Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Hour 2: Chapel Bill
Release Date: May 21, 2025
Host/Authors: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Duration Covered: Approximately 2:38:00 to 5:55:00
Note: Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections have been excluded.
1. Introduction and Opening Remarks (02:38 - 03:27)
Colin Cowherd and co-host Jason McIntyre kick off Hour 2 of "The Herd," setting the stage from Chicago. They express gratitude to listeners and briefly touch upon NBA ratings, highlighting concerns about the lack of attention to other major sports like hockey and baseball.
Notable Quote:
Jason McIntyre (02:44): "It's hour two. It is a Wednesday. We're live, we're in Chicago. It's the herd."
2. Evaluation of PFF Quarterback Rankings (03:27 - 04:19)
The hosts delve into the latest Pro Football Focus (PFF) quarterback tier rankings, specifically discussing Brock Purdy's placement. They critique the ranking of Geno Smith alongside Purdy, arguing that there is insufficient data to support Smith's equivalence.
Notable Quotes:
Colin Cowherd (03:39): "Geno Smith in the same tier as Brock Purdy? I mean, I would love to see the metrics from PFF."
Jason McIntyre (04:05): "And there's no interest outside of Dallas for Dak. There's no interest for Tua outside of Miami and Brock Purdy."
3. Brock Purdy’s Value and Market Perception (04:19 - 05:17)
The discussion shifts to Brock Purdy's market value compared to other quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and Tua Tagovailoa. The hosts highlight Adam Schefter’s report on the lack of trade interest in Purdy, contrasting it with high demand for other QBs like Justin Herbert and Josh Allen.
Notable Quotes:
Jason McIntyre (04:43): "Nothing wrong with that. Their employers feel better about them than the market does and they've been paid a lot of money."
Jason McIntyre (05:17): "If C.J. Stroud was on the market, you got 12 teams calling."
4. NBA Dynamics: The Impact of Adam Silver’s Leadership (05:17 - 08:11)
The hosts analyze the NBA's evolution under Adam Silver, comparing it to David Stern’s era. They discuss the shift towards stacked rosters in big markets and the resulting parity versus the need for dynasties to maintain viewer interest.
Notable Quotes:
Colin Cowherd (07:54): "This is what you're seeing now in the NBA is what this is finally, Adam Silver's league."
Jason McIntyre (08:11): "Owners love parity. This is making a lot of guys who are Adam Silver's boss."
5. Western Conference Finals: Knicks vs. Pacers Showdown (08:11 - 11:08)
Focusing on the NBA playoffs, Colin and Jason dissect the upcoming series between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers. They debate the contrasting playing styles—Knicks’ slow pace vs. Pacers’ fast-paced offense—and the strategic implications for the series outcome.
Notable Quotes:
Jason McIntyre (09:31): "The Knicks have to get there. Jalen Brunson has to be able to get to what he wants to do."
Colin Cowherd (10:24): "I feel like Tibbs is now the most secure a New York Knicks coach has been since Pat Riley."
6. Coaching Assessment: Tom Thibodeau’s Tenure with the Knicks (11:08 - 12:10)
The conversation shifts to Tom Thibodeau's coaching performance with the Knicks. Colin praises Thibodeau for turning around perceptions from being criticized for hard practices to leading the team successfully through the playoffs.
Notable Quotes:
Colin Cowherd (11:08): "Tibbs is now the most secure a New York Knicks coach has been since Pat Riley."
Unknown Guest (11:08): "They had to take a really hard look at his future. Now all of a sudden they win two series later and he's the toast of the NBA."
7. Player Analysis: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) and MVP Discussions (12:10 - 15:50)
The hosts debate SGA's performance and his candidacy for MVP. They contrast him with other stars like James Harden, arguing that SGA's complete game makes him a strong MVP contender. The conversation also touches on potential superstar movements, specifically Giannis Antetokounmpo’s market value and future.
Notable Quotes:
Unknown Guest (12:54): "Every single one of them... told me he is the MVP of the league this season."
Jason McIntyre (15:50): "Giannis is that guy. So I think there will be a huge market for him."
