The Herd with Colin Cowherd: March 5, 2026

Episode: Rams-Chiefs Make MASSIVE Trade, Latest with Max Crosby, Lou Holtz Passes Away

Overview

This episode, hosted by John Middlekauff (on Colin Cowherd’s feed), delivers fast-paced, insider analysis on a blockbuster NFL trade—Trent McDuffie moving from the Chiefs to the Rams for a first-round pick. The discussion unpacks NFL’s evolving trade culture, dissecting what this deal means for both franchises. John also explores the swirling trade rumors around Max Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders), evaluates franchise-building strategies, and closes by honoring the legacy of legendary coach Lou Holtz, who has passed away at 89.

Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1. Massive Rams-Chiefs Trade: Trent McDuffie for a First-Round Pick

Timestamp: 03:55–31:25

• Cultural Shift Toward Aggressiveness in NFL Trades

  • John reflects on how the NFL has become more like the NBA and MLB with big-name players moving, especially in the off-season ("I appreciate all these GMs... making this kind of reality television show much more entertaining in the middle of March..." [08:37]).
  • Teams are now far more willing to “wheel and deal,” with good franchises increasingly aggressive (mentions of Brett Veach, Les Snead, Howie Roseman, John Schneider as trendsetters).

• Breakdown of the Chiefs’ Perspective

  • McDuffie valued highly internally ("He has, from what I've been told, elite football character and just a high end character guy..." [13:51]).
  • The move was strictly business — a reluctance to pay top outside-corner money to a high-level nickel corner.
  • Parallel with past Chiefs trades, e.g., Tyreek Hill, Alex Smith, Patrick Mahomes. Chiefs have a history of success in trading for or away pivotal talent ("The next massive trade was obviously trading up for Patrick Mahomes... will go down as one of the greatest trades in the history of sports..." [19:17]).
  • This trade nets Kansas City a first-rounder (pick 29)—an opportunity to stay young and competitive.
  • Notable Quote: “This is one of those rare trades... someone with the Chiefs texting with them today said this is a win-win. This is a good trade for the Rams too.” [27:07]

• What It Means for the Rams

  • The Rams have been close to the Super Bowl, but their secondary was a glaring weakness. Adding McDuffie is viewed as a plug-and-play solution.
  • Comparison to when they acquired Jalen Ramsey due to a willingness to make bold personnel moves—though at the same age, Ramsey was the superior player.
  • The Rams are using “found money” (the extra first-rounder acquired via prior deals) to go all-in. (“This pick was like...house money. Sometimes you bet what you might not, because you just hit this parlay...” [38:12])
  • Raises issues around internal contract dynamics—potential locker room discord if McDuffie lands a big contract before star WR Puka Nacua ("That will only emphasize what are they going to do with Puka...I would expect Puka Nacua to get a big contract..." [45:12]).

2. Max Crosby Trade Speculation & Franchise Aggressiveness

Timestamp: 31:30–47:00

• Recap of Reporting (referencing Mike Silver’s article)

  • Max Crosby reportedly ready for a move; Raiders want to maximize their return—won’t just “give him away.”
  • High-level demand expected, with up to a quarter of the NFL interested.
  • Expectation a bidding war will force the price to “multiple ones” (first-rounders).

• Crosby’s Appeal

  • Universally respected for relentless effort ("He might be the hardest player in the NFL in terms of effort..." [34:24]).
  • Coaches and execs (Andy Reid named) have immense respect: "The reverence these coaches have for Max Crosby couldn’t be any higher. The respect in the way he approaches the game..." [36:20]

• Blockage To Immediate Trade

  • The new front office (GM John Spytek) will hold out for a truly massive haul.

• Parallel: Comparing to Trades for Christian McCaffrey and Other Stars

  • Discusses how intense competition inflates prices ("When you have, let's just say it comes down to, say, 10 teams initially are talking...I just don't see how you don't get multiple ones for Max Crosby..." [41:55]).

