THE HERD - Hour 1 - State of the Lakers, time to move on from LeBron, Cowboys always overpay

Summary

Podcast Summary: THE HERD with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Hour 1 - State of the Lakers, Time to Move on from LeBron, Cowboys Always Overpay
Date: February 27, 2026
Host: Colin Cowherd (with J Mac)
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

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Episode Overview

This episode of THE HERD focuses on a pivotal moment for the Los Angeles Lakers as their season unravels, sparking debate about the end of the LeBron James era and whether the much-anticipated partnership with Luka Dončić has already failed. The episode moves beyond basketball to dissect the Dallas Cowboys’ chronic willingness to overpay players, reviews NFL team report cards, and explores the broader state of the NFL and college football landscapes.

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Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. The Lakers’ Dramatic Decline and the LeBron-Luka Experiment

Timestamps: 01:30 – 14:21

The Lakers’ Pipe Burst

• Colin launches into an analogy of the Lakers’ collapse:

  “If your pipe bursts… you get real clarity. I got a problem… The Lakers have lost three straight. Five of seven. They’re falling apart. The pipes for the Lakers have burst. There can be no debate.” (02:40)

• The Lakers were defeated by an undermanned Phoenix Suns team; their defense allowed the Suns to break their scoring slump and hit 44% from three, highlighting the Lakers’ deficiencies in defense, athleticism, and depth.

Airing Out the LeBron-Luka Partnership

• Lakers’ bench is underperforming; they were outscored 56-25 by Phoenix’s reserves.
• Colin critiques the assumption that Luka would solve Lakers’ issues:

  “For a year in, they don’t [work]. This team is 11-16 against just winning teams…” (03:30)

• LeBron’s fading powers: At 41, LeBron is playing the fewest minutes, has the lowest 3-point percentage and points since his rookie season, and is the second slowest player in the league.
• The argument: Lakers’ best move is to part ways with LeBron and surround Luka with strong defenders and shooters, given his defensive flaws and ball-dominant style.

  “To maximize [Luka]… you gotta move off LeBron and free up cap space.” (10:30)

The End of an Era

• Comparison of LeBron’s time in LA to a Hollywood marriage:

  “…eventually one of the stars starts dating somebody younger. That’s Luka.” (07:48)

• Rachel Nichols’ take: Lakers aren’t building around LeBron anymore; organization is looking forward to the future post-LeBron.

  “It’s very clear that building around Luka does not involve LeBron James.” (11:34, Rachel Nichols)

Sentiment & Business

• Colin dismisses sentimentality, sees this as a “perfect” time to make bold moves:

  “He’s been such a mercenary… there’s no reason to be sentimental… The Lakers probably and should bail on him.” (07:00)

• Emphasizes new ownership’s willingness to take bold actions—drawing parallels with the Dodgers moving on from stars for greater long-term improvement.

J Mac’s Perspective

• J Mac tries to inject optimism:

  “Colin, I know you’re going to be negative Nancy here… I think the Lakers are going to be fine. Offseason ahead. Bring in Giannis. Let’s go, Lakers.” (13:48)

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2. Cowboys’ Roster Building and Chronic Overpayment

Timestamps: 16:45 – 22:41

Roster Realities & Spending

• Dallas Cowboys tagged George Pickens, pairing him with CeeDee Lamb—both high-paid receivers alongside a costly Dak Prescott.
• Colin observes that the Cowboys always seem to pay a “tariff” above market value:

  “It’s like the Cowboys have a self-imposed tariff on all their players… We got the Bentley at 15% above asking price and they brag about it.” (18:40)

• He notes the lack of star bargains compared to rivals like the Seahawks and Rams, who develop productive starters on rookie deals.

The Stakes for Dallas

• With limited high-value draft picks (two first-rounders), the Cowboys have little margin for error—they must draft defensive contributors who can play immediately to balance their salary structure.

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3. NFL Team Report Cards—Transparency, Facility Quality, and Labor Leverage

Timestamps: 22:41 – 25:17

• NFLPA team report cards leaked despite non-disclosure; Dolphins rank best, Steelers worst.
• J Mac and Colin discuss why these matter and why owners are sensitive:

  “The Rooneys… I guarantee you are embarrassed about this. And that’s why this stuff does matter.” (24:19)

• Colin argues these report cards should be public, giving players leverage through transparency.

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4. NFL Draft/Combine Notes: Fernando Mendoza’s Story and QB Prospects

Timestamps: 25:18 – 27:35

• Colin and J Mac heap praise on top QB prospect Fernando Mendoza’s humility and authenticity:

  “I’m unemployed right now. Like, I guarantee you 90% of the guys go in there, ‘yeah, I’m the man’… Mendoza: ‘I’m unemployed. I’m hoping to get a job come April 23rd.’” (26:11, Mendoza via J Mac)

• Discussion of Mendoza’s prospects, his character, and whether organization quality at the top of the draft can make or break a QB.
• Colin: “The last quarterback to get drafted number one and go to a Super Bowl with the team that drafted him was Peyton Manning in the late '90s…”

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5. NBA Milestones: Kevin Durant’s Legacy

Timestamps: 29:03 – 30:30

• Kevin Durant notched his 32,000th point, set to surpass Michael Jordan in all-time scoring.
• Colin admires Durant’s offensive game, positing KD would win a hypothetical one-on-one tournament (excluding centers):

  “If you took all centers out and had a one-on-one basketball tournament in the history of the league, I think KD beats Jordan, Kobe and LeBron. I think KD wins it.” (30:29)

• Brief banter with J Mac on Durant’s unique personality and his place in all-time rankings (“Top 25, maybe closer to 15 than 1.”)

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6. Luka Dončić—The Flawed Superstar

Timestamps: 30:34 – 38:47

• Colin traces Luka’s path from prodigy to potential liability, emphasizing his defensive issues and lack of clutch play:

  “Over the last two seasons, 207 NBA players have made a shot to tie or go ahead in the final minute… Luka is not one of those 207 players.” (31:40, quoting Tom Haberstroh)

• He points to analytics and defensive breakdowns in clutch moments—citing the Suns’ late-game strategy to attack Luka.
• Colin asserts the Luka experiment exposes the risks teams take with high-usage, offense-only stars who were tradeable in their prime (unlike true all-time greats).

