The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2

Date: August 28, 2025
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Host (Today): Jason McIntyre (in for Colin Cowherd), with Rachel Nichols
Featured Guest: Albert Breer

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the latest buzz in college football—ranking national championship contenders (“tiers”), takes a close look at the Ohio State vs. Texas matchup, tackles questions about Arch Manning’s readiness, and analyzes drama around Micah Parsons and the Cowboys’ contract negotiations. Later, the crew debates NFL’s “most annoying” player and explores NBA superstar dynamics, particularly the Lakers’ approach to LeBron James and Luka Dončić.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. College Football National Championship “Tiers”

[03:55 – 08:11]

• Jason McIntyre lays out his personal college football “tiers,” riffing on school honor rolls:
  • Head of the Class: Clemson, Ohio State, Penn State, Alabama
    • Clemson praised for 16 returning starters and elite defensive line.
    • Ohio State highlighted as defending champs and “best player in the country”—Jeremiah Smith.
    • Alabama seen as a playoff threat with new QB Ty Simpson and coach Kalen DeBoer.
    • Penn State included for returning talent and coaching upside.
  • Honor Roll: Georgia (despite 15 new starters), Notre Dame (strong coaching, promising QB), Oregon (potential under coach Dan Lanning), Texas (Arch Manning, but predicted to stumble early).
  • Waitlisted: LSU (QB Nussmeier uncertain), Miami, South Carolina (QB Sellers pegged as a possible breakout), “dark horse” Texas Tech.
• Quote:

  “Clemson’s in there. Ohio State, defending champs, have the best player in the country... And Kaylin DeBoer... Smart as hell. I like Alabama to make the playoff and contend for the Natty.”
  —Jason McIntyre [05:05]

2. Ohio State vs. Texas – State of the Teams

[08:11 – 09:42]

• Albert Breer discusses Ohio State’s challenges with new roster turnover after 14 drafted to the NFL, especially the QB questions.

• Predicts the opening game will be “a rock fight” given both defenses are ahead of the offenses.

• Notes that with the current playoff structure, teams can stumble early and recover.

• Breer will attend the game with his sons, making it a “pretty cool” family moment.

• Quote:

  “Both teams have excellent, excellent defenses that, from what I’ve heard, are way ahead of the offenses right now. But…you can have some bumps early and still survive to make the playoff.”
  —Albert Breer [08:33]

3. Arch Manning: Talent vs. Expectation

[09:42 – 11:46]

• Jason and Rachel ask if Arch Manning is overhyped based on pedigree.
• Albert Breer:
  • Physical tools and intangibles are there, but media leaps too quickly to Peyton/Eli comparisons.
  • True test is upcoming: live reps against top defenses and sustained scrutiny once opponents get film.
  • “We have left a lot to find out about Arch Manning. I think he’d agree there’s still a lot left unknown about what he’s going to be.”

4. Cowboys Drama: Micah Parsons’ Contract Saga

[11:46 – 23:52]

• McIntyre and Breer dissect the increasingly public battle between the Cowboys, Jerry Jones, and linebacker Micah Parsons.
• Albert Breer:
  • Jones has a pattern: slow-play and control (“offers made early, then radio silence, then late push”).
  • This negotiation “gotten more public, publicly nasty.”
  • Key difference: unlike Dak or Zach Martin, Parsons’ locker room standing is less secure, adding uncertainty.
  • Jerry values control over workforce and enjoys the attention the drama brings, maybe seeing headlines as a benefit.
• On Parsons’ leverage:

  “He could simply go on his podcast and shift the attention from Jerry... I think Micah has the leverage here.”
  —Jason McIntyre [14:27]

• Breer points out owner control is codified in the CBA with franchise tags, fines for missing camp, etc.—not just a Jerry thing.
• McIntyre: owners should reward stars like Parsons early, referencing the risk of injury before a new deal (e.g., Rashawn Slater, Caleb McGary).
• Breer: contracts don’t just affect the players—they send a message to the rest of the locker room.

