Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode: Hour 3 – Greg Olsen stops by The Herd to discuss the Bears recent success
Date: October 21, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Greg Olsen (Fox Sports Analyst, former NFL Tight End)
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode is a sports-centric conversation led by Colin Cowherd with guest analyst Greg Olsen, focusing on the state of the NFL midseason. They analyze team strategies—especially the Bills and Bears—quarterback development, tight end evolution, and broader league trends. The discussion also ranges into the Kansas City Chiefs, rookie tight end standouts, and candid takes on NBA storylines, ending with perspective on media scrutiny around high-profile athletes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Buffalo Bills Offensive Challenges and Josh Allen’s Role
[03:47] – [05:54]
- Greg Olsen discusses the Bills' struggle to balance their high dependence on Josh Allen:
- The team is making an effort to incorporate more under-center play action, playing with bigger sets, and reducing predictability compared to shotgun-heavy schemes.
- Although it hasn’t turned into more wins yet, Olsen sees potential in the strategic shift.
- Key Point: It’s difficult for any team to constantly rely on their quarterback to ‘make magic’—especially without a superstar No. 1 receiver.
Notable Quote:
"I actually think going forward that's going to pay them some dividends...I don't care how good you are every single play, the ball being in the hands of your shotgun quarterback to just expected to make magic—especially...you don't have like a Justin Jefferson, a true star single receiver."
— Greg Olsen [05:40]
2. The Reality of Young Quarterbacks: Caleb Williams and Franchise Patience
[05:54] – [08:48]
- Conversation shifts toward Caleb Williams (Bears) and the challenges/frustrations typical for young quarterbacks:
- Olsen emphasizes that the first year is often a ‘lost year’ due to chaos and coaching changes.
- The Bears’ new offensive system under Ben Johnson is showing growth. Johnson is praised for his clarity, discipline, and high standards.
- Olsen argues for patience: Williams’ numbers may not pop in accuracy, but his big-play ability and potential are evident.
Notable Quote:
"There's a very famous phrase, right, that franchises fail young quarterbacks more than young quarterbacks fail franchises."
— Greg Olsen [07:00]
- On Williams’ Progress:
- "The turnaround we've seen already with, to your point, a lot of room left to grow. I think if I'm a Bears fan, I'm highly encouraged."
— Greg Olsen [08:18]
- "The turnaround we've seen already with, to your point, a lot of room left to grow. I think if I'm a Bears fan, I'm highly encouraged."
3. Rise of the NFL Tight End and Rookie Impact
[08:48] – [11:58]
- Tyler Warren’s Immediate Production:
- Olsen marvels at rookie TE Tyler Warren’s rare ability to produce and get open from his first snaps.
- Discusses Penn State’s creativity with Warren in college and Shane Steichen’s role in maximizing him in Indianapolis.
- Notes the trend: tight ends are ready faster today due to college experience at the position.
Notable Quote:
"We're starting to see a faster evolution, a faster growth...he's leading the league for tight ends in receiving yards. I think he's like third in catches—just unheard of from a rookie."
— Greg Olsen [11:25]
- Comparison to Brock Bowers (Raiders) and traditional tight end learning curves, with a nod to Penn State’s and the Colts’ developmental strength.
4. Quarterback Confidence and Competitive Spirit
[11:58] – [15:00]
- Jackson Dart & Bo Nix Analysis:
- Cowherd and Olsen agree: Shaky moments and turnovers are normal for young QBs. What sets some apart is self-belief and short memory after mistakes.
- Story of Andrew Luck as an example—shrugging off mistakes with humor and moving forward.
- Olsen praises Jackson Dart’s leadership and presence, even among veterans, despite his brief starting tenure.
Notable Quote:
"If the fear of failure paralyzes you, you're going to find yourself standing on the sideline quite a bit in this league."
— Greg Olsen [13:30]
5. Kansas City Chiefs: Organizational Flexibility and “Sailboat Mentality”
[19:36] – [21:49]
- Cowherd and Olsen analyze KC’s adaptability:
- Chiefs consistently reinvent their system to fit personnel, oscillating between offense- and defense-led seasons.
