Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD - Hour 1 - No excuses for Brock Purdy, Sean Payton pulled off a steal
Date: August 21, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd (with John Middlekauff for the news segment)
Producer: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd dives into the latest NFL storylines, focusing on the challenge facing 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy amid injury woes, Sean Payton’s savvy roster moves for the Denver Broncos, and recent changes to the College Football Playoff selection process. Cowherd also analyzes NFL future bets, detailing why he thinks Vegas made some mistakes with early lines, while previewing the NFC West and NFC North divisions’ outlooks. Notable insights from guests and players, such as Kyle Shanahan and Matt Hasselbeck, punctuate the discussion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterback Challenges & “No Excuses” for Brock Purdy

• Colin opens with a parenting analogy, comparing the challenges of raising multiple kids (“firefighters and arsonists”) to the realities of quarterbacking a banged-up NFL roster.
  • “Parenting is crisis...that’s a little bit like being a quarterback in the NFL. Everybody’s good with a stacked roster. What happens when stuff gets messy?” — Colin Cowherd (04:10)
• He stresses that true quarterbacking is measured when things go wrong: injuries, coaching changes, missing star receivers.
• Examples:
  • Jalen Hurts dealing with coordinator/receiver losses.
  • Justin Herbert making playoffs with injured/inexperienced receivers.
  • Patrick Mahomes winning Super Bowls with a battered receiver group.
  • C.J. Stroud navigating depleted Texans’ roster.
  • Josh Allen winning MVP despite limited offensive support.
• Brock Purdy’s current situation: 49ers’ receivers are hurt or suspended; since 2018 (except one year), Niners have been top-10 in injuries.
  • “I don’t want to hear any excuses for Brock Purdy because to me, this is the separation. The separation in this league is, oh, your O-line lost your center and right tackle...” — Colin Cowherd (06:56)
• Colin highlights that Purdy must step up, drawing on his experience at Iowa State, and frames current adversity as a true test of NFL quarterbacks.

> Notable Quote

• Kyle Shanahan on the Niners’ WR injuries (07:54):
  • “It’s pretty tough. I promise you guys, if it’s a challenge for the fans, it’s a bigger challenge for me just dealing with all this… It does make that a huge challenge with the number of guys we’ve had down.”

2. Sean Payton Pulls Off a Steal in Denver

• Colin praises Sean Payton for making a shrewd trade, calling it “Art of the Steal.”
  • “Saints are delusional. They don’t realize they’re in a rebuild…Sean Payton knew it.” (09:20)
• Breaks down the trade:
  • Broncos flip a 27-year-old (soon-to-be 28) seventh-round WR for 4th and 7th round picks to the Saints, who lack self-awareness and overvalue now-veteran players.
  • Colin explains Payton’s mastery as an offensive coach — extracting value from late-round picks, developing them, then trading at their peak.
  • Compares to Carolina getting a 4th-round pick from Dallas for Jonathan Mingo.
  • “The smart guys… the haves are working, the distracted and the delusional, the Saints are delusional…” (09:55)
• Colin highlights how Payton’s moves have rapidly improved Denver’s roster, especially the offensive line and wide receiver depth.
• Mark Schlereth on Payton’s culture change (13:15):
  • “This year we know we can win… we got rid of popular players that weren’t the right guys… guys that want to be here, want to contribute, want to sacrifice.”

3. College Football Playoff Changes: Metrics and Strength of Schedule

• The playoff committee will now weight strength of schedule and quality wins more heavily, minimizing the penalty for losing to elite teams.
  • “Indiana never beat a ranked opponent…don’t confuse cool story with great team.” — Colin (19:08)
• Colin’s long-standing view: losing a close game to a contender demonstrates a team’s quality and should be rewarded, not punished.
  • “If Texas goes into the Shoe [Ohio State] and it’s 38–34… that’s a net positive. That tells me Texas is good enough to win the Natty.” — Colin (21:15)
• Critiques the media’s penchant for including “the little guy” over actual merit.

4. NFL Headlines & Analysis (with John Middlekauff “The Herd Line News”)

Pittsburgh Steelers & Aaron Rodgers (23:00)

• Focus on Rodgers’ success and offensive line concerns.
  • Ben Roethlisberger (23:19): “Can Aaron have enough time to throw the ball?...If [the O-line] can give Aaron time, watch out.”
• Colin: running game just as vital, not just pass protection.
  • “The one thing that ensures it…is have your number one back and be able to run consistently.” (23:43)
• Predicts 8–9 wins for the Steelers unless the defense drastically improves.

