THE HERD - Hour 1 - Tua To Be Released & Kenneth Walker Has A New Home

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Guest Hosts: LeVar Arrington & Jonas Knox)
Date: March 9, 2026
Main Theme: Free Agency Frenzy: Tua Tagovailoa released by the Dolphins, Kenneth Walker signs with the Chiefs, and a flurry of early NFL offseason moves—plus deep discussion on the implications and storylines surrounding these major changes.

Episode Overview

This episode, hosted by LeVar Arrington and Jonas Knox in place of Colin Cowherd, dives deep into the chaos and intrigue of NFL legal tampering season. The main focus is the Miami Dolphins’ release of Tua Tagovailoa—a massive financial and football decision—along with analysis of his future, the implications for the Dolphins, and potential suitors. The hosts also break down the Kansas City Chiefs’ big move to acquire Kenneth Walker and reflect on how these and other headline moves (like the Colts re-signing Alec Pierce and trading Michael Pittman Jr.) are shaping the NFL landscape for 2026 and beyond.

The hosts’ tone is fast, lively, and filled with expertise—balancing tongue-in-cheek humor, layered football analysis, and genuine concern over player health and career arcs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Tua Tagovailoa Released by the Dolphins

• Details:
  • Tua released; Dolphins take unprecedented $99 million dead cap hit, split over two years due to post-June 1 designation.
  • Tua still nets $54 million from the Dolphins for 2026.
  • Miami moves on after drafting Tua over Justin Herbert, with regrets heightened post-concussion setbacks.
• Analysis:
  • Jonas Knox: “The concussions really changed everything. Completely changed everything for the trajectory of Tua's career.” (06:37)
  • Miami’s decision signals both a financial reset and a concession that Tua was not the long-term answer, despite flashes of high-level play.
  • The Dolphins’ gamble on Tua’s health and development ultimately could not overcome his repeated head injuries.
• Comparisons:
  • Russell Wilson’s Broncos dead cap record (now surpassed), parallels between undersized QBs with faded production after early success.
  • Discussion on why Miami gave Tua a large extension even after multiple concussions.

2. Tua’s Future and the Warrior Mentality

• Potential Destinations:
  • Atlanta Falcons rumored to pursue Tua for a “prove-it” deal, leveraging the dead cap payment from Miami.
• Debate:
  • Whether Tua should retire for his health, with LeVar firmly advocating for it due to the extent and visibility of his head injuries.
  • Cultural expectations: “We spent a long time talking about...the Samoans, the Tongans, the Hawaiians. They don't operate that way, brother...it's a warrior mentality, warriors creed.” — Jonas Knox (11:14)
• Lingering Questions:
  • Can (or should) any NFL team risk their future on Tua’s damaged health? What is his true value?

3. Kansas City Chiefs Sign Kenneth Walker

• Details:
  • Chiefs acquire Kenneth Walker from Seattle, their first bell-cow back in years.
• Analysis:
  • “The Chiefs haven't had a thousand yard rusher since 2017.” — LeVar Arrington (34:39)
  • This is a strategic move for a Chiefs team still dealing with Patrick Mahomes’ leg injury and evolving offensive needs.
• Wider Implications:
  • KC’s defense, having lost Trent McDuffie, now faces added questions.
  • “Bringing in Kenneth Walker is a great move for them because I believe he is a hard nose, lunch pail type of guy...No diva connected to him in any type of way.” — LeVar Arrington (39:31)
• Big Picture:
  • Has the offense still not recovered post-Eric Bieniemy and Tyreek Hill? Can Spagnuolo’s defense carry the day?

4. Other Breaking News & Free Agency Takeaways

• Alec Pierce re-signs with Colts: 4 years, $114 million.
• Colts trade Michael Pittman Jr. to Steelers:
  • “Are they trying to appease an Aaron Rodgers return here? Giving him another weapon? Potentially feels like it.” — LeVar Arrington (49:26)
• Packers’ Malik Willis signs with Dolphins: 3 years, $67.5 million ($45M guaranteed). Likely a competition move, not clear-cut starter money—raises questions about Miami’s plans and whether Malik could seize the job.

5. State of the NFL: Quarterbacks, Team-Building, and More

• Quarterback Evolution:
  • Ongoing churn, risk management, and the danger of believing QBs are “mythical figures.”
  • “Sometimes we may lose track of the fact that Patrick Mahomes is a person...He's not an alien.” — Jonas Knox (39:03)
• Market Dynamics:
  • This free agency seen as less star-studded, making trades and surprise moves even more crucial.
• Team Strategies:
  • Teams like the Colts making swift, seemingly cold moves. “It’s a cold hearted world out here.” — LeVar Arrington on Pittman trade (50:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Tua’s Career Arc:

  “Clearly not the right choice, not the right decision [to take Tua over Herbert]. But I do think it also bears pointing out the concussions really changed everything. Completely changed everything for the trajectory of Tua's career.”
  — Jonas Knox (06:37)

• On Player Health and Retiring:

  “With that many head injuries and the way it looked playing out on national television...maybe the best decision to make is to move on with your life.”
  — LeVar Arrington (13:56)

• On the NFL’s Ruthless Business Side:

  “Michael Pittman Jr. responds and goes ‘deserved congrats AP’ and then 15 minutes later gets traded to the Steelers. So it's a cold hearted world out here.”
  — LeVar Arrington (50:45)

• Humorous Transition:

  “From one toilet to another...Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins are no more.”
  — Jonas Knox, riffing off an earlier comedic story (05:52)

• On Chiefs’ Offense & Mahomes:

  “We talk about Patrick Mahomes as if he's this invincible figure. I think the first thing you got to take a look at is one, he did go down to, to a serious leg injury.”
  — Jonas Knox (36:31)
  “You are correct. The offense has not looked like this high powered...the defense has been the more consistent side of the side of the ball.”
  — LeVar Arrington (39:07)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Tua Tagovailoa cut & analysis: 05:56–14:44
• Warrior mentality and Tua’s future: 11:14–14:44
• Kansas City Chiefs sign Kenneth Walker: 29:52–34:54
• Chiefs’ offensive/defensive questions, Mahomes’ future: 36:31–41:58
• Colts re-sign Alec Pierce, trade Pittman to Steelers: 21:35–22:58 and 47:50–49:37
• Miami signs Malik Willis (QB carousel): 50:52–54:54

Summary Takeaway

This jam-packed “Hour 1” sets the tone for an unpredictable NFL offseason. The Dolphins’ stunning financial risk in cutting Tua Tagovailoa highlights just how critical and hazardous the quarterback business can be—both for teams and for players facing health concerns. The Chiefs’ move for Kenneth Walker suggests a philosophical shift amid uncertainty about Mahomes’ health and offensive identity. Meanwhile, surprise re-signings and trades (Pierce, Pittman) plus the Dolphins’ quick, calculated Tua-to-Malik Willis switch underscore the league’s cold calculus and its willingness to pivot on a dime.

Throughout, Arrington and Knox blend humor, hard truths, and deep football insight—making the episode a must-listen (or must-read) for any NFL fan keeping tabs on the spring that could define the 2026 season and beyond.