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7. College Football Landscape: Ohio State Ascendancy

Timestamps: 39:04 – 42:20

• Previews a major Michigan vs. Illinois basketball game.
• Colin explores Ohio State’s draft dominance and argues they are now the best football program in America post-Harbaugh:

  “Ohio State remains the best. So this is interesting. Life moves fast in the NFL…” (39:50)

• Contrasts Michigan's brilliance with long-term consistency and recruiting power at Ohio State.

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8. NFL Trade Market and Free Agency Trends

Timestamps: 42:35 – 49:32

• The influx of aggressive young general managers has made the NFL far more “trade-centric.”
• Malik Willis is projected by Colin to get a significant contract despite limited starts:

  “I think he’s going to get $32 million. I really do.” (47:47)

• Discusses free agents to watch, including Tyler Linderbaum, Alec Pierce, and Jalen Phillips.
• J Mac is skeptical about Willis's market (“Jets are a non-starter…”), but Colin names Arizona and Minnesota as possible suitors.

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9. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Lakers’ Need for Overhaul:

  “It’s much better to be like, yeah, we need four new really good players and we got to move off LeBron.” (04:45, Colin Cowherd)

• On Sentiment in Sports Business:

  “He [LeBron] bailed on teams. I supported it. They were good business moves. And the Lakers probably and should bail on him.” (07:00, Colin)

• Hollywood Comparison:

  “This was always going to be a Hollywood marriage… One of the stars eventually starts dating somebody younger. That’s Luka.” (07:48, Colin)

  • “The good news, it lasted longer than Nick Cage and Lisa Marie Presley or Billy Bob and Angelina.” (08:53, Colin)

• On Defensive Accountability:

  “LeBron and Luka don’t work because they’re now both awful defensive players.” (09:14, Colin)

• J Mac Defiant:

  “Colin, I know you’re going to be negative Nancy here… I think the Lakers are going to be fine.” (13:48, J Mac)

• Cowboys’ Cap Philosophy:

  “It’s like the Cowboys have a self-imposed tariff on all their players… and they brag about it.” (18:40, Colin)

• NFLPA Report Cards:

  “The richest you are, the harder you fall, the more sensitive you are.” (25:01, Colin)

• On Kevin Durant’s Legacy:

  “I think KD beats Jordan, Kobe and LeBron. I think KD wins it. I think he’s devastating.” (30:29, Colin)

• On Luka’s Limitations:

  “Nobody was letting Kobe go, nobody was letting MJ go or Bird go or Magic go.” (33:20, Colin)

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Summary Table of Key Topics

| Segment | Main Points & Insights | Notable Quotes / Moments | |---------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | State of Lakers | Lakers must move on from LeBron; Luka pairing flops | “[The pipes] have burst…clarity” (02:40) | | Cowboys Cap Habits | Overpay stars, lack value contracts | “Self-imposed tariff on all their players” | | NFLPA Report Cards | Leaked, impact of public scrutiny | “Players do have leverage” (24:19) | | Mendoza & QB Prospects | Praising humility, character matters | “I’m unemployed…hoping for a job” (26:11) | | Kevin Durant’s Milestones | Legacy, scoring, unique skillset | “KD beats Jordan, Kobe, LeBron” (30:29) | | Luka Dončić’s Fit | Defensive issues and trade rationale | “Luka is not…one of those 207 players” | | College Football | Ohio State as top program, post-Harbaugh Michigan | Ohio State draft dominance | | NFL Trade/CAP Trends | Young GMs, market inflation, free agency strategy | Malik Willis $32M prediction |

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Final Takeaways

• Lakers: A season of undeniable decline brings clarity—the LeBron era is ending, and the focus must shift to maximizing Luka Dončić, with a substantial roster overhaul on the horizon.
• Cowboys: Chronic overpayment is sustainable only with consistent rookie draft hits; Dallas walks a tightrope with their salary structure.
• NFL Transparency: The player empowerment era thrives on transparency—facility grades matter and touch billionaire egos.
• Durant & Luka: Generational superstars continue to define and complicate legacies; talent alone isn’t enough—defensive accountability and mentality matter.
• Football Trends: Old powerhouses (Ohio State) and new NFL front-offices are reshaping the landscape through bolder strategic choices.

