The Herd with Colin Cowherd — February 13, 2026

Hour 1: It’s Time for LeBron James to Step Down, Dodgers Outrage, and More

Episode Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd, joined by guest John Middlekauff, takes listeners through a densely packed Friday show. The hour covers LeBron James’ enduring legacy and the delicate art of stepping away at the top, the new wave of outrage targeting the Dodgers’ spending and MLB’s competitive balance, and an array of NFL and college football storylines. The conversation is candid, opinion-heavy, and occasionally self-reflective, peppered with Colin’s trademark analogies and references to other sports and pop culture icons.

Main Segments & Key Discussion Points

LeBron James’ Legacy and The Art of a Clean Exit

(01:15–14:55)

• Colin’s Preference for Legendary Exits

  • Colin draws parallels between sports icons and legendary actors, expressing a preference for “clean, tight endings” — referencing John Elway and Derek Jeter as the gold standard, as opposed to prolonged declines like Elvis or Marlon Brando.
  • He compares LeBron James and Tom Brady as pioneers in longevity and productivity, noting both have set unparalleled standards in their respective sports.

• Current State of LeBron’s Game

  • Cites LeBron’s triple-double performance against the Mavericks and being the oldest player ever to post one. Emphasizes that LeBron remains “very, very good.”
  • “LeBron and Tom Brady, their arcs are very similar...both are the system, regardless of how good the coach is.” (03:04)

• LeBron No Longer Top-10 in Crunch Time

  • Colin unveils his own list of best “two-and-a-half-minute” players in the NBA. For the first time, LeBron is absent.
  • Reasons: stamina gaps, defense lapses, and diminished free-throw trust down the stretch.
  • Notable names on Colin’s list: Jokic, SGA, Wembanyama, Edwards, Leonard, Curry, Cade Cunningham, Luka, Durant, Brunson.
  • “It’s the first time I’ve ever done this list: LeBron’s not part of it.” (12:45)

• Advocating for LeBron’s Retirement

  • “You got all the records. You beat him [MJ] in the record books. Call it a career. You’re averaging 20 a game. That’d be amazing.” (13:56)
  • Shares audio of LeBron reflecting on his future, suggesting it’s the “body and the other things” that ultimately set the limit.

MLB: Dodgers’ Spending & Human Nature in Sports Outrage

(14:56–21:06)

• Baseball’s Sudden Renaissance

  • Discusses renewed excitement in MLB: faster games, deeper postseason intrigue, historic franchises performing well.
  • Jeff Passan’s piece on labor tensions and the impact of mega-signings mentioned.

• Dodgers as the Target of Outrage

  • Colin notes how the Dodgers, after stacking titles, are now the “infuriating” team — much like the “tush push” in football: people despise a perceived unfair advantage.
  • “We often hate successful people because they’re successful.” (16:00)

• Spending Analysis & Hypocrisy

  • Dodgers spend 75% of their revenue on players, Yankees only about 50%.
  • “The Dodgers are more committed to winning. Steinbrenner’s kids are more committed to keeping more of that money.” (18:50)
  • Points to Blue Jays and big spenders who aren’t receiving the same flak unless they win.

• Dave Roberts on Dodgers Roster Strength

  • Roberts says this Dodgers team is probably the best he’s had “on paper,” specifically crediting players “in their prime” and the “depth of the young players...coming behind them on the pitching side.” (19:45)

NFL: The Role of Fit Over Raw Talent

(21:07–26:18)

• Rookie Analysis: Colston Loveland & Tyler Warren

  • Bears’ Colston Loveland named highest-graded rookie; debate about him vs. Penn State’s Tyler Warren.
  • Cowherd highlights how coaching fit and offensive system are more important than pure talent for most players.
  • “About 10–15% of NFL players are great anywhere—they fit with anyone. The rest? It’s about fit: coach, system, context.” (23:12)

• Sean Payton’s Philosophy

  • Payton drafts with a system-first mentality, not just “best available.”
  • Draws a parallel to Ben Johnson and the Bears’ approach in drafting Loveland.
  • Audio from Caleb Williams (Bears QB) on Loveland’s work ethic and fit.

NFL News with John Middlekauff

(26:19–33:02)

• NFL Goes to Australia: Rams vs. 49ers

  • First-ever NFL game down under (potentially a Wednesday night), giving the teams a quasi-bye week and unique travel challenges.
  • Cowherd: “Most of the players and staff haven’t been to Australia...it’s almost like a college bowl trip.” (27:14)

• Eagles’ Culture and Sirianni’s Hot Seat

  • Jason Kelce’s comments about possible changes if Eagles struggle; Nick Sirianni’s tenuous position as a head coach heavily reliant on coordinators.
  • “Find me another offensive coach that’s dependent on an offensive coordinator for success.” (29:51)

• Jalen Hurts Not the Most Popular?

