The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Episode: Hour 2 - Aaron Rodgers Created His Own Problems in New York

Release Date: June 19, 2025
Hosts: Colin Cowherd, Joy Taylor
Guest: Albert Breer

1. Introduction and Early Conversations

The episode begins with Colin Cowherd briefly mentioning receiving insider information about JJ McCarthy, a topic both he and Joy Taylor hint at without delving into specifics. This sets the stage for the day's primary discussions.

2. Aaron Rodgers’ Tenure with the New York Jets

Colin Cowherd opens the discussion by criticizing Aaron Rodgers' decision to join the New York Jets, suggesting that Rodgers has exacerbated existing problems within the organization.

Colin Cowherd [02:30]: "Aaron is smart, talented, but the Jets have been dysfunctional for a decade and a half. You chose him, then you chose Nathaniel Hackett—and look where that led us."

Joy Taylor concurs, emphasizing that Rodgers' influence has permeated the locker room negatively.

Joy Taylor [02:50]: "Aaron led the league in non-football distractions, seeping into the locker room awareness."

Albert Breer, joining live, provides a balanced perspective. He acknowledges Rodgers' challenges but highlights his rapport with Steelers' coach Arthur Smith and the established culture in Pittsburgh.

Albert Breer [05:35]: "Aaron has built a good rapport with Arthur Smith and has been diligent in staying in touch, which is fostering a positive environment in Pittsburgh."

Breer contrasts Rodgers' situation in New York with the Steelers', suggesting that Pittsburgh offers a more stable and supportive framework for Rodgers to focus solely on playing quarterback.

Albert Breer [06:10]: "The Steelers are asking him to just be the quarterback, not to lift every other part of the organization."

3. J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings’ Quarterback Dilemma

Shifting focus, Colin Cowherd raises concerns about JJ McCarthy's development and readiness compared to other quarterbacks like Bo Nix and Jaden Daniels.

Colin Cowherd [10:34]: "JJ McCarthy is not Bo Nix or Jaden Daniels. He’s still a work in progress."

Albert Breer responds by highlighting the differences in experience and the Vikings’ strategy of building around a young quarterback.

Albert Breer [11:22]: "The Vikings drafted JJ McCarthy with the plan to develop him as a reliable starter, not necessarily to make him a Mahomes overnight."

Breer emphasizes that the Vikings' focus is on consistency and long-term development, rather than immediate superstar performance.

Albert Breer [12:05]: "They don’t need JJ to be Patrick Mahomes right away. They need him to keep the train on the tracks."

4. Potential NFL Team Sales and Ownership Changes

Colin Cowherd inquires about the possibility of NFL teams being sold, drawing parallels with recent sales in the NBA.

Colin Cowherd [13:27]: "Is there an NFL team that’s looking to be sold like the Lakers or Celtics?"

Albert Breer speculates that while outright sales are rare, partial ownership changes are more likely, citing the recent sale of the Seattle Seahawks and the Las Vegas Raiders.

Albert Breer [14:03]: "Seattle might be the most likely candidate for a sale, but overall, it's more common to see pieces of teams being sold rather than whole franchises."

He points out that financial pressures and the high valuations of NFL teams make full sales challenging, but partial sales or ownership stakes could increase.

Albert Breer [14:30]: "With valuations skyrocketing, especially in markets like the Pacific Northwest, partial sales or bringing in new investors seem more probable."

5. New York Knicks’ Search for a Head Coach

The conversation shifts to the New York Knicks’ recent decision to fire Tom Thibodeau and their search for a new head coach.

Joy Taylor [21:22]: "The Knicks are looking at Mike Brown as the favorite candidate, followed by Taylor Jenkins and Johnny Bryant."

Colin Cowherd expresses a preference for Mike Malone, praising him as a top-tier coach.

Colin Cowherd [23:10]: "Mike Malone is an excellent coach. They need someone with a strong vision and plan, and I think Malone fits that bill perfectly."

Joy Taylor brings up concerns about Mike Malone's previous tenure in Denver, where he reportedly clashed with the front office over player development.

Joy Taylor [23:42]: "He feuded with the Denver front office because he wanted to ride veterans instead of focusing on young players."

