The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Guest Host: Jason McIntyre)

Hour 1 - Shedeur Sanders Sabotage?
Date: August 25, 2025
Co-hosts: Jason McIntyre, Rachel Nichols
Notable Guest: Matt Mosley (Cowboys reporter, Doomsday Podcast)

Episode Overview

This episode is guest-hosted by Jason McIntyre with Rachel Nichols in the studio. The show takes a deep dive into several major NFL storylines as preseason winds down, but the biggest topic—“the most hyped 5th round pick in the history of football”—is Shedeur Sanders’ disastrous preseason outing for the Cleveland Browns. The hosts examine whether Sanders is unfairly criticized or actually being sabotaged, and break down the implications for the Browns and Sanders’ immediate future in the NFL. The hour also covers the escalating standoff between Cowboys ownership and star Micah Parsons, blockbuster contract news in Washington, the Russell Wilson/Jackson Dart situation, and a revealing segment on Bill Belichick’s new life at UNC.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

Shedeur Sanders: Media Frenzy & Sabotage Theories (03:11–12:00)

The Browns’ Preseason Disaster

• Shedeur’s rough outing: 3 for 6, 14 yards passing, sacked 5 times for -41 yards.
  • Jason McIntyre: “If you’re keeping track at home, Rachel and I had more net passing yards than Shedeur Sanders did on Saturday night. Folks, this was bad.” (06:10)
• Heavy criticism across sports media: “Every single podcast, TV show, radio show… is leading with Shedeur Sanders because it’s just so wacky what's going on in Cleveland.” (06:33)

Nepo Baby Counter-Narrative

• Jason: Compares Shedeur to “nepo babies” in Hollywood—except instead of skepticism, fans strangely believe Shedeur "deserves" every opportunity.

Sanders’ Postgame Comments & Fan Defenses

• Shedeur upset at being pulled before a 2-minute drill:
  • Shedeur Sanders: “In the heat of the battle, you want to be that alpha, you want to be that dog, you want to be out there in that final two minute drive.” (07:13)
• Some fans blame the offensive line, noting four of Sanders’ five O-linemen were cut the next day.
  • Jason: Dismisses this, citing that Dylan Gabriel and Snoop Huntley (who played behind the same linemen) weren’t sacked and played effectively. (08:10–08:50)

Sabotage Narratives & Stefanski’s Response

• Rumors swirl that Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is sabotaging Sanders.
• Rachel Nichols (to Browns HC Stefanski): “Can you address this narrative that you’re trying to sabotage Shedeur Sanders…?” (09:08)
• Stefanski: “I’m committed to his development, just like all our rookies. We’ll continue to focus on getting our guys better.” (09:22)

Solution Time: Should the Browns Trade Sanders?

• Jason: Suggests the Browns cut their losses and send Shedeur to the Raiders, referencing Vegas’ need (Aidan O’Connell’s injury) and Shedeur’s own fondness for the city.
  • “If I'm the Browns, get Shedeur out of here, please. I can’t deal with this anymore. Let's just ship him to the Raiders… The entire media… will follow him out the door.” (10:35–11:45)
• Comparison to Bronny James and how media obsessions can unbalance perception.

Cowboys Turmoil – Micah Parsons’ Contract Standoff (12:00–16:46)

The Negotiation Breakdown

• Jerry Jones and Micah Parsons locked in a tense negotiation, with Parsons observed not in uniform and lying down during Dallas’ preseason game.
• Matt Mosley (reading Jerry Jones):
  • “The agents told us to stick it up...We had our agreements… the agent said, 'Don’t bother because we’ve got all that to negotiate.'” (12:40)
• Jason (on Jerry’s approach):
  • “You can't just do have a side deal with the player and then it goes to the agent. That’s just not how it works.” (13:09)

Siding with Parsons & Cowboys History

• Jason: Sides “1000 percent” with Parsons against Jones and notes Cowboys’ track record of botched negotiations (Dak, CeeDee Lamb, Emmitt Smith holdouts).
• Jerry keeping Cowboys in the news; both sides might drag this out until Dallas misses Parsons on the field.

Rachel’s Analysis

• Rachel Nichols underlines that the Cowboys have franchise tags available and the leverage, but Parsons’ prime could be wasted if the stalemate continues.
  • “It's a big deal” for player, team, and fans. (16:14)

Belichick’s Hulu Docuseries & Rebrand Speculation (21:46–25:48)

• Bill Belichick’s new role as UNC head coach to be featured in a Hulu docuseries.
• Jason finds this pivot to the spotlight odd for the usually media-averse Belichick, speculating his much younger girlfriend is driving the rebrand.
  • “Not a lot of 73-year-olds are looking to rebrand themselves… Would his 24-year-old girlfriend want to rebrand him?” (23:49)

NFL News Roundup with Rachel Nichols (25:52–35:43)

Terry McLaurin’s New Contract (25:52–29:25)

• Signs 3 years, $96M with Washington Commanders.
  • Rachel: “That comfort factor for Daniels I think is going to be a very big deal. Having him there week one, the whole ball game right now in Washington is make Jaden Daniels comfortable and continue with his progression.” (26:51)
• Issues with Commanders’ defense and tough schedule—a likely playoff bubble team but not championship contenders.

