The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3 (September 4, 2025)

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode Theme: Deep dive into recent college football and NFL developments, including Arch Manning's rough debut, the state of powerhouse programs, implications of major trades, coaching trends, and candid NFL insights with guest Julian Edelman.

Episode Overview

This hour of "The Herd" examines the fallout from a huge college football weekend, focusing on Arch Manning’s high-pressure start, Alabama’s locker room questions, and the mechanics behind top quarterback performances. NFL storylines include the impact of the Micah Parsons trade on the Cowboys, coaching personnel strengths, and what to expect from rookie quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Drake May. Former Patriots WR Julian Edelman offers insider perspectives on coaching, team culture, and player development.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Arch Manning's Difficult Debut (02:51 – 06:49)

• Arch Manning’s struggles at Ohio State are scrutinized with guest analyst Greg Cosell.
  • Cosell insists Manning is overhyped at this early stage and needs space to develop:

    "Stop this. That’s not fair to this guy." (Greg Cosell, 03:56)

  • Ohio State’s defense, led by Matt Patricia, disguised coverages with simulated pressures, making life nearly impossible for a rookie QB.
  • Texas’ offensive skill players weren’t creating separation, further compounding Manning’s challenges.
  • Both Texas and Ohio State have soft upcoming schedules, but Cosell expects a “different player in four to five weeks” as Manning grows.

2. The Urban Meyer/Alabama/Bama Locker Room Segment (06:49 – 08:27)

• Bama’s program is questioned for lack of energy and effort.
  • Cosell expresses concern about “not running to the ball, not giving great effort” and the possible lack of veteran leaders:

    “At some point those veteran... grown ass men better show up in that locker room and get that right. Coaches can’t get that right... players play.” (Greg Cosell, 08:10)

3. Coaching Differences and Belichick’s Challenges (08:27 – 10:46)

• NFL vs. college coaching requires a different set of skills.
  • College head coaches handle recruiting and personnel more directly.
  • Belichick’s recent draft struggles and lack of “pop players” post-Brady are noted, leading Cosell to say:

    “Surprise is not a strong enough word when I… I turned on that and I... I don’t know.” (Greg Cosell, 09:41)

  • Concerns about Belichick managing 18–19-year-olds in a transfer/NIL era.

4. Michigan's Bryce Underwood — The Next Superstar? (10:46 – 12:21)

• Rising Michigan QB Bryce Underwood draws comparisons to Cam Newton and Ben Roethlisberger.
  • Cosell marvels:

    “His physical presence is Cam Newton-ish... that’s an absolute freak.” (Greg Cosell, 11:13)

  • Cowherd notes Michigan has a “pretty average receiving core,” highlighting Underwood’s raw abilities.

5. Amari Cooper Retires, Dolphins Drama (18:03 – 20:36)

• Amari Cooper’s surprise retirement at 31 discussed as a model of professionalism.
• Tyreek Hill not being voted Dolphins captain sparks locker-room drama:
  • Hill isn’t seen as a true leader by Cowherd, despite being elite:

    “He’s not a leader. He’s a talent. And there’s a big difference.” (Colin Cowherd, 19:54)

  • JMAC predicts Hill could be traded before season’s end:

    “I am of the belief he will not last the full season in Miami… he’s still got some juice.” (JMAC, 20:17)

6. Belichick Bans Patriots Scouts, Legacy Debates (21:33 – 23:28)

• Petty tensions between Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft escalate as Belichick bans Patriots scouts from North Carolina’s practices.
• Cowherd and JMAC debate Belichick’s legacy if Brady is subtracted from the equation, Cowherd concluding:

  “When you just take one human Tom Brady out of Belichick’s career, he’s a great defensive mind — where are the wins as a head coach? I don’t see it.” (Colin Cowherd, 22:44)

7. Angel Reese and the WNBA’s Locker Room Turmoil (23:28 – 28:12)

• Angel Reese’s comments about the Chicago Sky roster cause locker room rifts.

  • JMAC frames Reese as prioritizing herself over team:

    “She’s all about Angel Reese. She don’t care about the team. That’s just real.” (JMAC, 25:50)

• Caitlin Clark’s absence from the WNBA has led to a ratings and interest drop.

  • Cowherd: "Caitlin Clark is the league. I... If the game was on, I would drive home making a point..." (25:17)
  • Comparison drawn to early Michael Jordan era — transformative star missing time due to injury.

• Physical play and officiating problems in the WNBA lead to star injuries, mirroring old NBA debates about protecting assets during the season.

