Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD - Hour 1 - The Chiefs are at the top again, Niners can't stay healthy, Baker Mayfield is playing like an MVP
Date: October 13, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts & The Volume)

Overview of the Episode

Colin Cowherd leads a wide-ranging sports discussion, focused on three major NFL narratives: the resurgence and continued dominance of the Kansas City Chiefs, Baker Mayfield’s unlikely MVP-caliber season with an injury-decimated Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and issues with the San Francisco 49ers’ health and depth. The episode also touches on notable player performances (Justin Herbert, Dak Prescott), situational coaching insights, key controversies from the weekend's games, and big moves in the college football world—including the firing of James Franklin at Penn State.

1. Kansas City Chiefs: NFL’s Top Team Again

[02:06–06:48, 20:11–24:17]

Key Points:

• Colin opens by declaring the NFL's “worst nightmare” official: the Chiefs are once again the best team.
• Mahomes and Andy Reid are praised for “making it work” with revolving receivers and an offensive line that was shaky early in the season but improved.
• Kansas City’s culture and system, not just star power, set them apart ("NFL is about the O line, DC, entire system").
• In recent weeks, the Chiefs offense jumped from 20 to 32 points/game: a sign of resurgence.
• Leadership, discipline (no turnovers, penalties), and adaptability are recurring themes.
• Comparison to Belichick/Brady Patriots in situational football intelligence.

Notable Quotes:

• "Sorry, NFL. They did it again. Kansas City." – Colin (02:29)
• "Andy Reid is the great chef. He's the Gordon Ramsay. Everything in the kitchen has a role." – Colin (03:10)
• "This is what Kansas City does every year. When you get into these big games, they play differently. No penalties, no turnovers, one punt." – Colin (03:36)
• "With Mahomes and Reid pulling the levers, that is a way above average receiving core." – Colin (05:48)
• "That's the best team in the NFL right now. Kansas City Chiefs. One punt, no turnovers, no penalties. Dominating an excellent Detroit Lions team." – Colin (06:48)

Memorable Moment: Mahomes' Milestone

• Patrick Mahomes reflects on becoming the youngest QB to 300 TD passes:

  "I've been blessed. ... Getting one of the best football coaches of all time, and some of the greatest players of all time around me. ... Let's continue it, let's have some fun. ... We’ve got a long career ahead." – Mahomes (06:26)

On Chiefs' Situational Mastery:

• “They knew the rules better than the officials. ... Very Belichickian.” – Colin (41:28)
• Discussion of a critical goal-line pick play that KC understood down to the letter, evidencing their preparation and intelligence in high-leverage moments.

2. Baker Mayfield: MVP-Level Grit and Leadership

[06:48–11:52, 11:57–12:15]

Key Points:

• Mayfield’s resilience and toughness spotlighted after beating quality teams (Seattle and San Francisco) despite missing top receivers and using unheralded targets.
• Elevated the entire offense: “Baker’s like, get on my back.”
• Contrasted with other QBs who play the victim; Baker’s mentality is “what do I got to work with? All right, let’s go.”
• Historic for bringing out the best in teammates and offensive coordinators, not getting coaches fired.
• Mayfield’s MVP candidacy is attributed more to overcoming adversity than raw stats.

Notable Quotes:

• “He’s pulling a team right now. They are a mess. ... He's using D2 receivers and he's beating Seattle and Seattle. ... He's beating San Francisco.” – Colin (08:36)
• “Baker’s like, yeah, whatevs, let’s go.” – Colin (09:02)
• “His resilience is completely contagious and redeemable.” – Colin (09:32)
• On Mayfield's mentality: "You don't have to have the perfect play when all your guys are fighting for each other and are on the same page." – Baker Mayfield, postgame (09:21)
• “That's what an MVP looks like. That's what a franchise quarterback looks like.” – Colin (10:11)

3. San Francisco 49ers: Injury Crisis and Franchise QB Talk

[09:45–11:11]

Key Points:

• The 49ers are "falling apart physically," with key injuries (Fred Warner, among others).
• Discussion on what separates true franchise quarterbacks: it's about "rising above" missing pieces and adversity, as Mayfield is doing compared to Brock Purdy.

4. Quarterback Play: Justin Herbert vs. Tua Tagovailoa

[17:01–20:07]

Key Points:

• Revisiting the Dolphins’ choice of Tua over Herbert: Herbert shown as elite, especially when circumstances are tough (missing weapons, O-line issues).
• Colin calls out Herbert’s physical attributes and mental toughness, describing a highlight play where Herbert switches hands to get the ball to receiver Lad McConkey—called “the play of the day.”
• Echoes broader theme: top QBs "rise above their circumstances."

Notable Quote:

• “That play would be burned in my mind for... till they throw dirt over top of me...” – Jim Harbaugh, Chargers HC, on Herbert's play (18:56)

5. Lions-Chiefs Player Confrontation and NFL Discipline

[20:11–21:43]

Key Points:

• Incident: Brian Branch (Lions) gets into a postgame altercation, refused to shake hands, and hit JuJu Smith-Schuster.
• Dan Campbell (Lions HC) calls Branch’s actions “inexcusable,” says it's not who they are as a team.

