Richard Sherman Podcast - Richard BLAMES Bengals for Joe Burrow injury + McCarthy struggles for Vikings | NFL Reaction

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Richard Sherman Podcast – Richard BLAMES Bengals for Joe Burrow Injury + McCarthy Struggles for Vikings | NFL Reaction

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: Richard Sherman
Episode Date: September 16, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Richard Sherman delivers passionate analysis and reaction to two major NFL storylines: the Cincinnati Bengals’ handling of Joe Burrow and the Minnesota Vikings’ struggles with rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Sherman sharply critiques the Bengals’ repeated failures to protect their franchise QB, essentially blaming the organization’s roster construction for Burrow’s grave injury history. He also discusses the Vikings’ quarterback controversy, arguing that McCarthy has been put in a difficult, perhaps unfair, position as a developing rookie with high expectations.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Joe Burrow’s Injury and the Bengals' Offensive Line Issues

[02:19 – 07:16]

• Burrow's Health & Impact:

  • Joe Burrow is expected to miss up to three months with a serious turf toe injury, possibly requiring surgery. Sherman explains the severity:

    "Turf toe just sounds like, oh man, he should be able to play through. Turf toe is serious turf toe. Imagine if, if you got a knife in your big toe and you're just walking around, that's what it feels like." (02:37)

  • Sherman meticulously lists Burrow’s injury history, citing multiple major injuries since his college days, reinforcing concerns about his durability.

• Persistent O-Line Failures:

  • Sherman highlights the Bengals' offensive line rankings over several seasons, all near the bottom of the league (never higher than 27th in recent years):

    "In 2020, they were the 29th ranked O line. In 2021, the 30th. In 2022, the 30th ranked O line. 2023, the 27th ranked O line, 2024, 32nd ranked O line, and last year the 28th ranked offensive line." (03:13)

  • He criticizes Cincinnati for misallocating resources—paying offensive weapons like Jamar Chase and T. Higgins, but failing to build an adequate O-line:

    "You pay Jamar Chase, you pay T. Higgins, rightfully so. But what does it matter if your franchise quarterback isn't going to be out there?" (04:42)

• The Franchise QB Conundrum:

  • Sherman questions the wisdom of paying Burrow top dollar but not investing in his protection:

    "You gave him all this money, but deservedly so…you don't do enough to protect him." (05:06)

• NFL-Wide Implications:

  • He broadens the blame to the whole league, suggesting fans and the NFL at large suffer when stars like Burrow can’t stay healthy:

    "You're doing not only your team a disservice, but you're doing a National Football League a disservice. The league is a better place when Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are healthy." (06:03)

2. J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings’ Quarterback Situation

[09:23 – 18:04]

• McCarthy’s Difficult Introduction:

  • Sherman expresses sympathy for rookie QB J.J. McCarthy, thrown into a high-pressure role after Minnesota’s successful 14-3 season with veteran Sam Darnold:

    "I'm not sure he's the answer because you're not giving him a great chance to show what he's capable of." (09:26)

• Case for Keeping Darnold:

  • He argues the Vikings should have let McCarthy sit and learn behind Darnold for another year:

    "They should have went with Sam Darnold for one more year…that would have gave J.J. McCarthy time to be healthy, make sure he's fully recovered...learn how to prepare..." (09:40)

• Unrealistic Expectations & Performance Pressure:

  • Sherman cautions that expectations from last year’s record are misplaced and could hurt McCarthy’s confidence if the team struggles:

    "There's no patience in the world today. I'm sorry. That's why it's better to protect these young guys. If this team goes 8 and 9 or 7 and 10, look through the vitrol on social media, it'll be negative." (11:36)

  • He warns this could trigger a domino effect, including frustration for star receiver Justin Jefferson:

    "If Justin Jefferson's production dips substantially, there's going to be some conversations about his future because now this is the future of the franchise." (13:37)

• Rookie Struggles by the Numbers:

  • Sherman offers statistics on McCarthy's rocky start:

    "He's 24 for 41 on the season, 58% completion percentage, 301 yards, two TDs, three interceptions." (15:22)

    • He adds McCarthy hasn't faced elite defenses yet.

• Upcoming Challenges:

  • The Vikings’ schedule includes three tough AFC North matchups (Bengals, Steelers, Browns). Sherman sees these as trials for McCarthy but doubts they’ll be easier.

