The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Colin Cowherd Podcast - NFL Draft Combine, Mendoza A Lock To Raiders At #1, Eagles Drama, Chiefs Rebuild?
Date: February 27, 2026
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: John Middlekauff (Former NFL scout, host of "3 and Out")

Episode Overview

Colin Cowherd and John Middlekauff dive into the latest developments from the NFL Draft Combine, discuss front office strategies among top teams, address key rumors around top players and coaches, and provide insider observations on the shifting dynamics in front offices and locker rooms. The episode features candid insights on the state of the Chiefs, a deep dive on the Eagles’ internal issues, Fernando Mendoza’s lock-status as Raiders’ #1, and an assessment of league-wide trends in talent evaluation, trades, and draft combine relevance.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The NFL Combine Atmosphere ([03:22]–[04:36])

• Combine as Deal-Making Central: Middlekauff paints the combine as a non-stop series of meetings, late-night negotiations, and networking for NFL decision-makers.
• Quote:
  "Every NFL head coach, out to dinner, out to cocktails, out with each other, every GM, every assistant GM...the JW Marriott is ripping every night." —John Middlekauff ([03:44])

2. Seattle Seahawks: John Schneider’s Draft Success & Offseason Moves ([04:36]–[07:04])

• Schneider Lauded as Best Drafting GM: Both hosts agree that Seattle’s John Schneider has separated himself in the drafts, especially since Pete Carroll’s departure.
• Kenneth Walker’s Uncertain Future:
  "I personally would probably let Kenneth Walker walk. Unless it's a relatively...two years, $15 million or something. But when you start bidding for a running back..." —Colin Cowherd ([05:21])
• QB Confidence: Seahawks believe in their young QB’s character and leadership, comparing him favorably to top-level competitors.
• System Value: The new offensive system (Kubiak/Shanahan tree) can generate productive running backs, reducing reliance on top-dollar RBs.

3. Kansas City Chiefs: Transition and Difficult Decisions ([07:04]–[10:48])

• Chiefs Entering a New Era:
  • The team faces tough calls on stalwarts like Travis Kelsey and Chris Jones due to cap constraints.
  • "If you remove emotion, it's probably time to divorce Travis Kelsey...unless he would come back basically for no money." —Colin Cowherd ([08:24])
• Trade Candidates: Trent McDuffie, Chris Jones identified as possible offseason trade chips.
• The New NFL Business:
  • "You’re going to see some potential legendary players throughout the league on different teams. I mean that’s just, that’s just kind of the way it works." —Colin Cowherd ([10:35])

4. Quarterbacks in Flux: Resurrection and Branding ([10:48]–[15:03])

• Second Chances: Noting how offensive-minded coaches (from McVay or Shanahan’s tree) can rehabilitate "busted" QBs.
• Kyler Murray’s Image Problem:
  • "If Kyler truly wants to resurrect his career...the Ravens, the Chiefs...one of those teams would be like, hey, we’ll take you for the veteran minimum." —Colin Cowherd ([11:57])
• Lesson for Players: NFL values high-character QBs with professional approaches:
  "The quarterback room better be like your coaches, better be like your executives. Just high level professionals." —Colin Cowherd ([12:55])
• Locker Room Dynamics: Success correlates strongly with having "easy to deal with" coaches and players with high emotional intelligence.

5. Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, and NFC North Outlook ([15:03]–[18:57])

• Ben Johnson’s Meteoric Rise:
  • Lions’ coach is authentic, balanced, focused, and "walking on cloud nine," yet unfazed by the spotlight ([15:40]).
• NFC North Depth: The division is highly competitive with minimal drop-off among the top teams.
• Ryan Poles & Bears: Early missteps (Chase Claypool trade) have given way to better moves; may have to move a key offensive piece for draft capital.

6. NFL Trades and GM Approaches: Evolution in Front Offices ([18:57]–[21:17])

• Trade Landscape Now Like MLB/NBA:
  "Now...all these GMs...they’re ready to trade. So there is just a lot of action." —Colin Cowherd ([19:02])
• Asset Market:" More interested GMs drive up the price of players (Max Crosby example).

