The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 1 (August 19, 2025)
Overview
In this episode of The Herd, Colin Cowherd and guest analyst John Middlekauff tackle NFL preview themes, place the Chicago Bears under a realism lens, evaluate seismic shifts in college football scheduling and culture, and critique the business operations and priorities of franchises like the Bengals and Cowboys. Throughout the hour, the duo blends sharp analysis with candid opinions, delivering memorable takes on expectations, structural changes, and leadership in today's sports landscape.
Episode Breakdown
1. Bears Fans and the Trap of Expectations
[03:11 – 09:05]
Key Points
- Colin reflects on how happiness in sports fandom ties directly to expectations: He draws a parallel between Denver’s 10-win surprise and Cincinnati’s 9-win “disaster.”
- Focus on Chicago Bears: Colin methodically works through the Bears’ 2025 schedule, giving them every benefit of the doubt and still only landing at a 9–8 record—a mark he calls “incredibly optimistic.”
- Realism instead of hype: Despite buzz about rookie QB Caleb Williams and new offensive mind Ben Johnson, Cowherd warns that preseason optimism often collides with hard divisional realities.
Notable Quotes
- “Your happiness is directly correlated to your expectations in life. What do you expect?”
(Colin Cowherd, 03:29) - “So giving [the Bears] wins that are not in the last decade plus guaranteed ... I actually think New York’s defensive line is going to be a problem, and the Giants are going to end up being one of those teams that plays spoiler throughout the season.”
(Colin Cowherd, 07:17)
Timestamps
- 03:13 — Bears schedule breakdown begins
- 08:23 — Guest analyst remarks on preseason optimism
- 08:51 — Colin reiterates realism: “Nine and eight...let’s be realistic. Otherwise you’re going to be miserable all year.”
2. College Football's New Era: "NFL-ization", Super Schedules & Content Over Tradition
[09:05 – 17:37]
Key Points
- College football is “emulating the NFL”—and fans should embrace it, says Cowherd.
- Focus on strength of schedule: Traditional “cupcake” games are out; every week is a must-watch.
- Root for content, not legacy: Cowherd prefers compelling matchups (e.g., Oklahoma vs. Michigan, Texas vs. Georgia), arguing the sport is healthier as a national product than a parochial or nostalgic one.
- Pushback from Middlekauff: He voices concerns for left-behind programs like Washington State and Oregon State, noting business realities but also loss for smaller-market, effort-driven schools.
Notable Quotes
- “College football has taken away the bumpers from the bowling lanes. Ohio State threw a gutter against Michigan and yet made the playoff. That is a good thing.”
(Colin Cowherd, 10:26) - “Root for content. If offered multiple steakhouses, take the best one.”
(Colin Cowherd, 11:25) - “What about Washington State? A program that has tried. Oregon State? A program that has tried...But I guess it’s business. They just weren’t big enough.”
(John Middlekauff, 16:11)
Timestamps
- 09:14 — College football’s NFL emulation; schedules as content
- 10:52 — “If you go look at Nick Saban’s dynasty… a lot of Citadel and Mercer.”
- 16:11 — John Middlekauff’s empathy for left-out programs
- 16:39 — “Sports is a business…” (Cowherd responds)
3. Cincinnati Bengals: Structural Cheapness and Super Bowl Ceilings
[21:36 – 26:36]
Key Points
- Colin spotlights the Bengals’ organizational shortcomings: Smallest personnel department in the NFL, reliance on star power (Burrow/Chase), and frugality when it comes to coaching, scouting, and risks.
- Bengals vs. well-run organizations: Contrasts Cincy to teams with robust leadership and spending (Chiefs, Eagles, Rams).
- Critical juncture: Once your quarterback gets paid, margins matter—highlighting Cincinnati’s limitations.
- Zach Taylor’s comments on Burrow’s preseason snaps reinforce the team’s reliance on its QB to cover up deficiencies.
Notable Quotes
- “Cincinnati is Six Flags, a step above the county fair. Yeah, Six Flags has roller coasters. So does Disney. But if you want to win Super Bowls—do you pay top money for coordinators? Do you have a big scouting department?” (Colin Cowherd, 24:56)
Timestamps
- 21:36 — Bengals segment begins
- 24:56 — Disney vs. Six Flags analogy
4. Colts Quarterback Shakeup & Quarterback Desperation
[26:36 – 29:49]
Key Points
- Breaking news: Colts roll with Daniel Jones, benching (and likely ending) Anthony Richardson’s run as franchise QB.
- Colin and John discuss the cycle of desperation post-Luck, Ursae’s impulsiveness, and inevitable QB churn (Rivers, Wentz, Ryan).
- Prediction: Richardson soon to be traded, mirroring the Trey Lance scenario in San Francisco.
Notable Quotes
- “This is currently is one of the worst draft picks we’ve ever seen.”
(John Middlekauff, 27:46)
Timestamps
- 26:36 — Colts news
- 29:07 — “My prediction is Anthony Richardson will be traded the next couple weeks…”
5. Cowboys and Management: Jerry Jones, Control, and Historical Parallels
[29:49 – 32:25]
Key Points
- Discussion sparked by Jerry Jones’ Netflix doc comments (“I like the pain”): Is he holding Dallas back?
- Colin notes parallels to late-career Al Davis: A once-brilliant innovator now clinging to too much control in a more complex league.
- In today’s NFL, coaching matters more than ever; Jerry’s lack of respect for coaches is increasingly problematic.
Notable Quotes
- “In an era where coaching’s never been better and more valuable, Jerry has almost a disdain for the profession.”