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This hour of THE HERD offers an incisive sports autopsy brimming with candid analysis, memorable analogies, and pointed debate—perfect for sports fans seeking insight into both the drama and business of today’s games.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human security usually means extra steps and complications, but with Apple Pay, secure payments are simple. Your transactions are authenticated with face id, touch ID or passcode, so security is built in when you check out. Plus, your name isn't shared with merchants and they don't see your actual card number. Whether you're shopping in store online or an app, protecting your money should be simple. Pay the Apple way. Terms apply I'm Colin Coward from the Herd. Whether you're a seasoned small business owner or thinking about getting started, you'll definitely want to check out season four of Mind the Business small business success stories from iHeartMedia's Ruby Studio and Inuit QuickBooks. In the latest season, hosts Austin Hanquitz and Janiez Torres are talking to self starters about the ins and outs of entrepreneurship and how QuickBooks helps you to get more done in less time. You don't want to miss it. Listen to Mind the Business Small business success Stories on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We all want the best without having to pay the most. That's where Verizon comes in. Get this now you can take your AT and T or T mobile bill into any Verizon store. They'll look at what you're paying and give you a better deal. Period. You get the amazing coverage you want while keeping more cash in your pocket. Visit your local Verizon store to start saving today. Must provide recent consumer mobile bill in the name of the person redeeming the deal. Additional terms and conditions apply whether you want to maximize your performance or form healthier habits this year, knowing what your body needs can help put you on the right path. With Quest, you can buy your own lab tests [e-mail] no doctor visit required for purchase or Quest has a huge selection of tests, including the new Elite Health Profile, a panel made for men and women and tracks 85 plus health markers affecting the heart, liver, kidneys, hormones, metabolism and immune system, delivering a ton of insights in one snapshot. For a limited time, save on select lab [e-mail] with code herd10. That's herd10 at checkout. Terms apply. Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every weekday on Fox Sports Radio and noon to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR. Now let's get this party started. You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Here we go on a Friday. Lots and lots to talk about the NFL combine in full swing. Busy weekend in Indianapolis. We're live in Chicago. It's the Herd. Wherever you may be, however you may be listening, thanks for making us part of your day. We've spent a lot of time this week talking about the Lakers for good reason. They're the number one brand and the number one villain in the NBA. And we're watching them melt in real time. So if you had a leak in your house, right, a small leak, you could convince yourself, yeah, I'll patch it up, no biggie. But if your pipe bursts, well, then you get real clarity. I got a problem. So losing to the Celtics, the Lakers said, do we have a leak? Losing to Orlando, oh, we do have a leak. Losing the banged up Phoenix last night. You've got water in your living room. The Lakers have lost three straight. Five of seven. They're falling apart. The Suns didn't have Devin Booker or Dylan Brooks or one of their top rotational guys. They'd scored 77 and 81 points in their previous two games. Ah, but the slump busters, the Lakers defense, the offensive slump busters in the league, The sun score 113 and shoot a marvelous 44% from 3. The pipes for the Lakers have burst. There can be no debate. And for the record, it's a perfect thing. It actually is the best case scenario because it illustrates that if you're a Laker in the building, new owners or a player or a coach, there's real work ahead. Let's stop pretending. Lebron and Luka work. It's a year in. They don't. This team is 11 and 16 against just winning teams. And not all winning teams in the NBA are actually any good. That's just against teams with a winning record. I mean, Phoenix couldn't score in the last week. Last night they were humming, moving the ball, wide open, jumpers. There's nothing you can point to, to this team. Awful defensively, not enough athletes, can't defend the rim, don't shoot threes, not athletic enough. And it's all on display and it's actually perfect. This isn't a championship team. This is perfect because when you get into trouble is when you have an off season and you, you go to the big meeting rooms and everybody sits around and debates, hey, we are good. Our company is good. Yeah, our stock price is going to move up and I think our management team is excellent and we've got great employees. It's much better to be like, yeah, we need four new really good players and we got to move off LeBron. I mean, even the thing they were good at this year, clutch games, they've lost the last two of those. So the Lakers bench, which I think's the worst in the league, was outscored 56 to 25. And think about that. Phoenix was missing three, two starters, their two best players, Dylan Brooks and Devin Booker, and a top rotational guy. So the bench for Phoenix is third string guys. It still doubled up the Lakers. So they need four players, probably a couple of B pluses, maybe an A minus. The good news is they have three available first round picks to trade this offseason. They have a ton of cap space and they're going to move off LeBron. But you're watching this big glossy brand melt. And I think a lot of times when you bring in, when you bring in Luca, every Laker fan thought, oh, this will solve our issues. But there's just new issues. And the issues are clear. He is such an atrocious defensive player that you can't have a 41 year old as his best teammate. So in speaking of LeBron's exit, Byron Scott on a popular local LA radio show yesterday said what a lot of former Lakers and maybe current new Laker executives think. I just thought it was laughable, you know, coming from one of the greatest players that ever played a game, to say that it was harder. It's harder to play now than it was then. Are you ready to see him go from the Lakers? Yeah. You know, I mean, like I said, I'm a fan and. But you know, I don't mince words either. I mean, I think this should be his last year here. So do I. LeBron is 41. He's averaging the fewest minutes of his career. He's shooting under 30% on threes, the fewest points per game since his rookie season, and he is the second slowest player in the entire league. LeBron had leverage over the NBA for 21 years, 22 years. It's all dried up. And he's been such a mercenary. And I have defended him for his mobility. Good for him. But he has been such a mercenary. There's no reason to be sentimental and romantic about it. There's no need for that. He bailed on teams. I supported it. They were good business moves. And the Lakers probably and should bail on him. Listen, this was always going to be, let's be totally honest about LeBron and the Lakers. Let's just Be frank about this. It was always a Hollywood marriage, right? Two hot stars, and you know what happens in Hollywood? One of the stars eventually starts dating somebody younger. That's Luca. LeBron had all the leverage, but he bounced around left. Miami didn't give D. Wade or Bosh a heads up five minutes before it happened. They found out, and that's okay. I defended him. He was the best player in the world for 18 years. But this Hollywood marriage, hey, listen, the good news, it lasted longer than Nick Cage and Lisa Marie Presley or Billy Bob and Angelina. You know, it wasn't. It wasn't just a weekend in Vegas. It lasted a while. But again, I think from day one, Laker fans looked at Luca as, oh, this is the solution to our problems. And it just really illustrates there are different problems with Luka. Luka is not Wemby. He's not. You know, he's. He's not like. He's not even. To be honest with you. He's not sga, because SGA is infrequently hurt and in great, impeccable shape. So we are at a point now that there can be no debate. Nobody's going to the meeting room and trying to convince themselves the LeBron Luca thing works. That's the great thing about analytics. You know, I talk a lot about man analytics, whereas I like analytics. But sometimes, you know, in the biggest moments, I just want guys to make plays. I don't care what the numbers say. It's 4th and 1. Give it to your star running back. I don't care what analytics say. I don't want to kick a field goal, but the analytics and the data are really instructive. LeBron and Luka don't work because they're now both awful defensive players. And Luka and Austin Reaves actually do work because Austin is much more willing to be the valet to the Bentley. And it works. And the data all says it. So Luca is absolutely such a gifted offensive player. He's absolutely an asset. And to maximize that asset, you got to move off LeBron and you got to free up cap space. You got to go get four players. Three have to be very good defensively. Two have to be able to catch and shoot because Luke has always got the ball. But LeBron's bailed three times, defended him every time. It's time for the Lakers to bail. Here was Rachel Nichols yesterday. There is a big sort of, let's go to the summer, let's get there, let's move forward. And while the lakers have said LeBron is welcome back in the organization. It's very clear that Bill building around Luka does not involve LeBron James. I don't really blame some sort of the lazy plays or the not getting to the rim as much or some of the falling apart that we've seen, because I think everyone's mind on that team is, we're going to fight as hard as we can, but we all know we're not Finals contenders right now. You know, sometimes when I used to live on the east coast and work for the Other Place, I had commented I'd never really listened to Northeast sports talk radio. And it was very powerful in Boston and Philadelphia and New York. And I believed that a lot of times, like managers and executives listened to it and panicked if the fans came out and said, we want this or we want that, and the jets and the Mets or the, you know, organizations, not the Belichick Patriots, but they would panic. And I feel like the new Laker owners, they really understand Los Angeles. Los Angeles is distracted and wants to win. And the. The Buss family, one of the poorer families in the NBA when they own the Lakers like they were. They were afraid to move off Kobe, they were afraid to move off LeBron. And what about merchandise and ticket sales? But the new Dodgers owners have a real understanding. They've got much more capital, much better capitalized. They've moved off Cody Bellinger and Manny Machado briefly, and Zach Grinke and Scott Seeger, Trey Turner like great players to get better players. So I imagine the Lakers will be all in on Giannis, which, by the way, with Lucas defensive liabilities is not a bad move. But, but, but LeBron's not Magic. Magic Johnson is so popular in LA, it's kind of remarkable when he goes to a Laker game. Even now he lives in Los Angeles. You can see him at the lunch or breakfast seven days a week. If he shows up at Staples, the crowd rises, oh, my God, there's magic. That's not what LeBron is. That's never been LeBron. Shaq has that feel. The late Jerry West. Kobe had that feel. LeBron doesn't. He bounced around the league. He went and found the best spot for him. I supported him every way. In fact, after he left Cleveland the first time and people burned his jerseys, I'm like, he gave a million bucks to the boys and girls club. It was a little clunky move on everybody else, including the commissioner. David Stern was crushing him. And I'm like, it's not the end of the world. They couldn't get him an All Star. Seven years. He gave Cleveland everything. But now nobody has leverage forever. Nobody. Nobody has leverage forever. Even our presidents have term limits. J. Mac, I know this was a rough opening for you, but as I said, when the pipes burst, it creates clarity. And I think losing to Phoenix, clobbered by Boston, can't close out Orlando at home. It is like, hey, we, we need new. We need multiple new guys. And Reddick, Austin and Luke are here for the long term. Everybody else is going to get moved.

