The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Broncos and the Bears this season, QBs under the most pressure, Mark Sanchez (Hour 3)
Date: September 3, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Special Guest: Mark Sanchez (Fox Sports NFL Analyst)

Overview

Hour 3 of The Herd features a deep-dive football discussion, with special focus on this season's Denver Broncos, the Jets, the Giants, and a league-wide look at quarterbacks under the most pressure. Colin is joined by analyst and former NFL QB Mark Sanchez to unpack training camp optimism, continuity, and what’s next for up-and-coming quarterbacks like Cam Ward, Bo Nix, and more. NFL coaching dynamics, offensive line investments, the scrutiny on new QBs, and the pressure of year-two leaps are all explored.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Football Ratings Boom

Timestamp: [02:37-04:06]

• Colin opens noting huge increases in NFL and college football ratings, reflecting America's love of football. He references Lee Corso's final College Gameday and the fervor for major matchups like Texas vs. Ohio State.
• Quote: “For years and years in our business, you talk a lot of football. That’s what the audience likes. The audience loves football.” — Colin Cowherd [03:17]
• Takeaway: Football continues to dominate sports media, making it the core content for shows like The Herd.

2. The Quarterback Salary Paradigm

Timestamp: [04:25-06:27]

• J. Mac raises Joe Montana’s controversial omission of Patrick Mahomes from his top QBs list; Colin discusses how big QB contracts like Mahomes’ and Josh Allen’s limit roster construction.
• Colin's Insight: Teams start losing depth at receiver and flexibility once they pay their QB “big boy money.”
• Quote: “The minute you start paying your quarterback the big boy money, you’re just not gonna have that third receiver you can depend on.” — Colin Cowherd [05:27]
• Takeaway: The post-rookie contract phase is the real test for elite QBs.

3. Coaching Hierarchy and Trends

Timestamp: [06:27-07:58]

• NFL’s top offensive play callers: According to The Athletic, as discussed by the panel:
  • #1 Kyle Shanahan
  • #2 Sean McVay
  • #3 Ben Johnson (ahead of Andy Reid and Kevin O’Connell)
• Colin notes: “That is elite coaching...there is a lot of good coaching in this league.” [07:01]
• Dallas Cowboys' coaching hires are subtly critiqued for a lack of innovation.
• Takeaway: Coaching pedigrees matter, especially with the proliferation of offensive minds from similar trees.

4. Salary Cap Circumvention Scandal

Timestamp: [07:58-09:23]

• J. Mac reports on the Clippers' alleged salary cap circumvention involving Kawhi Leonard.
• Colin comments on the likely serious draft pick penalties, stressing that even the appearance of a “no-show” endorsement job is a violation.
• Quote: “You’re not supposed to circumvent the salary cap. Even if he did show up.” — Colin Cowherd [08:47]
• Takeaway: Salary cap manipulation has major repercussions regardless of actual work performed.

5. Broncos’ 2025 Hype & What Camp Really Means

Timestamp: [09:36-11:27]

• Colin introduces Mark Sanchez and discusses Denver Broncos’ “off the charts” optimism among fans and reporters.
• Mark Sanchez shares: Camp is still vital for players both physically ("harden the body") and mentally ("lock in, full focus"), but warns week one will bring unpredictability.
• Quote: “This is all we got, you know, 53 against the world. When we go on the road, this is what we do.” — Mark Sanchez [10:27]
• Takeaway: Even amid hype, real tests come in-season, especially during those opening weeks.

6. Denver Broncos: Depth, Consistency, and Division Fights

Timestamp: [15:56-17:46]

• Colin explains why he picked Denver to win their division, citing KC’s personnel losses and Denver’s offseason moves.
• Mark Sanchez notes: The division is stacked with phyiscal matchups—every game is a “street fight.” Denver returns 15 of 16 O/D-linemen, supporting consistency.
• Key Additions:
  • Defense: Hufanga, Greenlaw — “That guy’s just a heat seeking missile…an assassin.”
  • Offense: J.K. Dobbins (RB), Evan Engram (TE) to help Bo Nix and Cortland Sutton.
• Quote: “The consistency is the key.” — Mark Sanchez [17:43]
• Takeaway: Denver’s stability, especially in the trenches, could fuel real gains.

7. Cam Ward: The Under-the-Radar No. 1 Pick (Titans)

Timestamp: [17:46-19:35]

• Colin lauds the low-key approach to Cam Ward, who is flying under the hype radar.
• Mark’s Take: Playing in Nashville means less media pressure; notes Titans' investment in the O-line (including signing the Steelers’ left tackle for 4 years/$82M) to support the young QB.
• Takeaway: Environment and team investment are huge in guiding a rookie QB’s development.

8. Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson Pairing in Chicago

Timestamp: [19:35-22:16]

• Discussion around stylistic fit and realistic expectations for Caleb Williams under OC Ben Johnson.
• Ben Johnson is “no nonsense,” expects structure and discipline, but will trust Caleb with a few creative "get us out of a jam" moments per game.
• Quote: “I know from everybody you talk to about Ben Johnson, I mean, he’s a no nonsense guy. He has a picture and a vision of what it’s supposed to look like. And if they don’t look like that, get the hell out of my way.” — Mark Sanchez [21:03]
• Colin draws parallels to Jordan and Mahomes doing “take your breath away” things just a few times a game, but winning with fundamentals.
• Takeaway: Growth for Williams means playing within the system while knowing when to improvise.

9. Jets, Giants & Organizational Turmoil vs Continuity

Timestamp: [26:35-31:44]

• Colin contrasts the Broncos’ continuity with the Jets’ lack of it—new staff, new coach Aaron Glenn, defensive emphasis.
• Mark Sanchez: Aaron Glenn is a “fire-starter” and the Jets have plenty on defense, but key injuries (Elijah Vera Tucker) and special teams may prove costly.
• Bears: Justin Fields must be a weapon on the ground ("gotta add 500 yards with his legs"), and Glenn must impose his defensive mindset.
• Giants: With Russell Wilson and rookie Jackson Dart, QB management is critical amid a loaded defense. Media scrutiny in NYC adds difficulty.
• Takeaway: Talent needs to be managed as much as developed, especially in media-heavy cities.

10. Year-Two Quarterbacks and Handling the Leap

Timestamp: [31:44-35:09]

• Mark recounts: His own leap from year one to year two with the Jets, learning from veterans like LaDainian Tomlinson and Jason Taylor.
• Anecdote: Jason Taylor caught Mark’s cadence from hand twitches; Mark had to adapt—showcasing the football learning curve at the highest level.
• Quote: “I just felt this sense of urgency…I don’t want to let that guy down. That was the kind of feeling I had.” — Mark Sanchez [32:17]
• Takeaway: Internal pressure and the presence of veterans accelerate a young QB’s maturity.

11. What Opening Day is Really Like for a Rookie QB

Timestamp: [35:09-36:46]

• Mark Sanchez recalls his own debut: the blur of nerves, the presence of legends (Joe Namath), and even forgetting to tape his ankles.
• His primary goals: “Just get a completion, and get knocked down one time—get my jersey a little bit dirty…remind me I’m in. Game started.”
• Takeaway: Nerves and tunnel vision are standard for a rookie; first hits and basic completions settle them.

12. The Increasing Pace and Stakes of the NFL Season

Timestamp: [36:46-39:10]

• As seasons get longer (potentially moving to 18 games), preseason shortens, and joint practices rise in value.
• Mark: Joint practices offer "controlled chaos"—helpful but can’t replicate the speed or intensity of regular and especially divisional games.
• Each level—regular season, divisional, playoffs—increases in intensity, competition, and emotional stakes.
• “Week one is a dirty little liar like your ex.” — Mark Sanchez [39:10]
• Takeaway: Preseason optimism often meets a harsh reality in September—take nothing for granted from camp hype.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The minute you start paying your quarterback the big boy money, you’re just not gonna have that third receiver you can depend on.” — Colin Cowherd [05:27]
• “That guy’s just a heat seeking missile. And then you go on offense, it’s J.K. dobbins and it’s Evan Ingram…The consistency is the key.” — Mark Sanchez [17:43]
• “I know from everybody you talk to about Ben Johnson, I mean, he’s a no nonsense guy. He has a picture and a vision of what it’s supposed to look like. And if they don’t look like that, get the hell out of my way.” — Mark Sanchez [21:03]
• “Internal pressure and the presence of veterans accelerate a young QB’s maturity.” — (Paraphrased summary, Mark Sanchez theme, [32:17])
• “Week one is a dirty little liar like your ex.” — Mark Sanchez [39:10]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Football ratings surge & sport’s dominance: [02:37] – [04:06]
• QB salary and roster effects: [04:25] – [06:27]
• Coaching trends and playcaller ranking: [06:27] – [07:58]
• Clippers salary cap circumvention scandal: [07:58] – [09:23]
• Broncos’ camp optimism & Sanchez on preseason: [09:36] – [11:27]
• Denver’s continuity and additions: [15:56] – [17:46]
• Cam Ward’s quiet debut & Titans’ support: [17:46] – [19:35]
• Caleb Williams fit with Ben Johnson: [19:35] – [22:16]
• Jets’ turnover, Bears’ run game, Giants’ QB dilemma: [26:35] – [31:44]
• Year two pressure and learning from veterans: [31:44] – [35:09]
• First start nerves for a rookie QB: [35:09] – [36:46]
• Joint practices, season intensity, and week one caution: [36:46] – [39:10]

Final Thoughts

Hour 3 of The Herd is a masterclass in football analysis, balancing hot-topic NFL debates with granular, player-level insights and real locker room stories. Colin steers the conversation skillfully; Mark Sanchez brings insider wisdom and humility, giving listeners guidance on what matters as the 2025 NFL season begins. For anyone invested in Denver, Chicago, New York, or just the arc of young quarterbacks, this episode offers applicable lessons and behind-the-scenes context rarely found in standard sports talk.