5. Bears’ Caleb Williams & Ben Johnson

[23:52 – 28:53]

• McIntyre speculates about tension between rookie QB Caleb Williams and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
• Albert Breer: Johnson is intentionally hard on Williams, “feeding him through a fire hose.”
  • They overloaded him early to see what he can handle, and plan to build around his strengths.
  • “This has gone according to plan”—despite early ugly results, progress is tangible.
• Discusses Williams’ shift from “backyard football” in college to structured NFL play.
  • References Mahomes’ transition from college scrambler to disciplined pro QB.

    “That’s what they’re trying to get Caleb to do—play quarterback four times out of five, and that fifth time you can go and show everybody exactly what you’re capable of.”
    —Albert Breer [28:33]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On College Football Parity:
  “Eventually, James Franklin’s going to win a big game. Am I right?”
  —Jason McIntyre [04:24]

• On Alabama's Resurgence:
  “Was I Alabama, Jay? You sure? Folks, Alabama, from the notes, five-star quarterback Ty Simpson has been waiting on the bench for a few years…”
  —Jason McIntyre [04:59]

• On Owner Power in NFL:
  “There are definitely teams that don’t want to exert it. Jerry’s just never been afraid to exert these sorts of mechanisms.”
  —Albert Breer [19:46]

• On Parsons’ Situation:
  “If you’re Dak Prescott… At some point, you just have to not care, because if the owner doesn’t seem to care, why should the quarterback?”
  —Jason McIntyre [21:25]

• On Rookie QBs Transitioning:
  “You’re trying to coach a playing style out of somebody, and that’s not an easy thing to do.”
  —Albert Breer [27:08]

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [03:55] – Starting College Football championship “tiers”
• [05:05] – Clemson and Alabama breakdown
• [08:11] – Albert Breer joins: Ohio State/Texas matchup, Ohio State’s challenges
• [09:42] – Arch Manning evaluation
• [11:46] – Cowboys/Micah Parsons contract drama takes center stage
• [17:15] – Owner control focus and CBA mechanics
• [23:52] – Caleb Williams/Ben Johnson dynamic in Chicago
• [28:53] – QB progression from college to NFL, Mahomes and Williams parallel

NFL’s Most Annoying Player

[35:29 – 37:58]

• Rachel Nichols: Action Network poll finds Aaron Rodgers is NFL’s “most annoying player,” earning 24% of the vote—including the majority from his own teams’ fans (Jets, Packers, Steelers).
• Honorable mentions: Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, with a nod to "Swift fatigue."
• Quote:

  “Let’s be real with some of these polls… But I don’t totally disagree with Aaron Rodgers being the most annoying. I can’t even… I’m scrambling to think of a second.”
  —Jason McIntyre [36:47]

NBA Segment: Superstar Treatment – LeBron vs. Luka

[47:02 – 53:21]

• McIntyre calls out the optics of the Lakers’ Jeanie Buss and Rob Pelinka visiting Luka Dončić in Europe during Eurobasket, while LeBron James seemingly gets less visible support.

• “I want LeBron to get the love.”
  —Jason McIntyre [49:47]

• Rachel Nichols: This is normal NBA protocol—teams visit international stars during Eurobasket; LeBron and Luka camps “get along just fine.”

• The true issue: LeBron, for the first time, must play out his contract without an extension. Lakers’ priority is cap flexibility to keep Dončić long-term and target a younger superstar rather than commit $50M to a 42-year-old LeBron.

• LeBron’s social media moves (AKRON, practice gyms, etc.) are a not-so-subtle response.

• Quote:

  “LeBron James doesn’t understand why for the first time in his career he has to play out the final year of his contract… but the Lakers need to keep their cap sheet clear… No one’s wrong.”
  —Rachel Nichols [52:27]

Closing Thoughts

Hour 2 of The Herd delivers a dynamic, in-the-weeds discussion for fans tracking both the micro-dramas (Parsons/Cowboys, LeBron/Lakers) and the macro narratives (CFB title chase, rookie QBs’ development). The episode balances sharp analysis, industry insights, and candid banter—staying true to the show’s energetic, opinion-driven DNA.

For Further Listening

• Tune into the last hour for NBA superstar drama and more NFL coverage.
• “Be sure to catch live editions of The Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.” [29:51]