THE HERD with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 | March 11, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd dives into the current state of the NBA and NFL, focusing on the Lakers’ surprising success without LeBron James and speculating on the future of NFL star Maxx Crosby. Colin is joined by NFL insider Albert Breer and other guest analysts to break down the latest trades, free agency news, and shifting team dynamics. The conversation is lively, candid, and peppered with Colin’s signature analogies and unfiltered takes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lakers Thriving Without LeBron (02:36–07:55)

• Main Idea: The Lakers are 10-2 this season when LeBron sits and Luka and Austin play, suggesting a better team dynamic and defensive performance without LeBron on the floor.
• Colin draws a parallel to typecasting in Hollywood: "LeBron for 20 years made stuff work that I didn't think would work... It's hard to wrap your brain around. You thought and I thought and the world thought LeBron and Luka, that's the easy one. That will absolutely work... It doesn't work." (04:36)
• He notes improved net and defensive ratings: “The team is better defensively by a noticeable...margin when LeBron doesn't play” (05:50)
• JJ Redick, Lakers’ coach, praises the team's defense after wins over the Knicks and T-Wolves:

  "Our defensive game plan was fantastic. They executed it. Randle takes 11 shots, 14 points. Edwards goes 2 for 15...the majority of his threes were tough, contested threes." – JJ Redick (07:34)

Notable Quote

• "LeBron makes everything work... But now, the team is playing faster and better defensively without him." — Colin Cowherd (05:40)

2. Maxx Crosby’s Raiders Saga & NFL Trade Winds (07:55–10:20)

• Maxx Crosby Situation: Maxx Crosby was reportedly considering a trade request due to frustration with the Raiders' handling of his injury and the offseason. Now, after roster moves, he seems ready to recommit.

  "Max is walking in now to a building that's markedly different than it was 72 hours ago with all the additions they've made. There’s a feeling like maybe we can make the best of this." — Albert Breer (09:06)

• Raiders unlikely to trade Crosby without a "Godfather offer", but the relationship is improving.
• Breer reiterates: “He never wanted to be traded…It was a result of everything that happened between October and December.” (08:53)

3. Kyler Murray’s Future and the Vikings’ Plans (10:20–13:34)

• NFL culture prizes reputation, work ethic, and commitment — players like Kyler Murray with question marks see their market dry up.
• Murray’s guaranteed salary gives him freedom to sign anywhere; top possibility is the Minnesota Vikings, who have had recent success with reclamation QBs (Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones).

  "Things are lining up for the Vikings to bring Kyler Murray in on the minimum…opportunity to work with Kevin O’Connell, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson… A lot of good pieces there." – Albert Breer (12:07)

• If Minnesota doesn’t work, Indianapolis is mentioned as a fallback, where Murray could get first-team reps while Daniel Jones recovers.

4. Colts’ Aggressive Front Office Moves (13:34–16:23)

• Following the passing of Jim Irsay, his daughters have made the Colts more aggressive — Chris Ballard (GM) is making bold moves:
  • Two first-round picks for Sauce Gardner
  • Big contracts for Alec Pierce and Daniel Jones
• "Ownership down, go for it. That's what it feels like to me...Two firsts is a little aggressive. 100 million Daniel Jones off an injury is a little aggressive." — Colin Cowherd (13:34)
• The urgency is high, as Ballard’s tenure hasn't produced much playoff success: "Everyone's on high alert. So you do things to try to win with the core that you've got on hand right now." — Albert Breer (16:07)

5. NFL Teams: Youth vs. Age & Roster Construction (16:23–23:41)

• Old vs. Young Teams: Colin prefers young, fast rosters (Seattle, Rams, Bears) and feels teams like Baltimore, Kansas City, Detroit, and San Francisco are getting old, making the Mike Evans signing by SF questionable.
• "The NBA is getting younger, the NFL is getting younger...Hard to be old." (21:31)
• Discussion about roster ages in both college and pro football:

  "Last four Super Bowl champs were in the top six youngest rosters in the league that season." – Colin Cowherd (20:31)

• College football now rewards experience, but the NFL rewards youth due to a 17/18-game season (21:58).

