The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Hour 1: Micah Parsons' Dallas Return, TNF Preview, and Best NFL Front Offices

Date: September 25, 2025

Episode Overview

In this Thursday episode, Colin Cowherd and co-host Jason McIntyre dive into three major NFL storylines: the impact of elite front office decisions, Micah Parsons’ homecoming to Dallas as a member of the Packers, and comprehensive previews of NFL Week 4 with special attention on Thursday Night Football (Seahawks vs. Cardinals). The conversation spotlights roster-building philosophies, trade impact, quarterback evaluation, and the critical nature of organizational leadership in the league.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL’s Best Front Offices — Routes to a Franchise Quarterback

(03:52–11:19)

• NFL Executives Poll (The Athletic): 29 GMs/coaches/executives ranked the NFL’s best front offices. Unsurprisingly, perennial contenders topped the list: Eagles, Ravens, Rams, Bills, Chiefs, Buccaneers, Packers, Seahawks, Lions, 49ers.
• Multiple Paths to an Elite QB: Colin walks through the unique approach each of the top 10 teams took to land their franchise quarterback:
  • Eagles: Drafted Jalen Hurts in Round 2, built offense around a unique skill set.
    “We’re going to go contrarian to the market… build an offense around this kid who’s incredibly strong for his size and do some different things that a lot of teams aren’t willing to do.” (Colin, 04:23)
  • Ravens: Initially passed on Lamar Jackson, then traded up, allowed him to sit and learn before handing him the reins.
  • Rams: Traded away a Super Bowl starter (Goff) plus assets for Matt Stafford.
  • Bills: Traded up for the raw but toolsy Josh Allen, started him quickly.
  • Chiefs: Bet on Mahomes in a QB-unfriendly conference, had him sit behind Alex Smith to learn.
  • Buccaneers: Rolled the dice on Baker Mayfield with a one-year "prove it" deal, which paid off.
  • Packers: Jordan Love waited three years, echoing Aaron Rodgers’ developmental path.
  • Seahawks: Went unconventional, using free agency (Geno Smith) and coaching support.
  • Lions/49ers: Won via blockbuster trades (Stafford/Goff swap; 49ers traded up for a bust, then struck gold with late-rounder Brock Purdy).
• Major Takeaway: “There’s multiple routes to the mountaintop for the most important position in the National Football League… There’s no one way to do it.” (Colin, 10:12)
• The Only Absolute: Elite QBs must have “an elite next-level trait”—otherwise, “you don’t have the guy.”

2. Micah Parsons Returns to Dallas — A Tale of Escaping Dysfunction

(11:19–14:01)

• Micah Parsons’ Mindset: Now a Packer, Parsons is set for his return to Dallas.
  • “Dallas loves me. I think they’re going to give me a good round of applause and, you know, there’s no hard feelings there… I think this is some of the best football you’re going to get in Dallas when it’s Sunday night against, you know, a rivalry opponent.” (Micah Parsons, 11:19)
• Cowherd’s Context: No Dallas front office votes in the Athletic poll, contrasting with the Packers' 11/29 votes as a top-5 organization.
• Why Stars Should Leave Dysfunction: Colin compares Parsons’ departure to high-impact, winning moves like Saquon Barkley (Giants→Eagles), Matt Stafford (Lions→Rams), and Shohei Ohtani (Angels→Dodgers).
  • “Some people are just too talented to mire in dysfunction. And that’s what Dallas is... That’s why I’ve said with Joe Burrow, Joe, you gotta talk to your agent and consider demanding a trade.” (Colin, 12:50)
• Life Advice: “Ride the wave in life. Don’t fight the current.” (Colin, 13:40)
  • Green Bay: Winning culture, strong draft/development, momentum you can ride.
  • Dallas: Two decades of fighting the current—star players surrounded by dysfunction.

3. Thursday Night Football Preview: Seahawks vs. Cardinals

(14:01–15:51)

• Split Predictions:
  • Jason McIntyre: Likes Seattle, citing the Cardinals’ injuries (James Conner out, banged-up secondary) and Seattle’s offensive upside, especially against play-action.
  • Colin Cowherd: Sees a “trap game” for Seattle—division rivals, short week, away, and Arizona played better than the score against the Niners.
    • “It is a trap bet. It’s the biggest trap bet on the board… Seahawks maybe take their foot off the gas after a blowout like college-level win.” (Colin, 14:08)
• Kyler Murray’s Poor Prior Numbers vs. Seattle: Set up for further discussion later in the show.

4. MLB Note: Mariners’ Cal Raleigh Historic Night

(19:47–21:11)

• Colin celebrates MLB’s talent boom: Cal Raleigh hits 59th and 60th HRs, tying Babe Ruth’s AL record as a catcher—a “remarkable” milestone.
• “For a catcher to do that is absolutely remarkable. But you’re seeing remarkable all over baseball.” (Colin, 21:11)
• MLB is richer in global talent, more athleticism, and the game is faster—playoffs poised to showcase that.

