The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Hour 1 (August 18, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode of The Herd, Colin Cowherd and guest co-host John Middlekauff dive into early NFL preseason narratives, with sharp takes on Caleb Williams’ performance with the Bears, clarity about Dillon Gabriel’s much-discussed comments, and an assessment of the concerning outlook for the Dallas Cowboys. The duo explores coaching dynamics, backup quarterback controversies, and the evolving landscape of both college and pro football. Colin’s signature blend of insight, humor, and pointed critique keeps the conversation timely and thought-provoking.

1. Caleb Williams’ Impressive Preseason Outing (03:57–09:00)

Key Points

• Colin expresses surprise at how engaging the Bills–Bears preseason game was, focusing on top draft pick Caleb Williams’ performance.
• Williams is praised for his decisiveness, avoiding negative plays, and making “grown-up” decisions (e.g., throwing the ball away instead of forcing action).
• The new Chicago coaching staff and system are described as a “work in progress,” but Williams offers hope after a rough camp and shaky practices.

Analysis of Caleb’s Fit with Coach Ben Johnson

• Johnson prefers quarterbacks who “run my play,” more in the Kyle Shanahan mold, while Williams is a natural freelancer—a creative vs. accountant dynamic.
• “This is a marriage stylistically that is not perfect,” Colin argues, referencing other creative QB–coach pairings (Reid/Mahomes, Payton/Nix, Harbaugh/Lamar).
• The challenge is to harness Williams’ raw ability while instilling discipline: “All you need is for that player... to be amenable to throwing on time and on schedule and avoiding negative plays.” (06:50)
• “You gotta let [Caleb] be a little bit of a gunslinger... but Brett Favre mostly played on time, played on schedule,” explains Colin (07:45).

Notable Quote

• Colin (06:15): “When you get somebody as gifted as Mahomes and Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen and [now] Caleb Williams, with that kind of horsepower, with that kind of firepower, it is your job as a coach to figure out how to maximize all that amazing clay.”

Memorable Moment

• Colin lauds Williams for “dirting” a screen pass: “That’s growth from last year. Just dirting the screen pass, you’re like—okay, last year, he would have tried to make something out of it. Now, in Ben Johnson’s school of offense, get out of the play.” (08:45)

Caleb Williams’ Perspective

• Williams (09:03): “I think I’ve grown a lot... My mindset is keep growing—handling everything at the line, taking things off other people’s plates... and being able to do that consistently over the next couple years is important.”

2. The “Celebrity Backup” Problem & Dillon Gabriel’s Comments (09:15–15:24)

Key Points

• Colin dissects the media uproar over Dillon Gabriel’s statement about “entertainers and competitors,” clarifying it wasn’t a shot at Shedeur Sanders.
• He criticizes the rush to controversy, stating: “Shame on everybody that said it was,” and argues that media frenzy is actually hurting, not helping, players like Shedeur by turning them into distractions for coaches and GMs.
• The “celebrity backup QB” is historically undesirable in the NFL: “Nobody wants a celebrity backup quarterback... This story is such a negative for Shedeur Sanders.” (11:25)
• “NFL GMs want you to be Andrew Luck. Great and boring,” Colin quips, noting the risks when a backup is too high-profile.

Notable Quotes

• Colin (10:46): “You don’t want a celebrity backup quarterback. That hurt Tebow and Kaepernick and Cam Newton in New England with Belichick... You guys who love Shedeur... you’re making him into a celebrity. If I have to choose... Dylan Gabriel may be easier to deal with.”
• Colin (13:42): “If I have to use you [as a backup QB] for two games, can you win one? And the other rule—put on a hat and sunglasses and nobody knows who you are. You can never be a headline [as a backup].”

Memorable Moment

• The Tebow reference: “He’d take his shirt off and walk through practice, and it was four live shots at ESPN. And after a while, coaches are like, ‘He’s good for the locker room, but God, who wants that circus?’” (14:40)

3. Dallas Cowboys’ Dire Outlook (20:04–25:58)

Key Points

• Dallas gets “dusted again at home,” this time by Baltimore—a team that dominates preseason.
• Cowherd summarizes the Cowboys’ defensive woes: “...once again, Dallas’s defense is a sieve. It’s bad.”
• Context worsens with key defenders (Micah Parsons and Trevon Diggs) unhappy and likely out for the opener against the Eagles, with a huge national audience expected.
• There’s skepticism about owner Jerry Jones’ commitment to top coaching hires: “I don’t think Jerry Jones has a ton of respect for coaches. If he did, Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcells would have been treated differently.” (21:40)
• With the offense weakened and a tough schedule, Colin predicts “it’s going to get ugly fast” and calls them a 4- to 6-win team: “This is doomsday clock; you’re on the doomsday clock.” (22:53)
• He predicts nostalgia for Mike McCarthy’s solid record: “How people exit matters... Mark my words, Mike McCarthy’s name will come up again in Dallas.” (24:40)

Notable Quotes

• Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys OC (22:29): “We’re not going to say that’s just a preseason game... There’s too many good football players, too many good coaches for us to perform the way we did tonight. We’re not going to panic, but we’re pushing the work button and that’s what we’re going to do.”

• Colin (22:53): “This is not panic button, this is doomsday clock... This is going to blow up fast. You don't have your two best defenders. Hasn’t been a good camp. Getting pushed around in preseason. Got pushed around last year.”

