THE HERD - Hour 3 - Matt Stafford's injury could be a problem, Arch Manning might leave Texas after this season, Mike Sando

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3

Episode Title: THE HERD - Hour 3 - Matt Stafford's Injury Could Be a Problem, Arch Manning Might Leave Texas After This Season, Mike Sando
Release Date: August 12, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Mike Sando, Senior NFL Writer at The Athletic

---

Introduction

In this engaging episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host Colin Cowherd delves into some of the most pressing topics in the NFL today. With insightful commentary and expert analysis from guest Mike Sando, the discussion spans quarterback performances, injury concerns, and potential impacts on team dynamics. The episode primarily focuses on Matt Stafford's injury, Arch Manning's future prospects, and an in-depth look at various quarterbacks' standings in the league.

---

Matt Stafford's Injury and Its Implications for the LA Rams

Timestamp: [35:10] – [42:54]

Colin Cowherd kicks off a crucial segment discussing the LA Rams' recent developments, particularly focusing on quarterback Matt Stafford's back injury. The injury raises concerns about Stafford's availability and effectiveness in the upcoming season.

• Colin Cowherd: "The Rams are going to draft a quarterback next year in the first round even if Matt Stafford is good. So it's a fascinating year for the Rams because they love Stafford but he has a back disc issue and their left tackle has a blood clot issue I believe."

• Matt Hasselbeck (Guest Expert): "The closest thing I could equate it to is like you burn your mouth on a hot piece of pizza or something, and it just doesn't get better quick. And that's kind of what the back injury typically is."

Stafford's injury not only affects his performance but also influences the Rams' strategic decisions regarding future drafts and team composition. The Rams are grappling with balancing Stafford's leadership and experience against their long-term goals of drafting a new quarterback to rejuvenate the team.

---

Arch Manning's Potential Departure from Texas

Timestamp: [40:38] – [43:07]

The conversation shifts to Arch Manning, the promising quarterback from Texas, and speculations about his future in the NFL. Colin Cowherd explores the likelihood of Manning leaving Texas for an NFL team, considering his performance and connections within the league.

• Colin Cowherd: "If Arch is great, which I think he will be... he would come out for the Saints to the Saints."

• Producer: "Imagine how devastated New Orleans would be if Arch said, 'I'm not coming out.'"

Manning's potential move is analyzed with a focus on the connections the Manning family has within the NFL, particularly with teams like the New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and the New York Giants. The discussion highlights the strategic considerations and potential team fits based on Manning's performance and career aspirations.

---

Quarterback Rankings and Performance Analysis

Timestamp: [02:47] – [21:15]

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to evaluating the current landscape of NFL quarterbacks, their tiers, and performance metrics. Guest Mike Sando provides a detailed analysis of various quarterbacks, offering insights into their rankings and future prospects.

Bo Nix and Jaden Daniels

• Mike Sando: "There’s lots of optimism on Bo Nix... people haven't set in stone what the order of this class is going to be."

• Colin Cowherd: "I love the kid, but he beat one playoff team and that was the Eagles."

The discussion centers around Bo Nix and Jaden Daniels, assessing their potential and the factors influencing their rankings. Sando emphasizes the fluidity of quarterback rankings and the impact of team dynamics on individual performances.

Caleb Williams and Jalen Hurts

• Colin Cowherd: "Were you surprised at how negative the Caleb Williams discussion was?"

• Mike Sando: "Caleb's ability to process the game quickly, that was not there. And that was alarming."

Caleb Williams' performance is scrutinized, particularly his game processing abilities, leading to concerns about his adaptability and effectiveness under pressure.

Jalen Hurts is praised for his maturity and podium potential but critiqued for his volume passing capabilities:

• Colin Cowherd: "When you ask him to throw 30, 35 times, he's not the same guy."

• Mike Sando: "They don’t think he can do it as a volume passer and they think he probably benefits as much or more from what's around him."

Jordan Love and Justin Herbert

• Mike Sando: "Jordan Love is propped up by the big skill players around him."

• Colin Cowherd: "I'm on the Jordan Love bandwagon."

The conversation delves into Jordan Love's standing, questioning whether his current performance is a reflection of his individual talent or the support system surrounding him. Justin Herbert is also analyzed, with Sando positioning him at the top of tier two, contemplating his potential to ascend to tier one based on team success.

---

Patrick Mahomes: Consistency and Clutch Performance

Timestamp: [14:19] – [15:56]

Patrick Mahomes' performance is lauded for his clutch plays and consistent ability to drive his team to victory in critical moments, despite not always having standout statistics.

• Mike Sando: "He sort of has the Brady seat right now. Because of his pedigree, because of his winning, because of he's always in the AFC championship game every year."

Mahomes is compared to legendary quarterbacks like Tom Brady and John Elway, highlighting his exceptional performance in high-pressure situations. The discussion underscores that Mahomes' sustainability is tied to his ability to consistently lead his team to playoff success rather than just relying on individual stats.

---

Travis Kelce's Season and Focus on Super Bowl

Timestamp: [26:16] – [30:19]

Travis Kelce's recent performance and personal endeavors are examined, particularly his foray into acting and its impact on his gameplay.

• Producer: "He has admitted that his last two seasons haven’t been up to his standards because he was extremely excited to venture into a new world of acting and being an entertainer."

Despite a challenging season, Kelce remains a top tight end, earning Pro Bowl honors and leading his team in receiving yards during the Super Bowl. Colin defends Kelce, emphasizing his overall contribution and leadership:

• Colin Cowherd: "He's an unbelievable blocking catching leader. There's everything about him I love."

The segment concludes with a balanced view of Kelce's achievements and areas for improvement, affirming his value to the team despite personal distractions.