Dallas Cowboys & Micah Parsons (25:45)

• Contract dispute with edge rusher Micah Parsons; Schottenheimer expects him to play, but lack of practice is a concern.
  • Colin: “When you sign late and didn’t get that three weeks of hitting in practice, that’s when you get banged up.” (26:09)
• Defense was not a strength last year even with stars; situation described as potentially “untenable.”

Cleveland Browns & Shedeur Sanders (27:24)

• Rookie QB Shedeur Sanders dealing with injury, likely to be inactive.
  • “If you’re not able to play in [preseason] once the season starts, you…the backup quarterback typically runs the scout team. The third and fourth string quarterback don’t do that much.” — Colin (28:07)

5. Bill Belichick in College Football

• Discusses Bill Belichick’s transition to coaching at North Carolina, skepticism about his talent evaluation in college drafts, and program overhaul.
  • “As a defensive coach, A+++. But when he was controlling the drafts and evaluating college talent, he over-evaluated average players all the time.” — Colin (29:40)
• Comparison with Deion Sanders’ surprising impact at Colorado — successful in visibility and excitement but not in dominating wins.
  • “Mostly lost to good teams, and the hype was real and fun…But I have no idea how good the team’s going to be.” (31:55)

6. NFL Future Bets: Seattle is Undervalued

• Colin analyzes Vegas’ win totals, noting they rarely make mistakes but highlighting Seattle (8.5 wins) and Green Bay (9.5 wins) as undervalued.
  • “Seattle went 10–7 last year…with a rookie head coach…Geno Smith was the quarterback and the offensive line was putrid. They’ve certainly helped solve the offensive line…” — Colin (42:00)
• Seattle has a favorable schedule — AFC/NFC South, struggling divisional foes, and improvements on roster and coaching.
• Matt Hasselbeck’s take (48:25):
  • “People are pinching themselves…this is the best the Seahawks have looked in the preseason in a long, long while…the plan is to be physical, be the hammer not the nail…play great defense.”
• Seattle’s division is open due to 49ers’ injuries; Green Bay’s favorable schedule and improving youth cited as reasons to expect overperformance.
  • “I see them as a ten-win team, maybe eleven, and Green Bay nine and a half…I just think the Packers are winning 10 games.” — Colin (46:34)

7. Listener Mailbag / Bold Predictions

• Colin predicts Minnesota won’t win 14 games again and reiterates confidence in Seattle’s and Green Bay’s win totals exceeding expectations.

8. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Colin on QBs facing adversity:
  • “Parenting is when stuff gets messy. That's real parenting…So I don't want to hear any excuses for Brock Purdy because to me, this is the separation.” (06:45)
• On Saints’ poor self-awareness:
  • “The Saints are delusional during a rebuild. What are you doing? The sharks eat the minnows, the hammers meet the nails.” (10:11)
• On CFB Playoff revision:
  • “How about we start with competency? We can have inclusion second or third…this is sports meritocracies and I love this.” (22:45)
• Mark Schlereth on Payton:
  • “Guys that want to be here, want to contribute, want to work hard, want to sacrifice for one another, that's how we're building this roster.” (13:21)
• Matt Hasselbeck on Seattle:
  • “People are pinching themselves…this is the best the Seahawks have looked in the preseason in a long, long while. So it is preseason, but…I think they're looking to and expecting to take a jump again this year.” (48:25)

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• Brock Purdy/Parenting Analogy: 04:10 – 07:54
• Kyle Shanahan on WR injuries: 07:54
• Sean Payton “Art of the Steal” / Roster Management: 09:20 – 13:15
• Mark Schlereth on Broncos’ new culture: 13:15
• College Football Playoff committee changes: 19:08 – 23:00
• NFL News: Steelers, Rodgers: 23:00 – 25:05
• Cowboys & Parsons contract drama: 25:45 – 27:12
• Browns & Shedeur Sanders: 27:24 – 29:10
• Belichick to UNC & College coaching debate: 29:13 – 36:22
• Vegas future bets; Seattle & Green Bay picks: 40:07 – 51:05
• Matt Hasselbeck on Seahawks: 48:25

Summary

Colin delivers his signature blend of analogies, league-wide insight, and sharp takes, with pointed commentary on quarterbacking through adversity, NFL and college football roster dynamics, and the hidden wisdom (and rare mistakes) in sports betting lines. The hour is packed with insider anecdotes, sharp guest insights, and context for listeners wanting more than just scores — a look at the “why” behind every headline.