[J Mac]

Well, remember early part of the season, they were winning all these close games in the clutch. They were one of the best teams in the league. Now they lose two in a row and it's like, oh, boy, here we go, here we come. Play in. You know, they're just, I think one game out of the play in at this point, which would not be great. Well, I'm going to stay the course. Colin, I know you're going to be negative Nancy here. It's fine. It's a Beautiful Friday in LA. 80 degrees. You can't dim my Friday. I think the Lakers are going to be fine. Off season ahead. Bring in Giannis. Let's go, Lakers.

[Colin Cowherd]

I love your optimism. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app. Fox Sports Radio is taking over YouTube and you can be a part of it. Just go to YouTube and search Fox Sports Radio. Hit that subscribe button and smash that notification bell and catch all the videos from your favorite shows. Two pros and a cup of Joe. Dan Patrick, Colin Cowherd, Stu Gotz and company Live. Cavino and Rich. The Odd Couple with Rob Parker and Kelvin Washington, the Jason Smith show with Mike Harmon and the Ben Ma Show. Fox sports radio on YouTube. Subscribe. Hit that thumbs up icon and comment away. Security usually means extra steps and complications, but with Apple Pay Secure, payments are simple. Your transactions are authenticated with face id, touch ID or passcode. So security is built in when you check out. Plus, your name isn't shared with merchants and they don't see your actual card number. Whether you're shopping in store online or an app, protecting your money should be simple. Pay the Apple way. Terms apply. All right, two truths in a lie. Here we go. I went to college with college football coach Jim McElwain. I began my broadcasting career doing play by play for the Las Vegas Stars, and I've been a Verizon customer for 15 years. Okay, I lied. All three are true. Verizon isn't as expensive as you think. In fact, if you bring in your AT and T or T Mobile bill to a Verizon store, they'll give you a better deal. That's right, a better deal on the best network with the most ways to save on plans, streaming and phone deals. So take that AT and T or T Mobile build to your local Verizon store today, get a better deal and start saving based on root metrics. Best Overall Mobile Network Performance US Second Half 2025 all rights reserve must provide recent Consumer Mobile bill in the name of the person redeeming the deal. Additional terms, conditions and restrictions apply. Colin I'm Colin Coward from the Herd Whether you're a seasoned small business owner or thinking about getting started, you'll definitely want to check out season four of Mind the Business small business success stories from iHeartMedia's Ruby Studio and Inuit QuickBooks. Mind the Business is part entertainment, part instruction manual, part inspiration. Each episode features practical tips and success stories that will resonate with entrepreneurs in any industry. In their latest season, hosts Austin Henkewicz and Janiez Torres are covering topics on the forefront of running a small business. They're talking to self starters about everything from how AI helps them work smarter to weathering market uncertainties and enjoying the benefits of being your own boss and using Inuit QuickBooks to help you get more done in less time. You won't want to miss it. Listen to Mind the Business Small Business success Stories on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Make your game day legendary with MGM Rewards. From unforgettable tailgate and viewing parties to world class dining, thrilling nightlife and entertainment that keeps energy going long after the final whistle. This is where fans come to celebrate, show off your team spirit, cheer with friends and earn rewards on every experience you love. Because every play is bigger and every moment feels unforgettable in Las Vegas. So what are you waiting for? Make your game day legendary with MGM Rewards. Visit mgmrewards.com for details. Robert Mays, who is great on this show, he's got a great football podcast for the Athletic will be joining us in about 45 minutes from now. Chris Finch T Wolves head coach is joining us. Lakers melting down. We'll have more on that. So if you're a Dallas Cowboy fan, there's a couple of realities. Your defense stinks, but you do have two first round picks. Both of those should absolutely be used on your defense so you don't have a second or a third, but you got A couple of firsts and it's a pretty good defensive draft, especially edge rushers, a couple of big time corners in the first round, a couple of nice safeties. Cowboys should spend their draft picks on that. News came out today on George Pickens. Reportedly they're going to franchise tag the dramatic, sometimes high maintenance but marvelously talented wide receiver. And here's Stephen Jones on Pickens. Love George and and want him here. And it's real important for us. I think George wants to be here so on a long term contract, yes, I'm sure he wants to be under a long term contract. No one ever just loves the franchise tag. We want George here. I mean it's real important to us. We thought we had really played some of our best offense we've ever played. Having CD and George, I mean they're both, you know, elite receivers in this league. For the record, I can't quibble with what the Cowboys are doing in theory. Offensive coach spending a lot of money. Third straight year they'll be they'll have the most expensive offensive player. That beats having the most expensive defensive player and they were the number two offense last year. And George Pickens and C.D. lamb and Dak Prescott are really good. So I can't quibble with that. It would be nice to occasionally like the Seahawks or the Rams get a player like Puka at least at a bit of a discount for several years. Brandon Aubrey, the Cowboy kicker is also seeking the highest kicking contract in the league and he'll get it. It's, it's like the Cowboys have a self imposed tariff on all their players. They walk out of the dealership. We got the Bentley at 15% above asking price and they brag about it. So Dax at 74 million CDs, almost 40 million. Pickens is going to be 28 and a half million. Tyler Smith, hell of a player, he'll be 28 million. You'll have the highest paid kicker. So I mean listen, they got an offensive coach, they're spending money on the right side of the football. The offense is very good. But when I watch the Rams and the Seahawks play, there are seven to eight players for both Seattle and LA that are highly productive on both sides of the ball and aren't getting paid a ton. It should be noted Kenny Clark's cap hit is going up. Quinn and Williams going up. So if you're wondering why they have all these stars play star players and and they're not very good and the Seahawks have a bunch of star players and just won the Super Bowl. It's because the Seahawks and the Rams do a really good job on draft day and they get lots of players who are great early and can play early and they don't have to pay. So the Cowboys are top of the market on everybody. But again, I can't quibble with CD Lamb's the number one. Pickens feels like a really elite number two. Little hot and cold, little moody, pouted a little last year. Dax absolutely a top 12 quarterback in the league. Offensive coach, here's Brian Schottenheimer on Pickens. This is going to play out the way it's supposed to play out. GP Loves football and my relationship with GP doesn't change, just like it didn't change with CD or DAC or those guys that were going through certain things. And it's all part of the process is the business side of it. But hell, I was talking to CD Last night and so, you know, it doesn't change. I've been around George from the time he got here, from the time he came in, and I say this respectfully, and I kicked his ass in shooting free throws in my office. He might not remember it that way. I knew this guy's a competitor and he loves football, so I hope so. So Big D used to stand for Dallas. Now it stands for deficit. So they've got a hit on those first two draft picks. They've got to go defense and they have to hit on them because the only way you can pay all these players top of market, you got to go 5 for 5 in your first five picks in the draft. And the Cowboys don't have a second and a third couple of firsts, then middle rounds. J. Mac with the news. No, no, no, turn on the news.