---

Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts

In the concluding moments, Colin Cowherd reiterates the complexities of team dynamics, quarterback performances, and the strategic decisions teams must make in light of injuries and player potentials. He emphasizes the importance of evaluating players beyond just statistics, considering their leadership, adaptability, and impact during crucial game moments.

---

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd: "When you ask [Jalen Hurts] to throw 30, 35 times, he's not the same guy. So when I see 8, 9, 10, I think he's the best podium quarterback, the most mature." [07:03]

• Mike Sando: "The talk around him [Jordan Love] wasn't as focused. I don't have as good of a feel the direction." [12:14]

• Matt Hasselbeck: "The back injury typically is like you burn your mouth on a hot piece of pizza or something, and it just doesn't get better quick." [36:59]

• Colin Cowherd: "I've been around long enough to know quality when I see it, or in this case, when I taste it." [31:56]

---

Conclusion

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers a comprehensive analysis of current NFL dynamics, focusing on quarterback performances, injury impacts, and future prospects of emerging talents like Arch Manning. With expert insights from Mike Sando, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the intricate factors shaping the league's landscape. Whether you're a seasoned NFL follower or a casual fan, this episode provides valuable perspectives on the evolving world of football.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Tito's Handmade Vodka Voiceover]

Banking with Capital One helps you keep more money in your wallet with no fees or minimums on checking accounts and no overdraft fees. Just ask the Capital One Bank Guy. It's pretty much all he talks about in a good way. He'd also tell you that this podcast is his favorite podcast too. Oh really? Thanks Capital One Bank Guy. What's in your wallet? Terms apply. See CapitalOne.com Bank Capital One NA Member FDIC the herd is brought to you by Grainger. If you work as a maintenance manager, your facility is your home turf and your home field advantage is having a partner like Grainger. They offer trusted professional grade products for every industry from lighting and electrical to safety and everything in between, plus next day delivery. Which is why they always come through in the clutch. To just like you, call 1-800-GRAINGER, click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. Wasabi Technologies is purpose built to free businesses from skyrocketing storage costs and unpredictable egress fees from those old and top heavy legacy providers. You know the big guys. Wasabi is the go to provider for professional and collegiate sports teams around the world. From Wasabi's AI enabled intelligent media storage, Wasabi Air to the industry's only cloud storage service with triple protection against cybercriminals, Wasabi is driving innovation in data storage, all for up to 80% less than the other guys. Triumph for [e-mail], wasabi Hot Cloud Storage. Proud partner of the Voluum Podcast Network.

[Colin Cowherd]

Hi, it's Colin.

[Tito's Handmade Vodka Voiceover]

I've been around long enough to know quality when I see it, or in this case, when I taste it. Tito's Handmade Vodka. Good stuff. No flash, no gimmick. Smooth, clean, tasting, made the right way. Tito's made in Austin, Texas. Real attention to detail. I like to keep it simple. Tito's Soda, one lime, lot of ice. Refreshing easy. Summer, winter, spring. Totally versatile. Always works.

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen, Baseball season's here.

[Tito's Handmade Vodka Voiceover]

Perfect time to kick back with some Tito's. It's what I pour. You should too. Distilled and bottled by 5th Generation Inc. Austin, Texas. 40% alcohol by volume. Savor responsibly.

[Colin Cowherd]

Thanks for listening to the Herd podcast. Be sure to catch us live every.

[Tito's Handmade Vodka Voiceover]

Weekday on Fox Sports radio and noon to 3 Eastern, 9am to noon Pacific. Find your local station for the [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching Fox Sports Radio or FSR.

[Mike Sando]

Now let's get this party started.

[Colin Cowherd]

You're listening to Fox Sports Radio. Well, he's been covering the NFL for 28 years and he drops his quarterback tears every year in August before he goes on vacay. And it's fascinating for us in August, this is what, 50 GMs and assistant GMs and executives. And I know everybody doesn't like anonymous quotes. I've been doing this 30 years. You get better quotes when they're anonymous. I mean, let's be honest. If your best friend or wife drive you crazy, sometimes you tell a buddy or a friend what you wouldn't tell your best friend or your wife. Like people anonymously have a little more courage and can air things out. And Mike Sando is the recipient of many of those juicy tidbits of information. He now joins us live, senior NFL writer at the Athletic. So I was, I'll tell you this, the one that really jumped out to me and I, you know, I know I'm a little high on my sauce here because I love, I predicted Bo Nix would go to the Broncos and I watched him play live twice and I loved him when I watched him play Utah and Washington. So that he did well, you know, it's a confirmation bias. But he received less two tier votes than Caleb or Drake May. So is that telling me that GMs are telling you we love Sean Payton or there are still people that think he's overachieving and he has a low ceiling.

[Jay]

Like, it's like 1 fewer tier 2 vote than those guys. I've got no worry about how anyone seeing him, I think they really like him. And one of the great quotes I put in there was, hey, the order of this class is not set. Jaden Daniels looks great, but this is going to be a referendum in the quarterback developing abilities of Cliff Kingsbury and Sean Payton as much as anything. So I think that's a very bold endorsement of Bo Nix. And for these guys that have only played a year, sometimes they get tier 4 votes that not enough information is one of the sort of bailouts for that. So you got some people who haven't seen him or didn't see him enough or just want to see more. I think there's lots of optimism on Bo Nix and like I said, even some who haven't set in stone what the order of this class is going to be and are allowing for the fact that maybe Bo Nix in a year is the one at the top.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. So the quotes about Caleb Williams, holy mo. Whenever I see alarming you know, all I can think of is sirens going off, somebody pulled the fire extinguisher in high school. Alarming. Were you alarmed when you got those? Were you surprised at how negative the Caleb William discussion was?

