Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 1: Aaron Rodgers
Release Date: April 18, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

1. Introduction and Main Topic

Jordan Schultz opens the episode by delving into a recent interview featuring Aaron Rodgers on the ESPN Pat McAfee Show. The discussion centers around Rodgers' strained relationship with the New York Jets and the broader implications for both the player and the organization.

2. Aaron Rodgers' Fallout with the New York Jets

Key Points:

• Organizational Mismanagement:

  • Jordan Schultz criticizes the Jets as a "second-class operation," highlighting poor treatment of Aaron Rodgers. He emphasizes that despite Rodgers' high salary, the Jets provided him minimal support, including limited time for phone conversations.

    "You can't treat employees that way. That's not how you treat people."
    (03:00)

• Player Polls and Organizational Performance:

  • Reference to the NFLPA player polls where the Jets received an "F," underscoring the team's longstanding playoff drought—the longest in North American sports, even surpassing the Washington Wizards.

    "They have the longest playoff drought in North American sports, longer than the Washington Wizards."
    (03:30)

• Management Turnover:

  • Schultz points out the instability within the Jets' management, citing the firing of Joe Douglas, whom he initially praised, and Robert Saleh shortly after. This instability contradicts previous statements by owner Woody Johnson about having one of the most talented teams.

    "Just this organization's not well run. Joe Douglas was bitter. Should be Robert Saleh, probably a little bitter."
    (04:15)

• Rodgers' Statements and Attitude:

  • Rodgers expressed uncertainty about his future, focusing on personal life over football, which Schultz interprets as unprofessional for a franchise quarterback.

    "Retirement could still be a possibility, but right now my focus is on my personal life."
    (05:00)

• Comparison with Other Organizations:

  • Contrasts the Jets' treatment of Rodgers with how other organizations, such as the Rams, Niners, Dodgers, and Baltimore, treat their players, highlighting the Jets' unique deficiencies.

    "Rams aren't treating people that way. Come on now."
    (04:45)

Insights:

• Schultz argues that the Jets' inability to properly manage and support a marquee player like Rodgers is symptomatic of deeper organizational issues, making them an unattractive destination for top talent.

• The discussion underscores the importance of player relations and organizational stability in maintaining a successful sports franchise.

3. Aaron Rodgers' Interview Highlights

Notable Quotes from Rodgers:

1. Focus on Personal Life:

   "Retirement could still be a possibility, but right now my focus is on my personal life."
   (06:10)

2. Indifference Towards Football Obligations:

   "This entire time I haven't felt like I've owed anybody any sort of decision at any point."
   (07:05)

3. Lack of Commitment:

   "I'm trying to be open to anything and not specifically attached to anything."
   (07:30)

Analysis:

• Commitment Issues:

  • Schultz interprets Rodgers' comments as a lack of commitment, especially for someone in the "most important position in American sports." He contrasts Rodgers' approach with other legendary quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, who maintained a strong focus on football despite personal challenges.

• Leadership and Responsibility:

  • Emphasizes that as a franchise quarterback, Rodgers should embody dedication and reliability, akin to top professionals in other high-stakes fields such as surgery or piloting.

• Organizational Impact:

  • The discussion suggests that Rodgers' apparent disinterest and the Jets' poor treatment are mutually reinforcing problems, potentially hindering both parties' futures.

4. Broader Sports Discussions

While the episode's primary focus is on Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets, Jordan Schultz and Dan Patrick also engage in various other sports topics:

a. NBA Playoffs Analysis

• Warriors vs. Rockets Series:

  • Schultz discusses the upcoming series, where the Warriors are favored due to Steph Curry's prowess and playoff experience. However, he counters this by highlighting potential weaknesses such as the Warriors' dependency on a two-man offense and the Rockets' home-court advantage and rebounding strength.

    "I think there's reasons they won't win it, but they could."
    (10:00)

• Player Performance and Team Dynamics:

  • Emphasizes Curry's versatility and work ethic, contrasting it with other stars who may lack defensive focus or off-ball work.

    "When a superstar either works really hard on defense or without the ball, it sends a message."
    (11:45)

b. MLB Dodgers Organization

• Dodgers' Excellence:

  • Schultz praises the Dodgers as the top organization in baseball, citing their consistent playoff appearances, effective farm system, and strategic player development.

    "The Dodgers have done that too and they still have a great farm system."
    (14:00)

• Management and Strategy:

  • Discusses Dave Roberts' leadership style, balancing a talented roster with effective player rotation and minimal disruptiveness from star players.

c. NFL Draft Insights

• 2025 NFL Draft Preview:

  • Schultz analyzes the upcoming NFL Draft, noting that all 32 teams still retain their first-round picks—a first since 1967—indicating a potentially less tumultuous draft with fewer trades.

    "The Denver Broncos said something yesterday. The GM said, we think the strength of the draft is in the late first and middle rounds."
    (30:00)

• Emerging Talents:

  • Highlights prospects like Colston Loveland and Ameka Buka, emphasizing their readiness to contribute immediately and the strategic value they hold for offensive-minded teams.

5. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Jordan Schultz wraps up the episode by reiterating his skepticism about the Jets as a viable team for Aaron Rodgers, comparing the relationship to mismatched celebrity pairings. He emphasizes the importance of treating key players with respect and the detrimental effects of organizational dysfunction.

"Second class football operation and a quarterback that's old, past his prime, and, you know, mostly committed."
(10:35)

Key Takeaways:

• Organizational Health: The Jets exhibit significant organizational issues that not only affect player morale but also their competitive performance.

• Player Management: Effective management of star players is crucial for maintaining a successful sports franchise.

• Strategic Planning: Both immediate and long-term strategic planning are necessary to foster a winning culture and retain top talent.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "You can't treat employees that way. That's not how you treat people." — Jordan Schultz
  (03:30)

• "Retirement could still be a possibility, but right now my focus is on my personal life." — Aaron Rodgers
  (06:10)

• "When a superstar either works really hard on defense or without the ball, it sends a message." — Jordan Schultz
  (11:45)

• "Second class football operation and a quarterback that's old, past his prime, and, you know, mostly committed." — Jordan Schultz
  (10:35)

Final Remarks

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd provides a critical examination of Aaron Rodgers' relationship with the New York Jets, offering insights into the broader implications for the team and the player. Through in-depth analysis and comparisons with other successful organizations, the hosts underscore the essential elements of effective team management and player relations in professional sports.

Note: This summary focuses on the core content related to Aaron Rodgers and the Jets, as well as other significant sports discussions, while excluding advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content segments to provide a comprehensive and engaging overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.