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- [00:00]
Colin Cowherd
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Terms apply. See capitalone.com bank Capital One NA member FDIC BMW didn't just design an electric SUV. Every detail of the BMW IX was crafted with passion and precision. With a BMW ix, you'll experience unmatched power, utility, spaciousness, versatility. My favorite feature cloud based navigation, monitors charge levels, locates nearby charging stations so I can drive electric with the ultimate ease. Be BMW lets performance do the talking and the scouting report is in. Experience the all electric BMW IX and witness dedication in every detail. Okay, have you heard about this? Last year, Degree changed the formula for their Cool Rush deodorant and their fans rebelled and wanted the old scent back. And Degree listened. That doesn't happen often. They admitted they effed up and they're bringing back the original Cool Rush scent. They're bringing it back and it's exactly how you remember it. Cool, crisp and fresh. There's a reason it's the number one men's antiperspirant and it's back in Walmart, Target and other stores now for under four bucks. So try and see what the fuss is about. Head to your local Walmart or Target to try the OG Degree Cool Rush for yourself. Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports radio and noon to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the herd@foxsportsradio.com or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. This party started. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Welcome in. It is hour two in Chicago. It is the herd. So, JMac, a year ago, a little more than a year ago, I went on the air before the draft and I said, I have a pretty good contact with Caleb Williams. He's going to be the number one pick. But there are concerns about the Chicago Bears. It would not be his first pick because of the history of the franchise. And I think it's. I've said this before, the harder you work, the better you are as a college athlete. The worst team you go to, if you're a young lawyer, a young architect, a young Tech star, you can go to a better company. Kevin Durant's going to a worse team out of college, or John Wall or whoever is the best player. So I said there's real. There's some real concerns about Chicago. But I. My source told me he doesn't want to be a bad guy. It's a great city. He's just going to make the most of it. Well, I got assailed. I got ripped by Chicago radio personalities. Very sad, very hurtful. Well, what do you know? Seth Wickersham, who is one of the best at what he does in the country. A journalist for ESPN reports that Caleb and his family wade blowing up the entire draft. Consulting with lawyers to figure out a way around the league's collective bargaining agreement. Considered signing with a UFL just not to go to Chicago. Caleb told his father he wanted to play for the Vikings after meeting Kevin o' Connell. I would as well. Aaron Rodgers rumored wanted to play for Kevin O' Connell, the guy they call the tall Sean McVay. Now, one of the reasons I was told, and now it comes out in the story, he had looked. It was a defensive coach. The coach was on the hot seat. He just did not trust the organization to help him. In the Wicker Sham piece today, Caleb said he often watched film alone last season. No instruction, no guidance from the coaches. That's what he was afraid of. Now, I do think it all worked out. If you could pick a coach to have in year two, you'd want Ben Johnson. They've spent money on the offensive line. So I. And by the way, we said this last year, it's better this year. They have in the NFL top six or seven running back, tight end, wide receiver talent. They have really good talent. So it's worked out. And now it's on Caleb, and I'm sure everybody will deny it. Ben Johnson's on our show later and I don't think it's a big deal now because he's got. It took a year, but he got the right people. I mean, if you're a young quarterback, Ben Johnson, Drew Dahlman, Joe Tuney, D.J. moore, two good tight ends in a division without a great defense. I think it all worked out for him. But this just goes back to the story that I had reported based on my sources at the time in Los Angeles near usc. Said, yeah, he was worried about it and I defended him because he didn't want to be a bad guy. But if you looked at the Chicago Bears, I think this is true. I don't think they've ever had a quarterback throw for over 4,000 yards. That is virtually impossible. That's driving through a car wash and not getting the car wet. How in the NFL can you not eventually have a 4,000 yard quarterback? And a lot of it's because the brand of the Bears has always been defense. And I mean, they still celebrate the 85 Bears. I always gave Andy Reid credit when he was in Philadelphia. Andy Reid in Philadelphia is a tough, working class, tough town. They love a run game and a defense. And Andy Reid on third and two started passing and I was like, who is this guy in Philadelphia who is. Who has turned third and two and third and three into a passing down? And I don't even love Donovan McNabb. Andy Reid really changed the way we looked at third and three in this league. And until he got Mahomes, he couldn't, he couldn't get the trophy. But Andy Reid was the first guy that, like, he had to change Philadelphia's brand from tough in your face to we're going to do a little clever and finesse on third down. Right? Like, that was not easy. I think Ben Johnson is going to do an Andy Reid. I think he's going to take this defensive brand in this tough guy town and he's going to say, no, we're going, we're going to be fun. We'll be a little finesse, we'll run. And I think he's on our show today. I think they'll be great. But my point is this story is out there and I don't think it's controversial now because in the end it all worked out and no reasonable. I mean, listen, John Elway didn't want to go to the Colts and Eli Manning, his family did not want him to go to the Chargers. And in both instances they were right. And if Caleb Williams would have forced the issue to go to Minnesota or somewhere else, I'd argued I'd do it, too. Every one of us comes out of college. The harder we work, the more options in pro sports. I've defended athletes on this forever. In pro sports, the harder you work, the lousier franchise you go to. And until recently, wherever you landed, you were stuck. Now it's just recently that Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold and Geno Smith have been able to get a third team or a fourth team and kind of restart their career. Before that, it was like we always use Drew Brees as the exception. Starts bad team, moves off him, and he ends up being a Hall of Famer. But it used to be wherever you ended up as an NFL quarterback because there was only so many good offensive coaches in the league. Now there's this breadth. There's this, this, this, this layering of tremendous young offensive coaches sprinkled all throughout the NFL. So a quarterback can have a bad opening spot and then his second or his third coach. I mean, Sam Darnold got Kevin o' Connell. Okay, all right, it's going to work. Or Geno Smith gets a coordinator he likes. Oh, it's going to work. Baker Mayfield gets Liam Cohen and Sean McVay. Oh, this is going to work. Instead of Freddy Kitchens. So now quarterbacks, if their first landing spot's a mess, there's a greater chance with all the excellent offensive coaching to turn your career around. But most of my life, until the last five or six or seven years, you were stuck. It was over. And I. And I'll defend Caleb forever. We talked about this. Chicago's history is they don't get quarterback. Right. They do a lot of things. Well, that's not one of them. So Albert Breer is joining us, and he's joining us live. Yeah, that's interesting. Staff just pointed this out. Chicago produced a pope before they produced a 4,000 yard passer.