[Jay]

A little bit. You know, I have sensed some of it from Ben Johnson in his public comments this offseason talking about we're not a palms up type of team body language. He even made a reference, it was a little arcane early in the off season about something statistically about, you know, EPA or something. And the bells went off in my mind because EPA counts sacks. Well, who took a lot of sacks? To me, that was. I was reading into that probably, but I felt like he's put that team and Caleb on alert. He's got the juice there and it's going to be very interesting to see how it comes together in. In light of the fact that so many of the people I talked to said, hey, Caleb Williams has tier one talent. It's going to be good for him with Ben Johnson. But man, his ability to process the game quickly, that was not there. And that was alarming.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. So I made a joke. Jalen Hurts doesn't tend to do well in these. And my take has been they had a buy in Philadelphia. After the buy, the staff said we'd be better if you threw less. And I. And I've joked that if my bosses came to me and said, colin, we love the show, but if you could talk less, it'd be way better. Probably some indictment on my verbal ability. So that's what I look at Jalen is when you ask him to throw 30, 35 times, he's not the same guy. So when I see 8, 9, 10, I, I think he's the best podium quarterback, the most mature. I think the Tush push is historically unique, but I don't love him from the pocket. What kind of quotes do you get for our audience that hasn't read this about him?

[Jay]

Funny ones. Everyone was like apologizing for how low they had him. They love Jalen Hurts. They love what he's all about. They think he's good, they think he's perfect for him. But you're right, they don't think he can do it as a volume passer and they think he probably benefits as much or more from what's around him and the context, handing it off. And then if you put him in a different system or on a different team, that he would. He may sink in this. Whereas, hey, maybe a Justin Herbert, if you put him in a different system, maybe he would take off. Or some of these other guys that are, that are even higher than that in tier one would do better as stars. When you play Hertz, you have to have a plan. But you're not like, oh my God, we're playing Hertz, right? You're playing that whole system, that whole team.

[Colin Cowherd]

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.

[Jay]

Hi, this is Jay. I'm the producer of the Paulie and Tony Fusco Show.

[Colin Cowherd]

Usually in these promos they ask you.

[Jay]

To listen to the show.

[Colin Cowherd]

I'm here to ask you please don't.

[Jay]

Listen to this show.

[Colin Cowherd]

The hosts are two absolute morons who.

[Jay]

Have the dumbest takes on sports imaginable.

[Colin Cowherd]

Don't listen to this show so it can get canceled.

[Jay]

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Paulie]

What the hell are you doing in our studio?

[Jay]

Get him Paulie.

[Colin Cowherd]

Ignore that fool. Listen to the Paulie and Tony Fusco show on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcast. He's still moving.

[Paulie]

Lets be real. Life happens. Kids spill, pets shed and accidents are inevitable. Find a sofa that can keep [e-mail] Starting at just $699, our sofas are fully machine washable inside and out so you can say goodbye to stains and hello to worry free living. Made with liquid and stain resistant fabrics, they're kid proof, pet friendly and built for everyday life. Plus changeable fabric covers let you refresh your sofa whenever you want. Need flexibility? Our modular design lets you rearrange your sofa anytime to fit your space whether it's a growing family room or a cozy apartment. Plus, they're earth friendly and trusted by over 200,000 happy customers. It's time to upgrade to a stress free mess proof sofa. Visit washablesofas.com today and save that's washablesofas.com offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Tito's Handmade Vodka Voiceover]

American Public University is the number one provider of education to our military and veterans in this country. They offer something truly unique. Special rates and grants for the entire family, making education affordable not just for those who serve, but also for their loved ones. If you have a military or veteran family member and are looking for affordable, high quality education, APU is the place for you. Visit APU APUS EDU Military to learn more. That's APU APUS EDU Military Imagine never buying gas again. EVs are as easy to charge as your phone and perfect for everyday life. Drive daily with confidence everywhere you go. Most Americans drive 40 miles a day. Most EVs are equipped with 200 to 400 miles of range. They've got fewer parts, fewer repairs, and fewer headaches. With hundreds of new and used EV models available today, there's an EV to fit every lifestyle and every budget. I love my electric vehicle. It's easy. No more gas stations. The way forward is electric. Learn more@electric for all.org hey, folks, this message brought to you by the one and only official whiskey of the herd with Colin Coward, Green River Whiskey. Now here's a story that'll knock your socks off.

[Colin Cowherd]

Picture this.

[Tito's Handmade Vodka Voiceover]

Founded way back in 1885, Green River Whiskey is OG Kentucky Cool, the 10th oldest distillery in the state. And get this, it was so valuable back in the day that 20 barrels of the good stuff were traded for shares in a gold mine. That's liquid gold, literally. But like any great drama, tragedy struck in 1917 with a fire that almost wiped it off the map. Cue the hero music. It was rebuilt on the same hallowed grounds. Let me tell you, better than ever. So whether you're sipping their single barrel bourbon or a smooth straight rye, know you're raising a glass to history. Folks, here's to Green River Whiskey, where rich flavor meets richer stories. Hop on over to greenriverwhisky.com Discover a legend in a bottle today.

[Colin Cowherd]

Cheers to that.

[Tito's Handmade Vodka Voiceover]

A product of Green River Distilling Company, Owensboro, Kentucky. Alcohol by volume varies by product. Green RiverWhiskey.com Please drink responsibly.

[Colin Cowherd]

I'll get to Jaden Daniels eventually. The quarterback that I think is really good is Jordan Love. So I had joke for years, I had more video of Bigfoot than Jordan Love. For three years at practice, like they wouldn't release video. Then I saw him and I was like, oh, this is rough. Matt Lafleur criticized him and at a press conference then I saw him and I'm like, oh, this kid's got a whip. This is an arm. This kid is something. And then last year he's banged up and he kind of regresses. So where are we According to your 50 GMS assistant GMS, where are we on Jordan Love?