Aaron Rodgers’ Future & Durability Doubts (29:46–31:44)

• Rodgers hints he might re-consider retirement, but skepticism is high.
  • Rachel: “Do you know how many 42-year-old quarterbacks have played at least 10 games in one season? …It’s got to be Tom Brady and Tom Brady. Oh, that’s it. And you, sir, are no Tom Brady.” (31:37)

Giants QB Situation: Wilson vs. Dart vs. Winston (31:46–34:41)

• Russell Wilson named starter, but highly touted backup Jackson Dart is waiting in the wings. Jameis Winston likely to serve as veteran backup.
  • Jason: “Everybody loves shiny new things…If you have to say, Jay, will (Dart) start a game before Thanksgiving? I think he will.” (32:12)
  • Rachel: “No one is more popular on a football team than the backup quarterback.” (32:39)
• Realism about Giants' prospects: tough schedule, improved but low expectations.
  • Rachel: “Success for (NY) could mean a five or six win season.” (34:42)

Cowboys Deep Dive with Matt Mosley (39:51–51:47)

Inside the Parsons-Jones Showdown

• Matt Mosley provides deep context: Jerry Jones is losing the public relations war, and fan loyalties are overwhelmingly with Parsons.
  • “Cowboys fans… have had great practice at despising this owner… Jerry is really wasting his time in trying to get people [on his side].” (40:40)
• This latest contract saga is part of the attention economy Jerry Jones operates in, reminiscent of past big Cowboys negotiations—all of which, Mosley notes, the Joneses eventually lost.
  • “Every one of these holdouts end in the Cowboys capitulating, right? I mean, name me one that they've won.” (49:16)
• Lays odds that Parsons will be on the field for Week 1 despite the drama.
  • Matt: “Oh, yes. And again, you're right. They could come up with some sort of injury excuse… But remember who Jerry is and remember how much he loves the pageantry and the circus of all this.” (49:13)
• Mosley and Nichols recall covering contract disputes up close, offering humanizing and sometimes humorous anecdotes.

Long-term Impact for Dallas

• Rachel: Emphasizes the Cowboys’ mismanagement: failing to sign players early, which costs millions more down the road.
  • “If they had given these guys extensions when they deserved… they wouldn't be out $60 million, $50 million extra dollars.” (51:10)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Jason McIntyre (on Shedeur Sanders’ stat line):
  “If you're keeping track at home, Rachel and I had more net passing yards than Shedeur Sanders did on Saturday night. Folks, this was bad.” (06:10)

• Shedeur Sanders (postgame frustration):
  “You want to be that alpha, you want to be that dog, you want to be out there in that final two minute drive.” (07:13)

• Rachel Nichols (on Commanders’ outlook):
  “The whole ball game right now in Washington is make Jaden Daniels comfortable and continue with his progression.” (26:51)

• Jason (on Jerry’s negotiation style):
  “I'm a thousand percent siding with Micah Parsons here. A thousand! It's not even close.” (13:09)

• Matt Mosley (on Jerry Jones and PR):
  “Cowboys fans…have had great practice at despising this owner…Jerry is really wasting his time in trying to get people [on his side].” (40:40)

• Rachel (on Giants’ low expectations):
  “Giants fans out there are just like, please don’t make me embarrassed to be alive every week…Success for them could mean a five or six win season.” (34:42)

• Matt Mosley (on past Cowboys’ negotiations):
  “Every one of these holdouts end in the Cowboys capitulating, right? I mean, name me one that they've won.” (49:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:11 – Opening with Shedeur Sanders’ disastrous Browns preseason debut
• 07:02 – Shedeur’s postgame comments about not getting a 2-minute drill opportunity
• 08:10 – Did Shedeur’s O-line sabotage him? Jason debunks theory
• 09:08 – Rachel asks Stefanski about the sabotage narrative
• 12:40 – Jerry Jones on negotiations with Micah Parsons
• 16:14 – Rachel details Cowboys’ leverage and Parsons’ risks
• 21:46 – Bill Belichick’s Hulu docuseries and media rebrand
• 25:52 – Rachel’s news: McLaurin contract, Jets/Rodgers, Giants QB situation
• 39:51 – Cowboys contract drama deep dive with Matt Mosley
• 49:13 – Will Parsons play Week 1? Matt Mosley says yes
• 51:10 – Rachel on Cowboys losing money via delayed extensions

Tone and Takeaways

The show maintains a playful, often irreverent but analytical tone rooted in the personalities of Jason McIntyre and Rachel Nichols. While poking fun (sometimes harshly) at NFL sagas and media narratives, the hosts provide sharp context and analysis, especially regarding player-team power dynamics and the outsize influence of media hype (as seen with Shedeur Sanders). Guest Matt Mosley gives the Cowboys’ side both depth and humor.

For listeners:
This episode is packed with inside analysis on ongoing NFL controversies, especially Shedeur Sanders’ media storm and the dysfunctional Dallas contract saga. It blends news, humor, topical social media critique (“nepo baby” talk, media obsessions), and a bit of football wonkery, making it both entertaining and informative whether you’re following the headlines or not.