Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Hour 1 – Baker Mayfield's Perfect Fit, Jim Harbaugh Completes the Transformation
Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd (with Jason McIntyre)
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre explore the importance of "fit" in sports through deep dives into Baker Mayfield's resurgence with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jim Harbaugh’s transformative effect on the Los Angeles Chargers. They break down quarterback-coach relationships, team culture, and recent performances across the NFL and touch on key storylines including A.J. Brown’s frustration in Philadelphia and quarterback questions for teams like the Bears and Raiders. The tone throughout is candid, insightful, and occasionally humorous.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Baker Mayfield and the Power of 'Fit'

[03:36] – [08:14]

• Colin Cowherd outlines how Baker Mayfield’s time in Cleveland was characterized by too many egos in leadership and a volatile environment:

  “Baker Mayfield in Cleveland was the spark. Even the media in Cleveland has a chip on their shoulder for years and years of losing... It just felt like it needed a fire extinguisher every 15 minutes for a press conference in Cleveland with Baker.” (Colin, 04:09)

• Contrast with Tampa Bay, where the organizational structure is calm, supportive, and pressure-free:

  “Tampa is a perfect fit for Baker. It’s always been a little sleepy... They’ve always had talent, but they could never get the quarterback right. And they go Brady to Baker and it’s a perfect fit.” (Colin, 05:44)

• Baker’s performance since joining Tampa: Most passing touchdowns since his arrival, top 5-6 in other metrics, a sense of confidence and belonging.

• Mayfield’s quote on his maturity and fit:

  “It’s good to see that we haven’t even played close to our best ball in all three phases and we’re still finding ways to win on the road.” (Baker Mayfield, 07:55)

• Colin reiterates:

  “Baker Mayfield finally found the perfect fit... This is his team, his town, his city, his locker room, his division. It feels perfect.” (Colin, 06:29)

2. Jim Harbaugh Transforms the Chargers

[08:14] – [13:25]

• The Chargers’ drastic shift from the NFL’s worst defense 20 games ago to now leading the league:

  “Here comes Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Twenty games later, a few tweaks. It is the stickiest secondary in the league. It’s the number one rated defense in the league.” (Colin, 08:32)

• Harbaugh’s teams have a clear identity: big, strong, physical, and low on ego.

• Quarterback Justin Herbert’s quiet demeanor is a "perfect fit" for Harbaugh:

  “Herbert’s very secure in who he is. And listen, the offense, it still feels like they’re probably a receiver shy... but as Harbaugh said after the win over the Raiders, it is all about this defense, defense.” (Colin, 10:42)

• On defense and culture:

  “When you lead the NFL the last 20 games in defense, a lot of that is culture and coaching.” (Colin, 13:23)

3. A.J. Brown and the Problem with Philly's Offense

[19:33] – [22:45]

• Colin defends A.J. Brown's mounting frustration as a star displaced in the Eagles’ run-centric system (after being underutilized with Tennessee, too):

  “He’s a heated seat in Phoenix or an Olympic-sized backyard pool in Anchorage... he’s not needed for Philadelphia and they need another corner...” (Colin, 21:19)

• Brown’s statistics: 6 catches for 35 yards so far this season.

• Colin’s perspective on why star players in football should be allowed the same career mobility as, for instance, NBA stars or top attorneys:

  “In football, everybody get in line, everybody be a team guy. Like, Philadelphia, he’s a luxury for somebody that doesn’t need him.” (Colin, 20:58)

• Brown’s own words:

  “The goal is to win the game... But, you know, our job is to continue to try to find a way to win.” (A.J. Brown, 22:31)

4. Chicago Bears and the Rookie QB Dilemma

[23:47] – [27:47]

• The Bears are winless (0-2); rookie Caleb Williams is showing mixed results.

• Detroit’s offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on Williams’ growth:

  “I did see significant growth. It’s not perfect yet. There’s still a number of plays where our eyes aren’t quite in the right position...” (Ben Johnson, 24:11)

• Colin doubts the improvement:

  “Game one and game two were the same. Great opening drive, too much freelancing after that and it looked disoriented.” (Colin, 24:37)

• Gambling discussion: Why are the Bears favored over Dallas? It's their season on the line, Cowboys might be fatigued, and Vegas lines may reflect this.

5. Baltimore Ravens: Steady with a ‘Good Problem’

[27:49] – [29:36]

• Ravens dominated the Browns, but top weapons haven’t been heavily involved.

• Coach John Harbaugh:

  “That’s kind of a blessing, you know, but it’s also a dilemma... hopefully it’s the kind of dilemma that puts a lot of points on the board.” (John Harbaugh, 28:10)

• Colin makes a baseball analogy: The Ravens are like the 90s Braves—reliably strong but not always postseason favorites.