Colin Cowherd counters by emphasizing the Knicks' need for a coach who can lead effectively without being overly influenced by ownership whims.

Colin Cowherd [24:28]: "We need a great coach, not someone who just complies with ownership. Malone is among the top coaches in the league."

6. Detroit Lions’ Jared Goff and Team Performance

Joy Taylor brings up the Detroit Lions' quarterback Jared Goff and the skepticism surrounding his ability to lead the team to success.

Joy Taylor [25:03]: "The Lions have too much talent not to bounce back, but can they make a Super Bowl run with Goff?"

Colin Cowherd argues that Goff's immobility and the Lions' offensive line issues may hinder their championship aspirations.

Colin Cowherd [26:36]: "Goff isn't a mobile quarterback, and with the O-line struggles, it puts additional pressure on him to perform."

Joy Taylor notes that despite Goff having a career year, defensive vulnerabilities remain a concern.

Joy Taylor [26:48]: "Goff had 37 touchdowns last year and a career-best QBR, but the defense was wide open and inconsistent."

7. San Francisco 49ers’ Defensive Strategy

The discussion moves to the San Francisco 49ers and their recent hiring of former Defensive Coordinator Robert Sala.

Joy Taylor [27:34]: "The 49ers brought back Robert Sala to overhaul their defense after a poor showing last season."

George Kittle, a key player for the 49ers, is quoted expressing enthusiasm for Sala's return and the upcoming season.

George Kittle [28:09]: "He's really good at his job and is getting the players fired up. Violence is coming."

Colin Cowherd supports Sala’s capabilities, suggesting that consistency in coaching staff is crucial for defensive improvement.

Colin Cowherd [28:30]: "Sala is an excellent defensive coach and deserves a second chance. His return is a positive sign for the 49ers' defense."

Joy Taylor predicts that the 49ers will be the number one seed in the NFC and contemplates their Super Bowl potential.

Joy Taylor [29:01]: "The 49ers will likely be the top seed in the NFC, but whether they can win the Super Bowl remains to be seen."

8. Additional Sports Highlights

Towards the end of the episode, Colin and Joy touch upon various other sports topics:

• Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics Sale: Discussion on the high valuations and potential ownership changes, with a focus on the Lakers' $10 billion sale connected to a massive TV deal.

  Colin Cowherd [34:43]: "The Lakers sold for $10 billion largely due to their 11-year $76 billion TV deal, reflecting the immense value of NBA franchises."

• Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance: Highlighting the Dodgers surpassing 2 million in fan attendance, attributing success to players like Shohei Ohtani.

  Colin Cowherd [37:54]: "The Dodgers' 14th sellout is the Ohtani factor—turning regular games into major events."

• WNBA’s Caitlin Clark Effect: Comparing Caitlin Clark’s impact on attendance and game significance to that of high-profile athletes in other leagues.

  Colin Cowherd [40:07]: "Caitlin Clark’s presence transforms WNBA games into major events, similar to how Ohtani elevates Dodgers games."

9. Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with light-hearted banter between Colin and Joy, touching on personal anecdotes and teasing future discussions.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Colin Cowherd [02:30]: "Aaron is smart, talented, but the Jets have been dysfunctional for a decade and a half. You chose him, then you chose Nathaniel Hackett—and look where that led us."

• Albert Breer [05:35]: "Aaron has built a good rapport with Arthur Smith and has been diligent in staying in touch, which is fostering a positive environment in Pittsburgh."

• Joy Taylor [23:42]: "He feuded with the Denver front office because he wanted to ride veterans instead of focusing on young players."

• George Kittle [28:09]: "He's really good at his job and is getting the players fired up. Violence is coming."

• Albert Breer [14:30]: "With valuations skyrocketing, especially in markets like the Pacific Northwest, partial sales or bringing in new investors seem more probable."

Conclusion

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the hosts delve deep into the complexities surrounding Aaron Rodgers' stint with the Jets and his subsequent move to the Steelers. They explore the broader implications of team dynamics, ownership, and coaching decisions within the NFL. Additionally, the discussion extends to other sports leagues, highlighting significant ownership changes and the impact of star players on team attendance and performance. The insights provided by guest Albert Breer add depth to the analysis, offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of the current sports landscape.