- Quick to acknowledge mistakes and make changes without ego.
- Flexibility exemplified by using young defensive talent and flipping between heavy Mahomes/offense and defense-focused approaches as needed.
Notable Quotes:
"They don't have to play the same style of game to beat you. It could be offensive led, it could be defensive led. When one is struggling, the other seems to always elevate their game."
— Greg Olsen [20:45]
6. NFL Playoff Picture and League Trends
[31:49] – [36:59]
- Cowherd assesses the midseason playoff standings:
- Predicts Kansas City will make the playoffs, likely at the expense of Pittsburgh or Jacksonville in the AFC.
- Believes the NFC is now deeper and more competitive than the AFC.
- Praises Colts roster and coaching; sees Green Bay as a vulnerable No. 1 NFC seed.
7. Media Scrutiny of Superstar Athletes: LeBron James & Brand Protection
[37:27] – [40:21]
- Cowherd and Nick Wright (via earlier recorded segment) defend LeBron against accusations of phoniness:
- Argue that LeBron’s calculated approach is brand protection, not inauthenticity.
- Relate the pressures to those faced by Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, etc.
- Westbrook’s criticisms of LeBron as “phony” reflect Westbrook’s own intense, emotional style.
Notable Quotes:
"I don't think necessarily being calculated is phony. It's brand protection and the richest Americans and the richest global oligarchs do it every day."
— Colin Cowherd [39:08]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Team-Building and QB Success:
"Franchises fail young quarterbacks more than young quarterbacks fail franchises."
— Greg Olsen [07:00] -
On the Chiefs’ Adaptability:
"They don't have to play the same style of game to beat you."
— Greg Olsen [20:45] -
On LeBron’s Media Life:
"I don't think necessarily being calculated is phony. It's brand protection..."
— Colin Cowherd [39:08] -
On Young QB Confidence:
"If the fear of failure paralyzes you, you're going to find yourself standing on the sideline quite a bit in this league..."
— Greg Olsen [13:30]
Additional Quick Hits
- [22:00+]: Brief Chiefs talk—Rashee Rice's return, the Chiefs' WR depth, and the importance of context behind their wins.
- [25:20+]: Dolphins' recent struggles and Mike McDaniel's confidence (publicly, at least) in Tua as a starter.
- [26:19+]: NBA musings: Karl-Anthony Towns' uncertain role, trade speculation, the East's wide-open feel, and picks for surprises.
- [35:00+]: Playoff projections—NFC seen as deeper, with Cowherd wary of “squishy” top seeds like Green Bay.
Overall Tone
Cowherd and Olsen maintain a candid, analytical tone, combining inside knowledge with broad football perspective. The recurring message is one of patience with young talent, valuing adaptability (from teams like the Chiefs), and not overreacting to up-and-down performances from QBs or franchises in transition. The NBA segment is more playful and speculative, while commentary on media scrutiny and LeBron is sympathetic, urging listeners to understand the pressure of modern sports celebrity.
Section Timestamps for Fast Reference
- Bills’ Offensive Evolution: [03:47] – [05:54]
- Caleb Williams & Bears Growth: [05:54] – [08:48]
- Tyler Warren & Rookie TEs: [08:48] – [11:58]
- QB Confidence: [11:58] – [15:00]
- Chiefs’ Flexibility: [19:36] – [21:49]
- Playoff Picture Talk: [31:49] – [36:59]
- LeBron/Media Critique: [37:27] – [40:21]
For listeners who missed the episode:
This was a dense but accessible take on current NFL storylines. Greg Olsen provided both X’s and O’s insight and broad perspective, blending personal experience with sharp analysis. Colin Cowherd’s questions steered the conversation from specific team issues to league-wide patterns and personalities, with a few detours into NBA dynamics and the burdens of athletic celebrity. The overall takeaway: in the NFL, adaptability (by teams and players) and patience (especially with QBs and rookies) often win out over panic or short-term thinking.