[Jay]

Well, he's low tier 2. The only guy lower in tier 2 is Brock Purdy, I think with a feeling that he has the talent to ascend higher in Tier 2. But I thought the quotes on him were fascinating. All over the place. One guy said, hey, I think that Matt Lafleur is actually holding him back by, you know, running his offense and should be tailored around him. Another one was like, hey, this guy Jordan Love is propped up by the big skill players around him. And I think another one was, you know, talking about just, you know, that he's really hasn't taken that next step and you wonder why. And it seems odd that he throws the ball deep so much. Like was this part of the plan or is he a throwback to guys who wing it down the field? Some of that plays into the inter interceptions. I just felt it wasn't focused. The talk around him wasn't as focused. I don't have as good of a feel the direction.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, you know what? I'm going to defend him. Them drafting a receiver in the first round tells you that they don't trust their group of receivers. There's some health issues, some drop issues, some immaturity issues. And by going after a receiver from Texas who. I like that and I think Green Bay historically drafts pretty smart. They, they do, they draft and develop. I think it kind of spoke volumes about. It's not a Jordan issue. It's, you know what these receivers, we got some, we got some issues here. So I, I'm on the Jordan Love bandwagon. You've been doing this 12 years. Is there a common thread or is every year just a basket of surprises for you?

[Jay]

It's really not surprising as I do it and I'm more interested in what surprises the public. So like the first conversation I had yesterday morning, you know, was someone was all over me about Jalen Hurts and he wasn't higher. I didn't see that coming at all. Maybe I should have. But you just get so, you're kind of so on the inside talking to people for so long that it all sort of makes sense. And then there's some outlier votes, you know, among them. You know, I think there's debate over why would Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson get any tier 2 votes, some things like that. But overall I think it really makes a lot of sense. It feels right to me when you.

[Colin Cowherd]

Do talk about the great ones. Mahomes did not have a great year. He was tremendous as the team was in, in those one score games where I think they were like 11 and oh or something. And a lot of that's just Andy's coaching Mahomes clutch play. I mean they're just, they're just an experience like the Patriots in Foxborough during Brady. Man, if it was close, you just had a feeling. Elway, they're going to win certain games. When you, when people talk about Mahomes because statistically he doesn't blow you away. He doesn't. He doesn't. He's not as big as Allen. He's not as electric running as Jaden or Lamar. What do they say about Mahomes? Is he still viewed as sort of it. It?

[Jay]

Yeah. Yes. One of the great quotes in there was like, he sort of has the Brady seat right now. Right. Because of his pedigree, because of his winning, because of he's always in the AFC championship game every year. I think for him to be perceived as falling off, it's going to take more than his stats not being glittering because everyone knows how good he is and he finishes those games. I think it's going to take like, you know, an early, early playoff exit with mediocre stats. Well, Josh Allen is the undisputed MVP and goes to the super bowl. Right. There's no one really knocking Mahomes off that perch until they don't have the team success, which he's driving a lot with those end of game heroics. It just feels a little less sustainable, doesn't. You can't go 11 and oh in one score games forever. It just doesn't happen. So is this the year that Denver beats him? You know, Denver wins the division and, and they're, they, they don't miss the playoffs, but they're one and done. It hasn't happened yet. I think if it does, we'll see the conversation shift a little.

[Colin Cowherd]

One of the players I'm constantly supporting and I get more and more pushback is Justin Herbert. And my take is, well, he got two coordinators as head coaches and it didn't work. And frankly, until Harbaugh got there, I didn't. I mean, Rashawn Slater worked, but I didn't. You know, Joe Alt shored up what was always a okay at best o line. What do you hear? It's anytime it's anonymous, people are more honest. Yeah, I love Herbert size, his toughness. What do people say, though?

[Jay]

You kind of, hey, is something missing because they haven't had more success in the postseason in some of those close games. I think that's been part of it. One of the interesting ones from, I think it was a defensive coordinator said, hey, he's really good. He can do everything, but he's a click slower than those really elite guys. Just in terms of his, I don't know if it was the processing or just the quickness of playing the game. So I think he's right where he probably belongs. Top of tier two. The talent to go to tier one. But another question is, can you go to. You're going to go to tier one in that offense. One of the guys was like, hey, don't they have like 18 running backs on their team, you know? Or do they even, do they even want to have that type of season? So he doesn't have the team success that Mahomes has. He can't have Mahomes type stats. And people say you're tier one anyway. He almost needs the stats in the absence of the team success to get into that top group.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. And for the record, Mike, Mike Sandler joining us for our radio audience, Harbaugh, you can go Stanford or the Niners to Michigan. He's never built his team around wide receivers. I mean, Michigan won a Natty with one NFL receiver. The Niners had Michael Crabtree. You can't name the Stanford wide receivers. So he's not really. I mean, he passed on a receiver. Brian Thomas, he loved to get Joe Alt. That's just who he is. He is a. He's never going to be a guy that builds sideline in.

[Jay]

And it's about the team. And I'm fine with that for your team. I think history has shown that, you know, history has shown that the John Harbaughs and Mike Tomlins and Pete Carroll's and Bill Belichicks value the team. There's always going to be people saying you should let Russ Cook or let this guy throw, but they have a way of putting together a team that's about the team, not about the player. And so you don't get a spectacular season sometimes from the quarterback. Whereas we've seen Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees with offensive coaches have incredible seasons, but, you know, only one super bowl win. Right? Because maybe it got to be a little bit too much about the quarterback.

[Colin Cowherd]

And finally, Jaden Daniels. I had said a couple times on the show today, I love the kid, but he beat one playoff team and that was the Eagles. When Kenny Pickett played most of the game, he got a very, very Dan Snyder's out of town. It wasn't toxic. The Cowboys weren't very good. The Giants were awful. You start looking at the times he played a Baker, a Lamar, a Jalen.