(Colin Cowherd, 31:12)
Timestamps
- 29:49 — Cowboys management
- 31:35 — NFC East GM contrasts
6. NBA Star Power: The Steph-LeBron Era, Disappearing Domestic Icons, and Marketing Dilemmas
[32:25 – 36:23]
Key Points
- National TV slots dominated by Lakers, Warriors, Knicks, Celtics: The familiar still sells.
- Middlekauff doubts we’ll ever see another “LeBron or Steph” level star—at least in terms of mass culture reach.
- Colin’s theory: NBA’s global talent revolution brings great players, but lacks personality-driven, recognizable faces for U.S. fans (Jokic, SGA, Giannis prefer anonymity and earnestness over celebrity).
- NBA needs to re-embrace college basketball: Familiarity, storylines, and star-building in NCAA are vital for league marketing.
Notable Quotes
- “There is no LeBron, Steph...I mean, I think KD battling people on social media is actually great...he’s interacting with the fans.”
(Colin Cowherd, 35:19) - “These international guys, they want to ball, get ready for the next game. Totally respect it. But it’s not good for marketing.”
(Colin Cowherd, 36:10)
Timestamps
- 32:25 — NBA’s TV schedule and shifting star power
- 34:11 — NBA/college basketball synergy
- 36:14 — Internationalization’s impact on NBA marketing
7. Roster-Building, Tanking Subtly & The Browns Quarterback Situation
[42:05 – 49:35]
Key Points
- Adam Schefter’s tweet on Cleveland keeping four QBs: Cowherd sees this as subtle prioritization of draft position over short-term wins—possibly paving the way for landing a headline-grabbing prospect like Arch Manning.
- Jimmy Haslam’s pattern of “headline” QBs (Manziel, Baker, Watson).
- Discussion of QB traits: Preference for seriousness and leadership (praise for “boring,” businesslike QBs over “unserious” types like Shador Sanders).
Notable Quotes
- “You’re not trying to lose. But we all know this: There are certain things you prioritize now. In pro sports, you prioritize next year’s draft number one, winning Sunday number two.” (Colin Cowherd, 46:15)
Timestamps
- 42:05 — Browns’ roster construction and tanking angle
8. Culture, Coaching, and the Pendulum Effect (Miami Dolphins as Case Study)
[49:35 – 51:14]
Key Points
- Contrast between mean, culture-enforcing coach (Brian Flores) and pendulum-swing “nice guy” (Mike McDaniel).
- Dolphins’ soft camp, Jalen Ramsey’s critical comments, and struggles with offensive identity.
- Praise for Notre Dame’s adjustment after Brian Kelly—not to a softie, but to intense, smart, fair Marcus Freeman.
Notable Quotes
- “I wish Mike McDaniel had a little Brian Flores. It’s been a bad camp for Miami. It’s not been good.”
(Colin Cowherd, 48:29)
Memorable Moments & Quotes
- “College football has taken away the bumpers from the bowling lanes … that is a good thing.”
(Colin Cowherd, 10:26) - “Cincinnati is Six Flags, a step above the county fair. Yeah, Six Flags has roller coasters. So does Disney. But if you want to win Super Bowls…”
(Colin Cowherd, 24:56) - “I think this league, what you don’t want to be is desperate at quarterback.”
(Colin Cowherd, 28:06) - “Jerry Jones ... in an era where coaching’s never been better and more valuable, Jerry has almost a disdain for the profession.”
(Colin Cowherd, 31:12) - “There is no LeBron. Steph. KD battling on social media is actually great ... he’s interacting with the fans.”
(Colin Cowherd, 35:19) - “You could probably use another slot corner ... no, we’re not going to do that. So I don’t think it’s prioritizing winning, but I totally get what they’re doing. They want Arch Manning.”
(Colin Cowherd, 45:15)
Structure & Flow
- Colin leads with a blend of data-driven optimism and grounded skepticism (especially on the Bears).
- College football segment is rich in opinion and cultural critique, with Middlekauff interjecting personal ties to small-market schools.
- NFL organization discussions pivot from high-level (ownership, management, spending) to specific personnel decisions.
- Parallels to other sports (NBA, boxing) and wider business trends reinforce main arguments.
- Conversation is lively, alternating between detailed scheduling breakdowns, big-picture industry commentary, and barbed, memorable analogies.
Takeaways
- Bears fans: Curb expectations. Even with optimism, the math—and the division— doesn’t likely add up to a breakout.
- College football: The sport is better when it delivers big-game content over tradition. Embrace change for drama and entertainment.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Leadership and investment off the field are as crucial as stars on it; being “cheap” undermines long-term chances at contention.
- Cowboys & Bengals: Old-guard owners risk holding their teams back through stubborn control and outdated thinking.
- NBA: Star power is hard to replicate. The league’s globalization has delivered unprecedented skill but a marketing puzzle for the next wave of faces.
- Roster moves as team strategy: Subtle moves can signal a franchise’s priorities. The Browns seem to be playing for the future, with a “quiet tank” for a new QB.
- Culture and coaching: Organizational pendulum swings can be costly. Finding balance (tough but approachable) is key—something Miami has struggled with in its coaching transitions.
This summary captures the episode’s energetic, argument-driven style and delivers a roadmap for anyone wanting key insights, context, and the best quotes from the hour. For sports fans seeking clarity on preseason hype, college football’s new landscape, NFL leadership, or the NBA’s branding crisis, Cowherd and Middlekauff deliver both substance and spark.