• Sherman’s Closing Plea:

  • He reiterates his hope for patience from fans and organization, believing McCarthy is in a tough position but not blaming the coaching directly:

    "I just don't think he's been put in the best position. I'm not saying by the coaching staff or Kevin O'Connell or this offense. I'm not saying that. I just think he should have got the opportunity to sit behind Sam Darnold..." (16:40)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Imagine if you got a knife in your big toe and you’re just walking around, that’s what turf toe feels like.”
  – Richard Sherman, [02:37]

• “You gave him all this money, but deservedly so…you don’t do enough to protect him.”
  – Richard Sherman, [05:06]

• “There’s no patience in the world today. I’m sorry. That’s why it’s better to protect these young guys.”
  – Richard Sherman, [11:36]

• “If Justin Jefferson’s production dips substantially, there’s going to be some conversations about his future because now this is the future of the franchise.”
  – Richard Sherman, [13:37]

• “The league is a better place when Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are healthy. And that offense is incredibly fun to watch… but now we're robbed of that because you can't protect your guy.”
  – Richard Sherman, [06:03]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:19] – Sherman opens with Joe Burrow’s injury and the Bengals’ responsibility
• [03:13] – Bengals offensive line rankings, Burrow's injury history
• [06:03] – Broader NFL implications of Burrow being sidelined
• [09:23] – Transition to Minnesota Vikings and J.J. McCarthy discussion
• [09:40] – Case for Sam Darnold as a bridge QB
• [11:36] – Sherman on pressure and lack of patience in today’s NFL
• [13:37] – Potential impact on Justin Jefferson and team chemistry
• [15:22] – McCarthy’s early stats and analysis
• [16:40] – Final thoughts and plea for rookie QB development

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Summary

Richard Sherman’s episode is a direct, impassioned critique of mismanagement at the highest levels of NFL roster building. He holds the Bengals squarely responsible for Joe Burrow’s repeated injuries, arguing that a perpetual lack of offensive line investment undermines both the team and the league. In Minnesota, Sherman believes the organization has set up rookie J.J. McCarthy for hardship by throwing him into the fire too soon, especially on a team with outsized expectations. He advocates for patience and strategic QB development, echoing that both fan bases and executives should learn from these cautionary tales.

Sherman's delivery is candid, data-driven, and appeals both to long-time fans and those new to the NFL’s behind-the-scenes dynamics.

Transcript

[Richard Sherman]

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[Richard Sherman]

Welcome back to the Richard Sherman Podcast and remember, y' all gotta hit that sub button if you're new, but I'm here to talk about my guy Joe Burrow. And unfortunately it appears that he's lost for three months after a turf toe injury. And fans, ladies and gentlemen, I know it sounds turf toe just sounds like, oh man, he should be able to play through. Turf toe is serious turf toe. Imagine if, if you got a knife in your big toe and you're just walking around, that's what it feels like. It's a torn ligament in Your big toe. And it's a debilitating injury and I understand why he can't play on it. He may require surgery. I think they're still talking to Bob Anderson about that and sending the images and getting the expert opinion. But it's tough on me to justify what the Bengals have been doing. Joe Burrow is unquestionably one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League. Top three any given year that he's played, taking the Bengals to high heights with a Super bowl appearance. But them putting him behind these offensive lines every single year just is mindboggling for me. In 2020, they were the 29th ranked O line. In 2021, the 30th in 2022, the 30th ranked O line. 2023, the 27th ranked O line, 2024, 32nd ranked O line, and last year the 28th ranked offensive line in the National Football League. And that's where, that's where it's, it's, it's head scratching for me because you have one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League. He's not the most durable guy. I don't want to call him Glass Joe, but it's starting to get to that time. If you just look back to even his college history, risk factor in 2017, torn rib cartilage in 2020, torn ACL, PCL, MCL, meniscus in 2020 with the bangles, dislocated finger in 2021, MCL sprain in 2022, calf strain in training camp of 2023, and then tore his wrist ligament that put him out for the remainder of the season in 2023, and now turf toe, which may put him out for the remainder of this season in 2025. That's, that's a, that's a really, really, really tough injury history. And when you know that, you would think, hey, we're going to do everything in our power to make sure he's upright. He's, he's, he's protected as best as we can do it. We'll pay as much as we can draft good to make sure at minimum we give him protection and so he can be, he can be with us for a full season. I mean, three of the last four years he's been injured. So I don't understand. You pay Jamar Chase, you pay T. Higgins, rightfully so. But what does it matter if your franchise quarterback isn't going to be out there? Now, that's no slight against Jake Browning. And what he's doing. I think he's doing a solid job. But you got Joe Burrow for a reason. You're not going to protect him. You're not going to do anything to make sure I don't know your franchise quarterback can survive a full season. That's what I don't understand about this roster building process for the Cincinnati Bengals. You gave him all this money, but deservedly so. You know, he gets beat up. He's, he, he isn't, you know, he isn't the most durable guy in the world and you don't do enough to protect him. Now I'm not. This is no slide. You can't control injuries in the National Football League, especially the injuries he's had. Torn ligament in your wrist, turf toe, MCL sprain, torn acl, mcl, pcl. Like those aren't like, hey man, he's not working out enough. He's not, he's not, he's not stretching good enough. Like, those are just unfortunate injuries that happen in this physical violence sport and happen especially when your offensive line is one of the worst in the bottom quartile in pass protection. So again, Cincinnati Bengals, you gotta do better. You gotta figure it out. You gotta find a way to protect your franchise quarterback because you're doing not only your team a disservice, but you're doing a National Football League a disservice. The league is a better place when Joe Burrow and, and the Cincinnati Bengals are healthy. And that offense is incredibly fun to watch with Jamar Chase and T. Higgins. They do a phenomenal job. But now we're robbed of that because you can't protect your guy. You can't protect your guy. They were able to still win that game, but man, it's really frustrating to see a guy like Joe Burrow continue to have to deal with injuries because his team will not address the offensive line issues.

