Podcast Summary: "The Herd with Colin Cowherd"

Episode: Hour 1 – Caleb Williams' Transformation, Belichick & the Giants, Young QB Rankings
Date: November 12, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the transformation of Caleb Williams in the NFL, analyzes why Bill Belichick is not the right fit for the New York Giants, and engages in a thought experiment: if you were a GM, which under-25 NFL quarterbacks would you sign to massive $250M extensions? The show offers a blend of analysis, debate, and Cowherd’s signature analogies, with engaging input from co-host J.J. McCarthy.

Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Caleb Williams’ NFL Transformation

Timestamps: 04:37–16:15

• Highest Graded Quarterback: Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears, has rapidly risen to become one of the top quarterbacks over the last two weeks per PFF.
• Growth Areas:
  • Improved offensive line play ("masonry...one brick at a time") has been fundamental for Williams' leap.
  • Focused on less flashy, more efficient play: “We got Jonah Jackson, Drew Dahlman, Joe Thuney. Guard, center, guard.” (Colin, 05:10)
  • Reduced negative plays ("Can you not run backwards? I want to eliminate the negative plays and the pre snap penalties.")
  • Bears’ improved run game, leading to more balanced, play-action opportunities.
• Mentoring & Masonry:
  • “Success is largely masonry in every field, one brick at a time. The little stuff... It’s all the little stuff that makes great parenting and great quarterback." (Colin, 06:54)
  • Analyst Greg Olson’s comparison: Williams naturally brings “sizzle,” but needed a “grown up coach to do the small stuff.”
• Statistical Growth:
  • Passer rating up from 88 last season to 92
  • Yards per attempt increased from 6.3 to 7.3
• Memorable Quote:
  • “Caleb brings the sizzle, Ben Johnson just brought in a better steak.” (Colin, 09:15)

2. Micah Parsons: Versatility vs. Specialization

Timestamps: 09:26–16:19

• Colin’s Opinion:
  • Reports of Dallas potentially moving on from Parsons despite his talent—questioned his versatility: “He’s a stud athlete but not a versatile player... See ball, go get it.” (Colin, 10:12)
• Parsons’ Social Media Response:
  • Parsons clapped back at Cowherd via tweet, defending the Cowboys’ recent performance.
• Versatility Debate:
  • Analogies to other sports stars: Ohtani & Jokic ("can do everything"), Tyreek Hill ("not a great blocker or route runner, but elite at what he does"), Christian McCaffrey vs. Adrian Peterson.
  • “Most baseball players, the great ones are Freddie Freeman. Man, can he hit. Ohtani can do everything.” (Colin, 11:20)
• NFL Comparison:
  • Parsons is placed in the “Tyreek Hill” category—extraordinary, but narrowly elite.
    • “Micah is what he’s always been, stud athlete, five-star recruit, disruptive pass rusher.” (Colin, 14:08)
    • “Tyreek Hill isn’t Larry Fitzgerald.” (Colin, 12:30)
  • Most teams will not move foundational, versatile defenders (e.g., Garrett, Crosby, Watt).

3. Belichick and the Giants: Why the Fit Doesn’t Work

Timestamps: 22:32–27:11

• Discussing Giants’ Head Coach Opening:
  • Colin advocates for Mike McCarthy or Lane Kiffin, not Bill Belichick.
  • Argument: The modern NFL and young QBs require offensive, progressive coaches.
• Belichick’s Track Record with Young Quarterbacks:
  • “There is a formula that works with young quarterbacks and it’s not saddled upside a 74 year-old defensive coach.” (Colin, 24:09)
  • Reference to Mac Jones' decline post-Josh McDaniels; Tom Brady’s struggles late in NE with limited personnel.
• Lesson from Other Sports:
  • Modernization brings success; “Baseball stopped looking in the rearview mirror... Basketball’s ratings are up.”
• Conclusion:
  • “Be very careful about memories and lore and tradition... Bill may be a legend, but it’s rearview mirror stuff to me.” (Colin, 25:40)