Memorable Moment

• Prediction for fan protest: “Don’t be surprised in stadium this year if you don’t see Cowboy fans wearing buttons—‘I miss Mike’, ‘Let’s strike for Mike’, ‘I like Mike’... Mark my words, Mike McCarthy’s name will come up again in Dallas.” (24:50)

4. Headlines & Coaching Discussions (26:03–34:31)

Aaron Rodgers & Steelers

• John Middelkoff and Colin break down Rodgers’ move to Pittsburgh and questionable offensive line/run game.
• “I think Pittsburgh’s problem, Mike Tomlin is incapable of building a run game,” Colin says (26:27).
• Rodgers’ impact limited without ground support. “Do I believe a quarterback at 41 out of his prime, missing a left tackle, and Najee Harris can fix it? I do not.” (29:04)

Bills’ Woes in Preseason

• John: “I’m not worried... That was all about the Bears’ road game. Chiefs and Bills both laid an egg: heavy legs, long road trips. If you’re a backup though, you can’t get used to losing.” (31:53)
• Colin: “I almost consider the Ravens an exception. A really good organization that cares and delivers in preseason; 38–0 is bad, but I don’t put much stock into it.” (30:15)

Green Bay Packers’ Quiet Confidence

• Packers QB Jordan Love recovering from thumb surgery; Matt LaFleur adapting practices.
• Colin: “The whole division’s been noisy... Green Bay has been silent. It either means you’re keeping secrets or everyone’s on the same page.” (32:32)
• John: “I’m high on the Packers... but this makes me a little nervous. Their season kind of derailed last year with a Love injury. If they’re going to win the division, they need him at Pro Bowl level.” (33:27)
• Colin: “Elite offensive coach, really talented quarterback. That should be a playoff team.” (33:55)

5. NCAA/Michigan Penalty Discussion (34:31–41:18)

Key Points

• The NCAA penalizes Michigan for the Conner Stalions sign-stealing scandal but Harbaugh is spared and wins are not vacated.
• Colin puts the controversy in perspective: “...The world’s changed. You can buy high school players... I have a hard time getting worked up over it.”
• “It is so sketchy and so dark and so muddy... I’m for the transfer portal, but don’t act like you’re outraged about stuff that now gets promoted and monetized.” (37:55)
• The real issue for Michigan, according to Colin, is increased Big Ten competition and Ohio State remaining an elite program.

Notable Quote

• “You just go buy high school players. That was the one thing you couldn’t do. Now that’s encouraged. So I’m not that worked up over it. I think Michigan’s bigger issue is the Big Ten now has got really good coaching.” (38:57)

6. Rams’ Opacity, Matt Stafford & Mentoring Young QBs (45:09–51:28)

Rams’ Instinct for “Moving Off” Players

• Colin discusses how the Rams are masters at secrecy and moving on early (“Belichick... but better dressed and with a smile”).
• Stafford’s health is a huge swing factor for the Rams’ fortunes, but regardless, Colin predicts they will draft a QB next year.

Quarterback Coaches Matter

• Young QBs’ development hinges on coaching: “When I look at Jackson Dart, I think, What an advantage. You start looking at all these great quarterbacks... a lot of them—Jalen Hurts, Mahomes, Burrow—they have offensive coaches.”
• Fields, lacking strong offensive mentorship, continues to look lost.

Notable Quote

• Colin (49:35): “Who you land as your college and your pro coach, it matters a lot.”
• Brian Daboll (50:29) on his new rookie QB: “Russ is our starter and we’re going to keep developing Jackson. Jackson’s just gotta continue to work to get better and we gotta help him get better.”

Notable Quotes by Timestamp

• Caleb Williams on growth: (09:03) “I think I’ve grown a lot... keep growing... handling everything at the line.”
• On celebrity backups: (10:46) “You don’t want a celebrity backup quarterback. That hurt Tebow and Kaepernick and Cam Newton in New England with Belichick...”
• Cowboys’ situation: (22:53) “This is not panic button, this is doomsday clock. Who’s got the briefcase? This thing is going to blow up fast...”
• McCarthy’s Dallas tenure: (24:50) “...Mark my words, Mike McCarthy’s name will come up again in Dallas because it’s not going to be a great coaching search...”
• On the NCAA and Michigan: (38:57) “You just go buy high school players... Now, that’s encouraged. So I’m not that worked up over it.”
• QB coach importance: (49:35) “Who you land as your college and your pro coach, it matters a lot.”

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Caleb Williams/Bears deep dive: 03:57–09:00
• Gabriel/Shedeur controversy (“celebrity backup”): 09:15–15:24
• Cowboys problems/McCarthy exit: 20:04–25:58
• Rodgers/Steelers run game: 26:03–29:22
• Bills preseason problems: 29:22–31:53
• Packers’ preseason and division preview: 31:53–34:31
• NCAA/Michigan segment: 34:31–41:18
• Rams secrecy/Stafford, QB coaching influences: 45:09–51:28

Tone, Style, & Closing Thoughts

The episode is signature Colin: direct, witty, occasionally hyperbolic, but meticulously reasoned and always topical. He flags the preseason for what it is—just preseason—while smartly mapping the implications for the season ahead, especially in quarterback-driven narratives and coaching pairings. Both hosts deftly connect past NFL norms to the rapidly changing present, with a mix of analysis and humor.

For listeners who missed the episode, this summary covers the major opinions, insights, and storylines, capturing the spirit and engaging style of Colin Cowherd’s “The Herd.”