspirations beyond football, including potential ventures into Hollywood and media. He humorously states, “maybe not full time, but the cool thing about all that is that's something you can do and do something else” ([51:27]).

Notable Quotes:

• "The Baltimore Ravens defense hasn't really helped out at all or even done their part to win some of these playoff games." ([47:08])
• "We haven't really had... So I know it's all about the quarterback, but when you look at the numbers, you look at the stats, you look at the reality." ([48:20])

5. Closing Remarks and Promotions

Timestamp: [58:04] - [59:43]

The episode wraps up with brief mentions of upcoming segments and promotions, adhering to the podcast's typical structure. Advertisements and non-content sections are acknowledged but omitted in detail per user instructions.

Overall Highlights:

• Strategic Team Predictions: McIntyre's "JMax Six-Pack" offers insightful predictions on NBA teams with strong championship potential, emphasizing the importance of team cohesion and strategic acquisitions.

• College Football's Evolving Landscape: The discussion on a potential salary cap in college football highlights ongoing debates about competitive balance and the future of collegiate athletics.

• NFL Team Dynamics: Conversations around quarterback management, team strategies, and player movements provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of the league's current state.

• Marlon Humphrey's Insights: The guest segment offers a deep dive into defensive strategies, team performance, and Humphrey's personal and professional aspirations, enriching the episode with firsthand perspectives from an active NFL player.

Notable Takeaways:

• The unpredictability of sports seasons makes strategic retention and thoughtful acquisitions crucial for team success.

• Implementing a salary cap in college football could revolutionize competitive balance but comes with significant challenges.

• Transparency and strategic planning are vital in managing high-profile NFL quarterbacks to maintain team integrity and performance.

• Player perspectives, such as those shared by Marlon Humphrey, provide valuable insights into team dynamics and individual player development.

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and notable quotes from the "Best of the Week on The Herd" episode, providing listeners with a clear and engaging overview of the podcast's main content.