Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd Episode: Hour 3 - More on Caleb Williams
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Mark Sanchez
Platform: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Introduction and Guest Introduction (02:22 - 02:24)

Colin Cowherd welcomes listeners to "The Herd" and introduces former NFL quarterback Mark Sanchez as the live guest for the episode.

Discussion on Caleb Williams and Public Performance Benchmarks (02:24 - 05:25)

Caleb Williams' Public Benchmarks: Colin initiates the conversation by addressing Caleb Williams' recent performance during practice and his public statements about his personal performance goals.

• Colin Cowherd [02:24]: "He did go out and he publicly stated, Mark, hey, I'm going to throw. I want to throw for this many yards, and I want to complete this many passes."

Mark Sanchez's Critique: Mark Sanchez expresses skepticism about publicly setting performance benchmarks.

• Mark Sanchez [03:00]: "I didn't love it. Not think of it this way. The toothpaste is kind of out of the tube, and it's really hard to put it back in."

He compares Williams' approach to political promises, highlighting the difficulty in meeting publicly stated targets.

• Mark Sanchez [03:45]: "If we're going to say you got to throw for 4,000 yards and you gotta be 70% completions, well, then in practice, you gotta be completing, I don't know, 90% of your passes."

He emphasizes the pressure such public benchmarks place on a player, potentially leading to perceived failures despite team-wide challenges.

• Mark Sanchez [04:50]: "There are 32 NFL teams. The Eagles won the Super Bowl last year. 31 teams had a failed season."

Impact of Public Statements: Sanchez argues that as players mature, they should avoid setting rigid benchmarks to prevent undue scrutiny.

• Mark Sanchez [05:00]: "I just wish for his sake he didn't publicly state that."

Coaching Styles and Their Impact on Players (05:25 - 08:23)

Varied Coaching Personalities: Colin shifts the focus to coaching styles, comparing different NFL coaches' approaches.

• Colin Cowherd [05:25]: "McVay is very positive. He's a very uplifting personality... Sean Payton can bark a little bit. Andy Reid don't."

Mark Sanchez on Coaching Toughness: Mark discusses the importance of coaches testing and challenging their quarterbacks to prepare for high-pressure situations.

• Mark Sanchez [06:03]: "Coaches screaming at me. Okay, well, now what? Who are you in that moment?"

He highlights the necessity of manufacturing challenging scenarios to ensure quarterbacks remain "dialed" during games.

• Mark Sanchez [07:32]: "If you don't get out of here, and if you can't call the play, if you can't get lined up, if you can't get guys realigned when they screw up, you can't play for me."

Quarterback Performance, Age, and Organizational Support (08:23 - 17:35)

Joe Burrow's Frustrations: Colin brings up Joe Burrow's visible frustrations, attributing them to organizational issues rather than team dynamics.

• Colin Cowherd [08:23]: "Mark, I've seen Joe Burrow be frustrated at the podium like a half a dozen times, frustrated with his organization."

Mark Sanchez on Organizational Impact: Mark concurs, emphasizing that off-field issues can weigh heavily on quarterbacks, affecting their performance.

• Mark Sanchez [09:20]: "It's hard enough to get a first down on third and six... Why do we add more stuff to our plate?"

Aging Quarterbacks: The conversation delves into the challenges older quarterbacks face, using Aaron Rodgers as an example.

• Colin Cowherd [16:00]: "It's harder. And was your body better early or late?"

• Mark Sanchez [16:00]: "I think as you age, you kind of find your rhythm... pre-season or week 15?"

He discusses the prolonged warm-up routines older quarterbacks require and the strategic adjustments needed to maintain peak performance.

Preseason Performance Metrics and Quarterback Evaluation (17:35 - 20:28)

Evaluating Quarterback Camp Performance: Colin questions the significance of preseason statistics for evaluating quarterbacks, especially backups.

• Colin Cowherd [17:35]: "Do camp statistics matter for a quarterback?"

Mark Sanchez's Insights: Mark acknowledges that while completion rates in practice are important, they don't solely determine regular-season success.

• Mark Sanchez [18:08]: "I think preseason, especially the way it's structured now, is not a true indicator of your success during the regular season."

He emphasizes the presence of multiple quarterbacks in a team and how preseason performances might impact future opportunities.

• Mark Sanchez [18:34]: "The better you perform, the better you're doing on tape."

College Football and Quarterback Comparisons (20:28 - 27:49)

Arch Manning and College Comparisons: The discussion shifts to college football, focusing on Arch Manning and comparisons to past quarterbacks like Vince Young.

• Colin Cowherd [23:27]: "He's very humble... He didn’t transfer and he never talked about it."

• Mark Sanchez [25:07]: "Stylistically two totally different players. Vince was much more dangerous running."

Bo Nix and Drew Brees Parallel: Mark draws parallels between Bo Nix's current performance and Drew Brees' rookie season.

• J. Mac [26:23]: "Look at how identical those numbers are. That's almost... Drew Brees ended up being an all-time great."

• Mark Sanchez [26:58]: "Bo Nix is really athletic... Sean Payton is The draft spot like it just it works."

He remains optimistic about Bo Nix's potential under Sean Payton's guidance.

College Football Realignment and SEC Expansion (30:41 - 38:18)

ACC and SEC Realignment: Colin discusses potential moves of prominent college football programs from the ACC to the SEC, citing North Carolina and Clemson as likely candidates.

• Colin Cowherd [30:41]: "North Carolina is among the schools exploring a move from the ACC to the SEC."

Impact on College Football Landscape: He elaborates on how such moves would strengthen the SEC's dominance, comparing it to the AFC and NFC in the NFL.

• Colin Cowherd [34:25]: "Each SEC school gets 51 million in rev share. An ACC school gets 45."

Notre Dame's Future: The conversation speculates on Notre Dame's potential move to the Big Ten, considering academic and athletic fits.

• J. Mac [38:03]: "Notre Dame fits a Big Ten academically, athletically. It's just a seamless fit."

Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts (38:18 - End)

Colin Cowherd's Final Insights: Colin wraps up the episode by summarizing the major changes in American sports, touching upon the PGA Tour, live tour dynamics, and the shifting landscape of college football conferences.

• Colin Cowherd [35:06]: "We are getting like the AFC and the NFC in pro football. That's what we're doing here."

He underscores the financial and competitive motivations driving conference realignments, expressing his opinions on the future structure of college football.

Notable Quotes

• Mark Sanchez [03:00]: "The toothpaste is kind of out of the tube, and it's really hard to put it back in."
• Mark Sanchez [07:32]: "If you don't get out of here, and if you can't call the play... you can't play for me."
• Colin Cowherd [16:00]: "It's harder. And was your body better early or late?"
• Mark Sanchez [25:07]: "Stylistically two totally different players. Vince was much more dangerous running."
• Colin Cowherd [34:25]: "Each SEC school gets 51 million in rev share. An ACC school gets 45."

Conclusion

In this episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," the discussion primarily revolves around quarterback performance benchmarks, the impact of coaching styles, the challenges faced by aging quarterbacks, and the evolving landscape of college football conferences. Mark Sanchez provides in-depth analysis and personal insights, enhancing the conversation with his professional experience. The episode offers listeners a comprehensive look into the strategic and organizational aspects influencing both NFL and college football.