5. NFL News & Week 4 Matchups

Chiefs’ Early Struggles, Ravens Preview

(23:24–25:45)

• Chiefs Concern: One and two start, offense lacking playmakers; Mahomes urges faster starts and better red-zone efficiency.
  • “When we play teams that are really good and have dynamic quarterbacks like the Ravens do, you’ve got to turn those [field goals] into touchdowns.” (Patrick Mahomes, 23:43)
• Cowherd: Likes KC with points if WR Xavier Worthy plays, but expects a low-scoring, tight matchup. Ravens’ defense should be inspired, but history shows KC often contains Lamar Jackson.

Eagles vs. Buccaneers — Weather & Injury Angles

(26:49–28:37)

• Baker Mayfield talks up the Tampa heat:
  • “One day doesn’t get you acclimated to this humidity... I think it makes them think about it more when they get down here earlier.” (Baker Mayfield, 26:57)
• Both hosts pick Eagles, citing Philly’s resilience, Bucs’ narrow escapes, and key WR injuries.

Steelers Critique: Most Overrated Front Office?

(29:17–32:25)

• Colin derides the Steelers’ second-place front office vote: No playoff wins in 8 years, offensive ineptitude, aging defense. Defensive coaches (leaguewide) seem to struggle building O-lines.

Giants’ QB Carousel & Welcome to the NFL, Jackson Dart

(37:09–41:14)

• Giants start rookie Jackson Dart in a bleak context:
  • Colin shows sympathy for Dart, who steps into a dysfunctional franchise with a weak roster, injured left tackle, and a head coach on the hot seat.
  • “He’s the junior coder who’s been hired to overhaul the software at a company and he’s just trying to find the break room. This is a total uphill battle.” (Colin, 40:56)

Quick-Hitter Week 4 Picks/Angles

(43:01–49:07)

• Seattle at Arizona: Colin thinks it’s a trap game for the Seahawks.
• Pittsburgh vs. Minnesota (in Dublin): Both think the Vikings win comfortably; Aaron Rodgers under pressure is “dead last” in key metrics (J. Mac, 43:08).
• Eagles at Buccaneers: Both hosts favor Philadelphia.
• Detroit vs. Cleveland: Lions to win big but spread is wide.
• Patriots vs. Panthers: Split, with Jason on NE and Colin leans Carolina with points.
• Falcons vs. Washington: Jason considers ATL his upset pick.
• Saints vs. Bills: Bills to win, but Colin won’t lay big points.
• Chargers at Giants: Both like the Chargers but expect a defensive, ugly game.
• Rams vs. Colts: Colin likes the Colts against the spread; Jason likes the Rams due to tackling stats.
• Bears vs. Raiders, Packers vs. Cowboys, etc.: Rapid-fire predictions with little enthusiasm for some matchups.
• Colin, dismissing Bears/Caleb Williams hype: “Don’t buy the hype. The Raiders are coming home. Raiders’ O-line has struggled.” (Colin, 48:57)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There’s no one way to do it… The only absolute truth: if you find yourself... trying to convince yourself you have a franchise quarterback... If he doesn’t have an elite next-level trait, you don’t have the guy.” (Colin, 10:12)
• “Ride the wave in life. Don’t fight the current.” (Colin, 13:40)
• “Some people are just too talented to mire in dysfunction. And that’s what Dallas is.” (Colin, 12:55)
• “He’s the junior coder... just trying to find the break room. This is a total uphill battle.” (Colin, 40:56, on Giants QB Jackson Dart)

Timestamps for Major Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Speakers | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------|------------------| | 03:52 | NFL's Best Front Offices/Routes to a QB | Colin | | 11:19 | Micah Parsons on Dallas Return | Parsons/Colin | | 14:01 | TNF Preview: Seahawks vs. Cardinals | Colin, J. Mac | | 19:47 | MLB Segment: Mariners/Cal Raleigh | Colin | | 23:24 | Chiefs Early Struggles & Ravens Preview | J. Mac, Colin | | 26:49 | Eagles vs. Bucs, Tampa Heat | Jason, Colin | | 29:17 | Steelers Front Office Critique | Colin | | 37:09 | Giants QB Problems & Sympathy for Dart | Colin | | 43:01 | Rapid-Fire Week 4 NFL Picks | Colin, J. Mac |

Tone & Style

Direct, animated, occasionally sardonic (typical Colin), with J. Mac supplying data-driven counterpoints and the odd stat-driven quip. The episode balances sharp criticism (of the NFL’s most dysfunctional franchises) with analytical breakdowns and a few philosophical life lessons.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode provides a comprehensive, opinionated NFL week primer—especially regarding how top teams secure quarterbacks, the importance of strong (and weak) front offices, and practical betting angles for the weekend. Listeners come away understanding there’s no single blueprint for success and just as many ways to mess up a franchise, especially at quarterback and organizational levels.