4. NFL Quarterbacks Under 25: Who Gets the $250M Contract?

Timestamps: 16:19, 43:51–55:40

• Thought Experiment for GMs:
  • “Every quarterback 25 and under, you’re the GM today. You have to decide on a $250 million extension... Two you get to sign today.” (Colin, 16:05)
• Key Contenders:
  • Colin’s main three: Drake May (no-brainer), C.J. Stroud, Caleb Williams.
  • “Drake May’s the easy one… Stroud has a couple of playoff wins… and Caleb... I think with Ben [Johnson] we’re getting a truer version.” (Colin, 44:55)
• Co-Host Debate:
  • J.J. McCarthy lobbies for Brock Purdy based on "more games, more wins, more touchdowns" and two playoff game-winning drives. (J.J., 51:44)
  • Colin pushes back: durability, arm talent, upside, and support matter ("Caleb didn't get hurt last year, didn't get hurt in college, didn't get hurt in high school...").
• Traits that Matter:
  • Cowherd emphasizes “traits and trunky and thick,” i.e., physical robustness over just statistics. (54:30)
  • “If you sign Caleb… you’ve got to let people go. Now you throw it because you want to, not because you have to.” (Colin, 46:30)

5. Around the NFL & NBA: Steelers, Bengals, Lions-Eagles, Dallas Mavericks

Timestamps: 27:11–35:06

• Steelers vs. Bengals:
  • Steelers expected to rebound after a poor showing and benefit from a normal week (not Thursday night).
  • “Pittsburgh will throttle Cincinnati. Steelers aren’t a bad team. They’ve got holes... but they’ll win comfortably.” (Colin, 28:05)
• Lions vs. Eagles:
  • Philly favored; both hosts skeptical of the Lions’ offense outside the dome environment.
  • “Philadelphia knows what they are. It’s flawed, but they know what they are.” (Colin, 30:35)
• Dallas Mavericks, NBA:
  • Fallout from firing GM Nico Harrison, difficulties in moving Anthony Davis, and the fan base’s unrest after a disastrous trade.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Success & Masonry:
  • “Success in any field… law, education… mostly masonry. One brick at a time… It’s all the little stuff that makes great parenting and great quarterback.”
    — Colin Cowherd (06:27)
• On Caleb Williams and Systems:
  • “Ben Johnson just brought in a better steak. Success is largely masonry in every field, one brick at a time.”
    — Colin Cowherd (09:15)
• On Micah Parsons:
  • "Micah is essentially Tyreek Hill... See ball, go get it... That has unbelievable value. But the Cowboys tried him at linebacker... doesn't have great eyes, can't put him into coverage."
    — Colin Cowherd (13:50)
• On Bill Belichick:
  • “Be very careful about memories and lore and tradition… Bill may be a legend, but it’s rearview mirror stuff to me.”
    — Colin Cowherd (25:40)
• On Young QB Contracts:
  • "If I said you got to pick three guys and you got to write the check knowing you write the check you got to let people go ... I'm into that. I've worked with people in this industry that are really talented. They're just not dependable. High and low, don't get them every day. We talked about masonry. So I don't know, I. You don't have to like Bo Nicks and how it looks. He's the best fourth quarter quarterback in the league right now. He's never hurt and he wins games."
    — Colin Cowherd (46:30)
• J.J. McCarthy's Counter:
  • "I think Brock Purdy's a lock... more wins, obviously more touchdowns, more games. He had two game winning drives in the postseason..."
    — J.J. McCarthy (51:44)
• On Physical Traits:
  • “I've always told you that before. I like traits and trunky and thick and I like all that stuff. That, that stuff matters to me.”
    — Colin Cowherd (54:30)

Takeaways & Analysis

• Caleb Williams isn’t just thriving due to talent, but because the Bears built around him with good coaching and roster moves—Cowherd underscores how small details, not just highlights, make a quarterback great.
• Bill Belichick’s style is seen as outdated for the new NFL and young QBs. The modern sports world rewards adaptability and vision over legacy.
• The quarterback market is more complicated than fans appreciate: durability, system fit, and long-term upside matter as much as stats. Debates on Brock Purdy and Caleb Williams illustrate how context, not just numbers, defines franchise QBs.
• Versatility is a luxury even for elite NFL talents; being exceptional at one thing is valuable, but teams prize true all-around difference makers.
• Cowherd’s analogies—from construction to cooking to sports crossovers—color the discussions and make analytics lively and relatable.

Important Timestamps

• Caleb Williams discussion: 04:37–16:15
• Versatility & Micah Parsons: 09:26–16:19
• Belichick & the Giants: 22:32–27:11
• Young QB rankings discussion: 43:51–55:40
• Notable quote on “masonry” in QB development: 06:27
• Comparing Brock Purdy vs. Caleb Williams: 51:44–54:30

This episode is must-listen for fans interested in the intersection between player development, coaching philosophy, and roster building in football. Cowherd delivers thoughtful critique leavened with personal rules and industry anecdotes, all with his trademark blend of candor and humor.