- [09:36]
Albert Breer
Yeah.
- [09:39]
Colin Cowherd
By the way, Albert, just some thoughts on. I don't think it's a big deal today because I think it all worked out for him. But what did you make of the story?
- [09:48]
Albert Breer
I mean, Seth's an excellent reporter, so obviously, you know, I think getting it dug out. First of all, great job by him. My primary thought is this is a lot of the stuff that we were hearing over the couple of years that led into Caleb going into the draft. Right. Like that. They were thinking outside the box. He and his dad, his dad's a very smart and accomplished businessman and, you know, taught his son to think differently. And the reality is, like, this is something that all teams were looking into and anybody that was going to be in a position to draft him was concerned about this, like, is he going to want to come play for us? And so I think, like, those thoughts on, on Chicago are the manifestation of what a lot of people were talking about across the NF in the couple years that led into Caleb becoming a pro. So you can understand his concerns. Certainly, you know, I think this is something that more and more athletes think about. And, you know, it's something we heard about with Shador a lot. You know, going into his draft here was, would you rather go to an ideal situation or just get drafted as high as possible? And I think more and more athletes are starting to look at the bigger picture of this, especially with the. The explosion of second contracts, what those are worth now, you know, and the quarterbacks are into the 60s now. You know, a lot of times, you know, I think these guys are able to take a bigger picture view of it. And the bigger picture view of it would show that going to the right place isn't more. Is absolutely more important than the getting drafted as high as you can.
- [11:24]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah. And I, and I think I remember talking with somebody in the NFL and they said I was a big Bo. Knicks fan. He said, boy. And he knew. He was a listener, listener. He said, I know how much you love Bo Nicks. He's like perfect coach Sean, because remember Jaden Daniels, defensive head coach, Caleb Williams, defensive head coach, Drake May, defensive head coach. And there's Bo Nix. He goes to Sean Payton. Well, what a shocker. Now, Bo, Jaden Daniels got Cliff Kingsbury, but it does. I will defend these young kids. Where you land when you're walking into this league is huge.
- [11:58]
Albert Breer
It's a great point, too. And I think, like I was saying this to somebody yesterday, like, I think too often we undersell the importance of environment. We undersell, like, how a guy's success is tied to where he lands. We've seen it over and over and over again in a lot of cases, like, you know, when you have these private conversations with people that are involved with the young quarterbacks. Situations like Chicago last year, where, you know, maybe the head coach got a stay of execution. And if you're looking forward, a guy could be going through a coaching change after just one year in the NFL. That's something that these guys are looking to avoid for sure. So, you know, I think, you know, you can, you can, you can look over the course, the history of the NFL, how environment can swing things one way or another. You brought up Baker Mayfield, like what a great example that is. I mean, look at Jared Goff, right? Like he goes to the rams with the first pick in the 2016 draft, they're back in LA. Jeff Fisher gets the stay of execution because they had him in place to be the coach that was going to usher them to Los Angeles. And he couldn't have had a worse rookie year in la. And I think a lot of people gave up on him. And then Sean McVay steps in in year two, and now 10 years later, here we are, he's still playing at a really high level. So I think too often we look at. I just think too often we don't, we don't account for the importance of environment in a young quarterback's performance. I've seen there are very few cases, Colin, I don't know how many you can come up, come up with how many guys, and I'm not talking about a guy 30 or 35. How many guys at 22, 23, 24 years old at that position are overcoming bad environments? I mean, maybe the only one I can think of is Andrew Luck. Other than that, it's really hard to find examples.
- [13:43]
Colin Cowherd
That is literally it. Andrew Luck, who won 11 games with a Mo outside of a good corner and I think a decent kicker, they didn't have much to work with. Okay. So, you know, I said a couple things jumped out to me in the schedule, but when Albert Brear looked at it, what did you think the league was prioritizing when you looked at the schedule?
- [14:04]
Albert Breer
You know, it's funny, I talked to Ani Bowes, he's the VP of broadcasting last night, and, you know, he kind of took me through the openers of the last few years. Right. So two years ago they took a chance in the Lions rolling the dice there, and it wound up working out for him. Then last year they went the other way and they put Baltimore and Kansas City in that slot as a rematch of the AFC title game. And they really felt like that worked. And then they looked at this year's schedule and they saw some of the divisional matchups. The NFC east is playing the NFC north, the NFC north is playing the AFC North. And they saw this just deep inventory of games. And the idea this year was we are going to go big in as many big slots as possible. In other words, they weren't going to use the big slot to elevate a young, rising team the way that they did two years ago, the Lions. They were going to use the teams to amplify the slot. And so I think that's why you see Eagles, Cowboys there in that kickoff game, right? Like, they could have used that slot maybe to amplify the Bears. No, no, no. They're going to put the Cowboys in that slot against the Eagles. They know that's going to do a huge number. They're going to use the teams in that slot to amplify the stage that they've created there. Same thing on Thanksgiving, right? That 4pm window is huge for the, for, for, for, for the networks on Thanksgiving. One of the most viewed windows, if not the most viewed window of the entire regular season. They make it Cowboys, Chiefs. So that was the whole idea. That was the overlying thing was like they had this deep schedule because of the division matchups and they took advantage of it by trying to go big in the biggest slots.