7. Eagles’ Locker Room Drama: Jalen Hurts’ Leadership Shorts ([26:10]–[29:57])

• Notable Segment:
  "People were pointing to A.J. Brown. And some of it's on Jalen Hurts. He is not well liked in the locker room. He's not a galvanizer. He's not one of the guys." —John Middlekauff ([26:44])
• Locker Room Disconnect: Hurts described as being "polarizing" and not integrating with veteran leaders. This dynamic is contrasted with other top QBs who are widely embraced.
• Russell Wilson Comparison: "Richard Sherman group never embraced Russell Wilson...they never believed that...he's getting way more credit than he deserves." —Colin Cowherd ([28:32])
• Coaching Staff Gets High Marks: Sirianni has internal support ("They really like Sirianni in the building...Nick's good with people."—Colin Cowherd ([28:45]))

8. Quarterback Prospect Fernando Mendoza: Raiders’ Lock at #1 ([29:57]–[34:55])

• Mendoza Scouting and Fit:
  • "I think it's a 100% lock. Mendoza is the pick." —Colin Cowherd ([31:23])
  • Not as physically gifted as some recent QBs, but "accurate, smart, rhythm timing...mobile enough" for new Vegas offense.
  • "If this guy's a more athletic version of [Jared Goff], I'm very interested." —Colin Cowherd ([32:34])
• Importance of Character:
  • Chiefs "swear by Mahomes football character," and Mendoza’s personality is getting similar positive buzz.
  • "The person matters as much as the player." —Colin Cowherd ([33:31])
• Raiders’ Roster Plans: May hold onto Maxx Crosby if Mendoza is their guy, hoping for a swift competitive upgrade.

9. The Changing Relevance and Authenticity of the NFL Combine ([35:00]–[39:38])

• Opt-Outs and Agent Influence: Many prospects are skipping workouts; agents now drive the show as financial stakes grow.
• Combine Losing Significance:
  • Both hosts emphasize how combine interviews are now overly manufactured, offering little real insight ("It's like a first date...people say the right things, people dress perfect...but by the seventh or eighth date, you get a real feel for what a person is." —Colin Cowherd ([36:39]))
  • "I just don't watch it as much. It just doesn't matter." —Colin Cowherd ([37:06])
• Future of the Event:
  • "If I was a betting man...does it have over-under 10 years as currently constructed? I don't know." —Colin Cowherd ([39:17])

10. Insider Rumors & Notable Coaching Gossip ([39:38]–[42:54])

• Giants GM Joe Schoen’s Uncertain Status:
  • 50/50 shot at remaining post-draft; rumblings around front-office restructuring.
• Sean Payton Delegating Play-Calling in Denver:
  • "That opened a lot of eyes...What did Sean Payton do? Gave up play calling for this guy [Davis Webb]." —Colin Cowherd ([41:55])
  • "That’s a tough gig...that was one of the newsier things." ([42:12])
• Other Rumors:
  • George Paton’s future in Denver tied to Minnesota’s GM vacancy.
  • J.J. McCarthy, Tua Tagovailoa, and other QB carousel rumors circulating.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• John Middlekauff, on NFL Combine culture:
  "You have every NFL head coach out to dinner, out to cocktails...the JW Marriott is ripping every night." ([03:44])

• Colin Cowherd, on moving on from icons:
  "If you remove emotion, it's probably time to divorce Travis Kelsey..." ([08:24])

• On Jalen Hurts’ locker room standing:
  "He is not well liked in the locker room. He's not a galvanizer. He's not one of the guys." —John Middlekauff ([26:44])

• On Fernando Mendoza as Raiders’ lock:
  "I think it's a 100% lock. Mendoza is the pick." —Colin Cowherd ([31:23])

• On NFL Combine’s future:
  "If I was a betting man...does it have over-under 10 years as currently constructed? I don't know." —Colin Cowherd ([39:17])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• NFL Combine Scene/Intro: [03:22]
• Seattle Seahawks GM & Roster Moves: [04:36]
• Chiefs Transition & Kelsey/Jones Moves: [07:04]
• QB Reclamation/Branding Issues (Kyler, others): [10:48]
• Lions/Bears/NFC North/Ben Johnson: [15:03]
• Trade Dynamics & GM Evolution: [18:57]
• Eagles Drama & Hurts Leadership: [26:10]
• Mendoza Evaluations & Raiders Draft: [29:57]
• Combine Authenticity/Decline: [35:00]
• Rumors & Coaching Movement: [39:38]

Tone & Style

The conversation is fast-paced, opinionated, and direct—full of inside-baseball details, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and informed speculation. Both Cowherd and Middlekauff offer confident, occasionally irreverent takes, but circle back to core principles: this is still, at its heart, a "people business," with character and fit mattering as much as pure talent.