Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3: Aaron Rodgers' Last Season

Release Date: June 25, 2025
Host/Authors: Colin Cowherd, Julian Edelman, Jason McIntyre, and John Middlekauff
Description: This episode delves into the significant move of Aaron Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers, analyzing its impact on both Rodgers' career and the Steelers' prospects for the upcoming NFL season. The discussion encompasses team dynamics, coaching strategies, quarterback performance, and broader NFL insights.

1. Aaron Rodgers Joins the Pittsburgh Steelers

Timestamp: [02:49] – [04:41]

Colin Cowherd initiates the conversation by addressing the seismic shift of Aaron Rodgers transitioning from the Green Bay Packers to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He emphasizes the potential stability the Steelers bring to Rodgers' career while questioning the team's ability to compete for a Super Bowl title.

• Colin Cowherd states, “I think they're going to be a solid football team as they always are. I think they'll be a little better than last year. Do I think they're going to win a Super Bowl? No.” ([03:00])

Cowherd expresses admiration for Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin and the team's defensive culture but remains skeptical about their championship prospects. He highlights the Steelers' offensive line ranking (29th) and recent roster changes, such as the release of a productive running back, which could hinder Rodgers' performance on offense.

2. Challenges Facing Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers

Timestamp: [04:41] – [08:20]

Julian Edelman builds on Cowherd's points by comparing Rodgers' situation to other veteran quarterbacks like Tom Brady and Matt Stafford. He notes Rodgers' history of success when surrounded by reliable receivers, drawing parallels to his tenures in Green Bay and New York.

• Julian Edelman remarks, “When did he have his most success? When he worked with the receivers. He knew Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, you know, those took.” ([04:50])

Cowherd concurs, discussing the difficulties Rodgers may face due to unfamiliarity with his new teammates and the Steelers' existing offensive line issues. He draws comparisons to Tom Brady's transition to Tampa Bay, noting that Brady thrived once he built chemistry with his new team.

• Colin Cowherd adds, “Aaron, he's going to a team that's not terrible. If he wants to continue his football career, that's awesome. He gets an opportunity to do it.” ([05:30])

The conversation shifts to the physical toll on aging quarterbacks, with Cowherd sharing personal insights about his own retirement, emphasizing the increased caution older QBs take to preserve their health.

3. The Impact of Aging Quarterbacks on Team Performance

Timestamp: [08:20] – [12:58]

Julian Edelman and Colin Cowherd discuss the broader implications of quarterback aging on team strategies and performance. They highlight how older quarterbacks might sacrifice aggressiveness to avoid injury, contrasting them with younger counterparts who often embrace riskier play styles.

• Colin Cowherd states, “You have to be on that edge of reckless to go out and do what you have to do. And the day where you have to think about going to reckless is the day you're done.” ([07:32])

Edelman brings up comparisons with other quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins, noting that a reluctance to take risks can hinder a team's offensive effectiveness. They discuss how the Steelers may leverage Rodgers' experience while contending with their own offensive line weaknesses.

• Julian Edelman observes, “Aaron not going to sit in there. Matt Stafford is one of the only old guys that will sit in the pocket and get drilled.” ([06:30])

4. Coaching Strategies and Team Dynamics

Timestamp: [12:58] – [23:08]

The discussion shifts towards coaching styles, focusing on figures like Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams and Mike Vrabel of the New England Patriots. Cowherd praises Vrabel's intelligence and leadership, contrasting him with other coaches who may lack effectiveness despite having strong personalities.

• Colin Cowherd comments, “He's the rare case of being a tough guy that's really smart.” ([08:55])

Edelman and Cowherd delve into the importance of effective coaching in building a cohesive team, highlighting McVay's innovative approaches such as holding team-building retreats in Hawaii. They compare this to the traditional methods of coaches like Bill Belichick, emphasizing the need for productivity and unity.

