Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD - Hour 2 - Windy City Worries

Date: August 25, 2025
Guest Contributors: Jason McIntyre (hosting for Colin Cowherd), Rich Davis, Rachel Nichols, Mike Jones (The Athletic)

Overview

This episode digs into several key NFL storylines as the season approaches, with a primary focus on "Windy City Worries" surrounding the Chicago Bears and rookie QB Caleb Williams. The team also explores quarterback situations around the league, the changing landscape for young QBs, the outlook for the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs, and some intriguing NBA offseason buzz.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Caleb Williams & Chicago Bears Uncertainty

Timestamp: 03:41 – 08:10

• The Chicago Bears and their rookie QB, Caleb Williams, lead the show’s worries, reflecting “Windy City Worries.”

• The hosts discuss how preseason hype is often followed by early concerns, specifically regarding Williams’ transition from flashy college play to the NFL.

• Bears’ head coach Ben Johnson’s postgame comments express disappointment with the offense after a sloppy preseason performance, including an opening-play fumble between Williams and the running back.

  “First two possessions was really sloppy football... It's not good enough. So we gotta get better in a hurry.”
  — Ben Johnson, via Mike Jones (05:08)

• Johnson’s praise was notably aimed at backup QB Tyson Bagent, not Williams—a sign that not all is smooth for the Bears’ rookie.

  “He’s not talking about Caleb Williams. He's gassing up his backup quarterback... That had to raise some eyebrows in the Caleb Williams camp.”
  — Rich Davis (07:07)

• The panel notes the recent financial investment in Bagent, suggesting the Bears want insurance—a potential red flag for Williams’ status.

2. QB Branding & Shadour Sanders Discussion

Timestamp: 08:10 – 12:41

• Mike Jones of The Athletic joins to analyze the buzz around Shadour Sanders, a fifth-round pick with outsized attention due to his lineage and brand—unlike most rookie QBs.

  “This isn’t a normal 5th round pick. This is a guy we thought would go a lot higher... The brand, the name, everything has just made this a bigger deal.”
  — Mike Jones (08:33)

• The hosts debate whether branding helps or hurts quarterbacks coming out of college.

• Comparisons are drawn with Johnny Manziel and Trevor Lawrence, noting that branding is a double-edged sword—confidence and marketability must be matched by on-field performance.

3. Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh: Hype vs. Reality

Timestamp: 12:41 – 14:35

• Rodgers’ move to Pittsburgh is drawing positive attention, but Mike Jones urges caution.

  “Everything is great right now... But there are no bullets flying yet... When things started getting hairy [in NY], there was finger pointing... We could see that happen in Pittsburgh.”
  — Mike Jones (13:14)

• The panel notes the Steelers’ stability, but acknowledges that a rocky start could unearth locker room tension—especially with Rodgers’ track record of public criticism.

4. Washington Commanders’ Prospects after NFC Title Run

Timestamp: 14:35 – 17:31

• Washington’s Cinderella run last season raises expectations, but the defense appears vulnerable and the NFC East remains tough.

  “They came out of nowhere. Now they're on everybody's radar... I still think Philadelphia winds up winning that division.”
  — Mike Jones (15:05)

• Offense led by Jaden Daniels could be prolific, but frequent reliance on late-game heroics and an aging, soft defense are worrying signs.

5. Colts’ QB Dilemma: Daniel Jones over Richardson

Timestamp: 17:31 – 20:12

• Anthony Richardson fails to secure the Colts’ starting job over Daniel Jones, despite high draft stock and expectations.

  “If you're not able to stay on the field, not carrying yourself like a pro, then you're going to go to a guy... It's going to be hard to go back to him unless he totally gets in line.”
  — Mike Jones (18:06)

• The broader trend: high draft quarterbacks often underperform amid organizational pressure, lack of patience, and jump-started careers on weak teams.

6. The Young NFL QB Conundrum

Timestamp: 20:12 – 22:59

• The crew laments the NFL’s failed QB development pipeline: young QBs are thrown into bad situations rapidly, and teams lack developmental patience (e.g., Trey Lance, Anthony Richardson).

• Mike Jones praises the strategy of letting rookies sit behind veterans when possible.

  “The patience is not there because coaches don’t have a whole lot of time to save their jobs... It’s just a whole mess in the way that they’re drafting and playing guys sooner than they should.”
  — Mike Jones (20:12)

7. Caleb Williams: Will He Succeed?

Timestamp: 21:25 – 22:59

• Despite his talent, Williams faces instability (multiple offensive coordinators, new coaches).