[J Mac]

This is the Herd line news. All right, let's start with the the report cards that some people like to talk about. The NFLPA did not make the NFL team report cards public this year because of a grievance filed by the league. But the report cards leaked anyway, and the Dolphins came in with the best overall ratings. The Steelers came in with the worst. I don't, I have no idea what to make of this stuff.

[Colin Cowherd]

Colin the Dolphins have a real estate mogul as their owner. So the Dolphins facilities, because he cares a great deal about real estate, are reportedly great. So it doesn't shock me. Stephen Ross is a, is a kind of a luxury real estate guy. It would not surprise me. The Dolphins have luxury real estate in terms of facilities.

[J Mac]

Bottom five are Bengals at 28, Bucks at 29, Browns at 30 Cardinals and Steelers. So some not good teams grading out pretty poorly.

[Colin Cowherd]

The Rooneys are viewed as a little cheap, a little bit on the cheap side.

[J Mac]

I was just, I mean, I guess I would ask, like, why is this stuff being hidden and have to be leaked? Like, I just don't get all that. I don't know.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, I know why the owners don't want to get called out on the carpet. And I mean, look, the Steelers got an F on Team Travel. I mean, I don't even know what that means. Did they have amateur pilots on the plane? I don't even know what that means.

[J Mac]

Yeah, like, look at all the bad grades for the Steelers. Right, but we consider them a blue blood organization.

[Colin Cowherd]

Family owner.

[J Mac]

Yeah, but what's going to change? Like, is this going to, is this going to lead to any change? The players have no power. The owners can treat their players and employees like crap.

[Colin Cowherd]

And players, the players do have power. Leaking these report cards is power. And so the Rooneys, I can guarantee you are embarrassed about this. And that's why this stuff does matter. You don't need to pander to players and baby players. But if players are all saying, yeah, team Travel's an F, you need to address that. These are hardworking employees who have limited careers based on the regulated violence in the sport. And the players do have leverage. That's why I believe these report cards should be public.

[J Mac]

I agree. They should be public. I just don't see why a billionaire would care. I mean, clearly Mike McCarthy doesn't care. He's going there to coach Aaron Rodgers. I'm ready to go back to Pittsburgh.

[Colin Cowherd]

You're asking why they care? The biggest egos in the world are these oligarchs. The richer you are, the harder you fall, the more sensitive you are. I mean, it's so. I mean, I'm guaranteeing you the Rooney family doesn't love this. Being out with several D's and F's.

[J Mac]

I like that. Take the billionaire. Well, we shouldn't talk about taking down billionaires anyways. Let's move on to the Raiders. Colin and Fernando Mendoza. He met with the Raiders who have the number one pick. Everybody's excited. And listen, man, Fernando Mendoza is the best. We should do an hour on him every day on the show. Listen to him talk about meeting with the Raiders.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, right now I'm unemployed. I have no job. So this is my job interview right now. And like everyone says, it's the most job important job interview of your life. So right now I'm just trying to do Everything to hopefully get employed. And April 23rd, I was lucky enough to have a formal interview with the Las Vegas Raiders. It was a fantastic interview. Coaching staff was in there. We went over some of my previous plays, drew some plays on the board, thought it was great meeting. And I know they had the perspective number one pick, but anything could happen in the draft and I'm just excited for the opportunity. And whatever team drafts me, I'm going to give everything I got to them. How. How do you not love that kid?

