The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode Summary

Episode: Hour 2 - Doug Gottlieb Guest Hosting
Release Date: July 4, 2025
Host: Doug Gottlieb (Guest Hosting for Colin Cowherd)
Platform: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

1. Opening Segment: Hot Dog Eating Contest Analysis

Timestamp: 03:03 – 17:10

Doug Gottlieb kicks off the episode by drawing parallels between the Hot Dog Eating Contest and the Home Run Derby, highlighting both events' competitive nature and spectacle. The discussion primarily centers around Joey Chestnut's dominance in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.

• Doug Gottlieb: "There is something about the hot dog eating contest which feels a lot like the Home Run Derby... Joey Chestnut just ate 72 dogs in the hot dog eating contest." [03:45]

• Jace: "The Dodger dog is kind of a lengthy hot dog that tastes the same as most hot dogs, but they're Dodger dogs. So there's some gravity to that for whatever reason." [05:26]

The panel delves into the mechanics of the contest, discussing how Chestnut's recent performance of consuming 71 hot dogs compares to his record of 76 in 10 minutes. They debate whether his slight decrease signifies a waning dominance or a strategic shift in his approach.

• Doug Gottlieb: "So if he goes from 76 to 71, is this like, you know, when your velo is just slightly down as a pitcher, still dominant, but you can see that we're no longer peak." [06:10]

• Jace: "I always get two hot dogs at the Dodger game and it's just pure bliss. There's nothing like a Dodger dog with mustard and onions. That's a necessary thing." [10:29]

The conversation shifts to the psychology behind the popularity of eating contests. The hosts explore why audiences are drawn to watching contestants consume vast quantities of food, questioning whether it's the spectacle, the unexpected outcomes, or perhaps a mix of both.

• Jason Stewart: "This is different from watching someone just have a nice meal. This is like watching someone forcing down hot dogs well past their limit." [16:14]

2. NFL Leadership: Lamar Jackson’s Growth

Timestamp: 23:37 – 32:50

Transitioning from food competitions to the gridiron, Doug Gottlieb initiates a discussion on NFL leadership, focusing on Baltimore Ravens' quarterback Lamar Jackson. The conversation centers on Jackson's efforts to evolve into a more vocal leader within his team.

• Doug Gottlieb: "I saw this story that Lamar Jackson says he's working on becoming more of a vocal leader. What was the most difficult adjustment for you in the NFL?" [23:37]

• Lamar Jackson: "Just being a leader... I'm really not outspoken, like, being vocal." [24:07]

Profet, an NFL analyst, emphasizes the challenges Jackson faces in balancing his natural leadership style with the expectations placed upon him.

• Profet: "I think you can make them better, but you don't become one. I don't think we'll get back to some NFL stuff in a second." [24:37]

The panelists debate whether leadership traits can be cultivated or if they are inherently part of a player's personality. Drawing from personal experiences, Doug shares insights on former players and coaches who either embodied or struggled with vocal leadership.

• Doug Gottlieb: "It sounds good to say to somebody and it does. It's very reasonable to go. I know myself, this is something I need to do better." [24:37]

• Profet: "I think vocal leaders that are really good know exactly what to say. Like, how many times have we watched Ray Lewis pregame speech? That guy nailed it." [49:01]

3. NFL Player Moves and Team Strategies

Timestamp: 32:50 – 50:44

The conversation shifts to recent NFL player transactions and team strategies. Doug brings up the Pittsburgh Steelers' decision regarding extending star linebacker T.J. Watt, questioning the organization's approach.

• Doug Gottlieb: "Why are the Pittsburgh Steelers not extending T.J. Watt, former GM will tell us next." [39:18]

• Profet: "I think you've got to have Watt on the football field... you can push. And I think that's what they're thinking is like, how do we get over that hump?" [46:03]

The discussion expands to include the Los Angeles Lakers' recent signing of DeAndre Ayton and the implications for the team's dynamics, especially in relation to star player Luka Doncic.

• Jace: "The Lakers have signed... DeAndre Ayton. What do you think about their situation in the post there, Doug?" [33:20]

• Doug Gottlieb: "DeAndre Ayton is a pretty talented fella... he's not really a rim protector defensively." [33:20]

Additionally, the panel touches upon Jordan Love's development with the Green Bay Packers, assessing his performance and potential impact on the team's future.

• Profet: "I saw a good player, but I didn't think he would be this level. I still believe in him in terms of how good he is with the touchdown interception ratio." [50:44]

4. Dodgers' Injury Update

Timestamp: 35:51 – 38:48

Shifting focus to Major League Baseball, the hosts discuss a recent injury sustained by Dodgers' Max Muncie. The situation involved a significant knee impact during a game, raising concerns about his availability.

• Jace: "Max Muncie had a very scary situation at third base where he was covering a runner trying to steal third base." [35:51]

• Profet: "The Dodgers feared the worst, but they actually got some pretty good news yesterday as there's no structural damage and they're probably going to be without him for several weeks." [36:36]

The panel weighs in on the implications of Muncie's injury for the Dodgers' season, considering his recent performance and importance to the team.

• Doug Gottlieb: "That's good news for the Dodgers, it looks like he's going to be back by the end of the season." [36:36]

5. Closing Segment: Upcoming Topics and Promotions

Timestamp: 41:25 – 55:28

As the episode nears its end, Doug Gottlieb teases upcoming discussions, including the potential trade considerations for LeBron James and further NFL analyses. The hosts briefly mention promotional content and other segments but adhere to the instruction to focus on content and skip advertisements.

• Doug Gottlieb: "Coming up next, how should the Lakers interpret LeBron James latest passive-aggressive comments about the franchise and his future. Let's have it out." [53:14]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Doug Gottlieb: "Joey Chestnut just ate 72 dogs in the hot dog eating contest." [03:45]

• Jace: "There's nothing like a Dodger dog with mustard and onions. That's a necessary thing." [10:29]

• Lamar Jackson: "I'm really not outspoken, like, being vocal." [24:07]

• Profet: "Vocal leaders that are really good know exactly what to say. Like, how many times have we watched Ray Lewis pregame speech? That guy nailed it." [49:01]

• Doug Gottlieb: "DeAndre Ayton is a pretty talented fella... he's not really a rim protector defensively." [33:20]

• Profet: "I didn't think he [Jordan Love] would be this level. I still believe in him in terms of how good he is with the touchdown interception ratio." [50:44]

Conclusion

In this guest-hosted episode, Doug Gottlieb steers "The Herd" through a dynamic mix of sports discussions, ranging from the intricacies of competitive eating to in-depth analyses of NFL player leadership and team strategies. The engaging conversations provide listeners with insightful perspectives on both the lighter and more serious aspects of the sports world, making the episode a comprehensive listen for fans seeking both entertainment and thoughtful commentary.