- [15:37]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, the. You know, I look up and down, I will say this. The San Francisco 49er schedule, if you take out Matt Stafford twice and CJ Stroud, it is the weakest schedule I've ever seen. They don't play a single team off a buy. It is just a. Now there's J. Mac made the point that they have a rigorous road schedule. Rams at Tampa, at Houston over a month stretch. You look at this, that's a lot of travel. But my takeaway is I want to sign Brock Purdy before this season because he can walk to 12 wins on this. Wow.
- [16:20]
Albert Breer
Yeah, I'm like looking at it right now and you have it here in front of me and thank you for putting it up for me. But I mean, it's really easy to see them, you know, going to Los Angeles in week five at four and. Oh, right. And I think so much of it with a lot of these teams is sort of the spot that you're in, right? Like, are you a team that's established, that's bringing a lot of veterans back, or are you going to be breaking in new players in key spots? If you're a team that's breaking in new players in some key spots, then this is the sort of schedule you want, right? Like build some momentum, get some confidence, and then by the time you get to the bigger games, you're ready to roll. And that just so happens to be the position the Niners are in right now with all the guys they offloaded in the off season, bringing in guys to play key roles. Their first round pick, Mikel Williams is obviously going to be in a really big spot. Their offensive line is going to have to come together. Christian McCaffrey is going to Be working his way back. The receiver group is reconfigured with Debo Samuel out the door. Like all of that now they've got like a month to bring all of that together and as well coaches that team is especially with Robert Saleh coming back. I don't know man. Like I look at this and I'm with you. I think this is a double digit win team easy.
- [17:34]
Colin Cowherd
Finally. I don't, I've given up guessing what Aaron Rodgers is going to do. I did say if you're a Steeler fan and you could pick a year to be bad. Yeah, it's a pretty tasty quarterback draft next year and you don't have one. You have the. If Aaron doesn't sign with you, it's the worst quarterback room in the league, hands down. It's as bad as the Cowboy running back room last year. My take is Aaron is just contrarian to a point that he, he gets satisfaction out of being contrarian. I wouldn't be shocked if he retired. What if I said where's he going to be in three weeks? I'll give him a big long tarmac. Where do you think he is? Retirement? Pittsburgh. What?
- [18:15]
Albert Breer
I think Pittsburgh is where he winds up. I don't know if it's going to be in three weeks though. And I think, and I think I said this to you last week, Colin, like I would take the, the, the, the personal issue that he's been dealing with, take that at face value and respect it and like that's something that's there for him. Here's part of, I think the logic for the Steelers, right? Let's just say to just satisfy everybody. You do a contract the first week of April, Aaron Rodgers is on the roster. Then you say to everybody, look like Aaron's going to be taking care of a few things over the next couple of months. Let's just, you know, cool our jets on this. He'll be here when he can be here. What do you think that's going to look like for the Steelers? What do you think that's going to look like for Aaron Rodgers? You're going to get to the start of the off season program. Where's Aaron? Where's Aaron? Where's Aaron? Start ota, same thing. Start a minicamp, same thing. So instead of doing that, now you have Aaron Rodgers out there. You know, you're, you're still communicating with him. There's a respectful relationship. He's taking care of his, his personal situation and the other players, the other, the coaches, Aaron himself, they don't have to hear that like, where's Aaron? Where's Aaron? Where's Aaron? At least not the volume they would if he was under contract. And then, you know, then, then, then, then whenever he's ready to go and be all in, he can be all in. I think that that's a piece of the logic here. I think that's a big piece of why you would do it this way. Now that said, the flip side is you don't have him under contract and if he does change his mind, then the Steelers, if you're the Steelers, you're kind of in a tough spot. So, you know, I think the likelihood, the overwhelming likelihood is still that he winds up playing for the Steelers, but I still would not rule out the idea he could retire and who knows what other opportunity could come up if there's an injury somewhere else. So there is some risk in doing it this way. But I think for everyone involved right now, it's probably the best way to handle it.
- [20:11]
Colin Cowherd
Albert Brer Monday morning quarterback as Owens I even shocked him when I showed him that Niner schedule. He couldn't believe it's a bakery. It's just cupcake after cupcake down the conveyor. It's really amazing. It's CJ Stroud, Matt Stafford twice. And, and I, and I'm dead serious on.
- [20:27]
Albert Breer
Thank you for the graphic, by the way. It's hard when you got 32 of them rattling around in your head. So that graphic really helped.
- [20:33]
Colin Cowherd
All right, thanks buddy. Albert Brear.
- [20:35]
Albert Breer
All right, thanks.
- [20:35]
Colin Cowherd
Colin J. Mac. It does make you think though, does it not if you're San Francisco. I mean, Brock Purdy next year is like if he's coming off a 13 win season, you have no leverage with Brock Purdy because that means also if he wins 13 games, you don't have a draft pick. You're down at the bottom of the first round. So like if I'm San Francisco, he's coming off a losing season, I may be able to get him to 48. You're not getting him anywhere near that off that schedule. In a division crown, you are trapped. You're going to have a bad first round pick. You have an old offensive line. You're smiling about this. I'm John Lynch. I'm like, yeah, let's get this thing wrapped up. Can we look at that schedule?