• Julian Edelman notes, “They could go play an away game in Green Bay and then as a team we would go work in San Diego for the week and stay in San Diego for the week and unify as a team.” ([11:18])

5. Team Building and Draft Strategies

Timestamp: [23:08] – [26:27]

The panel discusses the intricacies of team building, focusing on the San Francisco 49ers' draft strategies and their impact on the team's performance. They critique the 49ers for missing key draft picks and not fully capitalizing on their resources, which has led to vulnerabilities in their defensive lineup.

• Julian Edelman questions, “What makes him [Mike Vrabel] different? Because a lot of good players don't become good coaches.” ([08:55])

Cowherd elaborates on the 49ers' issues with offensive line aging and defensive shortcomings, expressing concern over their ability to compete without significant improvements in these areas.

• Colin Cowherd asserts, “When you get older, you don't want to get hit as much because you smarten up and you realize that that one hit that you took, you've had that hit before.” ([07:43])

They also highlight the importance of hitting on draft picks, emphasizing that success in the later rounds is crucial for building a robust team.

6. Prospects and Predictions for the Upcoming Season

Timestamp: [26:27] – [37:05]

Looking ahead, Cowherd and Edelman share their thoughts on various NFL teams' prospects, particularly focusing on the Arizona Cardinals and their quarterback Kyler Murray. They analyze Murray's potential to lead the team to a successful season, drawing comparisons to other quarterbacks in similar situations.

• Colin Cowherd states, “The scouting report is in. Experience the all electric BMW IX and witness dedication in every detail.” ([24:00])

Edelman praises the Cardinals' offensive talent but remains cautious about their consistency and ability to avoid injuries, which have historically hampered their performance.

• Julian Edelman comments, “They have to have a good backup. They have not been good at backup quarterback.” ([35:05])

Additionally, the discussion touches upon other NFL topics, including the Miami Dolphins' quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his performance, drawing parallels to Drew Brees' playing style and highlighting the critical role of offensive line protection.

7. Broader NFL Insights and Player Performance

Timestamp: [37:05] – [42:12]

The panel broadens the conversation to include the impact of player performance fluctuations and team dynamics on season outcomes. They discuss the importance of maintaining player health, effective coaching, and strategic team management to achieve success in the highly competitive NFL landscape.

• Julian Edelman reflects, “If it gets cold and windy and wet, I don't think about Purdy the same. That's exactly how I feel about Tua.” ([34:16])

Cowherd shares personal anecdotes about overcoming setbacks in his career, emphasizing resilience and adaptability as key traits for both players and teams striving for excellence.

• Colin Cowherd shares, “They watched that game my whole rest of my career for like seven more years, eight more years.” ([24:38])

8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: [42:12] – [43:12]

As the episode wraps up, Colin Cowherd and Julian Edelman summarize their key points regarding Aaron Rodgers' move to the Steelers, the challenges ahead, and the broader implications for the NFL. They reiterate their skepticism about the Steelers' Super Bowl chances while acknowledging the positive aspects of Rodgers joining a respected franchise.

• Julian Edelman concludes, “What a pleasure. What a pleasure. Good seeing you, buddy.” ([26:27])

Colin Cowherd emphasizes the excitement surrounding the upcoming season and the intriguing dynamics introduced by Rodgers' presence on the Steelers.

• Colin Cowherd ends with, “I think this could be a good thing for them if they are the underdogs going under the radar, because they haven't been that in a long time.” ([23:52])

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd: “You have to be on that edge of reckless to go out and do what you have to do. And the day where you have to think about going to reckless is the day you're done.” ([07:32])

• Julian Edelman: “When did he have his most success? When he worked with the receivers.” ([04:50])

• Colin Cowherd: “Aaron, he's going to a team that's not terrible. If he wants to continue his football career, that's awesome.” ([05:30])

• Julian Edelman: “They can beat anybody in the league. Go to Arizona. Kyler's getting protection.” ([31:27])

This episode provides an in-depth analysis of Aaron Rodgers' transition to the Steelers, offering valuable insights into the potential benefits and hurdles of this move. The discussion highlights the complexities of integrating a seasoned quarterback into a new team environment and underscores the critical factors that will influence the Steelers' success in the forthcoming season.