The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: The Herd - Hour 3 - Cowboys Trade Deadline Dissection, Geoff Schwartz, Jon Machota
Date: November 5, 2025
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd dives deep into the aftermath of the NFL trade deadline, focusing especially on the Dallas Cowboys’ acquisition of Quinnen Williams. Colin Cowherd is joined by former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz and Cowboys reporter Jon Machota for a lively breakdown of deadline moves, recent NFL and college football action, and what these changes mean for top teams and players. Rachel Nichols joins for a news segment that travels from NFL reactions to NBA hot topics. The hour is filled with candid analysis, insider takes, and Colin’s signature blend of skepticism and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. College Football: Oregon vs. Iowa, Dante Moore & Playoff Picture

[03:57 – 09:26]

• Oregon’s Big Game in Iowa
  • Geoff Schwartz (Oregon alum) expects a “physical, low-scoring grind” versus Iowa, highlighting Oregon’s need to be aggressive on offense but wary of Iowa’s special teams prowess.
    • “You can’t just walk into Iowa and expect to get a W… I want to see some aggressiveness for passing.” – Geoff [04:29]
    • Iowa’s success is attributed to “not making mistakes” and letting opponents beat themselves.
• Dante Moore’s Future
  • Both Colin and Geoff speculate Oregon QB Dante Moore likely stays another year, noting a trend toward players sticking around due to NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals.
    • “It does feel like that’s what the plan is for next season, when everyone’s a little bit more seasoned…to make a run for the championship.” – Geoff [06:33]
• College Football Playoff Outlook
  • Geoff believes Texas is the potential playoff disruptor—a team being overlooked because of an early-season stumble:
    • “Be prepared for Texas as a playoff team. I don't think people are taking that as seriously as they should.” – Geoff [07:55]
  • Colin remains skeptical about Texas actually beating Georgia.
    • “I don’t, I’m not buying the Texas hype. Do you think they can win at Georgia?” [08:11]

2. NFL Trade Deadline: Jets, Chiefs, and Cowboys

[09:26 – 17:06]

• Jets’ Big Trades

  • Colin jokes about Jets’ “heist” for Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams and their future Super Bowl hopes.
  • Geoff likes the Jets’ aggressive pivot for draft capital, emphasizing the need to “find a quarterback.”
    • “You can’t win if you don’t have a quarterback. I like what the Jets did… they’d be ecstatic.” – Geoff [09:52]

• Chiefs’ Running Back Situation

  • Colin wonders why the Chiefs didn’t make a more aggressive move for a running back.
  • Geoff explains the Chiefs’ reluctance is due to limited draft capital and their internal belief in young back Smith (pending improvement in pass protection).
  • Questions Kansas City's run-game strategy and playcalling against the Bills.
    • “Sometimes I feel like they are their own worst enemy offensively with some of the gameplay.” – Geoff [11:39]

• Patrick Mahomes’ Struggles

  • Cowherd notes Mahomes’ poor night (3/16 under pressure) and confusion against Buffalo’s defense.
  • Geoff is surprised the Chiefs “looked lost,” noting the offense had previously seemed to have figured things out.
    • “Against Buffalo, whose defense has struggled—they had no answers. That’s the most surprising thing.” – Geoff [13:23]

3. NFL: Betting Frustrations & Game Picks

[14:22 – 15:31]

• Geoff reveals a tough run with NFL betting, favoring college football as a safer bet.
  • “If someone asked me to win an NFL side and my kid’s life were on the line, it would not be good, buddy.” – Geoff [14:36]
  • Leans towards UCLA, West Virginia, USC in college games; avoids NFL sides.

4. Cowboys Trade Deep Dive with Rachel Nichols & Jon Machota

[17:06 – 40:21]

• Dak Prescott & Team Reaction

  • Rachel shares Dak’s enthusiastic reaction to the Quinnen Williams trade (“bleeping pumped”), while Colin finds the move questionable.
  • Trade grades from major outlets vary: Fox Sports (C-), The Athletic & CBS (B-), SI (B+).
    • “I would be so concerned if Dak was like ‘what the hell are we doing?’...Just still a lot of questions.” – Colin [17:31]

• Front Office and Defensive Issues (Jon Machota Interview)

  • The trade is partly for this year, but largely for 2026 and beyond as playoffs seem unlikely after their Cardinals loss.
    • “If Quinnen Williams isn’t under contract beyond this season, they’re not making this move.” – Jon Machota [31:58]
  • Cowboys defense issues:
    • Linebackers and secondary graded poorly; optimism points to offseason moves and draft capital.
    • “There are a few other things they can do in the offseason...they could be a legitimate contender next season. This season though? I’m not going to try and sell that to you.” – Jon [33:01]
  • Specific breakdown of problems:
    • Bland's and Diggs' disappointing play; Diggs' off-field concussion and possible departure (“unlikely he’ll be on the team next season”).
    • Revamped secondary expected for next year.

