Episode Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 Release Date: August 8, 2025
Title: Shedeur Sanders' Debut Tonight, Thoughts on Arch Manning Possibly Staying, Josh Pate

Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, interim host Doug Gottlieb delves into a variety of hot topics in the sports world. Key discussions include Shedeur Sanders' anticipated debut with the Cleveland Browns, the potential continuation of Arch Manning’s collegiate career at Texas, and insightful analysis on the current state of college football with special guest Josh Pate. Additionally, the episode touches upon notable NFL offseason developments and Major League Baseball's ongoing challenges.

Shedeur Sanders’ NFL Debut

Doug Gottlieb kicks off the episode by focusing on Shedeur Sanders' first start for the Cleveland Browns in their preseason opener.

• Experience and Readiness: Doug highlights Sanders' extensive preparation, noting his training with NFL legend Tom Brady and his solid performance history in both Double-A leagues and the Big 12.

  Doug Gottlieb [05:35]: “He has the volume of reps… He's trained with the best, and so he's ready.”

• Expectations vs. Reality: The discussion underscores the high expectations placed on Sanders, juxtaposing his potential with established quarterbacks like Josh Allen.

  Doug Gottlieb [06:30]: “He absolutely wants to see him succeed because if they can, they'll have a quarterback really cheap for a couple of years and have a chance to rebuild this franchise.”

• Potential Challenges: Concerns are raised about Sanders' athleticism and arm strength, with Doug acknowledging areas where he may need improvement.

  Doug Gottlieb [10:08]: “I think he's accurate. I don't think he's got a great arm and I don't think he's a great athlete. But the Cleveland Browns absolutely want to see him succeed.”

Arch Manning’s Future at Texas

Transitioning to college football, Noah and Doug Gottlieb discuss the rumors surrounding Arch Manning's commitment to the Texas Longhorns.

• Commitment Speculation: Noah expresses confidence in Arch Manning staying at Texas for at least two more seasons, debunking skepticism about his decision.

  Noah [23:03]: “Arch is gonna be at Texas for… I am expecting him to be good to really good with flashes of elite.”

• Long-Term Development: The conversation reflects on the extended period of public scrutiny Manning has faced, emphasizing the unique pressure of his family legacy.

  Noah [24:44]: “We've known Arch Manning for over half a decade… and we haven't even seen him be listed as the number one quarterback at Texas yet.”

• Historical Comparisons: Doug compares Manning's situation to other renowned quarterbacks, highlighting the rare case of sustained public interest without immediate stardom.

  Doug Gottlieb [25:06]: “Anybody who's been hyped has come in and they've been hyped and then they've started…”

College Football Insights with Josh Pate

Bringing in expert analysis, Josh Pate joins the discussion to provide his take on the unpredictable nature of college football.

• Roster Volatility: Josh emphasizes the difficulty in making accurate preseason predictions due to high player turnover and evolving team dynamics.

  Josh Pate [19:12]: “How in the world am I supposed to know anything about anyone?”

• Coaching Changes: The impact of new coaching staffs and their strategies is examined, with a focus on how these changes can dramatically alter team performance.

  Josh Pate [22:35]: “The hard part about trying to make it pop is you will take some risky guys and the risk, there's risk and reward in it.”

• Team Rebuilding: Specific programs like Oklahoma and USC are discussed, highlighting their rebuilding efforts and potential for surprise performances in the upcoming season.

  Noah [28:37]: “I trust that they recruited and I trust that they developed… They are very, very primed to be the surprise team in the SEC this year.”

NFL Offseason Updates

The episode also covers significant developments in the NFL offseason, particularly focusing on the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Chargers.

• Pittsburgh Steelers: Discussions revolve around Aaron Rodgers' future with the team and the challenges surrounding contract negotiations for star players like T.J. Watt and Cam Hayward.

  Doug Gottlieb [36:20]: “They want to win now. So I'll be interested to see how they manage this thing.”

• Los Angeles Chargers: The injury of All-Pro left tackle Rashawn Slater is highlighted as a major setback for the Chargers' offensive line.

  Doug Gottlieb [38:27]: “They had their struggles with sort of the interior offensive line last year… an unfortunate setback for those Chargers.”

Major League Baseball – Paul Skeens Discussion

In a lighter yet pertinent segment, the discussion shifts to Major League Baseball, focusing on the Pittsburgh Pirates' pitcher Paul Skeens.

• Performance Analysis: Doug and Noah analyze Skeens' impressive stats versus the Pirates' overall performance, debating the potential future and valuation of Skeens.

  Doug Gottlieb [48:31]: “He didn't give up a run. He didn't give up a run. I mean, he's just the guy's ridiculous.”

• Trade Speculation: The conversation explores the challenges and possibilities surrounding trade deals for pitchers like Skeens, considering factors such as injuries and team needs.

  Doug Gottlieb [49:15]: “I do think that, like, if next year there's not a turn, there's not a 500 in their finish, and he's healthy, isn't that the time that you go like, hey, we'd love to have you now?”

Conclusion

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a comprehensive analysis of emerging talents and strategic movements within both the NFL and college football landscapes. From Shedeur Sanders' promising start with the Browns to Arch Manning's potential extended tenure at Texas, and strategic insights from Josh Pate on college football's unpredictable nature, listeners are treated to a multifaceted exploration of current sports dynamics.

Notable Quotes:

• Doug Gottlieb [05:35]: “He has the volume of reps… He's trained with the best, and so he's ready.”
• Noah [23:03]: “Arch is gonna be at Texas for… I am expecting him to be good to really good with flashes of elite.”
• Josh Pate [19:12]: “How in the world am I supposed to know anything about anyone?”
• Doug Gottlieb [36:20]: “They want to win now. So I'll be interested to see how they manage this thing.”
• Doug Gottlieb [48:31]: “He didn't give up a run. He didn't give up a run. I mean, he's just the guy's ridiculous.”

For more detailed discussions and analysis, listeners are encouraged to tune into the full episode available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.