The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 1

Episode Date: August 20, 2025
Theme: Thoughts on the Cowboys’ documentary, parallels to NFL team-building today, Aaron Rodgers’ preseason absenteeism, quarterback development, and key training camp storylines.

Episode Overview

In this hour, Colin Cowherd and co-host John Middlekauff review the new Netflix Jerry Jones/Cowboys documentary, "The Gambler: America's Team," and use its themes to draw lessons for the modern NFL, particularly the current Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. The hosts also scrutinize Aaron Rodgers not playing in the preseason, discuss the evolution in patience for young quarterbacks – especially in the context of Caleb Williams and the Bears – and debate wide receiver values and quarterback development around the league.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reflections on the Dallas Cowboys Documentary and Jerry Jones’ Legacy

Timestamps: 02:48–10:30

• Dichotomy of Old vs. Current Cowboys:

  • Colin praises Jerry Jones’ past aggressiveness—his relentless, decisive ownership in 1990s, especially risk-taking to build the original dynasty (Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Jimmy Johnson, Michael Irvin, etc.).
  • “He spent every penny on the Cowboys… He was so aggressive and so decisive and had such a clear plan.” (Colin, 03:58)
  • Contrasts this legacy with today’s Cowboys, whom he labels reactive, beset with contract sagas (Dak Prescott, Micah Parsons) that cloud the organization’s identity.

• Modern NFL Parallels – Philadelphia Eagles as “The New Cowboys”:

  • Colin lauds the Eagles' decisiveness: quick to cut ties (Wentz), aggressive with player and coach moves (Barkley deal, Tush Push innovation), ignoring sunk costs.
  • “The Eagles today are the Cowboys in the Netflix special. Dallas now is reactive. Dallas then was proactive.” (Colin, 05:07)
  • Says Dallas, in contrast, lets negotiations drag, costing them millions (Dak’s cap hit “is bigger than AJ Brown, Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts combined”).

• Notable Quote:

  • “You know who the Dallas Cowboys of that era are? They’re the Philadelphia Eagles now… The Eagles have a brand. The Eagles have the most aggressive GM… decisive. They don’t look back.” (Colin, 04:38–05:18)
  • Praises Jerry Jones’ showmanship and business acumen, but notes the franchise lacks a modern identity and “no longer has the guts” to make bold moves.

2. Aaron Rodgers Sitting Out Preseason: Should Pittsburgh Worry?

Timestamps: 10:30–13:26

• Concerns About Rodgers’ Preparation:

  • Colin isn't troubled Rodgers won't play in preseason, but highlights the risk: new system, aging QB (41), unfamiliar weapons (never taken a live snap with DK Metcalf, rookie OC Arthur Smith), shaky OL, and poor run game.
  • Pittsburgh's schedule is loaded with elite defensive coaches to start, making early-season cohesion vital.
  • “He is tied for 25th in fourth quarter comebacks… That, if Aaron's not playing well, he's trailing late, he kind of bails.” (Colin, 12:25)

• On Rodgers’ Personality and Pressure:

  • Colin points out Rodgers’ tendency to become “moody” when trailing, contrasting him with ‘foxhole’ QBs like Brady, Mahomes, or Peyton Manning.
  • Worries about lack of preseason snaps impacting chemistry and urge for the Steelers to address smaller but telling issues—even joking about Rodgers' ill-fitting helmet on TV.

• Guest Quote:

  • “I’m comfortable what I’m seeing out here, obviously if I weren’t, I would be playing him… as I sit here today, all healthy outside of the four that I mentioned are preparing and scheduled to play.” (Mike Tomlin, 13:03)

3. Patience (or Lack Thereof) for Young Quarterbacks

Timestamps: 19:56–25:04

• Old School vs. New School Quarterback Development:

  • Colin reflects on the 90s patience with QBs like Troy Aikman, who endured tough early years but was never benched or discarded hastily.
  • “Troy Aikman just got the, you know what, kicked out of him for two and a half years his first two seasons starting… but they knew his talent and they stuck with him.” (Colin, 20:10)
  • Today’s teams, cites Colin, are quicker to cut bait (Rosen for Murray; Trubisky, Richardson). Believes the Bears should take the long view with Caleb Williams and new coach Ben Johnson.

• On Chicago Bears’ Historical QB Struggles:

  • “My entire life, the Bears settled at head coach, mostly an overdrafted quarterback. And this time they didn’t.” (Colin, 22:18)
  • Stresses that with both a coveted coach and legit QB prospect, Chicago must invest time and accept early lumps.

• Albert Breer’s Training Camp Report on Caleb Williams:

  • “The day I was there, Caleb Williams looked terrible… what Ben Johnson and his staff were trying to do… was let’s feed him through a firehose in the spring...and see what he can handle… and then over the course of camp…get a more resilient player.” (Albert Breer, 24:08)

4. Training Camp Updates & NFL News

Timestamps: 25:04–35:40

Matt Stafford’s Health in L.A.

• Rams cautious with Stafford as he battles back issues.
• Colin predicts Sean McVay will deliberately manage Stafford's snaps; open to Garoppolo taking fourth-quarter reps or starting after tough pass-rush matchups.