[Tito's Handmade Vodka Voiceover]

Hurts.

[Colin Cowherd]

He didn't win those shootouts. Was there any pushback at all on Jaden Daniels that, hey, listen, it was a pretty comfortable year one.

[Jay]

I need to have you as one of the voters next year. That was pretty good. Pretty good pushback on Jaden. I didn't get pushed back that Hard on him. You know, he did beat Burrow early in the year. Right. With that dime ball down the sideline. I thought that was good. You know, I think for him, it's rare to get to the championship game with a rookie quarterback and a bottom 10 defense in a place where, yes, the culture was better, but they haven't done anything there. So he clearly drove it. I think everyone was very impressed with his poise, his. No questions about his processing. And, oh, by the way, he's super elusive. I think the, The. The question probably is more about, you know, he got banged up a little bit with the ribs, is he's not the thickest guy. Is he going to, you know, is he going to wear down or get banged up? But I didn't see any red flags.

[Colin Cowherd]

I.

[Jay]

Sort of.

[Colin Cowherd]

Pervert.

[Jay]

I hear any red flags. I, I look at it this way, though. Stroud and Herbert are the two other guys, since I've been doing this, that finished almost as high as him in their debuts and quarterback tiers, and in Herbert's case, kind of plateaued. He's good, but hasn't really become the tier one guy. And then Stroud, in his second year, you know, his number of tier one votes went from 12 to one, so that's why he's not in tier one. Jaden Daniels, they want to see it again against defensive coordinators that are going to be ready, but I don't necessarily. Those are some interesting things you brought up, but I don't know that they're red flags. Right. They're not like fatal flaws. They're just things to keep in mind that, hey, if they go 9 and 8 and he, you know, isn't in the MVP conversation, that may be realistic.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, I don't think he. By the way, I, I think he's special, so I don't. I don't think he's going to go back. And I would even defend CJ Stroud. All his receivers got hurt, and Tunel had a so, so year. So, Mike Sando, it's the athletic cover in the NFL for 28 years. You can spend several hours on it. It's just a lot of fun. It's a great read. Go on vacation with your fam. It's great seeing you, Mike.

[Jay]

I appreciate it. I would love to, but I had my vacation already. We talked in the break. My vacation is done before I do this. If I take a vacation now, I think they might move on. They might want less of Sando, like you were talking about. Less of. Less of Collins. So, yeah, I appreciate it. I'm gonna see what I can do on that vacation, though.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. In camp.

[Jay]

Thank you.

[Colin Cowherd]

I think a pre and a post tier vacation is very reasonable for all the publicity. You can be athletic.

[Jay]

Next contract that's going in. Yeah, I love it. Okay, thanks.

[Colin Cowherd]

Thanks, Mike.

[Tito's Handmade Vodka Voiceover]

I love.

[Colin Cowherd]

I love it so much. Love it. It was such a gift. Monday on the train to work. What a gift. Here is J. Mac with the news.

[J. Mac]

No, no, no, Turn on the news.

[Colin Cowherd]

This is the Herd line news.

[Producer]

All right, Colin, let's start with a couple of our teammates here at Fox. Tom Brady sat down with Joel Klatt recently and talked to him about quarterbacks in the game of football today that remind him of himself. Brady only named one guy.

[J. Mac]

It's always that line about who wants to win versus who's willing to do whatever it takes to win.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. Because everyone wants to win.

[J. Mac]

Everyone wants to win. But what are the habits and the daily habits and the actionable things you need to do every day to put your team in a position to win? So Patrick Mahomes, to me, is the one that does that the most often.

[Colin Cowherd]

Sure.

[J. Mac]

Because who he is, I mean, obviously his physical talent, how he understands what he needs to do offensively, and he brings a consistent winning attitude to work every single day. In the biggest moments, you can depend on him the most.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, I think that's. I think that's reasonable. I think in the biggest moments, it feels different. And, you know, so much of quarterbacking is those critical moments. I've said this before. Michael Jordan had bad games in the finals, a couple against the Jazz and the Sonics, and he had bad games and bad shots. But generally in the biggest moments, Michael took over. Or Shaq Kobe, you know, Steph takes over is Mahomes has bad halves. Mahomes has bad games. But on third down and four in the red zone with 48 seconds left, that's where he's got the Brady MJ Elway thing. He just is consistently a notch better. And I think, yeah, it's. He's not always pretty. He's not. He's had. Go, go. Last year he had eight or nine games or halves. He just wasn't dialed in. But it was usually the first half or a game they won anyway when he had to have a big drive. There is a reality of he just clicks.

[Producer]

I mean, I. I largely agree. I would put a guy like Jalen Hurts in that category. I would put Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. The only problem is two of those three guys haven't won, so it's tough to like even mention them in the same sentence as Brady. But yeah, I, I largely like that. And listen, I may bash the Chiefs a lot, but let's be real, Patrick Mahomes is legendary.

[Colin Cowherd]

Okay?

[Producer]

That's obvious. Next story. Colin, let's, let's go back to Caleb Williams for a moment. He's had a rough preseason choppy under his new head coach. Well, former Dolphin Taron Armstead watched joint practices between the Bears and Dolphins and had some takeaways explaining why Williams has been benched.

