The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Episode Summary

Title: Colin Cowherd Podcast - Caleb IS The Bears Problem, Broncos BLOW OUT Cowboys, Trade AJ Brown? Drake Maye Is A STAR
Date: October 27, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: John Middlekauff (Former NFL Scout)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into several of the NFL's biggest storylines from the week, including struggles with the Chicago Bears and QB Caleb Williams, Denver’s rout of the Cowboys, major questions about AJ Brown’s future in Philadelphia, and the emergence of Drake Maye as a top quarterback talent. Cowherd and Middlekauff break down whether Caleb Williams is the Bears’ biggest problem, what’s next for the Eagles and AJ Brown, and how franchises should approach the NFL Draft quarterback class. Also featured are meaningful comparisons between young quarterbacks and an examination of organizational dynamics that drive or hinder success in the NFL.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Caleb Williams & the Chicago Bears Struggles

• Performance Breakdown:
  • First-quarter stats are solid, but Williams rapidly declines as games progress:
    • “First quarter, the Bears plus 22 point differential, Caleb 71% completion… Quarters 2 through 4, 58% completion percentage for Caleb Williams, minus 39 point differential.” — John Middlekauff (04:49)
  • Issues stem from inability to execute plays off-script and lack of rhythm and touch.
  • Cowherd criticizes Williams’ accuracy and functional play at QB:
    • “Caleb, in my opinion, is never going to be an accurate, consistently accurate thrower of the football in this league. Am I too harsh?” — John Middlekauff (04:49)
    • “Caleb simply cannot timing and touch. Colin terrible. There's no rhythm to his game.” — Colin Cowherd (06:45)
• Coaching Dynamics:
  • Ben Johnson (head coach/offensive mind) is frustrated since Williams doesn’t fit his ideal QB profile (timing and precise execution).
    • “Ben Johnson inherited this situation...he didn’t draft him. Based on the way I watch him call plays, that's not really his style of player.” — Colin Cowherd (12:05)
  • Body language and demeanor show fatigue with Williams’ development pace.
• Organizational Ramifications:
  • The hosts agree 2026 will be a make-or-break year for Williams in Chicago.

    “This keeps going like this. Got major question marks surrounding it for sure.” — Colin Cowherd (08:55)

Memorable Quote

• “To me, he's the problem, which is a problem.” — Colin Cowherd (14:12)

2. Denver Broncos' Statement Win Over Dallas Cowboys

• Offensive Explosion & Player Development:
  • “Denver 44, Dallas 24. This game to me felt very much, John, like it was over in the second quarter.” — Colin Cowherd (47:43)
  • Highlights Bo Nix’s significant progress under Sean Payton, showing traits reminiscent of Aaron Rodgers and demonstrating downfield aggression.

    “Bo Nix throws an absolute seed to get that rookie from Illinois his first touchdown. I was impressed with Denver … this thing was over really mid second quarter.” — John Middlekauff (48:34)

  • Multiple Broncos receivers (Mims, Franklin, Sutton, Bryant) are emerging as explosive threats.
• Cowboys' Defensive Woes:
  • Dallas’s defense is described as “atrocious,” allowing Denver to look unstoppable at times.
• Playoff Outlook:
  • The hosts suggest Denver could contend in the AFC if they balance their attack and exploit their offensive depth:

    “If he's throwing well, they could beat anyone in the league on any given week, for sure.” — Colin Cowherd (51:31) “If you go back and look, Bo Nix... was in the 50s [completion %] at Auburn, but then went to Oregon and was like 70 and then like 78%.” — Colin Cowherd (52:57)

3. AJ Brown Trade Rumors & the Philadelphia Eagles

• Impact of Brown’s Absence:
  • Eagles crush Giants without Brown, with Jalen Hurts and the run game thriving:

    “Philadelphia today, 38 points, offense hasn't looked better. And A.J. brown didn't play. To me, if that's not... I think Philadelphia was really interested on what they would look like today without him.” — John Middlekauff (27:08)

• Locker Room Chemistry & Organizational Culture:
  • Suggest that Brown's absence may actually help team chemistry and offensive distribution:

    “Addition by subtraction sounds weird... you’re like, how can you lose him and be better? But you get into these locker rooms…” — John Middlekauff (27:08)

  • Discussion about unique personalities, with Jalen Hurts’s maturity sometimes making it difficult for teammates to relate.

    “I was told, I was told this summer by an NFL exec that Jalen wasn't beloved in the locker room because he's not really one of the guys. He's super mature.” — John Middlekauff (33:42)

• Trade Value & Potential Landing Spots:
  • New England, Tennessee, or other AFC teams floated as potential suitors; debating what draft picks or players could be involved.

