Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Hour 3 – Julian Edelman Explores if the Eagles Should Move AJ Brown
Date: September 16, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd (with Rob Parker and guests Julian Edelman, Danny Parkins, Jay Glazer)

Overview

This episode features Colin Cowherd and Rob Parker discussing major NFL storylines, with special guests Julian Edelman and Danny Parkins joining to provide insider perspectives. Key topics included the Philadelphia Eagles’ use (or non-use) of AJ Brown, the evolution of NFL offenses, quarterback injury prevention, young QB development (especially Caleb Williams), coaching hot seats, franchise cultures, and the ongoing evaluation of QBs like Justin Herbert.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Changing Team Cultures & Coaching Fundamentals

Julian Edelman on Coaching Turnarounds

• Edelman draws parallels between teams and coaches known for rapid turnarounds (e.g., Mike Vrabel, Jim Harbaugh).
• Key takeaway: Culture changes come from focusing on fundamentals (blocking/tackling), not just schemes.
  • “Belichick always used to say this game comes down to two things, blocking and tackling.” — Julian Edelman [03:40]
• Teams that succeed minimize turnovers and pre-snap mistakes and play to their personnel strengths.

2. Eagles’ Offense and the AJ Brown Question

• Colin and Rob debate Philly’s offense, questioning whether underuse of AJ Brown (and limited deep passing) is a problem.
• Edelman defends the pragmatic, win-first approach:
  • “The ultimate statistic is the winning loss column.” — Julian Edelman [05:45]
  • He notes Philly, like peak Patriots teams, doesn’t care about stats if they’re winning and that “there’s going to be a time where they’re going to need [Brown]. They just got to keep him happy.”
• There’s agreement Philly’s style — efficient, controlled, short passing — can be demoralizing to defenses, provided playmakers stay bought-in.

3. Quarterback Durability and Team Construction: Joe Burrow, Tom Brady

• Discussion of why some QBs (Brady, Eli, Mahomes) rarely miss time: preparation, body care, and offensive systems are key.
• Edelman reveals Tom Brady played through more injuries than known and prioritized his body:
  • “He always thought about his body in his preparation. If he’s subconsciously thinking about this all the time, it translates into your game.” — Julian Edelman [07:42]
• Burrow’s situation is contrasted: forced to take more hits due to lack of run game/support, leading to more injuries.
  • “How does Joe not get hurt? Hit him less, give the ball to other people more, get the ball out of his hands.” — Edelman [09:13]

4. Caleb Williams and the Challenge of Rookie QB Integration

• Rob Parker and Colin discuss Caleb Williams with doubts about scheme fit under Ben Johnson.
• Edelman urges patience, arguing Williams is only in his second offense since college and learning an extremely verbose system:
  • “[Ben Johnson’s] offense is very operation driven ... a lot for a young guy.” — Edelman [10:06–11:44]
• Comparison to other QBs needing time to adapt, highlighting improvement and the lack of instant chemistry in year one.
• “This is kind of Caleb’s rookie season. It’s going to take some time.” — Edelman [10:06]

5. Patriots’ Gritty Win & Signs of Progress

• Rob praises the Patriots’ recent divisional win as a sign of increased competency and improvement on key downs.
• Edelman notes the challenge of September games in Miami, emphasizing New England’s growth:
  • “Even a Brady-Gronk-Edelman team struggled in Miami in September ... They look like a better shaped team, more fundamentally sound football team.” — Edelman [13:15]
• Both acknowledge the importance of incremental gains early in NFL seasons.

6. Dallas Cowboys: Defensive Holes & Offense Outlook

• Post-Micah Parsons trade, Dallas’ defense has struggled.
• Colin is encouraged by Dak Prescott’s performance and Brian Schottenheimer’s offense, speculating an offense capable of carrying the team to 7–9 wins if healthy.
  • “That offense alone, if Dak is healthy, that’s a 7, 8, 9 win team.” — Colin Cowherd [20:22]
• If Cowboys fail to stop Caleb Williams, concern grows among Bears fans.

