Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3: Dollars Over Stars

Release Date: February 18, 2025

In this engaging third hour of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, Colin Cowherd delves into the intricate dynamics of financial decision-making within top NFL franchises. Titled "Dollars Over Stars," the episode provides a deep dive into how monetary considerations influence team performance, player contracts, and organizational strategies. The discussion features prominent guests Dallas Goddard, Brady Quinn, and Jonas Knox, who offer their expert insights on various sports-related topics.

1. Dallas Cowboys: Ownership and Management

The conversation kicks off with a critical examination of the Dallas Cowboys’ current organizational structure. Dallas Goddard emphasizes the need for a transformative change in the team's management to foster a winning culture.

Dallas Goddard [07:00]: "The call to action is you have to get somebody in there who is going to build a winning culture. It has to start with a better GM that embraces a winning mentality."

Goddard argues that the Cowboys' perennial struggles can be attributed to ineffective decision-making at the ownership level, particularly highlighting Jerry Jones' intertwined role with the team's operations. He suggests that reassigning or redefining roles within the organization, such as relocating Jerry Jones' son to a different position, could catalyze positive changes.

2. Micah Parsons’ Contract and Future with the Cowboys

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Micah Parsons, the Dallas Cowboys' standout linebacker. Brady Quinn raises concerns about Parsons' increased commentary during the offseason and speculates on his motivations regarding his contract negotiations.

Brady Quinn [06:15]: "Micah Parsons says there's definitely a plan in place for his contract. It makes you wonder if he's looking around, thinking he's never going to win here, so it's time to demand better pay."

Jonas Knox adds that despite the Cowboys being one of the most recognizable brands, the lack of recent success might be pushing Parsons to seek higher compensation elsewhere.

Jonas Knox [07:30]: "There's a lot of advantages to playing for a big brand, but if your team isn't winning, you might feel undervalued and look for opportunities where your contributions are better recognized and compensated."

3. Comparative Analysis: Cowboys vs. Giants, Washington, and Eagles

The hosts shift focus to compare the Cowboys with other NFL teams like the New York Giants, Washington Commanders, and Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas Goddard points out that while the Giants are struggling, teams like Washington and the Eagles are making strategic moves to enhance their competitiveness.

Brady Quinn [10:05]: "The Giants look inept, especially after letting a franchise player walk who went on to rush for over 2,000 yards and win a Super Bowl. It feels like the Giants would have to make aggressive moves this offseason to fix their quarterback situation."

Goddard counters by highlighting Washington's positive trajectory under new management and a promising quarterback in Jaden Daniels, contrasting it with the Giants' quarterback quandary.

Dallas Goddard [12:04]: "Washington took a significant step in the right direction with good management and leadership. They have a quarterback in Jaden Daniels who can make them contenders for years to come, unlike the Giants who are struggling to find stability at quarterback."

4. Quarterback Dynamics: Cam Ward and Matt Stafford

The episode delves into the quarterback landscape, discussing potential draft picks and the future of established players like Matt Stafford. The hosts debate whether the Giants should pursue quarterbacks like Cam Ward or consider retaining veterans like Stafford.

Jonas Knox [16:20]: "Cam Ward is arguably the best in this draft class. If the Giants land him, he could be a transformational player, but they need to build a better foundation around him for him to excel."

The discussion then transitions to Matt Stafford’s situation with the Los Angeles Rams, exploring the possibility of his departure due to contract disputes and the Rams' financial constraints.

Brady Quinn [27:33]: "Matt Stafford has made upwards of $364 million in his career. If he's chasing dollars, it feels off because he appreciated the situation in LA more than anybody else."

Dallas Goddard [35:19]: "If the Rams decide to move on from Stafford, Pittsburgh could be a better fit for him. It offers a clearer path to a Super Bowl compared to the current turmoil in LA."

5. Organizational Mistakes and Their Impact

Towards the end of the episode, the hosts address a recent embarrassing incident where the University of Illinois unveiled Terence Shannon's jersey upside down. Greg Tuohy holds the Illinois Athletic Director accountable for the mishap.

Greg Tuohy [48:04]: "Mistakes happen, but certain moments shouldn't allow for errors like this. Ultimately, I'm responsible for everything that happens in this building."

The discussion highlights the importance of meticulousness in organizational events and the broader implications of such mistakes on team reputation and morale.

6. Concluding Remarks and Future Outlook

The episode wraps up with light-hearted banter and a look forward to future discussions, including potential special guests and upcoming sports events. The hosts reaffirm their commitment to providing in-depth analysis and engaging conversations on "The Herd."

Dallas Goddard [40:31]: "Lancaster is definitely the motherland for the Amish in Pennsylvania. Let's go to Pittsburgh!"

Overall, "Hour 3 – Dollars Over Stars" offers a comprehensive analysis of how financial strategies and management decisions impact NFL teams' performances. Through expert opinions and insightful discussions, the hosts shed light on the delicate balance between monetary investments and sporting excellence, making it a must-listen for sports enthusiasts seeking a deeper understanding of the business side of football.

Notable Quotes:

• Dallas Goddard [07:00]: "The call to action is you have to get somebody in there who is going to build a winning culture. It has to start with a better GM that embraces a winning mentality."

• Brady Quinn [10:05]: "The Giants look inept, especially after letting a franchise player walk who went on to rush for over 2,000 yards and win a Super Bowl."

• Jonas Knox [16:20]: "Cam Ward is arguably the best in this draft class. If the Giants land him, he could be a transformational player, but they need to build a better foundation around him for him to excel."

• Brady Quinn [27:33]: "Matt Stafford has made upwards of $364 million in his career. If he's chasing dollars, it feels off because he appreciated the situation in LA more than anybody else."

• Greg Tuohy [48:04]: "Mistakes happen, but certain moments shouldn't allow for errors like this. Ultimately, I'm responsible for everything that happens in this building."

For more insightful discussions and updates, tune into "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio or stream on the iHeartRadio app.