[Mike Sando]

Caleb's process playing that quarterback position has to improve fast and pretty fast, in my opinion, on a consistent basis. Caleb was not able to recognized where he was in danger. He, he's, he wasn't feeling pressure, he wasn't feeling blitzes. He wasn't seeing blitzes and threats pre snap. Anthony Weaver, the Dolphins defensive coordinator, was able to send guys from, from all different spots on the field and man, a lot of those got home. A lot of those would have been sacks.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, that, that's pretty alarming. I mean, and that's what we're hearing. It's the process thing. Nobody's saying arm movement. Nobody. It's, it's the, and the processing thing. You know, you and I have said this before. He had a lot of college starts. He had him at Oklahoma, he had a usc. So it's not like a lack of stars. Anthony Richardson hasn't played enough football. Lot of starts, two programs, good offensive coach. I mean, Lincoln Riley's above average college offensive coach. So there's a lot of things you're like, it should work. A lot of starts, good offensive coaches, strong big arm. All the reason we're all flummoxed by it is we can't see the processing. Everything you see, you're like, oh, that's good. I mean, Greg Cosell's like, oh, yeah, he throws an unbelievable. Josh Allen, like powerball. So the processing though, is it. Lack of film study, is it. He doesn't feel comfortable in the pocket. Like, I think last year we thought that the Bears online was young, it would upgrade. It regressed badly. So I think some of it is Ben Johnson just wants the ball out faster. Just get rid of the ball, eliminate sacks. You know, it's like even Belichick said about Brady, his second best strength was he got the ball out of his hands. He didn't get hit. And you can always make more yards handing the ball or passing the ball to somebody else, then you can, can do yourself. So I Think a lot of what Ben Johnson's trying to do. First read. Second read. No hero ball. And some of Caleb's habits at USC at the end of last year are bad habits.

[Producer]

And getting those out is going to be difficult. Final story. Colin, is this guy named Travis Kelce who you're obviously familiar with. He is an international superstar at this point. Now, he has admitted that his last two seasons haven't been up to his standards because he was extremely excited to venture into a new world of acting and being an entertainer. So he's admitting it. He later added that his only goal is to win a Super Bowl. Also, this was set in a GQ cover story. Colin. Gq.

[Colin Cowherd]

All right.

[Producer]

Yesterday, obviously he talked about Taylor Swift coming on his podcast to promote her new album.

[Colin Cowherd]

Here we go.

[Producer]

Look at Travis there. Look at this outfit, Colin. I mean, really GK Hugh. Travis Kelce looks like a, a guy from the stone ages. Well, I don't know, man.

[Colin Cowherd]

He.

[Producer]

Oh, sorry, go ahead.

[Colin Cowherd]

Again, he's not a quarterback. I thought he was going to retire. I'm, I'm going to give him a little pass for one year. Dating the world's most famous pop star as a tight end. As they drafted another tight end a couple years ago, Noah Gray, to reduce his role. Was he good when it mattered? In the third, down the fourth down the big games? By and large, yes. He's also had his self admission as 10 surgeries, so I'm surprised he came back to play. So again, at the end of your, you know, Brady started doing commercials after he beat Atlanta in the Super Bowl. Even Tom's like, I'm doing commercials. If you're at the end of a Hall of Fame career, you have your money, your fame, your legacy and multiple rings in which you have been the number, number one receiver. I'm going to give you a year that you got a little sidetracked with the world's biggest pop star. And I still thought he was good last year. He just, he now admits sometimes you get distracted.

[Producer]

I mean, can you just quantify good last year it was by almost every metric the worst season of his career.

[Colin Cowherd]

Of his career. Right. Worst year of his career.

[Producer]

You're saying those, those terrible numbers for his career are still good for an average titan. Kyle Pitts would kill for the, like that kind of.

[Colin Cowherd]

That's right. I, I get again, if everybody, life is circumstantial. If in any industry you had 10 to 12 years where you're like, remember he was a middle draft pick. If you were great and Then let's say you went through a divorce, or you went through a tragedy in your family, or you were just distracted. You, you, you're going through a tough time. You get one out of 12 years, you're not quite buttoned up. He's been an unbelievable blocking catching leader. There's everything about him I love.

[Producer]

So. So I, I mean, that's an interesting point. Hey, he's had a great run. Let's give me. So if my wife kicks me to the curb and I start dating Sydney Sweeney and I start showing up here a little sauced for the news, would you be like, hey, let's give J. Mac a pass? He's been with us.

[Colin Cowherd]

No, no, I want about four more years of that. By the way, by the way, he was still named a Pro Bowler. He went to his third straight super bowl. The worst season of his career. Here are the numbers. Top five in receiving among tight ends at his age. He's 36. So again, by his standards, worst of his career, he was still a top five tight end. He was still the number one target in big games. And by the way, because their receiving crew's a mess, the last two years, he draws more doubles. Like it was different when Tyreek Hill was getting a double. Like he has become like the de facto third down guy and the run game is not as good as you want.

[Producer]

You admitted, though, he was like a fringe top five tight end. And he's getting older and he's doing GQ photos. How would he be enjoying life now? Let's say this season he falls to. He's a top 12 tight end.

[Colin Cowherd]

Then he should retire.

[Producer]

Interesting.

[Colin Cowherd]

I mean, tight ends block. He's old. He's had 10 surgeries. He was third in receptions among tight ends. That's pretty good.

[Producer]

Where was he in the Super Bowl?

[Colin Cowherd]

Didn't have a great Super Bowl. The team did not have a great super bowl championship game.

[Producer]

What are you doing now?

[Colin Cowherd]

I don't remember that on Foggy. I. I just know they won. J. Mac. He did lead the Chiefs in receiving yards. That's another one the staff just told me. Well, it's something J. Mac with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Herd lie news. I mean, again, you get into these LeBron and Brady where they don't have down years and. But it's just not the way. It just not the way it mostly works. People. You know, even, even a great quarterback, you change coordinators, you lose your left tackle, you get hit more. I mean, I, I look at Kelsey as when you're that good for that long at that physical a position and then you start dating the world's most famous pop star, you're going to get a little distracted. It's, it's he's a great looking guy with 150 million net worth. Yeah. And for the record, LeBron James, as great as he is, his average has fallen four straight years. He's just, he has spurts. Travis Kelsey has spurts. He has games, he has halves, he has moments. But you, you know these it's father time. And I think I thought he would retire. I think he's got one more year. Then he'll retire. That seems fitting. Wrap it up. Next, the Herd. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific.

