Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "The Favorites - Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks"

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
• Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
• Description: A thought-provoking, opinionated, and topic-driven journey through the top sports stories of the day.
• Episode: The Favorites - Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks
• Release Date: July 18, 2025

Overview

In the episode titled "The Favorites - Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks," hosts Chad Millman, Simon Hunter, and Rich Rebar delve deep into an analytical discussion to rank the top 10 NFL quarterbacks. The ranking process is heavily influenced by statistical metrics, betting perspectives, and past performance, especially in high-stakes playoff scenarios. The conversation is engaging, filled with debates, personal anecdotes, and insightful analysis aimed at both avid football fans and casual listeners interested in the intricacies of quarterback evaluations.

1. Ranking Methodology

Chad Millman outlines the criteria used to evaluate and rank the quarterbacks, emphasizing a combination of statistical performance and betting implications. The primary metrics considered include:

• Expected Points Added (EPA): Analyzes the quarterback's contribution to the team's scoring.
• EPA per Drop Back: Normalizes EPA to account for varying numbers of drop backs.
• Total Sacks: The number of times the quarterback is sacked.
• QB Pressure Rate: Measures how often a quarterback is under pressure, indicating decision-making speed and offensive line performance.
• Fourth Down Conversion: Assesses a quarterback's effectiveness in clutch situations.

Chad also mentions utilizing AI tools, specifically Claude from Anthropic AI, to generate initial rankings based on these metrics, followed by a personal "gut check" to finalize the list.

2. The Top 10 NFL Quarterbacks

Number 10: Baker Mayfield

• Chad's Perspective: Despite being on the edge of his list, Baker's consistent performance and statistical backing secure his spot.
• Quote: “Number 10, Baker Mayfield. Baker was on the edge of my list the whole time.”
  • Timestamp: [16:05]

Number 9: Brock Purdy

• Chad's Perspective: Advocates for Purdy based on metrics and his potential in the upcoming season.
• Quote: “I put Brock Purdy at 9 because he deserves to be in there based on the metrics and what I prioritized.”
  • Timestamp: [17:11]

Number 8: Justin Herbert

• Chad's Perspective: Herbert remains on the bubble despite his talent, emphasizing his potential improvements.
• Quote: “Justin Herbert. I like, I'm a little bit off Herbert. He's so good and so talented.”
  • Timestamp: [17:11]

Number 7: Jared Goff

• Chad's Perspective: Recognizes Goff's journey and system benefits but remains cautiously optimistic.
• Quote: “I had Jared Goff. Six, I had Jaden Daniels.”
  • Timestamp: [17:11]

Number 6: Jaden Daniels

• Chad's Perspective: Highlights Daniels' performance, especially in clutch playoff situations.
• Quote: “I had Jaden Daniels.”
  • Timestamp: [17:11]

Number 5: Jalen Hurts

• Chad's Perspective: Emphasizes Hurts' consistency and playoff success.
• Quote: “I had Jalen Hurts. All Jalen Hurts does is win.”
  • Timestamp: [17:11]

Number 4: Joe Burrow

• Chad's Perspective: Acknowledges Burrow's talent but raises concerns about his playoff consistency.
• Quote: “I got Joe Burrow. Joe Burrow last year really disappointed me in many ways.”
  • Timestamp: [26:01]

Number 3: Lamar Jackson

• Chad's Perspective: Despite his incredible talent, Jackson's playoff record introduces some reservations.
• Quote: “Lamar Jackson... 3 and 5 in the playoffs. That is a big deal.”
  • Timestamp: [35:22]

Number 2: Josh Allen

• Chad's Perspective: Values Allen's talent and playoff performances but notes areas needing improvement.
• Quote: “Josh Allen keeps getting caught by Mahomes. And we can put excuses, right?”
  • Timestamp: [43:32]

Number 1: Patrick Mahomes

• Chad's Perspective: Mahomes tops the list due to his consistent excellence, statistical superiority, and impactful playoff performances.
• Quote: “Mahomes number one. He almost got the 3P. We've never seen anything like it.”
  • Timestamp: [43:44]

3. Detailed Discussions and Debates

Performance Metrics vs. Playoff Success: The hosts grapple with balancing regular-season statistics against playoff performances. While Chad and Simon emphasize past playoff success as a crucial factor, Rich introduces a more nuanced view, considering both statistical dominance and situational performances.

