The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Hour 1: Defending Jalen Hurts, Evaluating Arch Manning, Browns’ QB Moves & NFL News

Date: August 26, 2025
Guest Hosts: Jason McIntyre & Rachel Nichols
Key Guest: James Palmer (NFL Insider, The Athletic)

Episode Overview

This episode—hosted by Jason McIntyre and Rachel Nichols, filling in for Colin Cowherd—dives deep into the ongoing debate about Jalen Hurts’ place in NFL rankings, the hype and question marks surrounding Texas QB Arch Manning, major quarterback moves involving the Cleveland Browns, and a fast-paced roundup of headline NFL news. The hosts are joined by NFL insider James Palmer to break down the latest implications for teams and top prospects around the league.

Main Discussion Topics

1. Jalen Hurts Disrespected in NFL Rankings

• Context: Two major offseason NFL player rankings (by ESPN and NFL.com) place Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts much lower than expected, sparking debate.
• Key Points:
  • ESPN’s Top 100 for the 2025 season ranks Hurts at 38 (six spots lower than last year).
  • NFL.com lists Hurts at 19, both times behind Houston’s Derek Stingley.
  • Despite historic achievements (e.g., four straight seasons of 10+ rushing & 15+ passing TDs; never done before in NFL history), Hurts is omitted from “elite” conversation.
• Jason’s Take:
  “Jalen Hurts has the single most unstoppable move in professional football… He’s now been in two Super Bowls, already. I think he’s the best dual-threat quarterback the league has ever seen.”
  (A, 05:15)
• Theory for Disrespect: Hurts’ “boring” personality and lack of viral/flashy plays compared to contemporaries (Mahomes, Lamar, Burrow) is hurting his “list” presence.
  • “Hertz is just boring and dull and that doesn’t register on these lists. It’s so weird how disrespected not only Hertz is, but the Eagles.” (A, 07:40)
• Team Outlook: The Eagles are under-discussed despite returning almost all starters and boasting a young, top-graded roster.
  • “We’re sleeping on the Eagles… as good of shape to build something real spicy in Philly as we've seen since the Kansas City Chiefs.” (A, 09:00)

2. Arch Manning: Is He Actually Good?

• Lead-in: The highly-touted Texas QB is set for his big “hard launch” versus Ohio State—a massive college football event.
• Key Points & Quotes:
  • Unproven Hype:
    “Is Arch Manning good? Do we know if he's good?” (A, 10:10)
    • Guest Jeff Schwartz: “I don’t think we know if he’s good yet. And that’s okay.” (E, 10:12)
    • Arch has barely played (under 100 pass attempts in two years), with little evidence from high-level matchups.
    • Many project Manning as a top NFL pick based only on pedigree and glimpses.
    • “We just don’t know. And I… have some mild concerns. Well, what are we waiting for here?” (A, 11:15)
  • Family Approach: The Manning family’s “long game”—eschewing the quick transfer/NIL craze, focusing on gradual development.
  • Arch’s Mindset (quote):
    “This is what I’ve been waiting for. Spent two years not playing, so might as well go have some fun, right? I always have to remind myself, it’s not all about me… we got to play the situations well, not give them short fields and take care of the ball…” (E, 13:25)
  • Predictions & Pressure:
    • Jason predicts a rough debut for Manning: “My guess is it goes sideways, they lose about 34–13 or something…then the pressure’s off Arch and he rebounds.” (A, 14:23)
    • Rachel: Stresses the Manning focus on long-term career and managing pressure: “They see this as a decade and a half longer project. Right. So one game this weekend…is just like a pittance.” (D, 15:37)

3. Browns Trade Kenny Pickett: What Does It Mean?

• Trade Details: Browns trade backup QB Kenny Pickett to the Raiders (to back up Geno Smith), opening opportunities for younger QBs.
• Analysis:
  • Pickett had a “nondescript” college career aside from a “one year wonder” season. Has failed to become a stable NFL starter, now on his third team in three years.
  • Move mainly benefits two young Browns QBs: Shedeur Sanders and Dylan Gabriel.
    • “He no longer needs to be the fourth guy on the depth chart… this is good news for Shedeur.” (A, 24:12)
• Mary Kay Cabot (insider quote):
  “They have two really good young quarterbacks that they’re excited about and that they want to develop...They have to find out do they have a potential franchise quarterback on their roster as they head into that '26 draft.” (D, 24:00 / 45:27)
  • Browns could let Gabriel start several games; Shedeur is closer to his shot. Both could still be joined next year by a top rookie if neither seizes the mantle.
• Big Picture: Browns are “taking bites at the apple”—cycling through young prospects until they hopefully land a true franchise QB.