8. Trade Speculations: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Potential Moves (15:50 - 18:47)
The discussion centers on possible trade scenarios involving Giannis. The hosts speculate on teams interested in acquiring him and the strategic value he brings, comparing his potential move to historical NBA trades.
Notable Quotes:
Unknown Guest (15:50): "Are the Spurs now going to make a bigger push for Giannis now that they have that number two pick?"
Jason McIntyre (18:47): "I would love to see these kinds of deals happen. But I'm not interested in giving up for Giannis."
9. NFL Focus: The Tush Push Controversy and Raiders’ Moves (19:02 - 29:42)
Shifting to the NFL, Colin and Jason discuss the recent decision to retain the Tush Push play, much to the delight of Philadelphia Eagles fans. They analyze the implications for game strategies and potential rule changes. Additionally, they examine the Las Vegas Raiders’ offseason moves, including Geno Smith’s acquisition and the coaching dynamics with Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly.
Notable Quotes:
Jason McIntyre (24:07): "NFL owners did not take the recommendation... we're going to keep the Tush push."
Colin Cowherd (25:59): "Geno's not necessarily reckless. He's actually not reckless if he has a run game."
10. Coach and Player Evaluations: Geno Smith and Pete Carroll (29:42 - 35:58)
The conversation delves deeper into Geno Smith’s role with the Raiders under Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly. They evaluate Smith’s suitability as a long-term solution versus a bridge quarterback and compare him to other potential options like Justin Fields.
Notable Quotes:
Colin Cowherd (29:19): "Why not Justin Fields? Justin Fields never made a Pro Bowl."
Jason McIntyre (35:58): "He just gets fouled and hits free throws. There's no loophole."
11. Comparisons Between SGA and Brock Purdy (32:37 - 34:09)
A brief comparison is made between SGA in the NBA and Brock Purdy in the NFL, discussing their impact on their respective teams and their standing in league hierarchies.
Notable Quotes:
Jason McIntyre (32:37): "If you take Purdy off the 49ers, they are not the same team."
Colin Cowherd (34:09): "Oh stop it. Well, I'll tell you right now, if you gave me choices, I'm not taking SGA top seven in the league."
12. Final Thoughts and Ratings Discussion (50:23 - 52:03)
Towards the end of the episode, Colin and Jason revisit the topic of NBA ratings, noting a slight improvement in playoff viewership but expressing skepticism about the long-term trajectory of regular-season ratings due to increased competition for viewers' attention.
Notable Quotes:
Jason McIntyre (50:23): "Per Nielsen live, same day data, first two rounds of the NBA playoffs average 4.2 million viewers."
Colin Cowherd (51:50): "Nationwide, if you've got an invite on a Tuesday night versus check out Thunder against Wolves."
13. Closing Remarks and Transition to Hour Three (52:10 - End)
The episode concludes with mentions of upcoming content, ongoing discussions, and promotional segments for sponsors like Gemini Credit Card and Uber Eats. Colin hints at continuing debates in the next hour, particularly about players like SGA.
Notable Quotes:
Colin Cowherd (55:00): "You're listening to an iHeart podcast."
Key Takeaways:
- Quarterback Evaluations: Brock Purdy's lower market value compared to peers like Geno Smith sparks debate over PFF rankings.
- NBA Leadership and Parity: Adam Silver’s vision for the NBA emphasizes parity through stacked rosters, but there's a call for dynasties to maintain fan engagement.
- Playoff Insights: The Knicks vs. Pacers series is a focal point, with coaching strategies and team dynamics under scrutiny.
- MVP Contenders: SGA emerges as a strong MVP candidate, with discussions on his impact compared to traditional stars.
- Trade Speculations: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s potential trade remains a hot topic, reflecting his high market value.
- NFL Strategies: The retention of the Tush Push and the Raiders’ quarterback strategy highlight evolving game tactics and team management.
- Ratings Concerns: While playoff ratings show minor gains, there is concern over the sustainability of interest in regular-season games amid diverse entertainment options.
This summary encapsulates the core discussions, analyses, and viewpoints presented in "Hour 2 - Chapel Bill" of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.