- [21:15]
Jason McIntyre
Why are you being so negative with the Niners? I don't get it. You really become a Niners haters. Like, are you like just very anti Brock Purdy? I don't get it. Personally, I need to know.
- [21:26]
Colin Cowherd
Well, I think they, they really had a lot of things they had to solve. Secondary, linebacker, O line and they went all in on solving the defensive line, which I think the first couple of picks I like. But I just think they have holes in the roster and I think what's happening in the NFL and you're seeing it now in the NBA, the construct of the overall roster and taking a smaller than you'd like, marginally athletic guy with a battle line is trouble. Sean Payton, the first thing he did in Denver when he had Bo Nix fix the O line. Detroit, the front office, golf fix the O line. I think that, I think if you look at Sean McVay, the only time he's lacked success, the O lines off. I think and this is not a shot at Brock Purdy. Josh Allen is one of one battle lines. He'll get you to win playoff games. Lamar Jackson probably fits into that. I've seen Patrick Mahomes twice in Super Bowls get destroyed for one reason, battle lines. And I do not like that the Niners are a Trent Williams injury. That's true from having a bottom 10o line.
- [22:30]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah. Just like the Chiefs were a left tackle issue away from getting blasted in the super bowl twice. I mean, again, I get it. Josh Allen and Justin Herbert are unicorns. You can't find those everywhere. But Brock Pie has more playoff wins than Lamar Jackson. Okay, I don't want to hear it's the roster. Brock Pie has more playoff comebacks in his short career than Lamar Jackson does. Like, you got to get off this. He's small. He was a seventh round pick. It just it all right, I, I'll stand down. I, I know I I it's your stick and you've gone it but I got some Niners fans. Why does he hate Brock Purdy?
- [23:06]
Colin Cowherd
One in six against playoff teams with Kyle Shanahan in kind of an average division last year.
- [23:11]
Jason McIntyre
Last year everybody was hurt.
- [23:12]
Colin Cowherd
Come on, you know Lamar never has those years. Josh never has those years.
- [23:16]
Jason McIntyre
He just fails in the playoffs.
- [23:18]
Colin Cowherd
One more herd. The herd streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week within the iHeartRadio app.
- [23:23]
Albert Breer
Search herd to listen live or on.
- [23:25]
Colin Cowherd
Demand, whenever you'd like. Summer is almost here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered a day at the lake. That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak That's a yes. A nice tan. Sorry. A box fan. Happily, yes. What about a day of sunshine? Not happening. How about a box of fine wines? Yeah, that's happening. Delivery's on its way. Okay, how about some clear skies? Nope. Well, how about some french fries? Yeah. So how about a freshly cut lawn? Can't help you there. But a barbecued prawn? Order it and it's on its way. Even throw in some paper towels. Clean up after the feast. So while you can't get fun in the sun delivered, don't worry because you can get pork buns delivered. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. 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For more details on rates, fees, and other Gemini credit card terms, see Rates and fees. Hey, so we all make mistakes, but owning up to them is the right thing to do. So you know Degree Cool Rush deodorant, right? Well, last year they changed the formula and it did not go over well with their fans. So Degree's whole thing is it turns up the sweat and odor protection when you turn up the effort. And good thing it does, because Cool Rush fans really turned up the effort to bring the original formula back. One guy even started an online petition, and Degree listened. They admitted they effed up. They're bringing back the original Cool Rush scent. They're bringing it back and it's exactly how you remember it. Cool, crisp, and fresh. It's back in Walmart, Target and other stores now for under $4. There's a reason it's been the number one men's antiperspirant for the last decade. It's the same reason why people were not happy when it changed. So if you've never tried it, it might be a good time to see what the fuss is about. Head to your local Walmart Target and try the OG Degree Cool Rush for yourself. New Bear head coach Ben Johnson's top five later. It's interesting on a day the story broke. So Seth Wickersham works for espn. He's a great author, great journalist, writing a book. Author of American Kings, a biography of the quarterback. And. And he. He talked before the draft. So Seth has had this for a while. This is sort of what I. It's not sort of. This is what I had talked about before the draft, that his dad wasn't in love with the idea of his son wanting to play for the Bears. The dad really drove it. And. And so his son is like, well, yeah, I'd rather play for Kevin o' Connell. But his son eventually said, I don't want to go out publicly. This is exactly what I was told by a source very close to Caleb Williams. And when I reported this, like, Chicago media didn't want to hear it. But I'll just read you this. Chicago is a place quarterbacks go to die, said Caleb's dad, Carl Williams told Seth Wickersham. I don't want my son playing for the Bears. Williams told several agents last year may have been where I heard it. The rookie cap is just unconstitutional. So Ryan Polls, who's still the Bears gm, told Caleb's dad, we're drafting him regardless. And that left one option, for Caleb Williams to publicly go out a little bit like John Elway had done with the Baltimore colts in the 80s and just rip the franchise and say, I don't want to play. And, and, And Caleb came out and said, I'm going to do it. I can turn this puppy around. I've got confidence in myself. But Caleb worried about the city, the franchise's history. He worried about Shane Waldron and their offense. Caleb's a bright kid. He'd done his homework. He knew what he was getting into. I have no problem with any of it. The Bears aren't going to comment on this stuff because all those guys, you know, the coaching staff is gone. Shane Waldron's gone. But this is exactly what I was told. There was agents talking and confidence to Caleb Williams, and the dad, a businessman, you know, kind of spearheaded it. It's like, I don't want my son playing for the Bears. It's a mess. And it was. And everything he worried, worried about happened. So I think sometimes, you know, you need people like Seth Wickersham out there to tell you the stories of sports. There's a lot of phone calls being made and. And John Elway just said, I'm not doing it. And the Manning family said, no, we're not doing the Chargers. And Caleb didn't want to go there. And he had confidence in himself, but he had every right to be worried about Eberfluss who was over skis, Shane Waldron who didn't work, and the history of the franchise. All of those were totally legitimate concerns. I don't have a problem with any of them. And I've said until recently, I think there's. There's so much good offensive coaching in the league that if you go to a team and it's really bad. Jared Goff's an example. The coaching staff was a mess. To Sean McVay, it all worked out. I think Sam Darnold, Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield, eventually they got the right coaches, the right staff, the right mentor, the right Kim Pink King maker. And it all worked out. Didn't feel like it used to work that way. Like if you got a bad opening spot, a part of the reason that you can land with a bad staff, which is what Caleb Williams did last year now to a good staff, is because there's so much money to the ownership groups now in the NFL, they'll blow out bad coaches much sooner than they used to. I mean, $40 million to blow out a head coaching contract and a coordinator contract. It's a rounding error for these owners now. So that. That's the benefit is if the coach is a stinker. All right, let's just blow out the staff. So Caleb's going to be fine. I think this thing's built for him to win. His coach is on next hour. But this was all true. This is exactly what I heard. And I think all the concerns by Caleb Williams father were legitimate. J. Mac with the news. No, no, no, no.
