Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Episode: Hour 3 - Shedeur Sometime (Released June 9, 2025)
The Herd with Colin Cowherd delivers an engaging and in-depth analysis of the day's top sports stories. In the "Hour 3 - Shedeur Sometime" episode, hosts Colin Cowherd, Chris Broussard, and J. Mac delve into the intricacies of emerging quarterback prospects, NFL team dynamics, and shifts in the NBA landscape. This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.
1. Shedeur Sanders and the Quarterback Landscape
The episode opens with Chris Broussard discussing the impending mandatory minicamp and the polarizing figure of Shedeur Sanders. The conversation centers on Sanders' potential as a starting quarterback despite criticisms about his support system and coaching.
Key Highlights:
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Strong Opinions on Quarterbacks: Chris emphasizes the importance of having firm opinions on quarterback prospects, citing past accurate assessments like Cam Ward and Sam Darnold.
"Anybody can be a troll and an expert if you don't have an opinion..." [03:01]
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Shedeur Sanders Evaluation: Sanders is portrayed as a productive player who thrives under pressure but may not be viewed as an A-tier prospect. Chris acknowledges his accuracy and leadership qualities, suggesting he will eventually get significant playing time.
"My take on Shadour Sanders is... he was very productive against good teams..." [05:01]
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Comparative Analysis: The hosts compare Sanders to other quarterbacks, discussing his resilience and potential future in the league.
"I think he'll eventually get a shot to play." [05:28]
2. Buffalo Bills and James Cook’s Contract Situation
Rich provides an update on the Buffalo Bills, focusing on running back James Cook's contract negotiations and his current standing with the team.
Key Highlights:
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Cook’s Disconnection from the Team: Reports indicate Cook is seeking a new deal and has distanced himself from the team, raising concerns about his future in Buffalo.
"According to Adam Schefter, Cook has disconnected from the team..." [06:52]
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Impact on the Bills: The discussion highlights the potential negative implications for the Bills, considering Cook's past performance and his importance to the team's offense.
"I don't love it either. ...he's a good player." [08:05]
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Future Outlook: Despite the uncertainty, Rich remains optimistic about the Bills' chances of winning the Super Bowl, emphasizing Cook's talent and the team's offensive capabilities.
"I’m bullish on Cook and the Buffalo Bills." [09:32]
3. Los Angeles Chargers’ Wide Receiver Improvements
Chris and Rich shift focus to the Los Angeles Chargers, analyzing their offseason acquisitions and the positive changes in their wide receiver corps.
Key Highlights:
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Offseason Moves: The Chargers have bolstered their receiving group by retaining Mike Williams and adding Trey Harris, easing the burden on Quinton Johnston.
"OC Greg Roman says this year's wide receiving group is night and day different than last year." [10:21]
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Jim Harbaugh’s Influence: The hosts discuss Coach Jim Harbaugh's impact on the Chargers, particularly his focus on building a strong running game and culture.
"This is officially Jim Harbaugh's official imprint on the bulls." [11:43]
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Team Dynamics: Rich praises the new additions, highlighting their potential to elevate the team's offensive performance.
"I will be buying stock in the Chargers this season." [11:43]
4. Phoenix Suns and Matt Ishbia’s Management Strategies
The conversation transitions to the NBA, with a spotlight on the Phoenix Suns and recent internal changes spearheaded by owner Matt Ishbia.
Key Highlights:
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Leaked Internal Letter: Matt Ishbia's commitment to becoming more involved in the Suns' management is discussed, with a focus on improving basketball operations.
"Matt Ishbia... will be extremely active in the decisions and management of this organization." [12:55]
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Concerns and Challenges: The hosts express skepticism about the effectiveness of Ishbia’s hands-on approach, questioning whether it might negatively impact the team's performance.
"If Dolan is involved in this decision... it could backfire on the Knicks." [30:45]
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Comparative Analysis: Chris compares the Suns’ management style to other successful NBA franchises, emphasizing the importance of empowering basketball professionals over owner interference.
"They think basketball is a simpler sport because the rosters are smaller... they just want to stay out of it." [14:25]
5. NBA Finals and the Evolution of Player Dynamics
Chris Broussard shares his views on the current NBA Finals, noting a lack of traditional rivalries and on-court drama compared to past decades.