3. Tom Brady, Ownership, and the Raiders’ Front Office Dynamics

Timestamp: 42:45–46:58

• Tom Brady’s Role as Minority Owner

  • Questions about how active and present Brady is, relative to other owners.
  • Reluctance of players to confide in the building while Brady's personal trainer Alex Guerrero is present ("If I say the wrong thing, will it get back..." [43:40]).
  • Advocates that presence matters and that Brady, if he seeks true influence, should spend more time in Las Vegas.

• Anecdote: Middlekauff compares this situation to a dysfunctional former boss, hammering home how awkward it is when the true power is not present or engaged.

4. Lou Holtz’s Passing: Legacy & Impact

Timestamp: 50:13–55:45

• Celebrating Lou Holtz
  • Holtz passes away at 89; remembered as an iconic football personality who "swung a big stick" despite his small stature and trademark lisp ("Lou Holtz was a one of one..." [51:03]).
  • Not just a great coach, but a foundational character in making football what it is (“The sport was built on the backs of guys like Lou Holtz...” [52:46]).
  • Took over Notre Dame as a “disaster,” led them back to glory—including a national championship and multiple historic teams/players.
  • Is remembered for love of the game and his larger-than-life character—likened to the tradition of John Madden and Jon Gruden.
  • Notable Quote: "You hear him talk, you know exactly who it is... sports is always going to need characters, our people to entertain, and Lou Holtz was a great football coach and also a great entertainer." [54:42]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On NFL Trade Culture:
  “Props to these young guys. Props to these GMs like Les Snead, Brett Veach, and Howie and John Schneider that are just willing to wheel and deal... you make this whole thing much more entertaining in the middle of March.” [08:37]

• On the Chiefs’ Approach to McDuffie:
  "They really like Trent McDuffie. I won't go as far as love, because they traded him, but he was not poorly thought of in the building." [13:53]

• Locker Room Implications for the Rams:
  "If in the next couple days Trent McDuffie gets a huge contract... that will only emphasize what are they going to do with Puka?" [45:12]

• Max Crosby's Character:
  “His care level is like 100 out of 100. And obviously his production and his play speak for itself.” [35:41]

• On Lou Holtz's Unique Place in Football:
  “Lou Holtz was a one of one. Now obviously the lisp. He was a tiny little guy and he swung a big stick. And football has never been more popular…” [51:03]

Key Timestamps

• 03:55 – Introduction to the blockbuster Rams-Chiefs trade; NFL’s changing trade culture.
• 12:00 – Chiefs’ internal debate/valuation of McDuffie.
• 19:17 – Chiefs’ franchise-altering trades: e.g., for Mahomes.
• 27:07 – Why the McDuffie trade is a “win-win.”
• 31:30 – Rams’ side of the deal; historic comparison to Jalen Ramsey trade.
• 38:12 – Rams’ “house money” approach; details of their draft capital.
• 42:45 – Locker room/contract ripple effects; Puka Nacua’s coming deal.
• 46:00 – GMs around the league and Max Crosby trade speculation.
• 50:13 – Lou Holtz tribute; remembrances of his cultural and football impact.
• 54:42 – Final thoughts on Holtz’s legacy.

Tone & Style

Middlekauff maintains his classic, conversational “football guy” style, mixing insider knowledge, personal anecdotes, sharp business analysis, and passionate football takes. The episode leans opinionated but fair, with frequent asides and analogies for clarity.

Summary Takeaways

• The NFL’s top franchises are embracing bold, year-round trading as an avenue to sustain success.
• The Chiefs and Rams’ McDuffie trade typifies a new era—both teams dealing aggressively with a clear sense of roster value.
• The Max Crosby saga is set to be a pivotal, high-stakes market test.
• Lou Holtz’s death is a moment for football to reflect on the legacy of characters who built the modern appeal of the sport.

Fans who missed the episode get a full picture of the business, personalities, and ongoing intrigue that make NFL offseasons so compelling.