[J Mac]

I mean, he's the best. I'm unemployed right now. Like, I guarantee you 90% of the guys go in there. Yeah, I'm the man. Look what I just tested on the vertical leap and on the bench. Mendoza. I'm unemployed. I'm hoping to get a job come April 23rd. It's just, he really is a treat. I'm such a fan of this kid.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, so am I. And I, it's, he just, there's. I just, you know, what I worry about is the last quarterback to get drafted number one and go to a Super bowl with the team that drafted him was Peyton Manning in the late 90s. So, you know, you've got bad organizations and stingy owners and lousy executives, you know, drafting at the top of drafts. Now the Raiders have a new coach, a new GM over the last couple years. Brady's involved. So you cross your fingers. I mean, I will say this. They've got a lot of picks and they've got a star running back and a star tight end and a star pass rusher. They check some boxes and they hired a smart offensive coach. I haven't been fired up about the Raiders in a long time. Yeah. But I, you know, I've said this. If they can, if they can, you know, if they can hit on their first four or five picks and get real players who can contribute as rookies. I think you got to feel pretty good about the Raiders for the first time in a long time. Because I think this kid. Yeah, I mean he's not, he's not Elway, but I think he's really good.

[J Mac]

Yeah. And I'm sure some people listening are like, why do you guys love this kid so much? He was on Indiana, he didn't have any offers really from big time schools coming out.

[Colin Cowherd]

That's why I like.

[J Mac]

Nobody want. That's why I like him. And the authenticity, Colin, when he's talking to the media, even when he was on this show, the way he speaks is that's real. You know, the, the, the Acronym wysiwyg. What you see is what you get. That's Fernando Mendoza. He's not pulling any punches. He's being authentic. And I think that's one of the reason we cut through on this show. Like, hey man, I don't like this report car. I think I'm gonna tell you that, you know, I don't like these billionaires dominating everything. I'm gonna tell you that Fernando Mendoza keeps it real. He's honest. I'm like going to become a bit of a Raiders fan. Still a Jets guy, but Raiders are going to be my team. Final story. Colin, let's go to the NBA where your guy, Mr. Burner, Kevin Durant went off again last night. Hey, isn't that something? Post All Star break. He's going off. He had 40, including 26 in the second half. Rockets with a nice win over the Orlando Magic. KD became the sixth player in NBA history to join a 32,000 point club. And oh, by the way, he will be passing Michael Jordan here very shortly for most points scored in NBA history. LeBron is obviously one, Kareem Abdul Jabbar two. Jordan is currently five. KD will pass him probably in March, maybe April. And KD is also tied with Kobe for fifth most 30 point games in NBA history. Let's put some respect on the Twitter lover. Kevin Durant.

[Colin Cowherd]

I like kd. He's. I think, I, I don't know, I think he's one of. I've, I've had, you know, I've seen him play live, I've watched a lot of television. I think he's just an all time talent. I like him. He's quirky, but I like him.

[J Mac]

Yeah, yeah, he's. I don't want to quite say an Aaron Rodgers of the NBA, but he's certainly different and operates in a different attitude and zone and everything. He's a really good basketball player though. I just, I don't know, you know, I know the legacy talk comes up a lot and he came close with the Nets with the toe in the line against Giannis. He came close with OKC.

[Colin Cowherd]

He's going to be a top 25 player of all time. He's probably 25.

[J Mac]

Why not? Top 15?

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. I mean closer to 15 than one, but yeah, I have no problem with it. I, I'm a huge fan. I like his game. I, you know, I mean when it was Westbrook, Harden and Kevin Durant. No, K.C. yeah, he's the one I would have kept. You know, I mean it's like they let Harden go and Westbrook eventually wore KD out. But KD to me has been, you know, I've, I've used the joke several times. Not necessarily a joke, but if there was a one on one, if you take centers out, you take, you know, that's like a genetic advantage. Take centers out and they don't handle the ball very well anyway. But if you took all centers out and had a one on one basketball tournament in the history of the league, I think KD beats Jordan, Kobe and LeBron. I think KD wins it. I think he's, I think he's devastating.

[J Mac]