[Paulie]

Let's be Real life happens. Kids spill, pets shed and accidents are inevitable. Find a sofa that can keep [e-mail] Starting at just $699, our sofas are fully machine washable inside and out, so you can say goodbye to stains and hello to worry free living. Made with liquid and stain resistant fabrics, they're kid proof, pet friendly and built for everyday life. Plus, changeable fabric covers let you refresh your sofa whenever you want. Need flexibility? Our modular design lets you rearrange your sofa anytime to fit your space, whether it's a growing family room or or a cozy apartment. Plus, they're earth friendly and trusted by over 200,000 happy customers. It's time to upgrade to a stress free, mess proof sofa. Visit washablesofas.com today and save that's washablesofas.com offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Tito's Handmade Vodka Voiceover]

American Public University is the number one provider of education to our military and veterans in this country. They offer something truly unique special rates and grants for the entire family, making education affordable not just for those who serve, but also for their loved ones. If you have a military or veteran family member and are looking for affordable, high quality education, Apu is the place for you. Visit Apu Apus Edumilitary to learn more. That's Apu Apus Edu Military Imagine never buying gas again. EVs are as easy to charge as your phone and perfect for everyday life. Drive daily with confidence everywhere you go. Most Americans drive 40 miles a day. Most EVs are equipped with 200 to 400 miles of range. They've got fewer parts, fewer repairs and fewer headaches. With hundreds of new and used EV models available today, there's An EV to fit every lifestyle and every budget. I love my electric vehicle. It's easy. No more gas stations. The way forward is electric. Learn more@electric for all.org hey folks, this message brought to you by the one and only official Whiskey of the herd with Colin Coward. Green River Whiskey. Now here's a story that'll knock your socks off.

[Colin Cowherd]

Picture this.

[Tito's Handmade Vodka Voiceover]

Founded way back in 1885, Green River Whiskey is OG Kentucky Cool, the 10th oldest distillery in the state. And get this, it was so valuable back in the day that 20 barrels of the good stuff were traded for shares in a gold mine. That's liquid gold. Literally. But like any great drama, tragedy struck in 1917 with a fire that almost wiped it off the map. Cue the hero music. It was rebuilt on the same hallowed grounds. Let me tell you, better than ever. So whether you're sipping their single barrel bourbon or a smooth straight rye, know you're raising a glass to history. Folks. Here's to Green River Whiskey, where rich flavor meets richer stories. Hop on over to greenriverwhiskey.com, discover a legend in a bottle today.

[Colin Cowherd]

Cheers to that.

[Tito's Handmade Vodka Voiceover]

A product of Green River Distilling Company, Owensboro, Kentucky. Alcohol by volume varies by product. Greenriverwhiskey.com Please drink responsibly.

[Colin Cowherd]

So a team that we know is good. Don't forget that the Rams took the Philadelphia Eagles to the last series of the game in a snow, snowstorm for an LA team. Rams are good. Their defense is exceptional. They have not missed on a defensive draft pick it seems like in three years. So Adam Gross Bart is reporting that no sign of Matt Stafford at Rams to start practice. So there's some, there's some back concerns about Matt Stafford. A couple years ago there was concern, I was told two years ago Les need and Sean McVeigh with just, you know, he took a lot of hits in Detroit and he's expensive but it's not outrageous. He is an unbelievable leader. He's the last old quarterback that will sit and take a helmet to the teeth. He's great. But there are concerns. The Rams, remember they moved back last year. They have two first round picks. The Rams are going to draft a quarterback. They did not like this quarterback class. They're going to draft a quarterback next year in the first round even if Matt Stafford is good. So it's a fascinating year for the Rams because they love Stafford but he has a back disc issue and their left tackle has a blood clot issue I believe. So the two things they really need next year's draft and I was surprised. They did not draft a corner. I said that they did not draft the corner. They went with another outside linebacker and inside linebacker because, you know, they reportedly love them, but I they need a, they need a tackle and a quarterback and a cornerback. So the Rams are really, really good, but this is a little disturbing. Matt Hasselbeck, who was in the NFL for a while, he knows the aches and pains of an old quarterback, talked about Stafford and his back issues.

[Matt Hasselbeck]

The closest thing I could equate it to is like you burn your mouth like on a hot piece of pizza or something, and it just, it doesn't get better quick. And that's kind of what the back injury typically is. There' all different types of back injuries, but they just don't seem to get better quick. And then even if they do get better, you've missed all this time of like heavy weight training or physicality that goes into your off season and you're just not the version of yourself that you normally are. So I'd be very concerned if I was a Rams fan right now just because Stafford is valuable and it's just not a great place to be up in there.