Peyton Manning on Broncos, Bo Nix, and Playbook Evolution

• “We put it together in a way where…we might just call it Uber [instead of complex play calls]…” (Peyton Manning, 27:45)
• Sean Payton is streamlining verbiage, simplifying the playbook to aid Bo Nix’s development.
• John: “That is the advantage to having Cliff Kingsbury for Jaden Daniels… when you play the position, when you know the position, it is such an advantage.” (28:19)

Receivers’ Value: Terry McLaurin’s Extension

• Colin and John debate if Commanders should pay McLaurin "DK Metcalf money."
• John: “If you told me today I get McLaurin or DK Metcalf for three years, I would actually take Terry McLaurin 100% because he's just… low maintenance, great hands, greater route tree.” (31:17-32:05)
• Colin highlights McLaurin’s value as franchise “heartbeat and leader”, especially given the dysfunction in Washington.
• “He was the adult in the organization. That does have value to me, I think, beyond his production.” (John, 34:59)

5. Are Quarterbacks Undervalued in the NFL?

Timestamps: 41:30–50:54

• Quentin Nelson (Colts) on Franchise Instability at QB:

  • Nelson laments Indy’s parade of QBs since Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement.
  • “You look around the league and see just like the consistency of having a ... quarterback behind you… Getting to build that chemistry… there is an advantage…” (Nelson, 41:40)

• Colin’s QB Value Argument:

  • "I honestly believe quarterback in the NFL is undervalued, underpaid and underrated. I know that sounds crazy…" (Colin, 41:50)
  • Cites teams like the Browns (loaded roster, no QB, still bad) vs. Packers, Chiefs, Bengals (great because of QB).
  • Team-building and analytics are over-rated if you lack a real QB; one elite QB supersedes all else.

• Tolerance for Misses on QB Prospects:

  • Colin defends Colts' ongoing “swings” at the position post-Luck. Ballard and staff were “trapped” by Luck’s timing.
  • John and Colin agree that it’s defensible for NFL teams to keep swinging at QBs given the position’s unrivaled value.

• Misses at Receiver are Common:

  • “Everybody misses on wide receiver picks… it is an incredibly difficult position to draft.” (Colin, 46:40)
  • Examples: Chiefs (misses on Skyy Moore, Rashee Rice problems), Eagles (Jalen Reagor bust).

• Sample Size and College Reps Matter:

  • John and Colin stress how college starters (Burrow, Mahomes, Purdy, Hurts) fare better in NFL vs. “traitsy” QBs with limited starts (Trey Lance, Anthony Richardson, Trubisky).
  • "The reps in college, whatever level you're at, matter... the larger the sample size is, it’s harder to hide." (Colin, 50:21)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jerry Jones' Legacy:

  • “He didn’t pause. That’s business. Hundred miles an hour. And Jerry knew as an oil catter, a maverick, that you’re not going to go 100 for 100. But it didn’t stop him.” (Colin, 06:05)

• On Philadelphia Eagles’ Modern Aggression:

  • “Philadelphia gets deals. Philadelphia is always making moves. Philadelphia is decisive. Philadelphia's got a running play they invented. That used to be Jerry.” (Colin, 06:50)

• On Rodgers' Absence Impact:

  • “He’s never taken a snap with DK Metcalf. He's never taken a live snap with Arthur Smith. … He no longer has the talent to bulldoze mediocre teammates.” (Colin, 12:10)

• On Quarterback Value:

  • “I think quarterback is undervalued. … I would trade the Colts roster for the Bengals today. … Joe Burrow, single handedly, has them in the super bowl bubble.” (Colin, 45:55)

• On Patience for Young QBs:

  • “You just have to make Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams work. … For the first time…I can remember, the Bears actually got a coach that other people in the league wanted.” (Colin, 21:47–22:22)

• On Why College Starts Matter:

  • “The reps in college, whatever level you’re at, matter… Anthony Richardson, 13 career starts, gets to the Colts… Over their head when they, when they… No surprise.” (Colin, 50:54)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 02:48 – Cowboys documentary/deep dive
• 10:30 – Aaron Rodgers preseason absence, Steelers fit
• 19:56 – Quarterback patience; Bears/Caleb Williams
• 25:04 – Rams/Stafford health update; training camp notes
• 27:45 – Peyton Manning on Broncos playbook changes
• 31:17 – Commanders/McLaurin contract debate
• 41:30 – Discussion: Is the NFL undervaluing the quarterback position?
• 50:08 – College QB experience and NFL transition

Tone and Style

The episode is conversational but sharp, combining Colin’s trademark strong, sometimes contrarian opinions with John Middlekauff’s ex-scout analysis. There’s a nostalgic but critical review of old-school NFL with clear, forward-looking takes on modern football. The language is accessible and lively, with plenty of memorable analogies (Dallas now vs. then; Eagles as the “new Cowboys”), illustrative stats, and inside-the-league references.

Summary Takeaway

This hour blends reflection on the NFL’s past (Cowboys’ 90s dynasty, patience with QBs like Aikman) with a sharp critique of today’s league (Cowboys’ lack of identity, fleeting patience for high-pick quarterbacks). Colin argues that while football has evolved in complexity and impatience, the paramount importance of quarterback steadiness and bold, forward-thinking leadership remain the league’s truest drivers of success. Whether discussing Jerry Jones’ showmanship or the granular trouble spots for Aaron Rodgers, the show draws direct lines between historical lessons and today’s gridiron chessboard.