• Success hinges on adjusting to the NFL’s speed and decisions, especially under Ben Johnson’s offensive system.

  “It’s way too early to pull the plug... He’s having to relearn a lot of things. If he can get on the same page with Ben Johnson, we could see him still be okay.”
  — Mike Jones (21:50)

8. Fantasy Implications: Matthew Stafford, Rams Outlook

Timestamp: 23:02 – 24:19

• Cautious optimism on Matthew Stafford: he knows the system, but age and health are persistent risks.

  “If you're in that situation and it's that nerve wracking, it just takes one hit in week one to throw things off the rails.”
  — Mike Jones (23:25)

Notable Quotes

• On Bears’ QB situation:

  “Can we get the snap and the cadence down? ... You're face of the franchise ... and it's not crisp, that's sloppy, bro.” — Rich Davis (05:39)

• On Shadour Sanders’ hype:

  “A rookie quarterback who was taken in the fifth round has a brand. ... Great for him, but I don't know that that's actually what you want...” — Rich Davis (09:27)

• On Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh:

  “We could see a frustrated Rodgers definitely air some dirty laundry.” — Mike Jones (14:35)

• On Washington’s tough road:

  “I guess they're hoping ... their offense can put up more points and so they won't have to rely on those close finishes. But that's a lot of ifs.” — Mike Jones (17:31)

• On NFL QB development:

  “Lots of times they're drafted to bad franchises... A lot of these are bad franchises except for, you know, San Francisco.... They’re playing sooner than what they should.” — Mike Jones (20:12)

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Start of main segment / Return from break: 03:13
• Bears & Caleb Williams Analysis: 03:41 – 08:10
• Shadour Sanders & QB Branding: 08:10 – 12:41
• Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh: 12:41 – 14:35
• Washington Commanders Outlook: 14:35 – 17:31
• Colts’ QB Decision (Jones vs Richardson): 17:31 – 20:12
• Young QB Development in NFL: 20:12 – 22:59
• Caleb Williams Future Outlook: 21:25 – 22:59
• Fantasy Note on Matthew Stafford: 23:02 – 24:19

Chiefs, Titans, and NBA News

Chiefs’ Playoff Prospects Debate

Timestamp: 29:49 – 34:25

• Jason McIntyre doubts the Chiefs’ ability to return to the Super Bowl, citing declining offensive explosiveness and uncertainties at receiver.
• Notable skepticism on Travis Kelce’s impact; offensive line and defensive depth are points of concern.
• “Go big or go home, Rachel,” Rich Davis says, embracing bold predictions (34:25).

Titans: Rookie QB Cam Ward Hype

Timestamp: 34:27 – 37:30

• Cam Ward shows promise; Brian Callahan’s development history with Burrow gives hope.
• Tennessee Titans as a potential "worst-to-first" surprise pick in their division.

NBA Offseason Intrigue: LeBron, Lakers, Warriors

Timestamp: 37:30 – 43:03

• Rachel Nichols breaks down persistent trade rumors linking LeBron James and the Warriors.
• The Lakers’ cap strategy is focused on pairing Luka Doncic with a younger star; LeBron’s future is uncertain, but he wants respect and stability.
• Rachel and Jason discuss the GOAT debate and LeBron’s mindset, ultimately deciding he prefers to continue with the Lakers if respected appropriately.

Detroit Lions Super Bowl “Window” Closing

Timestamp: 47:37 – End

• Rich Davis argues the “Super Bowl window” for the Lions is closing due to a more difficult schedule, key coaching losses, and regression to the mean.
• Dan Campbell is still bullish, but Davis predicts a tough season: missing the playoffs and possibly a big step back.

Memorable Moments

• The hosts' playful skepticism about the Chiefs and Lions sets a sharp, engaging tone.
• Rachel Nichols' insight into NBA offseason maneuvering adds unique flavor amid NFL-heavy discussion.
• “Go big or go home, Rachel.” — Rich Davis (34:25), capturing the show’s willingness for bold, provocative stances.

Overall Tone & Style

The conversation is lively, candid, and sometimes skeptical but always insightful, balancing hot takes with in-depth analysis. The mix of football’s hard truths and NBA soap-opera drama keeps it engaging for devoted fans and casual listeners alike.

Conclusion

This episode presents a nuanced examination of NFL preseason narratives, focusing on the rise (and potential pitfalls) of young quarterbacks, team outlooks, and league-wide trends. It blends actionable insight for fans and fantasy players with colorful, provocative commentary on the biggest names and brands across pro sports.