• Still, questions persist about Lamar Jackson’s playoff ceiling.

6. Vikings QB Injury & Rookie Woes

[29:36] – [34:15]

• J.J. McCarthy suffers a serious injury; Carson Wentz steps in.
• Ongoing debate: Are some players just injury-prone, or do they not protect themselves?
• McCarthy has looked overwhelmed in prime-time starts, sparking discussion about readiness versus circumstance.
• McIntyre defends Caleb Williams as more "lost than overwhelmed" due to system fit.

7. Raiders’ Quarterback Issues: Geno Smith and Missed Opportunities

[34:25] – [37:33]

• Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly may be “trapped” with Geno Smith, not their first or second choice for QB.
• Geno’s aggressive downfield throws are problematic when sped up; he leads the league in interceptions since 2022.
• Pete Carroll expresses frustration:

  "We were impatient with the throwing game and that's why the ball went down the field so far. And I don't think we needed to do that… The picks are a big issue, but that's not my concern. My concern is why we didn't get the ball thrown and caught underneath.” (Pete Carroll, 37:11)

8. LA Football vs. New York Football: A Tale of Two Cities

[42:55] – [47:41]

• Colin compares LA’s burgeoning football culture favorably to New York’s struggles, crediting executive leadership and coaching (McVay and Harbaugh):

  “I’m going to argue that Harbaugh and McVay... are the two best culture creators in football, LA football right now.” (Colin, 42:59)

• LA franchises have stability, great ownership, top GMs, and star QB/coach pairings, while NY teams are 0-4 and struggling.

9. Chiefs at 0-2: No Panic

[47:41] – [48:08]

• Despite the record, Kansas City is predicted to rebound as key receivers return and the schedule gets easier.
• Andy Reid’s reassurance:

  “I trust this group. I mean, this group's a good group. Got good leadership, and they'll stay together... Like I said, this game here was more on the offensive side. We've got to take care of that.” (Andy Reid, 47:41)

• Colin: “The Chiefs are going to make the playoffs.”

10. Quick Betting and Schedule Previews

[48:54] – [51:36]

• Jason and Colin preview Week 3, debate specific lines, and identify possible upsets and “trap” games.
• Jason: “If you get humiliated in the NFL and you have good personnel... you just got humiliated. Almost always, you play well the following week.” (50:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Tampa is a perfect fit for Baker… The media in Tampa, they've got Super Bowls. They're not bitter, they're supportive and there's no pressure.”
  – Colin Cowherd, 05:44

• “All Harbaugh teams look the same. Big, strong, physical…They just squeeze you.”
  – Colin Cowherd, 09:28

• “When you lead the NFL the last 20 games in defense, a lot of that is culture and coaching.”
  – Colin Cowherd, 13:23

• “He's a heated seat in Phoenix or an Olympic-sized backyard pool in Anchorage… he’s not needed for Philadelphia.”
  – Colin Cowherd on A.J. Brown, 21:19

• "There's an argument they are the two best culture creators in football, LA football right now."
  – Colin Cowherd on McVay and Harbaugh, 42:59

• “I trust this group. I mean, this group’s a good group. Got good leadership, and they'll stay together.”
  – Andy Reid, 47:41

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic | |---------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:36–08:14 | Baker Mayfield's fit in Tampa and leadership journey | | 08:14–13:25 | Jim Harbaugh’s impact on the Chargers, defensive turnaround | | 19:33–22:45 | A.J. Brown’s frustration in Philly | | 23:47–27:47 | Chicago Bears, rookie QB struggles, oddsmaker analysis | | 27:49–29:36 | Ravens’ offense, Harbaugh’s “good problem” | | 29:36–34:15 | Vikings QB injuries, the rookie learning curve, system fit for Caleb Williams| | 34:25–37:33 | Raiders’ quarterback situation, Geno Smith’s ceiling | | 42:55–47:41 | LA football culture vs. New York, importance of team leadership | | 47:41–48:08 | Chiefs’ slow start, Andy Reid’s confidence | | 48:54–51:36 | Week 3 schedule preview, betting strategies |

Conclusion

This episode is a masterclass in connecting individual player stories to broader themes of fit, culture, and leadership in the NFL. Colin and Jason break down not just results, but the underlying dynamics shaping team success, with a conversational, relatable tone ideal for both casual and hardcore fans. The analysis of Mayfield and Harbaugh anchors the hour, while side topics like AJ Brown’s usage and the LA/NY football dichotomy provide depth and context to the NFL’s current landscape.