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Parents of tweens, if you're familiar with far off drop offs.

[Richard Sherman]

Dad, stop, stop. Stop right here.

[HPV Vaccination PSA Voice]

Or get DMs about what's for dinner. You may be experiencing tween milestones for your son or daughter. These can start at age 9. HPV vaccination, a type of cancer prevention against certain HPV related cancers, can start then too.

For most, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don't clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers later in life.

Embrace this phase, help protect them in the next.

[Merck HPV Vaccination PSA Voice]

Ask their doctor today about HPV vaccination brought to you by Merck. You can make a difference in someone's life, including your own, with a job in home care. These jobs offer flexible schedules, health care, retirement options and free training. They also provide paid time off and opportunities for overtime. Visit oregonhomecarejobs.com to learn more and apply. That's oregonhomecarejobs.com.

[Mario Lopez]

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[Richard Sherman]

And speaking of offensive line issues, the Minnesota Vikings had a lot of issues versus the Atlanta Falcons. J.J. mcCarthy was sacked, I think five times in the game under duress, a lot more, and I know everybody was on my case. Oh, you pulled the trigger too early saying that. I don't know if he's the answer. I want to clarify this because I was right and I still know I'm right, but it's being perceived different than the way I intended. I'm not sure he's the answer because you're not giving him a great chance to show what he's capable of. I think in my humble opinion, they should have went with Sam Darnold for one more year and whether that's franchising him or an extension or whatever you needed to do to make sure Sam Darnold was the quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings for one year. You could have franchised him and then figured it out after that because that would have gave. That would have gave J.J. mcCarthy time to be healthy, make sure he's fully recovered from his injury, to learn how to prepare for these games, to put his pads on, warm up to practice and not have the full pressure of the franchise on his shoulders his first game out. You get to watch a veteran, you get to learn from. That's why a lot of these quarterbacks who've learned from veterans and sat before they've played have had success. They've gotten a chance to, to, to toe dip to, to develop mentally, physically. He's a young kid and I think he's, He's. He's going to struggle because the expectations for the, for the Minnesota Vikings are high. They went 14 and three last year with, with, with Sam Darnold. Was that a fluke year? Maybe. Can they do that again? Could they have done that again with Sam Darnold? I'm not sure. I don't think so. But we'll never know. Because you insert JJ McCarthy into the equation now, while the expectations are sky high, he's still developing as a player behind a not so great offensive line. You, you're now going to have your superstar receiver very frustrated because you have a developing kid here who may miss him on some plays, who may not see him on some plays. And also you're going to get a fan base that's going to grow increasingly frustrated because the expectations were 14 and 3 coming off of last year. You know, this team is talented enough. You know, they're capable of winning a lot of football games. But, but maybe they won't. Maybe they will win. Maybe they'll win nine games this year. And now you start to get a fan base that starts to, to. To question this young quarterback and start to stunt his growth and, and affect his confidence because they think he's the reason you guys aren't 14 and three now. And I know you guys are going to say, oh, we'll be patient and we'll be. We understand he's just a young guy and this is technically his rookie season. You know, it's the first year. No, you. There's no patience in the world today. I'm sorry. That's why it's better to protect these young guys. If this team goes 8 and 9 or 7 and 10, look through the vitrol on social media, it'll be negative. I'm sure you won't be sitting there like, oh, man, just give him time, give him development. You'll be saying, draft another quarterback. And that's the part where I was like, I'm not sure he's the answer because he's not being given a fair shake of it in the first place. I mean, he's on a team that's expected to be contenders because they were contenders last year. That's what their record said. Unfortunately, they got put out in the playoffs and everybody's like, well, Sam Darnold, ceiling. That was a ceiling. Maybe that was a team ceiling. And inserting a rookie quarterback into that situation and then lowering yourself, hoping to get above where you were last season just didn't make sense to