Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3: More on Caleb Williams
Release Date: May 16, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Introduction

In this engaging third hour of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host Colin Cowherd delves deep into current sports narratives, with a primary focus on Caleb Williams and his impact on the Chicago Bears. The episode seamlessly transitions into broader discussions covering NFL team strategies, the highest-paid athletes of 2025, Major League Baseball (MLB) insights, and National Basketball Association (NBA) analyses. Throughout the hour, Colin interacts dynamically with guest Jason McIntyre, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the sports landscape.

Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears: Pressures and Prospects

The episode opens with a detailed examination of Caleb Williams' recent performance and the surrounding pressures he faces as a quarterback for the Chicago Bears.

• Historical Context and Challenges: Colin references a story from a year prior, highlighting concerns about Williams' readiness and the organizational challenges within the Bears. "Caleb Williams said he was watching film alone and had never been taught how to watch film, so it explains why it was such a disaster last season" (05:00).

• Organizational Critique: Criticizing the Bears' management, Colin draws parallels with other struggling NFL teams, stating, "The jets and the Giants run through coaches and GMs like tools and toys for billionaires" (05:45).

• Future Outlook: With the hiring of Ben Johnson as coach, expectations are cautiously optimistic. Colin asserts, "Once you get the right coach, Caleb Williams should be really good really quickly" (06:10). He emphasizes the importance of early-season performance to alleviate the mounting pressure on Williams.

• Guest Insights: Jason McIntyre concurs, noting, "You can understand his concern, certainly," regarding the pressures Williams faces (06:24). Both hosts agree that the Bears' offensive line improvements and coaching changes are pivotal for the team's success this season.

Notable Quote:
Colin Cowherd: "Once you get the right coach, Caleb Williams should be really good really quickly." (06:10)

NFL Teams Overview: Coaching Changes and Team Prospects

Transitioning from the Bears, the discussion broadens to include various NFL teams, their coaching dynamics, and season expectations.

• Raiders and Pete Carroll: The conversation begins with the Raiders' new head coach, Pete Carroll. Jason describes Carroll’s tenure in Seattle and speculates on his potential impact: "If you told me they beat the Chargers, the Chiefs, and the Broncos, they'd split the series" (15:49).

• AFC West Dominance: Colin proclaims, "I think it's the best division in football by a margin because I don't think the Raiders' O line is set" (14:00), highlighting the competitive nature of the AFC West.

• Buffalo Bills Dominance: A significant portion is dedicated to the Buffalo Bills, with Colin and Jason lauding Josh Allen's prowess and the team's favorable schedule. "Josh Allen is at the height of his powers, borderline unstoppable," Colin remarks (31:14).

• New England Patriots Revival: The Patriots receive attention with discussions about Mike Vrabel's coaching and the team's roster improvements. "The Patriots are far off from being a legit... Could this team come out of the AFC?" Colin questions (37:16).

Notable Quote:
Jason McIntyre: "Josh Allen is set up... I like Buffalo to go over their win total and actually win the Super Bowl next year." (32:33)

Highest-Paid Athletes of 2025

A surprising report from Forbes listing the highest-paid athletes of 2025 becomes a focal point.

• Dak Prescott's Surge: Dak Prescott’s position at number four on the list astonishes both hosts. "How does Dak make $137 million?" Colin questions (17:24), delving into Prescott's lucrative signing bonuses and off-field endorsements.

• Comparisons to Global Superstars: The discussion touches upon how Prescott’s earnings surpass those of some global icons like LeBron James and Lionel Messi, emphasizing the influence and financial power of the Dallas Cowboys organization.

Notable Quote:
Colin Cowherd: "I was shocked that he's making more than like, you know, LeBron and Messi. But that's the power of the Dallas Cowboys." (17:32)

Major League Baseball: Juan Soto's Transition to the Mets

Shifting to MLB, the hosts analyze Juan Soto's move from the Yankees to the Mets and his impending performance against his former team.

• Soto’s Performance Metrics: With a career record of nine games, five homers, and a 1.274 OPS against the Yankees, Soto expresses excitement. "It's going to be 50,000 against one when he gets to the Bronx," Soto comments (35:50).

• Subway Series Anticipation: The upcoming Subway Series between the Mets and Yankees is highlighted as a marquee event, with predictions focused on Soto's ability to influence the game's outcome.