Take. Holy cow.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. J Mac with the news. Well, that's the news and thanks for stopping by the herd lie news. So when Luca came into the NBA, he was young, Euro dominant score and everybody's like, that's unbelievable. And I said the same thing. But I did say he's a better Carmelo Anthony. I don't think he likes defense at all and I'm not sure he's in great shape and he'll age fast. In the last week and I'm proud of the media brethren, in the last week there has been more criticism, all valid, all legitimate, on Luka. Tom Haberstro. I'll just read this to you. Over the last two seasons, this is a tweet. 207 NBA players have made a shot to tie or go ahead in the final minute of a game. Luca is not one of those 207 players. Tuesday night's bizarre grenade to LeBron is no aberration. So listen, I've always kind of believed like it's like the transfer portal in college football. If Georgia lets a great defensive player go, he has baggage. They were not letting Jalen Carter go and he had red flags. AD gets traded multiple times. Why? He's brittle and never in great shape. James Harden been traded five times. He's an all time great. Luca got traded and there were reasons he was falling apart. He couldn't stay in shape, he was increasingly brittle and he didn't necessarily make teammates better. And you're seeing it so like the transfer portal. Even though the Lakers got the better of the deal, nobody was letting Kobe go, nobody was letting MJ go or Bird go or Magic go. You know, Akeem got old and eventually centers age quickly. But you know, I, if Luca would have been in impeccable shape and an elite defender, Dallas would have never even picked up the phone, irregardless, regardless of the offer. So 10 years ago you didn't have the data that you have now. And the data is very true on Luca. You know, in the past 10 years, the warriors could have multiple times traded Steph Curry if they wanted to. They didn't. Why? Because Curry's a great leader. He's in impeccable shape. He is still absolutely relevant. He plays well with others, he's committed in the off season. So the Lucas stuff, it's not like I don't think Luka's great, he's going to win the NBA scoring title. He's obviously great. But I've seen, I've been watching the NBA since the early 70s. I've seen a lot of lopsided offensive players. James Harden is one of them. Say what you want about Larry Bird three times. All defense, Kobe defense. Most of the great players in league history, almost all of them played defense. Russell did, Kareem did, Kobe did, Bird did, MJ did, LeBron in his prime did. So, you know, and I think what happens is when a player goes to your team, you see all the warts. So I want to show you something last night. It's a prime example of how the league views Luca. So the Phoenix Suns set up a play at the very end and what do they do? Top of the key, they go right after Luca. And the Laker defense to save him has to collapse. And then the Sun's backups do what everybody does, swing it and hit a jumper. But if you look at, they go right after Luca, fly by him, you gotta collapse. And now you're just trying to play catch up as a defensive team. Eventually they find an open shooter. Again, Devin Booker didn't play, Dylan Brooks didn't play. But I mean, this is how the league views him. They need a game winning shot. Go after Luka, create space and go after him. Here was JJ Redick on this play. Essentially we ended up with two low men. And so, you know, it would have been Smart's rotation had Jalen Green not shifted towards the corner. Really, there's no one there to go, you know, Jake, where Jake was to be able to get the contest. That's, that's. There was no one to rotate, essentially. So, you know, he got a clean look, he made it. Yeah, I mean, so you can talk, you can throw the pom poms up in the air, but that's what an NBA team did late. A team that was struggling to score. Go after Luka, create space, get him in open space, abuse him, move to the rack, make him collapse, and then just swing the ball around to the open shooter as J.J. redick said. They got a clean look. They got a clean look because the defense broke down and you have to always save Luca. So there you go. Oh, New York Giants. Boy, what an off season for one New York football team. The New York Giants may be making some news that's coming up live in Chicago. It's the Hurt. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific. Security usually means extra steps and complications, but with Apple Pay Secure payments are simple. Your transactions are authenticated with face id, touch ID or passcode, so security is built in when you check out. Plus, your name isn't shared with merchants and they don't see your actual card number. Whether you're shopping in store, online or in app, protecting your money should be simple. Pay the Apple way Terms Apply all right, two truths and a lie. Here we go. I went to college with college football coach Jim McElwaine, I began my broadcasting career doing play by play for the Las Vegas Stars, and I've been a Verizon customer for 15 years. Okay, I lied. All three are true. A Verizon isn't as expensive as you think. In fact, if you bring in your ATT or T Mobile bill to a Verizon store, they'll give you a better deal. That's right, a better deal on the best network with the most ways to save on plans, streaming and phone deals. So take that AT and T or T Mobile bill to your local Verizon store today. Get a better deal and start saving based on root metrics. Best Overall Mobile Network Performance U.S. 2nd Half 2025 All Rights Reserve must provide recent Consumer Mobile Bill in the name of the person redeeming the deal. Additional terms, conditions and restrictions apply. I'm Colin Coward from the Herd. Whether you're a seasoned small business owner or thinking about getting started, you'll definitely want to check out Season four of Mind the Business Small Business Success Stories for My Heart Media's Ruby Studio and Inuit QuickBooks. Mind the business is part entertainment, part instruction manual, part inspiration. Each episode features practical tips and success stories that will resonate with entrepreneurs in any industry. In their latest season, hosts Austin Henkwitz and Janice Torres are covering topics on the forefront of running a small business. They're talking to self starters about everything from how AI helps them work smarter to weathering market uncertainties and enjoying the benefits of being your own boss. And using Inuit QuickBooks to help you get more done in less time. You won't want to miss it. Listen to Mind the Business Small Business success Stories on the iHeart app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Make your game day legendary with MGM rewards. From unforgettable tailgate and viewing parties to world class dining, thrilling nightlife and entertainment that keeps energy going long after the final whistle, this is where fans come to celebrate, show off your team spirit, cheer with friends and earn rewards on every experience you love. Because every play is bigger and every moment feels unforgettable in Las Vegas. So what are you waiting for? Make your game day legendary with MGM Rewards. Visit mgmrewards.com for details.

[J Mac]

We got a huge top 10 showdown on Fox College hoops tonight as Yoxelle Lindeborg and number three Michigan look to keep their dominant season rolling against freshman phenom Keaton Wagler and number 10 Illinois. Tonight, 8 Eastern, only on Fox.

[Colin Cowherd]

That'll be one of the better college basketball games of the year. It's at Illinois. It's about an hour from where I sit. And you want to go to that. Illinois is a home dog. Very much a home dog.

[J Mac]

Want to back the Illinois Illini here.

[Colin Cowherd]

Colin, you, you're back in Illinois. Yeah, I'm on them. All right.

[J Mac]

I know Michigan fans are going to be upset. Great game. Going to be a great game.

[Colin Cowherd]