7. Coach Hot Seats: Dolphins, Giants, and Culture Critique

• Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel is under fire amid an 0-2 start, with debate on whether firing him is hasty.
• Rob Parker and Danny Parkins emphasize the fragmented culture and subpar roster construction as real issues, more than coaching itself.
  • “The culture feels broken. I can deal with losses, but ... What is Miami?” — Rob Parker [23:50]

8. Young QBs and Front Office Patience: Focus on Chicago

• Discussion on whether Bears’ struggles with Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson reflect systemic issues or are simply “early days.”
• Parkins insists it’s much too soon to panic or consider a QB change:
  • “It hasn’t been good, but it hasn’t been awful. People have gone too far with this sky is falling narrative.” — Danny Parkins [31:49]
• Ownership and franchise dysfunction as barriers, but the right coach-QB combo can overcome cycles of mediocrity.
  • “Before Joe Burrow got to Cincinnati, the Bengals were the Bungles ... If you get it right at coach and quarterback, you can overcome a lot.” — Danny Parkins [36:40]

9. Evaluating Justin Herbert’s Elite Potential

• Colin and Parkins believe Herbert is a “top five talent,” a quintessential “eye test” quarterback whose success will grow with stability (namely, Jim Harbaugh’s arrival).
  • “Justin Herbert is the ultimate eye test quarterback ... passes every possible way of just watching the games and saying, yup, that dude’s got it.” — Danny Parkins [37:52]
• They see future MVP and Super Bowl potential, arguing Herbert’s lack of playoff wins is a product of organizational missteps, not individual limitations.

Notable Quotes

• Edelman on team culture:
  “Tough football teams don’t beat themselves.” [03:40]
• On star receivers needing to buy-in:
  “The ultimate statistic is the winning loss column … A.J. Brown’s probably top 5 [at outside targets]. They’re going to need him … They just got to keep him happy.” — Edelman [05:45]
• Burrow vs. Brady & risk management:
  “Tom just didn’t put himself in those situations … Joe’s getting hurt. How does Joe not get hurt? Hit him less … get the ball out of his hands. I think they really have a fundamental problem with how their team's made.” — Edelman [09:00]
• On Caleb Williams:
  “This is kind of Caleb’s rookie season ... It’s going to take some time.” — Edelman [10:55]
• Patriots growth:
  “They look like a better shaped team, more fundamentally sound football team.” — Edelman [13:15]
• Parkins on Bears/Caleb Williams:
  “It hasn’t been good, but it hasn’t been awful ... signs of improvement ... the concern just seems a little misplaced to me.” — Danny Parkins [31:49]
• Parkins on patience:
  “If you get it right at coach and quarterback, you can overcome a lot.” [36:40]
• On Justin Herbert:
  “Justin Herbert is the ultimate eye test quarterback ... Hall of Fame talent. There’s an MVP award in his future … a Super Bowl in his future.” — Parkins [37:52]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:14] Julian Edelman joins: coaching culture, Belichick’s fundamentals
• [05:45] Eagles offense, AJ Brown role discussion
• [07:42] Joe Burrow, Tom Brady, QB injury avoidance
• [09:18] Caleb Williams adapting to Ben Johnson’s scheme
• [13:15] Patriots improvement, divisional win in Miami
• [19:18] “Herdline News”: Cowboys struggles, Dolphins hot seat, Ravens/Shedeur Sanders story
• [31:49] Danny Parkins on Bears, Caleb Williams' development
• [37:52] Justin Herbert’s evaluation and future

Tone & Style

The show maintains its trademark blend of sharp football insight, analogies, and playful banter. Edelman delivers practical, player-sourced wisdom, Colin drives debate with provocative questions, and Parkins brings both analytics and emotional perspective to team-building challenges. Honest, opinionated, and occasionally confrontational—but rooted in deep NFL experience.

For New Listeners

If you missed the episode, this hour provided thoughtful, layered insights into NFL strategy, the impact of culture and fundamentals, and why patience (or lack thereof) with coaches and young quarterbacks remains one of the central dramas of every NFL season.