- [30:59]
Jason McIntyre
Turn on the news.
- [31:00]
Colin Cowherd
This is the Herd line news.
- [31:03]
Jason McIntyre
All right, NFL schedule release was last night and Fox has an amazing lineup led by Eagles at Chiefs in Week 2 rematch from the super bowl when the team the Chiefs got their teeth kicked in. Both teams will be coming off playing early the prior week. Eagles play on the Thursday before the Week 2 matchup on Fox. Chiefs play on the Friday but in Brazil. So technically the Eagles will probably get an extra travel day. I like the Eagles in that game, but then again, I don't like the Chiefs next year at all. I know that's. Oh, how can you say this about. They have Andy Reid and Mahomes. Colin, I liked your opening rant knocking the Chiefs down a peg. I don't think reality has set in for those folks yet. And we could talk about Taylor Swift in the schedule, but this Fox matchup in Week two is enormous and will go a long way because we know the Chargers have fared well against the Chiefs. If the Chargers somehow win in Sao Paulo and the Chiefs are staring at 02 against the defending champs, that's a humongous matchup on Fox in Week two.
- [32:06]
Colin Cowherd
Well, and also I offensive lines are the one unit that it just takes time. Bears offensive line, I think is going to be eventually great, but it'll probably be week 12, 13, 14 when they get Dalman and Joe Tuney and the rookie from Boston College. It just takes time. Kansas City, Week two. I mean, in week one, Kansas City's got Khalil Mack. In Week two, it's the Eagles. And in Week three, by the way, the Giants now with Abdul Carter Thibod on the other side, that's not a great team. It's an elite pass rush. So the Chargers and the Ravens pass rush jags have a good defensive front. Aiden Hutchinson comes back. Then it's Max Crosby. So my take is offensive lines. And by the way, older offensive linemen no longer play in the preseason. The coaches don't. Now, Andy Reid will play some guys. Bruce arena would. Bruce Arians would do a little bit of that where he would play some of his older guys in the preseason. McVeigh won't. A lot of the young coaches won't. But their offensive line, they got to solve that thing. And they got either elite pass rushers or great pass rushes in their first six or seven weeks.
- [33:11]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah. And just real quick on the Chiefs before we get back to Fox News. So that game against the Giants in week three, you see it on the screen. That is the ultimate sandwich spot, Colin. You face the defending champs who destroyed you in February and oh, by the way, week four, your nemesis in the playoffs who you love to face, Lamar and the Ravens. So they can overlook the Giants in that spot. And as you said, that Giants pass rush is nasty. I'm just telling you that schedule is tough, Collins. Now, can we get the Fox games on the screen real quick? Because in week three, there is a matchup. Cowboys at Bears on Fox. I'm sure you'll be going to that game, obviously, maybe your boy. Maybe I'll join you at that one. I haven't been to a Bears game ever, but that is a great matchup. Fox got a lot of good games this season as as is to be expected, right?
- [33:58]
Colin Cowherd
Well, what's interesting is look at who Dallas is playing in a lot of their matchups. High powered, young, athletic quarterbacks. The first Fox game, oh, it's Caleb Williams with Ben Johnson. The next Fox, Fox game, Jaden Daniels with Cliff Kingsbury. The next Fox game, oh, it's Jalen Hurt, Saquon Barkley. Look at those Cowboy games. The first and then at the end of the year, you know they get the giants. The first three Fox Cowboy games, you better drop 30 points. You are facing clever coaches, athletic quarterbacks with Dak coming off a second lower body injury. So those Dallas matchups, you better get your offensive line fixed. In Dallas, you are facing, you could have three of the highest scoring NFL teams in your first three Fox games.
- [34:46]
Jason McIntyre
Yeah, and a quick note on the Eagles. I know they won the super bowl and they return almost everybody on offense. I, I do want to point out that their offensive coordinator situation, if you start, you guys start reading about that. It's too early for us to drill down, but there's something going on there. And look at their schedule is very difficult. Colin, they got to visit the Chiefs and visit the Bills. It's one of the tougher schedules. I'm not saying a major pullback, but all of a sudden I think Washington has a chance at that division. I'm just putting that out there. Yes, a lot will change. All right, next up, Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves. They're going to the conference finals. Again, Minnesota lost last year 4:1 to Luca and company. Rudy Gobert was asked after last night's game about if the team was satisfied and Anthony Edwards jumped in. Check this out.
