The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode Summary: Hour 3 - NFL News and Notes Release Date: May 19, 2025

Hosted by iHeartPodcasts and The Volume, "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" delivers a compelling and opinionated exploration of the day's top sports stories. In this episode, Colin Cowherd, along with guests Jeff Schwartz and Chris Felica, delves into various topics surrounding the NFL, the Denver Nuggets' season, and the evolving landscape of sports entertainment.

1. NFL Quarterback Dynamics and Team Strategies

Duration: 03:00 – 05:35

The discussion kicks off with a focus on the quarterback landscape in the NFL, highlighting the challenges teams face in developing and supporting their quarterbacks effectively.

• Chris Felica emphasizes the importance of veteran mentorship, stating, “When you watch film as a quarterback, is it a solo endeavor? Are there coaches always there?” [03:23]. He underscores the absence of veterans in teams like the Bears, which hinders young quarterbacks like Caleb Williams from receiving the necessary guidance.

• Colin Cowherd shares his skepticism about recent quarterback deals, comparing them to past contracts: “I didn't like the TUA deal or the Dak deal. And I feel the exact same way about the Brock Purdy deal.” [05:00]. He questions the sustainability of these high-profile contracts without the necessary supporting cast to elevate the teams.

• The conversation also delves into the Cleveland Browns' quarterback competition, where Colin expresses his doubts about quarterbacks like Shadoor Sanders outperforming veterans like Joe Flacco, concluding, “Shadoor will pop after a very short time as your best player.” [28:35].

2. Cleveland Browns' Quarterback Competition

Duration: 07:00 – 31:05

A significant portion of the episode examines the Cleveland Browns' quarterback situation, analyzing the prospects and potential outcomes of their current roster.

• Chris Felica critiques the Browns' drafting strategy, noting the lack of impactful players in recent drafts: “They have not drafted and developed... They lost multiple first-round picks on the Trey Lance deal.” [07:05].

• Colin Cowherd discusses the potential of Kenny Pickett versus Shadoor Sanders, stating, “Kevin Stefanski wants to win games. Whether you like it or not, Shadoor will pop after a very short time as your best player.” [29:20].

• The debate extends to the viability of developing rookie quarterbacks and the need for the Browns to invest in young talent to remain competitive.

3. Denver Nuggets’ Season Performance and Future Outlook

Duration: 21:00 – 24:23

Transitioning to the NBA, the hosts analyze the Denver Nuggets' performance in the recent Nuggets-Thunder series.

• Colin Cowherd critiques the team's aging roster and high salary expenditures: “Denver is feeling a little old, a little brittle and a little expensive.” [22:44].

• J. Mac reinforces the unsustainable financial commitments, particularly pointing out star players like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray: “They owe him two years. $78 million.” [22:58].

• The discussion highlights the potential need for roster changes and the challenges of maintaining a competitive team without sacrificing financial stability.

4. WNBA Foul Incident and Sportsmanship Discourse

Duration: 16:00 – 20:20

The episode shifts focus to the WNBA, addressing a controversial foul incident and the broader implications for sportsmanship and league officiating.

• Colin Cowherd comments on the overreaction to the foul, drawing parallels with other professional leagues: “I think it's a hard foul. It happens in sport. Injuries got upset. She yelled at Clark.” [17:47].

• Chris Felica discusses the cultural shift and increased attention in the WNBA, stating, “This is all great for the league... They'll figure out what the discourse should be when it comes to these two players.” [20:20].

• The conversation underscores the passionate nature of sports and the necessity for leagues to balance competitive intensity with fair play.

5. NBA Draft Insights and Conspiracy Theories

Duration: 37:00 – 43:25

In the latter part of the episode, the hosts explore the NBA draft process, addressing common conspiracy theories and the strategic decisions behind team selections.

• Colin Cowherd dismisses conspiracy theories surrounding draft picks, sharing personal anecdotes to illustrate the randomness and fairness of the process: “I can remember... people believe this conspiracy theory... this is not a sport where the outcome is fixed.” [40:31].

• J. Mac adds context to the draft’s unpredictability, highlighting the balance teams must maintain between market demands and genuine talent: “It's the reality of the NBA... There’s scrupulous people and you have fixes in when somebody's not getting taken care of.” [40:31].

• The discussion emphasizes the importance of meritocracy in sports drafts and the role of genuine talent over market influence.

6. The Rise of NIL in College Sports and Its Impact

Duration: 10:22 – 20:45

The episode also touches upon the increasing significance of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights in college sports, particularly focusing on star athletes like Caleb Williams and Arch Manning.

• Colin Cowherd reflects on how NIL has changed the landscape, questioning whether fame might overshadow talent: “Caleb Williams... has been the first NIL superstar... The Mannings have become like American royalty now.” [11:38].

• Chris Felica discusses the future potential of these athletes in professional leagues, noting the shift from college performance to professional readiness: “The NFL draft... teams look at his talent, his arm talent, his, his, his maturity...” [13:40].

• The conversation highlights the delicate balance between leveraging NIL opportunities and maintaining athletic integrity and performance.

Notable Quotes:

• “When you watch film as a quarterback, is it a solo endeavor? Are there coaches always there?” – Chris Felica [03:23]

• “I didn't like the TUA deal or the Dak deal. And I feel the exact same way about the Brock Purdy deal.” – Colin Cowherd [05:00]

• “They have not drafted and developed... They lost multiple first-round picks on the Trey Lance deal.” – Chris Felica [07:05]

• “This is all great for the league... They'll figure out what the discourse should be when it comes to these two players.” – Chris Felica [20:20]

• “I can remember... people believe this conspiracy theory... this is not a sport where the outcome is fixed.” – Colin Cowherd [40:31]

Conclusion

In this episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," the hosts provide an in-depth analysis of current NFL quarterback strategies, the Denver Nuggets' season challenges, and the evolving dynamics of college sports under the NIL framework. Through engaging discussions and expert insights, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and strategic decisions shaping today's sports landscape.

For those seeking a nuanced and thoughtful exploration of sports news and trends, this episode serves as a valuable resource, offering perspectives that cater to both avid fans and casual observers.