Great game. This is a Ohio State Buckeye first round. So the Buckeyes may have five players drafted in the first round. Sunny Styles, a great linebacker, Arvell Reese, maybe the best player in the draft, Kaden McDonald, Caleb Downs is unbelievable. And you know, I was thinking about this. Five Buckeyes could go in the first round. No Michigan Wolverines. So the minute Jim Harbaugh leaves Michigan, Ohio State completely pulls away. And I mean, as great as Jim Harbaugh was, it took him seven years to beat Ohio State. Now, Michigan has the better fight song, the better uniforms and the better academics. But let's be honest, Michigan's always as good as its coach. Ohio State's good sometimes great depending on a coach. So this draft is going to be and right now the best football program in America. We just got to be totally honest. It is Ohio State. It was Bama for a long time. It is now Ohio State. So. And the truth is, Ohio State's always been the better football program. And then there's the occasional pop years by Michigan. And I love Michigan. I wish I could have gotten into Michigan. But it Harbaugh's first six attempts to beat Michigan, to beat Ohio State lost, lost, lost, lost, lost, lost. How did Urban Meyer do against Michigan? Year one, beat him. Year two Beat him. Year three, beat him. Year four, five, six, beat him. Year seven, beat him. He never lost. Jim Trestle nine and one against Michigan. So, I mean, when it takes Jim Harbaugh seven tries to beat you, you're a different level program. So when I look at this draft, to me it's an Ohio State draft. And over the course of, you know, I've been watching college football, like most of you, since the early 70s. And there have been. There was a time when Notre Dame was the best program, and there was a time when Nebraska in the mid-90s felt like the best program. And then Spurrier in Florida got hot and Bobby Bowden in Florida State and the Miami Hurricanes in US and then Alabama took it over for a long time, and Clemson was close and Georgia was close. Ohio State right now is the best football program in America. And there are certain positions like linebacker and wide receiver, offensive tackle, running back, where they kind of feel like they're. They're playing at a different speed. I know everybody's got Indiana now as the team to beat in the Big Ten. No, they're not. They are not. Ohio State remains the best. So this is interesting. Life moves fast in the NFL. So there's a story today by Connor Hughes, and it, you know, stuff in the NFL could happen this weekend. The New York Giants, and I love their off season so far, are listening to trade offers for Kayvon Thibodeau, the rush, and who they drafted back in 2022. But then they got Brian Burns in a trade with Carolina. They just drafted Abdul Carter, and because of that, he's like the number three pass rusher, and his numbers are regressing. And so you say to yourself, well, what are you going to get for the number three pass rusher? Something is happening in the NFL, and I was talking to former NFL scout John Middelkopf on my podcast last night. The world has changed because of all these aggressive young general managers. Because the cap is so big right now, there are so many options with trades. And I, I talked to Howie about this. When I first started working For Howie in 2010, he was on the forefront of the NFL forever. Wasn't that trade heavy? So people are willing to, hey, you want this guy? You want to trade draft picks? You want to do this? So there is just a lot of action, which I think stalls some deals because it gets so expensive. It's like a house. So all these young GMs are battling against one another. And we talked about JMac, and I talked about Malik Willis and JMac's like he's not going to get 35 million. Just think about this. Who needs a quarterback? Arizona. Oh, they've got a young aggressive GM and the Falcons may need another quarterback. And they've got a young aggressive general manager. And the jets could use Malik Willis and they have a young general manager and the Steelers could use a quarterback and they've got a first time general manager. So it used to be, I mean last year, let me look this up. Last year there were was it 22 in season trades last year. That is the most since 1995. So what you're getting is this new world of all these sharp young offensive coaches and sharp young general managers and they are trade centric. So I think Malik Willis and people say well Malik Willis only has six starts. I think that's very, very interesting. Can you tell after six starts if a guy has it or doesn't? Now obviously the packers are well run. They've got a good offensive coach, they have weapons. But I will say this about Malik Willis. He came from Tennessee to Green Bay late in camp in August. They were playing him three weeks later and he was exceptional. And it's like okay, so this guy can learn a playbook fast. That that's important. And he also fit into Green Bay's culture very quickly. There were, there's discussions last year people were saying is he better than Jordan Love? I don't think he is but there were discussions about it. So. And remember when the Colts gave up two first round picks for Sauce Gardner? Why? Because they probably had to give up two first round picks because there was another aggressive general manager. The packers last year spent a Fortune 77 million four year deal on a guard. Why? Because they weren't bidding against themselves. So you are right now it's like a hot real estate market driving up one house, several bidders on everything. So if you look at the free agents now let's look at the notable free agents right now and these are good players. So Malik Willis, I think he's going to get $32 million. I really do. Kenneth Walker, he's a bit. Now Seattle, he was banged up a lot in Seattle. He did deliver this year. My guess is they move off him. Breece Hall, Travis etn. It's a bad running back draft class. There are good running backs here. The two or three players that really interest me on this list, one is Malik Willis, the other is Alec Pierce, the wide receiver from the Colts. I think he's a really good player. K D Tampa Bay tight end, great hands like him. I think the best player available is the center for the Baltimore Ravens, Tyler Linderbaum. I would pay a fortune if I was like the Raiders. I mean, that's what the Chicago Bears and Ben Olson and Ryan Poles did. What was the first thing they did with Caleb Williams? It wasn't go and get receivers. It was guard, center, guard. They went and got Drew Dahlman, Joe Tuney, Jonah Jackson. So Linder Baum is going to get paid. Elijah Vera Tucker is good, but banged up a lot. Jalen Phillips, to me, another very interesting player. Eagles had him. So there's some really, really interesting free agents out there and several. And I, you know, you can say what you want about free agents that only 35% hit, but new England did a really good job last year getting the right kind of players. New England does not make the Super bowl without spending 250 large in free agency. J Mac, if I said there's like that, like Mike Evans, I like, but I'm not paying him at this point. Kyle Pitts has talent. Forget it. I'm not paying him. K D Malik Willis, Alec Pierce and Tyler Linderbaum are guys. Jalen Phillips is also good. It just depends on what the number is.

[J Mac]

No, no, Phillips. The Eagles are not letting him go. He's very good. Let's go back to this Malik Willis stuff real quick. You think he's getting 32 mil? Give me two teams that are paying 32 mil for Malik Willis.

[Colin Cowherd]

Arizona.

[J Mac]

Okay, that's one. I don't know that they go to 32 mil, but I think that, yes, they'll be in the mix for him.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, all you need is two.

[J Mac]

If there are, that's the problem. Who's the two? And no, don't say the Jets. That's. That's a non starter. Honestly, coming out of jets camp, the stuff is, hey, we're going to kick the tires on Spencer Rattler. They are not spending on Malik Willis. The Jets, I can guarantee you that.

[Colin Cowherd]

Let me ask you this. Good kid learns the playbook fast. You think Kevin o' Connell wants to finish in fourth place? Why not in division, go buy him again? I don't. An offensive coach in Arizona in a rookie rookie year. You got an offensive coach off a bad year in Minnesota. Minnesota and Arizona. NFC teams get into a little bit of a bidding war.

[J Mac]

I don't think that's insane. I think that would probably nuke JJ McCarthy's mindset. I mean, you don't pay 30 million from Alik Willis to have a.

[Colin Cowherd]

If I run Minnesota that's not my problem.

[J Mac]

I know. Yeah. Kevin o' Connell has to save his own job and finally to go back to. Was it Thibodeau you were saying? I was looking at his contract. Like, I don't. This is similar to a Jermaine Johnson situation where the Titans are going to be like, hey, prove it and we'll pay you. I don't. Do you think Thibodeau.

[Colin Cowherd]

I think he has a market. I absolutely think he has a market.

[J Mac]

Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

Buffalo. Why not? I mean, again, he's not as good as Brian Burns.

[J Mac]

No.

[Colin Cowherd]

But. But I also think he's probably at this point, you know, Abdul Carter is really talented, but, you know, there were a lot of reports on meetings missed and.

[J Mac]

Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

Think Verizon is expensive? Think again. Anyone can bring their AT and T or T mobile bill to a Verizon store today and we'll give you a better deal. So bring us your bill. Walk in, run in, pogo stickin', teleport if you can, ride on the back of a rollerblading yak or fly in on the wings of a majestic falcon. Any way you can bring your AT&T or T T mobile bill to a Verizon store today and we'll give you a better deal on the Best network

[J Mac]

based on route metrics Best Overall mobile network performance US second half 2025 all

[Colin Cowherd]

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