Key Highlights:
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Lack of Combativeness: The discussion highlights how modern NBA players are less confrontational and more business-oriented compared to legends like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson.
"The players are all rich, they like each other... the league's history is closer to SGA." [23:04]
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Player Personas: Both hosts reflect on the personalities of current stars, particularly Jonathan "SGA" Green and Nikola Jokic, noting their focus on skill and teamwork over individual flair.
"SGA is a superstar, but he's young and he's not particularly outspoken or charismatic." [23:04]
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Game Evolution: Colin observes that the NBA has shifted towards a more skill-based and strategic game, reducing reliance on high-flying, dynamic plays.
"I think the game has changed and you appreciate it. It's not as high flying as it used to." [25:39]
6. Quarterback Market and Aaron Rodgers’ Move to the Steelers
The discussion returns to the NFL, focusing on the quarterback market's competitiveness and Aaron Rodgers' transition to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Key Highlights:
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Quarterback Rankings: Chris ranks the top quarterbacks, establishing a "fantastic four" and discussing the contenders vying for the next few spots.
"There's a fantastic four with quarterbacks. Burrow, Lamar, Allen, Mahomes..." [36:07]
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Rodgers’ Fit with Steelers: J. Mac argues that Aaron Rodgers is a good fit for the Steelers, emphasizing the organizational support and existing team dynamics.
"Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers is a really good fit." [38:16]
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Skepticism About Impact: Chris remains skeptical about Rodgers’ ability to elevate the Steelers immediately, comparing it to past quarterback transitions that didn't yield instant success.
"I don't think Aaron's going to reach those numbers." [38:45]
7. Future Prospects and Emerging Quarterbacks
The hosts analyze emerging quarterback talents like Cam Ward, highlighting their work ethic and leadership qualities essential for future success.
Key Highlights:
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Cam Ward’s Leadership: J. Mac praises Cam Ward’s dedication and leadership, drawing parallels to legendary work ethics like that of Andrew Luck.
"He's been a diligent, diligent worker, setting the tone..." [41:13]
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Comparative Player Analysis: Chris and J. Mac discuss the potential of young quarterbacks and the importance of consistent development to ensure long-term success.
"He could bring that Kenny Atkinson kind of system to the Knicks..." [31:53]
8. Final Thoughts on the NFL and NBA Seasons
As the episode wraps up, the hosts share their final insights on both the NFL and NBA seasons, reflecting on team performances and predicting future outcomes.
Key Highlights:
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Tennessee Titans’ Playoff Hopes: Chris and J. Mac agree that the Tennessee Titans are strong playoff candidates, despite a challenging schedule.
"I think we both see Tennessee as that team." [42:09]
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Season Predictions: The discussion includes predictions about the lengthening NFL season and its impact on team strategies.
"We'll have it. Not this year. The following year we'll be at 18 games..." [42:41]
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Knicks’ Coaching Decisions: Evaluations of the Knicks' coaching changes and the potential long-term impacts on the franchise are discussed.
"Colin... if Dolan's looking for a big name, they probably wouldn't go that route." [30:45]
Notable Quotes:
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Chris Broussard on Strong Opinions:
"Anybody can be a troll and an expert if you don't have an opinion..." [03:01]
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Rich on Bills’ Super Bowl Chances:
"I got the Bills winning the super bowl this year." [06:50]
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Colin Cowherd on Shedeur Sanders:
"My take on Shador Sanders is... he was very productive against good teams..." [05:01]
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J. Mac on Aaron Rodgers’ Fit with Steelers:
"Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers is a really good fit." [38:16]
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Chris Broussard on NBA Player Dynamics:
"The players are all rich, they like each other... the league's history is closer to SGA." [23:04]
Conclusion
In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, listeners gain a comprehensive analysis of current sports dynamics, particularly focusing on the NFL's quarterback market and the evolving landscape of the NBA. Through engaging discussions and insightful commentary, the hosts provide valuable perspectives on team strategies, player potential, and the broader implications of recent sports developments. Whether you're a seasoned sports enthusiast or a casual follower, this episode offers a nuanced understanding of the games shaping the 2025 season.