    “Can we get two twos from New England and give him back to Vrabel? Can we get a bidding war...?” — Colin Cowherd (28:23)

4. Drake Maye’s Emergence in New England

• Rapid Development:
  • Maye’s numbers and poise wow both hosts:

    “Drake May, his last seven games, he's completing 77% of his throws. John, I watched his running today... I'm not so sure. He's not a top eight quarterback in the league now. Jesus, he's good.” — Colin Cowherd (35:50)

  • Recognized as an MVP candidate, powering a young, efficient Patriots team void of superstar skill talent yet thriving under Vrabel.
• Offensive Structure:
  • Middlekauff: “They run it, they throw it. Their receivers are all capable... New England’s just super efficient. Well coached...”
• Comparison to League’s Elite:
  • The Patriots, Chiefs, and Colts described as the AFC’s clear top teams.

5. NFL Draft Quarterback Class + College Coaching Carousel

• Draft Class Concerns:
  • Several teams (Jets, Cleveland, Saints, Raiders, Pittsburgh, Rams, Minnesota) are in the market for quarterbacks, but this year's class lacks can’t-miss prospects.

    “This is not a great year to be like, oh, we need to solve our issues.” — Colin Cowherd (58:14)

  • Only Lenore Sellers (South Carolina) is highlighted as having potentially special traits, but needs development.
• Brian Kelly, Lane Kiffin, & the LSU Job:
  • Widespread speculation about the future of LSU coach Brian Kelly. Middlekauff and Cowherd speculate that Kelly is a “bad fit” with LSU and suggest Lane Kiffin could be the answer if LSU moves on.

    “If I'm LSU, I make this move. Because the other thing is, you can't. You just can't go on. You know, it becomes like apathetic. People just quit on Brian Kelly.” — John Middlekauff (63:36)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On Caleb Williams’ Struggles:
  • “Caleb, in my opinion, is never going to be an accurate, consistently accurate thrower of the football in this league.”
    — John Middlekauff (04:49)
  • “Caleb simply cannot timing and touch. Colin terrible. There's no rhythm to his game.”
    — Colin Cowherd (06:45)
• On Bears’ Formula & Limitations:
  • “If you can avoid turnovers, this offense is... It's a BB gun.”
    — John Middlekauff (13:24)
• On Ben Johnson’s Dilemma:
  • “Ben Johnson inherited this situation... Based on the way I watch him call plays, that's not really his style of player.”
    — Colin Cowherd (12:05)
• On AJ Brown’s Trade Value:
  • “Can we get two twos from New England and give him back to Vrabel? Can we get a bidding war...?”
    — Colin Cowherd (28:23)
• On Drake Maye:
  • “I'm not so sure. He's not a top eight quarterback in the league now. Jesus, he's good.”
    — Colin Cowherd (35:50)
• On Denver’s Offense:
  • “All four of those guys... same body type. They run, they're long, they have a catching radius.”
    — John Middlekauff (47:43)
• On College Coaching at LSU:
  • “He wasn't a natural fit. He was sort of an older Midwestern guy who's really intense, can be combative. He had the fake. And I like Brian Kelly, but he had kind of the fake Southern twang.”
    — John Middlekauff (59:55)

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:49 | Bears & Caleb Williams breakdown | | 06:45 | Issues with Caleb’s timing/touch | | 12:05 | Ben Johnson doesn’t fit with Caleb | | 14:42 | Texans vs. 49ers; C.J. Stroud analysis | | 27:08 | Eagles thrive without AJ Brown; trade talk | | 35:50 | Drake Maye’s elevation in New England | | 47:43 | Broncos blow out Cowboys; Nix and receiver development | | 54:54 | Teams clearly tanking; 2025 NFL Draft QB class evaluation | | 59:55 | College coaching rumors: Brian Kelly at LSU |

Episode Takeaways

• The Chicago Bears’ QB situation is dire: Caleb Williams’ inability to play off-script and poor fit with Ben Johnson’s offense has Cowherd and Middlekauff doubting his long-term future as a top starter.
• Denver’s roster is loaded: If Bo Nix develops further, the Broncos could contend in a stacked AFC.
• Philadelphia's chemistry question: The Eagles may be better without AJ Brown, and a trade could be win-win for all parties involved.
• Drake Maye is real: Not only thriving, he’s among the NFL’s most efficient young QBs, giving the Patriots an unexpectedly high ceiling.
• NFL teams are skeptical of this QB draft: Several teams need a quarterback, but few prospects are seen as plug-and-play franchise saviors.
• College coaching carousel turning: Speculation that Brian Kelly is nearing his end at LSU, with Lane Kiffin named as a logical successor.

This episode is quintessential “Herd” — strong opinions, deep football knowledge, and plenty for both fans and front office types to chew over.