Notable Quote:
Jason McIntyre: "Soto says he's excited for what the Yankee crowd does upon his arrival, adding, it's going to be 50,000 against one when he gets to the Bronx." (18:14)

National Basketball Association: Celtics vs. Knicks Dynamics

The episode delves into NBA team performances, particularly focusing on the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks.

• Celtics’ Championship Evaluation: Colin and Jason evaluate the Celtics' status as defending champions, discussing player performances and team dynamics. Colin notes, "Jalen Brown having to carry more of the load without Jason Tatum" (40:54).

• Knicks’ Rising Popularity: Contrasting the Celtics, the Knicks are praised for their gritty playstyle and engaging fanbase. "I think the Knicks are an easier watch. I think they're more fun, I think they're grittier, they're tougher," Colin asserts (41:12).

• Team Comparisons: The hosts compare the Knicks’ roster depth and fan engagement to historical Great Lakers teams, emphasizing the Knicks' potential to energize the NBA landscape.

Notable Quote:
Colin Cowherd: "I think the league's better off if Knicks win tonight. I really do." (41:21)

Betting and Future Predictions

The conversation transitions into sports betting, with a focus on future bets and Fantasy Football prospects.

• DraftKings Insights: Colin shares his enthusiasm for future bets, mentioning how platforms like DraftKings offer various NFL team over/under options. "Fans tend to be optimistic and bet the overs where I think the Unders hit it like 55 or 60%," he explains (28:09).

• Team Predictions: Detailed predictions are made regarding team performances, including skepticism about the Kansas City Chiefs' upcoming season despite their star players. "They have Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Great. They're back." (29:29).

• Patriots’ Potential: Renewed optimism is expressed for the New England Patriots, projecting a win total increase based on roster improvements and schedule strength. "It's very realistic to think they're six and a half to seven points better this year than last year," Colin concludes (38:04).

Notable Quote:
Colin Cowherd: "These guys are able to take a bigger picture view of it... going to the right place is absolutely more important than getting drafted as high as you can." (06:26)

Conclusion

Wrapping up the episode, Colin and Jason reflect on the interconnectedness of team management, player performance, and the broader sports ecosystem. They emphasize the importance of strategic coaching hires, robust player development, and the unpredictable nature of sports outcomes. The hosts encourage listeners to stay engaged with the evolving sports narratives and participate thoughtfully in sports betting discussions.

Closing Remark:
Colin Cowherd: "New York's one of our richest cities. So in New York and in basketball, finally a glamour sport... The league's better off if Knicks win tonight." (41:21)

Notable Quotes Overview

• Caleb Williams Performance:
  "Caleb Williams should be really good really quickly." – Colin Cowherd (06:10)

• Dak Prescott’s Earnings:
  "How does Dak make $137 million?" – Colin Cowherd (17:24)

• Buffalo Bills Dominance:
  "Josh Allen is at the height of his powers, borderline unstoppable." – Colin Cowherd (31:14)

• Knicks’ Potential Impact:
  "I think the league's better off if Knicks win tonight. I really do." – Colin Cowherd (41:21)

Timestamps Reference

• 06:10 – Caleb Williams’ improvement with new coach
• 05:00 – Caleb Williams watching film alone
• 05:45 – Critique of Bears’ management
• 15:49 – Raiders and Pete Carroll’s potential impact
• 14:00 – AFC West as the best division
• 17:24 – Discussion on Dak Prescott’s earnings
• 17:32 – Prescott surpassing other athletes’ earnings
• 18:14 – Juan Soto’s excitement for Subway Series
• 28:09 – Introduction to sports betting discussion
• 29:29 – Chiefs’ upcoming season challenges
• 31:14 – Buffalo Bills’ prospects
• 32:33 – Bills’ dominance and Josh Allen’s performance
• 37:16 – Patriots’ coaching and roster improvements
• 38:04 – Patriots’ realistic win total projection
• 40:54 – NBA Celtics’ team dynamics
• 41:12 – Knicks’ rising popularity and team grit
• 41:21 – Final thoughts on Knicks’ impact

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the critical discussions and insights from The Herd with Colin Cowherd episode focusing on Caleb Williams and extending into broader sports analyses. Listeners can expect a nuanced exploration of team dynamics, player performances, and the ever-evolving sports betting landscape.