- [35:32]
Colin Cowherd
With all of the ups and downs that you guys went through, that you.
- [35:34]
Albert Breer
Stayed together and you're right back where you were last year, there is no satisfaction. Yeah, we just got here.
- [35:41]
Colin Cowherd
We not. We haven't done anything yet.
- [35:42]
Albert Breer
So, no, he's not satisfied.
- [35:44]
Colin Cowherd
That's exactly how it feels. You know, it's. It feels good to get to that step, but it's stomach is not full.
- [35:53]
Jason McIntyre
Not at all.
- [35:55]
Colin Cowherd
I think the story of this team has been the ascension of ant, but I also think it has been the reboot of Julia Randall. He was dominant last night. And this, we talked about this yesterday. You got to give Julius Randall credit because he has been coachable. But you got to give Chris Finch and his staff credit because early in the year, Randall was an awkward fit. End of the year, he's perfect. So I. Julius Randle has. And we talked about this. We always knew he's a good player out of Kentucky when he came to the Lakers. But when he came into the league, Julius Randle felt like the league was changing and his game didn't match it. Now you watch him and I'm like, oh, if the NBA is going to allow this physicality in the postseason. Well, Randle's always been a bully. He is like the Knicks. Julius Randle is built for this kind of officiating. He is benefiting greatly now. He can hit threes as well. So it's a weird roster that shouldn't work as well as it does. Young, old, Go Bear. Conley Randall. I think the staff's done a great job. Real quick.
- [37:02]
Jason McIntyre
Two things on Anthony Edwards. I know you love him facing the league. So Zach found this. Youngest players to score 1,000 points in NBA history. Colin, Anthony Edwards is on the list, and he's in some hallowed company here. Kobe Bryant, Tony Parker, who's a Hall of Famer. Tatum, of course, LeBron, KD and Anthony Edwards. Now I bring that up. Colin. I've been percolating this hot take for a little bit on Anthony Edwards. I know you've kind of owned the face of the league corner. How about this one? In the years before Anthony Edwards got to Minnesota, they had two playoff series wins. Kevin Garnett was the greatest player in franchise history. I'm ready to go on record and say Anthony Edwards, who's already accomplished more with the Timberwolves as a team than KG is now the greatest player in Minnesota Timberwolves franchise history. This kid is young and a superstar. Colin, if they make the Finals, if they beat okc, we're looking at a historic run for Anthony Edwards. And I think he's overtaken KT in Minnesota Timur already.
- [38:02]
Colin Cowherd
And the other thing is, I mean you can make the argument that Anthony Edwards has a better coaching staff and you can also make this argument like a Michael Jordan or a Kobe Bryant as a wing player, he handles the ball more. So the advantage, the advantage is now you can get an occasional Kevin Durant or Wemby who is a big that can handle the ball, or Giannis. But the advantage he has over Garnett is that he's got the ball in his hands all the time and more and more. And also, also Kevin Garnett wasn't shooting three. So what, what ANT gives you, he provides you. He has the ball in his hands more. He's a better long range shooter in the analytic world. So there's, there's no question he should be over time a better score. Garnett is one of the great high school players of all time. I think he's from Chicago. Yep, one of the great high school players. Nobody disputes what Kevin's done. But there is an advantage to be an mj, Kobe or Ant and you got the ball in your hands all the time.
- [38:56]
Jason McIntyre
Do you see again, small thing Anthony Edwards, the way he had his hat in that interview, jumping in to steal a question from Rudy Gobert. Why is Goar dressed like a Bond villain? I don't get that. But Anthony Edwards is basically taking over. He's the man right now. And I think I like Minnesota over okc, but we'll get there. Final story, Collins is, you know, the Miami Heat have been quiet for a couple years now. However, two big names on the NBA market this summer, Giannis and Kevin Durant. And according to a report out of Miami, the Heat are interested in making a move on one or both players. Kevin Gar, Kevin Durant is the guy to keep an eye on. His odds to land in Miami are the fourth best. This would stun me if Kevin Durant heads to Miami. I don't think they're close, but going to the east is smart.
- [39:47]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah, going to the east with Giannis potentially moving west. I also think, I don't think they have the ammo to get Giannis. I don't think they have Oklahoma City's war chest or, or Houston. So if you're Miami, it's, how can we get better when we have limited resources. I mean they just, they in Pat Riley's brilliant, but they just don't have the ammo that Sam Presti has in Oklahom Oklahoma City. Now, if I'm Oklahoma City, I'm not sure I'm going to go with Giannis. I wouldn't. I think Chet Holmgren is a cheaper, ascending version of Giannis. He's not as good as Giannis, but he'll be, he'll be an excellent by next year. He'll be a great two. Jalen Williams now's a two, probably drops to a three Swiss army knife. But I do think, I do think the west is getting better. The east will get weaker. Boston won't be nearly as good next year. I think over the course of a season without Tatum, they won't have Porzingis Horford, Drew Holiday. Boston's going to make a lot of moves. I think Durant to Miami feels like it. It is a 26 point a game automatic catch and shoot guy without having to give up all your draft picks for the future.
- [40:51]
Jason McIntyre
I just don't know what, what's the seal? Can they make the finals with Bam Adebayo and Kevin Durant?
- [40:56]
Colin Cowherd
No, but they can be a, they can win a playoff.
- [40:58]
Jason McIntyre
So why would you. If I'm kd, I would send me to the Rockets. Kevin Durant on the Rockets without losing. Amen Thompson. Like that's interesting. I think KD is going to be fascinating. Colin. His stock to me is a little down. Don't tell him I said that, of course, because he's very sensitive.