• Chad Millman: “All this other that we've become obsessed with does not matter. Legacy wise, we started from the top.”

  • Timestamp: [43:32]

• Simon Hunter: Highlights the importance of clutch performances, citing Jalen Hurts' ability to win.

  • Timestamp: [44:10]

Baker Mayfield’s Inclusion: There is consensus among the hosts that Baker Mayfield deserves a spot in the top 10 based on statistical backing, despite some controversy over his fluctuating performance.

• Simon Hunter: “We're locked in, Chad. We're both Baker.”
  • Timestamp: [16:44]

Brock Purdy vs. C.J. Stroud: Chad places Brock Purdy above C.J. Stroud, citing Purdy's ability to perform under pressure and his statistical edge in crucial moments.

• Chad Millman: “He took the offense and tried to carry it as far as he could... last year he answered those questions.”
  • Timestamp: [26:32]

Josh Allen’s Position: Discussions highlight Josh Allen's talent and potential but also his shortcomings in high-pressure situations against elite quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes.

• Simon Hunter: “Josh Allen keeps getting caught by Mahomes.”
  • Timestamp: [43:44]

Patrick Mahomes Dominance: Mahomes is universally acknowledged by the hosts as the top quarterback, with his consistent Super Bowl performances and statistical achievements setting him apart.

• Chad Millman: “Patrick Mahomes has consistently won.”
  • Timestamp: [29:38]

Rich Rebar’s Contributions: Rich provides a contrasting viewpoint, often supporting the hosts' choices but also introducing his own rankings which largely overlap but with slight differences, especially in the top five.

• Rich Rebar: “I think Purdy gets the definite edge over two of...”
  • Timestamp: [57:01]

Dak Prescott and Others: Chad and Rich discuss quarterbacks like Dak Prescott, ultimately deciding not to include him due to his playoff record and current team dynamics.

• Chad Millman: “Brock Purdy above Stafford...”
  • Timestamp: [25:01]

4. Notable Quotes

• Chad Millman: “Number 10, Baker Mayfield. Baker was on the edge of my list the whole time.”

  • Timestamp: [16:05]

• Simon Hunter: “I know that I'm gonna walk away diving into it. He was a really tough one because, like, all these quarterbacks, people that don't like them, they can give you good reasons.”

  • Timestamp: [16:44]

• Chad Millman: “Patrick Mahomes has consistently won.”

  • Timestamp: [29:38]

• Simon Hunter: “Legacy wise, we started from the top. Tom Brady is the GOAT.”

  • Timestamp: [43:44]

• Rich Rebar: “He could have two Super Bowl MVPs, you know, at this point.”

  • Timestamp: [46:24]

5. Conclusion and Takeaways

The episode concludes with a strong affirmation of Patrick Mahomes as the top NFL quarterback, highlighting his unparalleled performance and consistent leadership in both regular seasons and playoffs. The hosts acknowledge the subjective elements in ranking quarterbacks, such as playoff success and team dynamics, but ultimately rely on a blend of statistical analysis and personal assessment to finalize their top 10 list. They also encourage listeners to engage further by checking out Rich Rebar’s Sharp Football Analysis for more in-depth breakdowns.

Final Thoughts:

• Chad Millman: Emphasizes the blend of metrics and personal judgment in his rankings.
• Simon Hunter: Advocates for recognizing quarterbacks who deliver in high-pressure situations.
• Rich Rebar: Adds depth to the discussion with his own analytical perspective, supporting most of the hosts' choices while offering minor deviations.

Listeners are left with a comprehensive and well-debated ranking of the top 10 NFL quarterbacks, enriched with expert insights and statistical backing, making it a valuable resource for understanding the current landscape of NFL quarterbacks.

References:

• Transcript Timestamps: All quotes are referenced with their respective timestamps from the provided transcript.
• Additional Content: Advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content segments were omitted to focus solely on the main discussion about the top 10 NFL quarterbacks.