4. Rapid-Fire NFL Headlines & Analysis

(News Round-Up w/ Rachel Nichols, 26:09–33:44)

• Buffalo Bills (Super Bowl Aspirations & Allen’s Legacy):
  • Dion Dawkins: “We want to win the Super Bowl. We are going to win the Super Bowl when we are putting our best foot forward every single year. And sometimes we might just need heavier gloves.” (E, 26:31)
  • Jason: “I think they do win the Super Bowl this year…although I keep seeing all this Ravens hype.”
• LA Rams (Stafford’s Health, Division Race):
  • Sean McVay: “I can’t see into the future, but…I feel really good…unless we have an unforeseen setback, that he’s not going to be ready to roll against the Texans.” (A, 28:48)
  • Rachel points out the real left tackle issue could derail Stafford’s comeback potential.
• Aaron Rodgers Returns vs. Jets (Revenge Narrative?):
  • Rodgers: “It’s one game out of 17…at 5 o’clock Eastern on…that Sunday it’s only getting me on to the next game.” (A, 31:33)
  • Hosts don’t buy Rodgers’ low-key attitude; expect “revenge” on both sides and note offensive line issues.

5. James Palmer Interview (NFL Insider, The Athletic) [37:08–42:44]

• Ohio State vs. Texas Preview—Arch Manning’s Readiness:
  • Palmer (Ohio State alum) shares personal excitement and the anxiety around Manning’s debut:
    • “I think we’re a really good team. I’m excited to see some of the younger guys…It’s a difficult spot to come into for your first start, but...they play these games for a reason.” (E, 38:05)
  • On Manning’s NFL potential:
    • Hype is natural given pedigree, but much is yet unproven: “A lot of the hype is definitely warranted, but I think he’s wired exactly the right way to where this is not going to bother him in any sense.” (E, 39:36)
    • NFL evaluators today often want QBs to stay and mature longer in school, learn from recent rookie struggles.
• Anthony Richardson (Colts QB) Situation:
  • Colin’s recent struggles; many believe he needed more college time.
  • “There’s still people in the league that do believe [in sitting rookie QBs]. That’s because developing quarterbacks, you know, in game is tough, specifically with the small sample size…” (E, 40:19)
  • Colts not likely to trade/release: “Chris Ballard…has to be looking…‘I was a big part of this pick’...the last thing I want to do is make the decision that he leaves and gets developed somewhere else…” (E, 41:10)
• Browns: Aftermath of Pickett Trade:
  • Dylan Gabriel is now “one snap away, week one” from action instead of being a project—could see the field early if Joe Flacco falters or is injured.

Memorable Quotes

• Jason McIntyre on lists and personalities:
  “Jalen Hurts…shows up with a business suit on and the briefcase. Meanwhile, you’ve got Joe Burrow walking the runway in Paris wearing wacky outfits…Hertz is just boring and dull and that doesn’t register on these lists.” (07:40)

• Arch Manning’s self-awareness:
  “Spent two years not playing, so might as well go have some fun, right? …It’s the whole team…we got to play the situations well, not give them short fields and take care of the ball.” (13:25)

• Rachel Nichols on the Manning legacy approach:
  “They see this as a decade and a half longer project…they are looking at this as the longest of long games.” (15:27)

• Mary Kay Cabot on Browns’ QB plans:
  “They have to find out do they have a potential franchise quarterback on their roster as they head into that ’26 draft. So they want to develop these guys…they like what they see in Shador…they like what they see in Dylan Gabriel…” (24:00; 45:27)

• James Palmer (NFL Insider) on overhyping QBs:
  “[Manning is] Eli and Peyton and a combination of the two. Oh, but a better athlete than both of them, like his dad…But I do think…he’s wired exactly the right way to where this is not going to bother him in any sense.” (39:36)

Key Timestamps

| Segment | Time (MM:SS) | Speaker(s) |
|--------------------------------------------|--------------|-------------| | Jason’s Opening Monologue on Hurts | 02:21–09:00 | Jason McIntyre | | Arch Manning Debate w/ Jeff Schwartz | 10:12–13:51 | Jason, Jeff Schwartz | | Arch Manning Sound Bite | 13:25–13:41 | Arch Manning | | Browns QB Moves, Mary Kay Cabot’s Insight | 24:00–24:34; 45:27 | Jason, Mary Kay Cabot | | NFL News Blitz (Bills, Rams, Jets, etc.) | 26:09–33:44 | Rachel Nichols, Jason | | James Palmer Interview | 37:08–42:44 | Jason, James Palmer |

Tone & Style

• Conversational, sharp, occasionally tongue-in-cheek.
• Jason McIntyre is candid and not afraid to critique both players and media narratives.
• Rachel Nichols brings balanced, thoughtful context and pushes deeper on “long-game” perspectives.

For New Listeners

This episode is packed with context and smart opinion on evolving stories—why certain NFL stars remain underrated, what it takes (and means) to be a “franchise QB,” and why the league’s constant quarterback churn keeps teams and fans guessing. The focus on Hurts, Manning, and the Browns’ QB carousel provides a snapshot of the NFL’s “what-have-you-done-for-me-lately” mindset in both player evaluation and team strategy.

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