Notable Quote:

• "I love Brian Branch, but what he did is inexcusable and it's not going to be accepted here." – Dan Campbell (20:57)

6. Dallas Cowboys: Defensive Collapse Despite Offense

[38:49–41:28]

Key Points:

• Cowboys’ defense called a “quarterback stimulus package”—opponents are thriving.
• Dak Prescott is praised for his offensive performance (“on fire”), but the defense can't stop anyone.
• Acknowledgement that Dallas needs to rebuild the defense via a draft "rich at corner and edge rusher."

Notable Quote:

• “The Cowboys allow opposing quarterbacks 117 passer rating and I’m told by my team... that's the highest since they've kept track. There's never been a defense this bad.” – Colin (39:27)
• “I watched Dallas's offense. They look reasonably well coached. Dax on fire. But this defense made Rico Dowdle look like Earl Campbell.” – Colin (40:50)

7. NFL Coaching and Strategic Insight

[41:28–44:17]

• Kansas City's "situational genius" lauded: knowing the rulebook inside out, winning through attention to detail and situational awareness.
• Contrasts with Detroit, who failed to have a goal-line play properly buttoned up.

Memorable Moment:

• "Kansas City knew this pick was legal. I guarantee you they went to the rule book because the minute that play happened, they were all pointing at the ref." – Colin (44:11)

8. College Football: Penn State Fires James Franklin

[44:17–48:26]

Key Points:

• Franklin is let go after a locker room blow-up and disappointing performances.
• Colin cautions against being pressured by message boards or short-term slumps and discusses the risk of promoting interim coaches.
• Points to the financial commitment and potential pitfalls of firing a “great recruiter” quickly.

Notable Quote:

• "If you’re going to spare no expense to fire a coach and they paid Franklin 50 large, 50 million, then you better spare no expense to hire the next coach." – Colin (46:19)
• "Be careful. ... All the players are going to protest. We want the interim coach. ... Then you're trapped." – Colin (45:35)

9. Miscellaneous: Other NFL/MLB/CFB Notes

• Aaron Rodgers with the Steelers:

  • Rodgers praised for maturity, fitting into the Steelers’ culture, making the offense smarter and more efficient.
  • “He’s doing exactly that now. ... He’s really figured out the right tenor for this offense.” – Colin (32:36)

• Jets & Justin Fields/Bears Analysis:

  • Both criticized for strategic failings; Colin slams Bears playcalling and lack of situational awareness (25:10–27:54).

• MLB:

  • Cal Raleigh’s dominant hitting for the Mariners, against Toronto, heavily praised (29:04).

Important Segment Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Chiefs’ Offensive Resurgence & Culture | 02:06–06:48 | | Mahomes' 300th TD Reflection | 06:26 | | Baker Mayfield’s MVP-Level Performance | 06:48–11:52 | | Mayfield's Mindset (Quote) | 09:21 | | Justin Herbert’s Signature Play/Analysis | 17:01–20:07 | | Jim Harbaugh on Herbert | 18:56 | | Lions-Chiefs Player Incident/Dan Campbell's Response | 20:11–21:43 | | Cowboys' Defensive Struggles (vs. Bryce Young/Panthers) | 38:49–41:28 | | Chiefs’ Situational Mastery (Rule Knowledge) | 41:28–44:17 | | College Football: Penn State/James Franklin Firing | 44:17–48:26 |

Overall Tone and Style Notes

• Language: Direct, opinionated, energetic; Colin moves swiftly from point to point, always foregrounding his core thesis (“rise above circumstances,” “franchise QBs don’t make excuses”).
• Style: Combines narrative storytelling (player and coach journeys) with hard analysis and colorful metaphors (“Gordon Ramsay of coaches,” “quarterback stimulus package”).
• Humor/Self-Awareness: Admits to mixing up game locations due to NFL overload; banters with co-host about the chaos of keeping track.
• Critical but Respectful: Offers strong opinions while giving credit (or critique) where due, frequently referencing coaching insight and football IQ.

Key Takeaways for Listeners

• The Kansas City Chiefs are back on top, and it’s as much about coaching, culture, and football IQ as it is about talent.
• Baker Mayfield’s story is one of resilience and leadership, making an MVP case not on stats, but on raising the play of an injury-plagued roster.
• The difference between good and great QBs (Herbert, Mahomes, Mayfield) shows most under adverse conditions.
• NFL games (and Super Bowls) hinge on situational mastery and knowing the rulebook better than your opponent.
• Bold moves in college football can backfire if made under social/media pressure.
• The Cowboys must fix their defense to be real threats; Dak is playing as well as possible.
• Aaron Rodgers’ veteran IQ has changed the Steelers’ offense for the better, even without big stats.