- [41:13]
Colin Cowherd
Yeah. J. Mac with the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by the Herd lie news. A couple years ago, A couple years ago I made a prediction. I said, and Lamar Jackson is going to eventually replace Joe Flacco in Baltimore. I said I'm going to pick week 11. And we got really lucky. It was week 11. So I think Shador Sanders is eventually this year going to be the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns. And I'll give you the schedule and I'll tell you when I think he's going to start next. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app. Hey, Steve Covino. And I'm Rich Davis and together we're Covino and Rich on Fox Sports Radio. You can catch us weekdays from Fox to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox Sports Radio. And of course the iHeartRadio app. Why should you listen to Covino and Rich? We talk about everything. Life, sports, relationships, what's going on in the world. We have a lot of fun talking about the stories behind the stories in the world of sports and pop culture. Stories that, well, other shows don't seem to have the time to discuss. And the fact that we've been friends for the last 20 years and still work together, I mean, that says something, right? So check us out. We like to get you involved too. Take your phone calls, chop it up, as they say. I'd say the most interactive show on Fox Sports Radio. Maybe the most interactive show on planet Earth. Be sure to check out Covino and Rich live on Fox Sports radio and the iHeartradio app from 5 to 7pm Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific. And if you miss any of the live show, just search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. And of course, on social media, that's Covino and Rich. Summer is almost here and you can now get almost any anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now, what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A day at the lake? That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak? That's a yes. A nice tan. Sorry. A box fan? Happily, yes. What about a day of sunshine? Not happening. How about a box of fine wines? Yeah, that's happening. Delivery's on its way. Okay, how about some clear skies? Nope. Well, how about some French fries? Yeah. So how about a freshly cut lawn? Can't help you there. But a barbecued prawn? Order it and it's on its way. Even throw in some paper towels. Clean up after the feast. So while you can't get fun in the sun delivered, don't worry because you can get pork buns delivered. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. At the end of the season, there's only one team that can call themselves NBA champs. Only one player that can call themselves the number one pick in the NFL draft. Well, there's only one electric SUV worthy of the title. The ultimate. The all electric BMW ix. What I love about the IX is that it delivers legendary BMW performance. While its sleek design exudes innovative style from the inside out. Not to mention how much space and utility it provides. Over 75 cubic feet of cargo space, the IX is completely changing the game with an all electric suv. The greatest legends of sports never compromise any part of the game, so why would you settle for anything less from your suv? After all, there's only one ultimate the BMW. IX Everything you love about the ultimate driving machine Electrified Interested in investing in Bitcoin but not sure how to get started? Well, with the Gemini Credit Card you can dip your toes into Bitcoin without even trying. Just spend like you normally do groceries, gas or night out and instantly earn up to 4% back in Bitcoin or one of over 50 other cryptos straight to your account with no annual fee. The Gemini Credit Card is pretty much a no brainer and right now you can grab a $200 bitcoin intro bonus. So go to gemini.comcard to learn more and start earning today. Terms apply. Again, go to gemini.com card card start building your Bitcoin stash now. Terms apply. The Gemini Credit Card is issued by Web Bank. In order to Qualify for the intro $200 crypto bonus, your application must be approved by June 30, 2025 and spend $3,000 in your first 90 days. Terms apply. Some exclusions apply to Instant Rewards, in which rewards are deposited when the transaction posts this content is not investment advice and trading Crypto involves risk. For more details on rates, fees and other Gemini Credit card terms, see Rates and Fees. Hey, so we all make mistakes, but owning up to them is the right thing to do. So you know Degree Cool Rush deodorant, right? Well, last year they changed the formula and it did not go over well with their fans. So Degree's whole thing is it turns up the sweat and odor protection when you turn up the effort. And good thing it does because Cool Rush fans really turned up the effort to bring the original formula back. One guy even started an online petition and Degree listened. They admitted they effed up. They're bringing back the original Cool Rush scent. They're bringing it back and it's exactly how you remember it. Cool, crisp and fresh. It's back in Walmart, Target and other stores now for under $4. There's a reason it's been the number one men's antiperspirant for the last decade. It's the same reason why people were not happy when it changed. So if you've never tried it, it might be a good time to see what the fuss is about. Head to your local Walmart Target and try the OG Degree Cool Rush for yourself.
- [46:30]
Jason McIntyre
Monday, the NASCAR Cup Series All Star Race takes center stage at the legendary North Wilkesboro track. It all begins with the open races at 5 Eastern. Then the best of the best battle for the crown at 8 all Sunday on FS1.