6. NBA & Spurs’ Rising Momentum (29:19–31:56)

• Spurs get a rare spotlight: After beating Boston, the young San Antonio team (anchored by Wemby) is described as ‘dominant against the elites.’ (29:41–31:08)
• “It’s hard to sell in March. NBA regular season. Sometimes the players don’t look interested.” — Colin (29:56)
• “Wemby is the most dominant player in the league. People do not attack the rim. They're legit afraid of him.” — Guest Analyst (31:56)
• NBA’s changing landscape: Potential for eight champions in eight years. The salary cap "apron" makes it hard for teams to retain depth.

7. NFL Backup QBs & Trade Chatter (31:56–34:38)

• Mac Jones is reportedly being shopped by the Niners; price considered ‘astronomical’. Colin and guest discuss backup value: “Best backup in the league? Malik Willis probably was.” (33:20)

8. NFL Player Mobility & Tanking in Sports (35:10–40:40)

• NFL’s openness to player movement via free agency, trades, and the draft is contrasted against NBA’s restrictive salary-matching rules, which are rooted in a fear of tanking.

  "The NFL doesn’t worry about dynasties and it gives you so many ways to get better… I always think one of the weirdest things in the NBA is you have to have salaries match to trade players." – Colin Cowherd (36:10)

• Colin argues the NBA should allow more trade flexibility like the NFL and MLB to reduce tanking incentives.

9. Steeler Improvements, McCarthy’s New Energy (43:53–51:16)

• Steelers are making smart “offensive-minded” moves under new head coach Mike McCarthy, who is described as fitting Pittsburgh’s character.
  • Rico Dowdle (RB) praised as a great-value signing, Michael Pittman trade called “a warrior, a tough, physical guy.” (44:08)
  • McCarthy doesn’t want drama, which could impact the team's willingness to bring back Aaron Rodgers.

  "Rico could have made eight million a year. But we went and got him for six." – Former Steelers on the Herd (47:57)

• McCarthy viewed as a Tomlin for offense – stabilizing the franchise after years of being “scheme light” offensively.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On LeBron’s legacy and Lakers without him:

  “LeBron makes everything work… But now, the team is playing faster and better defensively without him.” — Colin Cowherd (05:40)

• On Maxx Crosby’s future:

  “Max never wanted to be traded from the Raiders in the first place…maybe we can make the best of this and maybe Max can actually come out of this and make good on his intention to be the agent of change in Vegas.” — Albert Breer (08:53–09:06)

• On team age and winning:

  “Last four Super Bowl champs were in the top six youngest rosters in the league last season or that season. It’s hard to be old.” — Colin Cowherd (20:31)

• On the NBA’s anti-tanking efforts:

  “The NBA is so paralyzed by, ‘Oh, we could get a tanking situation’…your system forces general managers with bad teams to tank.” — Colin Cowherd (36:10)

• On Mike McCarthy’s Steelers fit:

  “I think McCarthy feels like a Packer coach and feels like a Steeler coach. I think he tolerated the Cowboys, but I think it drove him crazy that the owner after every game…has big, strong opinions." — Colin Cowherd (50:41)

Important Timestamps

• Lakers discussion (LeBron, Luka, defense): 02:36–07:55
• Maxx Crosby and NFL trades: 07:55–10:20
• Kyler Murray & Vikings: 10:20–13:34
• Colts’ aggressive moves: 13:34–16:23
• Roster age, NFL & college football: 16:23–23:41
• Spurs’ NBA surge: 29:19–31:56
• Backup QB market (Mac Jones): 31:56–34:38
• NFL/MLB vs. NBA tanking & trades: 35:10–40:40
• Steelers, McCarthy, team culture: 43:53–51:16

Tone & Style

• Candid and conversational — Colin is opinionated but fair, often using pop culture analogies.
• Analytical but accessible, with back-and-forth debate, especially when contrasting NFL and NBA structures.
• Guest insights from Albert Breer and co-hosts add credibility and nuance.

Summary Takeaway

This episode delivers a dense, energetic exploration of how superstar legacies, front office aggression, and age dynamics are shaping both the NBA and the NFL. Colin and his guests dissect player moves, debunk myths (including the ‘LeBron always works’ narrative), and argue that success in modern sports is increasingly about adapting fast, moving youth up the roster, and allowing for flexibility — both in on-court roles and front-office strategy.