  • Cowherd relays that Hurts is “not the most popular guy in the room...Brady was...Dak Prescott is. Jalen’s not.” (30:18)
  • Concern about Hurts’ reluctance to run and inefficiency in the passing game.

• Harbaugh on Baltimore Departure

  • John Harbaugh (now with the Giants) offers perspective on leaving the Ravens: “If we had won four games and won the Super Bowl after that, I’m pretty sure I’d still be there right now.” (31:45)
  • Colin compares the mood to Andy Reid’s departure from Philadelphia: “There’s a positive energy, no bitterness.” (32:22)

State of the NBA: Adam Silver vs. David Stern

(33:03–41:40)

• NBA Regular Season Malaise

  • Colin laments the repetitive style (“too competitive, too many threes”) and lack of stakes in the NBA’s 82-game schedule.
  • Quotes Bill Simmons’ recent critique of Adam Silver: “Do we have the right guy running the league?” (34:45)

• Leadership Styles: Silver vs. Stern

  • Stark contrasts: Stern was loud, threatening, hands-on; Silver is empathetic, player-first, more hands-off.
  • “Players take advantage of Silver...People fear David Stern.” (39:50)
  • Cites load management and tanking as major issues that have ballooned under Silver.

• Impact on Fans

  • Colin despises load management depriving fans of star power: “The other night, Luka, LeBron, and Austin Reaves don’t play against the Spurs. Just nonsense.” (40:55)
  • Champions the era when dynasties drew national followings and Stern didn’t mind “three or four teams separating.”

College Football: Deion Sanders’ Coaching Substance

(45:30–49:17)

• Christian Fauria’s Critique of Deion Sanders

  • Former NFL player and talk host Fauria criticizes Sanders: “I don’t think he can manage a game. There’s a lot of flash, but I think there’s no substance.” (45:30)
  • Sanders’ Colorado teams: 2–8 against ranked opponents, only one “real” ranked win since taking over.
  • Colin credits Deion for revitalizing Colorado’s relevance, charisma, and ticket sales, but questions his ability to build trenches and run/stop the run.

• Coaches Who Build Substance

  • Contrasts Deion with Kurt Signetti (Indiana) and Mario Cristobal (Miami) — coaches who prioritize O-line/D-line and “the substance stuff.”

• Travis Hunter’s Role at Colorado

  • Discussion on whether to specialize him as a WR instead of a two-way player.
  • “I like my pro athletes to be specifically great at things.” (48:10)
  • Notes that Colorado’s offense improved when Hunter was out and Jacoby Myers took over as the main target.

Notable Quotes & Moments

“I like my sports stars to end their careers like Elway or Derek Jeter. I want it to look tight and clean, not like Elvis or Marlon Brando.” — Colin Cowherd (02:07)

“It’s the first time I’ve ever done this list: LeBron’s not part of it.” — Colin Cowherd, on his list of best clutch NBA players (12:45)

“We often hate successful people because they’re successful.” — Colin Cowherd, on the outrage over the Dodgers’ spending and dominance (16:00)

“The Dodgers are more committed to winning. Steinbrenner’s kids are more committed to keeping more of that money.” — Colin Cowherd (18:50)

“About 10–15%...they’re going to be great anywhere. The rest? It’s about fit: coach, system, context.” — Colin Cowherd (23:12)

“Players take advantage of Silver...People fear David Stern.” — Colin Cowherd, on NBA leadership contrast (39:50)

“I don’t think he’s very bright. I don’t think he can manage a game. There’s a lot of flash, but I think there’s no substance.” — Christian Fauria on Deion Sanders (45:33)

“I like my pro athletes to be specifically great at things.” — Colin Cowherd, on Travis Hunter’s role (48:10)

Timestamps for Segments (Approximate)

• 01:15 — LeBron vs. Brady; Sports legends & endings
• 09:40 — Colin’s clutch-time NBA Top 10 (no LeBron)
• 13:56 — Colin on why LeBron should retire
• 16:00 — Dodgers, spending outrage, & MLB’s human nature
• 18:50 — Dodgers vs. Yankees: Commitment to winning
• 21:07 — NFL draft fits: Loveland, Warren, Payton’s philosophy
• 26:18 — NFL in Australia, Eagles, Hurts’ popularity, Harbaugh’s move
• 33:03 — NBA’s state: Silver vs. Stern, load management, tanking
• 40:55 — Impact of load management on fans
• 45:30 — Fauria on Deion Sanders; Colorado’s lack of substance
• 49:10 — Travis Hunter’s fit and role; pro athletes and specialization

Tone and Style

Colin maintains a conversational, direct, and occasionally irreverent style. Analogies to film, music, and business abound, and he’s comfortable expressing both controversial and nuanced opinions. John Middlekauff brings a more analytic, scout’s-eye perspective, often agreeing and expanding on Colin’s takes.

This summary covers the essential sports talk, debates, and insights of Hour 1. Advertisements and non-content sections have been omitted.