- [46:47]
Colin Cowherd
So if you look at strength of schedule, the Cleveland Browns have the second hardest schedule. So this draft, they moved down to go get a second first round pick. So it's a very, it's, it's, it's. This has always been a problem with Cleveland, the owner. So this team's not going to win many games. They didn't love the quarterbacks in this class, so they moved down to get a second pick. They would like to get Arch Manning. The Mannings have a history with Jimmy Haslam. Tennessee guys. So Cleveland's not going to win a lot of games. So the question is. Jimmy Haslam, many believe, forced Andrew Barry and Stefanski to draft Shador Sanders. They drafted Dylan Gabriel probably around or two early, hoping to get out of the Shador sweepstakes. So the question is at some point, Haslam is going to come down and say place it or Sanders because this, this is not a great team. So my guess is Joe Flacco wins the starting job. He's the most NFL ready to play Joe. Joe can win a game or two. And the first four weeks the staff is going to tell him, Shador's not ready. Shador's not ready. My guess is they go 0 and 4, maybe they go 1 and 3. Haslam's going to come down on Sunday, October 5, and he says, I want Shadour to play against Minnesota. And the staff's going to say, we're in London. It's rough. Just give us one more week. This is, we don't want Shador having to go overseas. It's a big ask. And so they get, they, they stave off the owner for a week. Flacco loses that game. I believe shedeur starts Sunday, October 12th. If Flacco wins that game, he'll get another start October 12th against Pittsburgh and he'll win that game. I do think he'll lose to Miami and New England. They'll have a buy and then should do or the staff won't be able to hold it off any longer. Will play Sunday, November 9th at the Jets. By the way, some. Some tough teams down the stretch for Shador, but I believe, if you believe, and many do, that the owner, he's the one that wanted Manziel. He's the one that did Deshaun Watson. He's the one that wanted Baker Mayfield. This is an ownership group that likes headlines at quarterbacks. Shador is A headline. Dylan Gabriel's not. I mean, look at. We're paying attention to the Cleveland Browns, like Jerry Jones. They love their team, their logo, they love everything on TV. So my take is Sunday, October 5th in London after they start. Oh, and four one and three. The owner is going to say, that's what I want. And the staff's going to say, give us one more week. Let's not start him in London. If Flacco loses that game, my guess is Shador starts Oct. 12 against the Steelers. That's a rough defense, but it's a winnable game. If Flacco wins that game, and I don't. I don't think Minnesota is going to be very good. I think letting Sam Darnold go, they're going to be less of a team at quarterback. I think Seattle is going to benefit. You know, I love Darnold. Minnesota is going to pull back significantly with JJ McCarthy, but if Flacco does beat Minnesota, I think he would also beat Pittsburgh, who could have the worst quarterback room in the league, and then he'd lose the next two. Bye week. Let's go with a kid. So I'm going to put it out there. I got lucky years ago. I predicted week 11 Joe Flacco in that ironic Joe Flacco would get seated behind Lamar Jackson. I think it'll be either Sunday, October 12 or Sunday, November 9, because the Brown schedule is brutal by any account. Giants. And again, a lot of it's brutal because they're not very good. A lot of the Giants problems are they're not very good. It's not like they played teams with 75% winning percentage. The hardest schedule in the league, like the Giants and the Browns played teams with a winning percentage last year of like 54%. So these are. It just depends on how good your quarter. Your schedule feels a lot weaker, mostly if you have a really good quarterback and the Browns don't and the New York Giants don't. J. Mac you're looking into right now, if you had to guess, J. Mac Shador starting.
- [50:49]
Jason McIntyre
2026 with another team. No, just kidding. I. I don't see it. I'm not seeing what you're seeing. I am, however, seeing love for Dylan Gabriel, Oregon's finest quarterback. They love him. Stefanski loves him. I think he's going to get all the opportunities. And frankly, Stefanski's in a great spot. Colin. Because if the owner keeps pushing Shador on him and you don't want him, I'm going to do my thing. I'm going to do what I want to do. And then when Haslam fires him for not playing Shador, Stefanski could come out and say, hey man, I was coach of the year. I wanted Gabriel. He's a better fit for what we want to do. I didn't want Shador. Blame it on the owner and Stefanski comes out looking clean. I would go under one and a half starts for Shador Sanders this season. Wow, you're forgetting about the immortal Kenny Pickett, my friend.
- [51:34]
Colin Cowherd
Bears coach Ben Johnson going to be stopping by next hour. A lot of fun today. Schedule Release warriors are done T Wolves moving on Nuggets OKC Tonight it's the herd. Summer is almost here and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A nice tan? Sorry, A box fan? Happily, yes. A day of sunshine? No. A box of fine wines? Yes. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. Interested in investing in Bitcoin but not sure how to get started? Well, with the Gemini Credit Card you can dip your toes into Bitcoin without even trying. Just spend like you normally do groceries, gas or a night out and instantly earn up to 4% back in Bitcoin or one of over 50 other cryptos straight to your account with no annual fee. The Gemini Credit Card is pretty much a no brainer and right now you can grab a 200 bitcoin intro bonus. So go to gemini.com card to learn more and start earning today. Terms apply. Again. Go to gemini.com card start building your Bitcoin stash now. Terms apply. The Gemini Credit Card is issued by Web bank in order to Qualify for the intro $200 crypto bonus, your application must be approved by June 30, 2025 and spend $3,000 in your first 90 days. Terms apply. Some exclusions apply to instant rewards in which rewards are deposited when the transaction posts this content is not investment advice. Crypto involves risk. For more details on rates, fees and other Gemini Credit Card terms, see Rates and Fees. Every once in a while you get the chance to make a real difference, and this is one of those moments. Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military members and first responders. It's a powerful mission, honoring their sacrifice through the gift of education but last year, about 7,000 qualified students didn't receive funding, and that number is expected to grow to nearly 10,000. Don't let financial needs stand in the way of their future. Visit foldsofhonor.org to donate. Any amount helps. Together, we can close that gap one scholarship at a time. Okay? Have you heard about this? Last year, Degree changed the formula for their Cool Rush deodorant and their fans rebelled and wanted the old scent back. And Degree listened. That doesn't happen often. They admitted they effed up and they're bringing back the original Cool Rush scent. They're bringing it back and it's exactly how you remember it. Cool, crisp and fresh. There's a reason it's the number one men's antiperspirant and it's back in Walmart, Target and other stores now for under four bucks. So try and see what the fuss is about. Head to your local Walmart or Target to try the OG degree cool rush for yourself. You're listening to an iHeart podcast.