• George Pickens’ Contract Situation

  • Pickens has revived the offense but faces a potential franchise tag situation, which could be contentious depending on how negotiations go.
    • “I just don’t see a world where he lets George Pickens out of the building.” – Jon [36:32]
    • Agent drama possible (Pickens shares agent with Micah Parsons, who had a messy negotiation).

• Brian Schottenheimer Coaching Evaluation

  • Grades him as a C+/B-: solid with front office, but results lacking on-field.
    • “You can’t really give him any higher grade than that because the wins just haven’t been there on the field.” – Jon [39:08]

5. NBA and NFL News Roundup with Rachel Nichols

[17:06 – 23:40]

• Desmond Bane Ejection

  • Rachel reviews ejection for a flagrant foul and ball-spiking incident; team picked for East Finals but off to a shaky start.
  • “He finished 2 for 6 from the floor, three turnovers before he did hit the showers, that is.” – Rachel [18:58]

• Kyler Murray’s Future in Arizona

  • Soft benching for Jacoby Brissett; skepticism about medical excuses for Murray.
  • Rachel and Colin discuss Murray’s attitude, rumors of being traded, and statistical evidence supporting Brissett as the better on-field option.
    • “Just the attitude I’ve seen from him in the last couple months...this is clearly a soft benching.” – Colin [21:15]
    • Brissett’s impact: five more points/game, higher 3rd-down conversion rates; possible playoff swing.
    • Rachel: “If they had been scoring those five points more a game with Brissett instead of Murray, they’d be 6 and 2. That is a big swing.” [21:53]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Iowa Football:
  “What Iowa does so well is very hard to do in this sport. They just don’t make mistakes. They let other teams make the mistakes for them.”
  — Geoff Schwartz [05:21]

• On the Chiefs’ Offense:
  “Sometimes I feel like they are their own worst enemy offensively with, with some of the gameplay.”
  — Geoff Schwartz [11:39]

• Betting Woes:
  “If someone asked me to win an NFL side and my kid’s life were on the line, it would not, it would not be good, buddy.”
  — Geoff Schwartz [14:36]

• Cowboys Front Office Decisions:
  “If Quinnen Williams isn’t under contract beyond the season, they’re not making this move...It is about next season and beyond.”
  — Jon Machota [31:58]

• On George Pickens’ Future:
  “I just don’t see a world where he lets George Pickens out of the building.”
  — Jon Machota [36:32]

• On Kyler Murray’s Benching:
  “Just the attitude I’ve seen from him...this is clearly a soft benching. I mean, come on.”
  — Colin Cowherd [21:15]

Important Timestamps

• Oregon vs. Iowa Preview & Dante Moore’s Future: [03:57 – 06:57]
• College Football Playoff Outlook & Texas as Wildcard: [07:09 – 09:26]
• NFL Trade Deadline Reactions (Jets, Chiefs, Cowboys): [09:26 – 13:23]
• Mahomes vs. Bills & Offensive Struggles: [12:49 – 13:23]
• NFL Betting Frustrations: [14:22 – 15:31]
• Cowboys Trade Reaction & National Grades: [17:06 – 18:23]
• Rachel Nichols’ NBA/NFL News Segment: [17:06 – 23:40]
• Jon Machota on Cowboys’ Future & Team Moves: [31:10 – 40:22]

Tone & Style

The episode features The Herd’s hallmark blend of sharp analysis, blunt opinions, and off-script humor. Colin questions conventional wisdom, challenges guests, and switches between skeptical, supportive, or just plain amused. Geoff Schwartz provides detailed, practical football insights, while Jon Machota offers straight-down-the-middle Cowboys reporting. Rachel Nichols adds a brisk, informative news rhythm.

Recap Takeaways

• The Cowboys’ Quinnen Williams trade is more about 2026 than salvaging a lost 2025 season.
• Oregon football’s trajectory is upward, but toughness and mistake-free play are vital, especially against teams like Iowa.
• The NFL trade deadline gave the Jets ammunition to finally chase a franchise quarterback.
• The Chiefs’ offensive inconsistency sparks real concern, especially with Mahomes under pressure.
• NFL betting is a minefield, as Geoff Schwartz humorously laments.
• NBA and NFL news highlight a tumultuous week for players like Desmond Bane and Kyler Murray.
• Cowboys fans should expect a focus on next year—with wide receiver George Pickens and key defenders likely at the center of ongoing drama.