The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode: Hour 1 - The Super Team Trend is Ending

Release Date: June 3, 2025
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Description: The Herd with Colin Cowherd delves into the day's top sports stories with a thought-provoking and opinionated approach. In this episode, the focus shifts from the declining era of super teams in the NBA to pivotal developments in the NFL, featuring in-depth discussions and expert insights.

1. Introduction and Setting the Stage

Timestamp: [02:44]
Jason McIntyre opens the episode from Los Angeles, noting the absence of Colin Cowherd, who is on vacation. He joins Alex Curry to discuss the current sports landscape, highlighting the upcoming NBA Finals and recent Major League Baseball excitement.

2. The End of the Super Team Era in the NBA

Timestamp: [03:12 - 06:30]
Jason McIntyre expresses his disappointment with the current NBA Finals, citing the lack of super teams as a diminishing factor in the league's excitement. He reminisces about past super teams, such as:

• LeBron James, Kevin Love, and Kyrie Irving in Cleveland, Miami, highlighting their collective star power and the entertainment they brought to the Finals.
• Steph Curry and Kevin Durant in Golden State, generating unprecedented excitement and viewership.
• Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen in the Boston Celtics, creating one of the most memorable Finals matchups against Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.

Notable Quote:
"Super teams being created is awesome. And so, besides just the supermax and incentivizing everybody to stay, all of a sudden it's like, hey, there, we're going to institute this thing called an apron and a second apron... Exciting stars joining forces. Yes. Give me more of that." – Jason McIntyre [05:15]

McIntyre criticizes NBA Commissioner Adam Silver for shifting the league's focus away from super teams, arguing that player movement and star conglomeration were major drivers of the NBA's popularity. He laments the transition towards a more balanced and competitive league, fearing it diminishes the "pop" that came from marquee matchups.

3. NFL Focus: Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers

Timestamp: [07:00 - 11:03]
The conversation pivots to the NFL, specifically addressing concerns surrounding Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers. McIntyre shares mixed feelings about Purdy's performance, acknowledging his potential but highlighting inconsistencies:

• Performance Under Pressure:
  Purdy has demonstrated commendable comebacks, such as the fourth-quarter rally against Detroit where the 49ers overcame a significant deficit. However, his struggle when trailing in the second half raises concerns.

• Coaching and Playcalling Issues:
  McIntyre points fingers at Head Coach Kyle Shanahan, citing a pattern of the team blowing leads in critical moments. He references past games against the Patriots and Chiefs where similar issues were evident.

Notable Quotes:
"Brock Purdy is great on the script and when that wears off, it don't look good. When the chips are down, can this guy get it done?" – Jason McIntyre [09:45]

"Play calling has been suspect in big spots. Kyle Shanahan, what are you going to do?" – Jason McIntyre [10:30]

Despite these concerns, McIntyre remains optimistic about the 49ers' season, citing a favorable schedule and foundational strengths.

4. Spotlight on J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings

Timestamp: [15:07 - 24:00]
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to J.J. McCarthy, the rookie quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings. McIntyre passionately advocates for McCarthy, praising his potential and the support he receives from key figures:

• Support from Peers and Coaches:
  McCarthy garners praise from Aaron Jones, Kevin O'Connell (Vikings' Head Coach), and even Jim Harbaugh, DC of the team, highlighting his leadership, athleticism, and intelligence.

Notable Quotes:
"Everybody loves Kevin O'Connell. Kevin O'Connell loves J.J. McCarthy." – Jason McIntyre [22:10]

"I'm all in on J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings. They will play in the NFC championship this year." – Jason McIntyre [27:50]

McIntyre outlines his prediction that the Vikings, led by McCarthy, will secure a top seed in the NFC, emphasizing the synergy between the coach and the rookie quarterback.

5. Team-Specific Insights and Predictions

a. Detroit Lions
Timestamp: [32:01 - 33:42]
McIntyre and Curry discuss the Detroit Lions' recent challenges, notably the retirement of star center Frank Ragnow. They express skepticism about the Lions' ability to maintain their offensive line strength and navigate a tough schedule without their cornerstone player.

b. Washington Commanders
Timestamp: [33:34 - 36:10]
The Commanders' quarterback situation is examined, focusing on Jaden Daniels' development. While acknowledging his dedication and improvement, McIntyre predicts a potential sophomore slump as opponents become more familiar with his play style.

6. Guest Interview: Albert Breer

Timestamp: [40:57 - 51:55]
Albert Breer, a senior NFL reporter and lead content strategist at MMQB, joins the discussion to provide expert analysis on various NFL topics:

• Shador Sanders' Development:
  Breer emphasizes the importance of letting young players like Shador Sanders take ownership of their careers without excessive external interference, drawing parallels to past NFL figures who faced similar challenges.

• NFC North Quarterback Rankings:
  Breer ranks the division's quarterbacks, placing Jared Goff at the top, followed by Jordan Love, Caleb Williams, and J.J. McCarthy. He commends McCarthy's situation and potential within the Vikings organization.

• Frank Ragnow's Retirement:
  Breer discusses the broader trend of NFL players retiring early, highlighting Ragnow's departure as part of a movement where players prioritize long-term well-being and post-football careers over extended playing years.

Notable Quotes:
"Players have better information now on what football does to their bodies... They have more adherence plans for post football." – Chris Sims (via Breer) [46:32]

"J.J. McCarthy might be in the best one of the four quarterbacks in NFC North, but all four are in pretty good situations." – Chris Sims [49:13]

Breer's insights reinforce the earlier discussions about quarterback dynamics and team strategies, providing a comprehensive view of the NFL's current landscape.

7. Closing Thoughts and Final Predictions

Timestamp: [51:48 - 51:55]
McIntyre wraps up the NFL segment by reaffirming his confidence in the Minnesota Vikings and their quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, projecting them as a formidable team in the upcoming season.

8. Conclusion

The episode concludes with McIntyre expressing excitement for future discussions and teasing upcoming guest Albert Breer, who will delve deeper into NFL strategies and player developments.

Overall Insights:

• NBA Super Teams: The decline of super teams is seen as a detriment to the NBA's entertainment value, with McIntyre advocating for the return of star-studded lineups to rekindle fan excitement.

• NFL Quarterback Dynamics: Emphasis on the importance of quarterback performance and coaching strategies, with special attention to rookies like J.J. McCarthy who are poised to make significant impacts.

• Team Stability and Challenges: Examination of how key player retirements and coaching decisions affect team performance, particularly in high-stakes divisions like the NFC North.

Final Notable Quote:
"Every play could be the one that changes everything. This is the NBA playoffs. Legacies are built, heroes rise, and the action never lets up." – Jason McIntyre [50:50]

This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of the shifting dynamics in both the NBA and NFL, blending nostalgic reflections with forward-looking predictions. For listeners who seek in-depth sports discussions and informed opinions, The Herd with Colin Cowherd delivers a rich and engaging narrative that captures the essence of current sporting trends.