me. Maybe he'll turn it around and he'll play better than he ever played in college and really show me and show all the critics that he's the guy and he should have been the guy to begin with. But I don't know. I think in a situation that they were in where you got a guy that fit your system so perfectly, seemed like it was a hand in glove fit for Sam Darnold, for Kevin oconnell, for, for Justin Jefferson, for, for Addison. Everybody seemed like they were in a good spot. And now you put the rookie in a situation where if Justin Jefferson's production dips substantially, there's going to be some conversations about his future because now this is the future of the franchise. And so now it starts to, starts to avalanche down and starts to snowball because what are we doing? What are we doing? I want to be here, but now you're setting me back and I can't showcase my abilities. I can't help this team win. And then a whole lot of things start to unravel. The Vikings are second to last in yards per game in total offense. That's not a surprise. That's not a surprise. It's going to get frustrating in that locker room and it's unfortunate because you could have kept the veteran in there, let the young guy learn instead of putting him in a, in a basically no win situation. The only way he could, could ever like have a good season is if he just thrived out the gate. Not every rookie thrives out the gate. And so it, it there, there's a disappointment level for me that they put him in a tough position. Now he's, he's 24 for 41 on the season, 58% completion percentage, 301 yards, two TDs, three interceptions. We'll see how that goes in the future. But he hasn't played really world beater defenses either. These, these defenses aren't great. And I'm not saying that the Falcons are Falcons of old. They, they got some fast rush ability now, but Sandoro had a really good game against the Falcons last year and, and now you're going to have to contend against Detroit in your own division. You're going to have to contend against the Green Bay packers, who are looking their pass rush is even more ferocious and their defense is playing as well as anybody. So it's not like things are going to get easier for the Minnesota Vikings, but we'll see. We'll see. I just wanted to take a second to explain that to you guys because it's going to be a tough season for J.J. mcCarthy if something doesn't change. And hopefully the Minnesota Vikings fans are really patient. Hopefully Justin Jefferson is really patient. I know Kevin o' Connell is going to do everything he can to put him in positions to be successful. They got a pretty solid run game, but if this quarterback doesn't show more promise, people are going to start stacking the box and make it a lot more difficult to run these football to run the football. And we'll see that his next three games are against the AFC North. He got Cincinnati Bengals, he got Pittsburgh Steelers and he got the Browns. You know, the, the Steelers haven't, you know, they got a veteran defense that on paper should be better than they played. We'll see how, how it goes against them. The Bengals have historically had an awful defense and the Browns struggled last week versus the Baltimore Ravens. So there's a chance for him to go on a nice run here and, and hopefully he does. But I don't know, I just don't think he's putting, been, been put in the best position. I'm not saying by the coaching staff or Kevin o' Connell on this offense. I'm not saying that. I'm just saying I think he should have got the opportunity to sit behind Sam Darnold healthy, not on injured reserve, not because he had to because he couldn't play, but sit and get to put his pads on, put his helmet on and learn through an entire NFL season like a lot of these successful quarterbacks have gotten to do. That's my opinion. As always, I appreciate you guys joining me. I appreciate you guys sticking around listening to me. You could be anywhere in the world, but you're here with me and I really do appreciate that. I'll see you next time.

[HPV Vaccination PSA Voice]

Parents of tweens, if you're familiar with far off drop offs.

[Richard Sherman]

Dad, stop, stop, stop right here.

[HPV Vaccination PSA Voice]

Or get DMs about what's for dinner. You may be experiencing tween milestones for your son or daughter. These can start at age 9. HPV vaccination, a type of cancer prevention against certain HPV related cancers, can start then too.

For most, HPV clears on its own, but for those who don't clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers later in life.

Embrace this phase. Help protect them in the next.

[Merck HPV Vaccination PSA Voice]

Ask their doctor today about HPV vaccination. Brought to you by Merck hey, what's up?

[Mario Lopez]

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[Reasonable Doubt Promo Voice]

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