8. Patriots’ Direction and Drake May’s Toughness (28:40 – 30:51)

• Greg Cosell praises Drake May’s natural toughness and confidence:

  "I'm not sure you can teach that. He's got that..." (Greg Cosell, 28:47)

• Cowherd predicts New England will double their wins with a rebooted offense.

9. Julian Edelman Interview: Patriots, Cowboys, and Locker Room Culture (30:51 – 41:00)

a. Patriots’ 2025 Outlook

• Edelman says pairing Josh McDaniels with rookie Drake May “is huge,” praising the team's improved offensive rhythm and smarter drafting:

  "I think they're going to look like a competent football team this year." (Julian Edelman, 31:29)

b. Josh McDaniels’ Offensive Mind

• McDaniels “tapers the offense around the guys we have… it’s a game plan system"—New England’s success is built on customizing plans weekly and a “large middle class” of contributors.

c. Micah Parsons Trade & Locker Room Impact

• Edelman: Impact depends on leader response; could be galvanizing for the Cowboys:

  “This could bring their team together… give them the ‘us against the world’ mentality.” (Julian Edelman, 34:01)

• Cowherd and Edelman discuss the philosophy of moving on from star players for depth/middle-class balance, as NE did.

d. Defensive Forces

• Micah Parsons’ and J.J. Watt’s (in Edelman's NE era) game-changing impact requires unique game-planning—“the number one key… was we got to block JJ Watt 99. If we don’t get him, we’re losing the game.” (38:00)

10. NFL Top 100, Patrick Mahomes, & Motivations (44:06 – 47:34)

• Edelman is surprised Mahomes is ranked only #5, argues it's his best season yet despite adversity—a motivation similar to how Tom Brady responded to slights:

  “I think arguably last year was his best season… They know how to win and they can learn their team through September and October…” (Julian Edelman, 44:23)

11. Caleb Williams: What the Bears Want (47:34 – 49:47)

• Edelman wants to see functional, rhythm-based play from rookie QBs, not just “horsepower”:

  “I want to see him football operationally…” (Julian Edelman, 47:59)

• Compares ideal QB approach to Jared Goff/Brock Purdy (“operationally getting the right play called”), not just highlight-reel moments.

12. 49ers, NFC Dark Horse, and Coaching Finales (49:47 – 50:39)

• Discussion about Brock Purdy’s reliability, Shanahan’s system, and McVay's sustainability with back issues.
• Cowherd sees Seattle as the NFC’s dark horse and predicts a New England bounce-back.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Stop this. That’s not fair to this guy." – Greg Cosell on Arch Manning hype (03:56)
• "Surprise is not a strong enough word." – Greg Cosell on Belichick's Patriots struggles (09:41)
• “His physical presence is Cam Newton-ish... that’s an absolute freak.” – Greg Cosell on Bryce Underwood (11:13)
• "He’s not a leader. He’s a talent. And there’s a big difference." – Colin Cowherd on Tyreek Hill (19:54)
• “She’s all about Angel Reese. She don’t care about the team. That’s just real.” – JMAC (25:50)
• “This could bring their team together… give them the ‘us against the world’ mentality.” – Julian Edelman on Cowboys post-Parsons (34:01)
• "I think arguably last year was his best season..." – Julian Edelman on Patrick Mahomes (44:23)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:51 — Arch Manning's college debut breakdown
• 06:49 — Urban Meyer, Alabama’s culture, and leadership
• 08:27 — Coaching differences: NFL vs. college; Belichick’s struggles
• 10:46 — Bryce Underwood's emergence at Michigan
• 18:03 — Amari Cooper retires; Dolphins/locker room updates
• 21:33 — Belichick bans scouts; discussion of his legacy
• 23:28 — Angel Reese, WNBA turmoil, ratings post-Clark injury
• 28:40 — Drake May’s toughness; Patriots’ rebuild with Josh McDaniels
• 30:51 — Julian Edelman on Patriots, McDaniels, Cowboys locker room
• 44:06 — Patrick Mahomes and NFL Top 100
• 47:34 — Caleb Williams: rookie year expectations and guidance
• 49:47 — NFC outlook: 49ers, McVay, and Cowherd’s dark horse picks

Episode Tone and Style

• Candid, conversational, and opinionated sports roundtable
• Clear attribution of hot takes and expert analysis (Cosell, Edelman, Cowherd, JMAC)
• Blunt, entertaining speculation about teams and individuals
• Cohesively moves between college, NFL, and women’s hoops topics with natural transitions

This episode recaps a high-stakes college football weekend, explores crucial NFL roster and culture shifts, and offers rare player-driven perspectives—making it a must-listen for fans seeking real analysis beyond the box score.