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

Release Date: August 9, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Description: A thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day.

Introduction

The episode kicks off with Colin Cowherd returning energized from vacation, welcoming back guests Matt Hassell and Diana Rossini. He sets the stage for a dynamic discussion on the latest NFL developments, particularly focusing on emerging quarterbacks and team strategies.

NFL Quarterbacks Analysis

Where Colin Was Right

• Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys (05:14 - 05:58):

  • Colin: "Jerry Jones once again has mangled a contract situation. I said this a couple of years ago... I don't like where Dallas is headed and it's all on Jerry."
  • Colin criticizes Jerry Jones for his management style, comparing the Cowboys unfavorably to the Raiders during Al Davis's era. He argues that Jones’s powerful control is detrimental, leading to poor trade decisions and weakening the team's competitive edge in the NFC.

• J.J. McCarthy’s Performance (07:06 - 07:51):

  • Colin: "JJ McCarthy, according to Kevin Seifert... accuracy a bit of issue in the red zone. Jeremy Fowler... working a lot on touch."
  • Colin emphasizes concerns about McCarthy’s accuracy and decision-making under pressure, suggesting that his performance may not meet the high expectations set during his draft.

• Luka Dončić’s Improvement (08:34 - 09:27):

  • Colin: "Luka Dončić is in the best shape of his career... I think he's going to have an unbelievable season."
  • Colin praises Luka Dončić for his physical conditioning and anticipates a stellar performance, attributing his improvement to his disciplined offseason and the new ownership of the Lakers.

Where Colin Was Wrong

• Jimmy Haslam and the Shadoud Sanders Draft Pick (06:00 - 06:33):

  • Colin: "Jimmy Haslam says the Shadoud Sanders draft pick... I don't get it."
  • Colin questions Haslam’s handling of the Sanders draft pick, criticizing the decision to draft additional quarterbacks in later rounds, which he sees as unnecessary and potentially disruptive to the team’s dynamics.

• Tennessee Titans’ Receiving Core (07:53 - 08:32):

  • Colin: "Traylon Burks, apparently Cam Ward... arguably the weakest receiving core in the NFL."
  • Colin expresses unwarranted pessimism about the Titans’ receiving trio, underestimating the potential of their players despite their current performance challenges.

• Indiana Fever’s Performance Without Caitlin Clark (09:31 - 09:56):

  • Colin: "Indiana Fever... in a five game winning streak with no Caitlin Clark."
  • Colin incorrectly assesses the Indiana Fever’s resilience and depth, overlooking the significant contributions of Sophie Cunningham in Clark’s absence, who has been pivotal in maintaining their strong record.

Interview Segment: Philip Rivers (16:08 - 34:00)

Colin engages in an in-depth conversation with former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers, now the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama.

Key Discussion Points:

• Legacy and Coaching Philosophy (16:08 - 21:00):

  • Colin: "I have a theory... playing at a school like NC State instead of Ohio State gives quarterbacks real-life NFL experience."
  • Philip Rivers: "The process made that part so special... It's more than just the X's and O's."
  • Rivers emphasizes the importance of real-game experience and a focus on personal development over mere technical training.

• Natural Talent vs. Coaching (21:00 - 28:03):

  • Colin: "Can you teach innate abilities like seeing the field?"
  • Philip Rivers: "Some things are God-given... accuracy, anticipation... you can't make vast improvements."
  • They discuss the balance between inherent talent and the role of coaching in developing a quarterback's skills, agreeing that certain traits are innate and cannot be fully taught.

• Antonio Gates and Team Dynamics (28:03 - 31:33):

  • Colin: "Antonio Gates makes a hall of fame... how did you recognize his unique abilities?"
  • Philip Rivers: "He had a unique ability to understand body position... he was ultimately coverable."
  • Rivers shares insights into recognizing and nurturing exceptional talent, using Gates as a prime example of how understanding and leveraging unique skills can lead to legendary careers.

• Gunner Rivers and the Next Generation (31:33 - 34:00):

  • Colin: "Your son, Gunner Rivers, is poised to be a top quarterback... how do you view his development?"
  • Philip Rivers: "The game has changed so much... he's in unbelievable shape."
  • Rivers discusses his son Gunner's promising career, highlighting modern training methods and the advantages of growing up in a highly competitive football environment.

Notable Quotes:

• Philip Rivers (17:54): "The passion and the fire and the intensity was genuine... it was about the game."
• Colin Cowherd (28:03): "There is nothing, no substitute for playing. You have to play."

Additional Segments

Greg Cosell Segment (38:51 - 57:15):

Colin previews an upcoming segment featuring Greg Cosell, a respected sports journalist, discussing Arch Manning’s potential decision to enter the NFL.

• Arch Manning’s Future (39:17 - 43:15):
  • Colin critiques the media narrative surrounding Arch Manning's college decisions, comparing him to his illustrious family legacy.
  • Discussion on the balance between maintaining authenticity and meeting franchise expectations as a young quarterback enters the professional arena.

Personal Opinions on Quarterback Personalities (43:15 - 55:12):

Colin shares his strong opinions on the personalities of young quarterbacks, arguing that the NFL imposes unfair standards on their behavior compared to other athletes.

• Expectations vs. Reality (43:12 - 55:12):
  • Colin: "It's totally unfair that at 23 years old... you have to be 23 going on 43."
  • Critiques the expectation for quarterbacks to exhibit extreme professionalism and maturity, contrasting with the more relaxed standards for other athletes and professions.
  • Highlights examples of quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts and Brock Purdy, praising their maturity and work ethic despite youthful personas.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd (45:02): "It's not fair. I don't want my quarterbacks to be, as Miles Garrett said, fun, lighthearted. I'm not interested in lighthearted at all."
• Philip Rivers (41:29): "His work ethic is incredible. Whether it's studying tape, studying film, studying the playbook."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a reinforcement of key points discussed, emphasizing the importance of talent recognition, coaching, and personal development in sports. Colin highlights the impending interview with Greg Cosell and encourages listeners to stay tuned for more insightful sports analysis.

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Colin Cowherd (05:14): "Jerry Jones once again has mangled a contract situation."
• Philip Rivers (17:54): "The passion and the fire and the intensity was genuine... it was about the game."
• Colin Cowherd (28:03): "There is nothing, no substitute for playing. You have to play."
• Colin Cowherd (43:12): "It's totally unfair that at 23 years old... you have to be 23 going on 43."
• Philip Rivers (41:29): "His work ethic is incredible. Whether it's studying tape, studying film, studying the playbook."

Final Thoughts

This episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" offers a comprehensive analysis of current NFL topics, blending critical insights with personal anecdotes. The interview with Philip Rivers provides valuable perspectives on coaching and player development, making it a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking in-depth commentary on the latest in football.