[Colin Cowherd]

And it's interesting. The Rams went and got Devonte Adams, they drafted another running back and they drafted a high draft pick tight end. So. And they, and they did not draft an offensive tackle, which I thought was a need. So they want. It feels like it's a last hurrah. They, they gave an extension to Kyron Williams. So the running back class now has Blake Corum, Kyron Williams, a kid they drafted out of Auburn, I think in the fourth round. And they added Devonte Adams to Puka Nakua. Terence Ferguson, very good Oregon tight end, added him to Tyler Higsby, who's a very solid BB plus tight end. So it does feel like they're giving him Pookin. Devonte Adams, another tight end, another running back, but they didn't pass on the offensive line. So Rob Havenstein's a great right tackle, but he's got maybe a year or two left. So it is, it's a little problematic a little concerning that Stafford and I don't need him playing in the preseason. I said I don't want Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, Stafford, older guys been banged up. I don't want them playing in the preseason. I have no interest in playing in the preseason. But it's just something to keep your eye on because I mean, they, they, they know. And the Rams have been very good about spotting problems. Two Years ago they had Stafford concerns injuries but he was, he's so damn good when he plays and he's upright. But he is the eighth most sacked quarterback since he entered this league. You know, they, they. So they got an extra pick from the Atlanta Falcons first round. So J. Max got the Atlanta Falcons like crushing this year. You privately they wouldn't say it because Raheem Morris, the head coach of Atlanta is very one of Sean McVeigh's best friends. But it would do the Rams really well if remember less sneed his son plays at Texas. He was spotted talking to Arch Manning. They drafted Jordan Winningham, the wide receiver, kind of the team leader in the sixth round. He popped last year in a couple games. So they've got, they've got a lot of information at the University of Texas they're going to draft the quarterback. And I had been told a year ago they just did not like the Cam Ward Shador Jackson dart class. They just. Riley Leonard, they didn't think, they told me that a year before they didn't love the class. They really like this class. So the question is if Atlanta is good and the Rams are good, that's two late first round picks. They're not going to be able to move up. They just, they're not going to be able to move up to a top four or five pick. So you kind of hope Atlanta's mediocre and then all of a sudden Atlanta's got the 13th pick coupled with their first. You can move up to six or seven. But if Atlanta is good, it puts them in a weird spot. Stafford's old. They, they. And remember you got like three teams next year that the, what the Rams have to hope for is Jackson Dart is really good. So the Giants have their quarterback. You got to root for that. You got to root for all these young Michael Panicks is good, but not too good that Baker Mayfield and Tampa win the division. I mean this is what you're kind of hoping for.

[Producer]

Let me ask Colin. So I know there's a pipe dream Rams getting Arch Manning. So I did this Friday when you were on the golf course, let me give you the team and you tell me if Arch Manning, who let's say he has a good not, not the best season ever, but a really good season. He's thinking about coming out if the New Orleans Saints get the first pick. Obviously he's familiar with the city, the franchise. Does he come out? Does Arch leave Texas to go to New Orleans if they get the number one pick?

[Colin Cowherd]

I think yeah.

[Producer]

Okay, let me go with another one. Indianapolis Colts. Let's say the bottom falls out. DJ stinks. Anthony Richardson's a joke. They can fire the coach and draft Arch. One, Peyton Manning went to Indy. Does Arch come out? If Indy gets the number one pick, yes. Okay, so that's two. Now, this is the long shot. Dallas Cowboys. We don't think they're going to be great, but all of a sudden it's like, hey, well, we could just dust Schottenheimer after a year. We could get you a new coach. Arch, come on down. Does Arch leave early for Dallas?

[Colin Cowherd]

Yes.

[Producer]

Okay.

[Colin Cowherd]

Because the Mannings.

[Producer]

Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

Manning's no business. Yeah. So in my take is this is if Arch is great, which I think he will be.

[Producer]

Now. I didn't even mention the New York Giants could be in play. Now I know you're on this hype train. Could be good. There's a world where the Giants stink. Colin. And get the number one pick. Is he coming out for the New York Giants?

[Colin Cowherd]

Yes.

[Producer]

Also could fire Dable, get whoever they want. Eli played there. So now we're getting to. Oh, my gosh. How many teams are there that Arch.

[Colin Cowherd]

Would come out for? Well, I think your bigger point is the four teams that could possibly draft him all have a Manning connection. Eli knows the owner of the Giants, obviously. Peyton knows Irsay's daughters, the Saints. And Arch, it's like, literally, if Roger Goodell had to root for anything, it would be Arch to the Saints.

[Producer]

That would be Cleveland. And you have talked about the connections.

[Colin Cowherd]

No. Jimmy Sexton. Jimmy Sexton, Nick Saban, Haslam. The Mannings. Remember, you know, Peyton went to school at Tennessee. Who's the biggest booster of Tennessee? I think Haslam is probably one or two. So it's just interesting that all the Manning connections are the top five teams that will probably be drafting Arch Manning. And my guess is one of them will feel like a really good landing spot.

[Producer]

Yeah. Can you imagine how devastated New Orleans would be if Arch said, I'm not coming out? And the city that he knows. Great. Is left holding the bag with no Arch Manning.

[Colin Cowherd]

That would.

[Producer]

That would hurt.

[Colin Cowherd]

We'll see you tomorrow. Third. Hi, it's Colin.

[Tito's Handmade Vodka Voiceover]

I've been around long enough to know quality when I see it, or in.

[Colin Cowherd]

This case, when I taste it.

[Tito's Handmade Vodka Voiceover]

Tito's handmade vodka. Good stuff. No flash, no gimmick. Smooth, clean tasting. Made the right way. Tito's made in Austin, Texas. Real attention to detail. I like to keep it simple. Tito's soda, one lime. Lot of ice. Refreshing, easy summer winter, spring. Totally versatile, always works.

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen, baseball season's here.

[Tito's Handmade Vodka Voiceover]

It's a perfect time to kick back with some Tito's. It's what I pour. You should too. Distilled and bottled by 5th Generation Inc. Austin, Texas 40% alcohol by volume. Savor responsibly this message brought to you by the official Whiskey of the Herd with Colin Coward Green River Whiskey Green River Whiskey is the 10th oldest distillery in Kentucky and was once the most expensive Whiskey purchased when 20 barrels were traded for shares in a gold mine. From single barrel bourbons to straight rye, Green River's the perfect combo of rich flavor and richer history. Visit greenriverwhiskey.com to discover a legend in a bottle. A product of Green River Distilling Co. Owensboro, KY Alcohol by volume varies by product. Greenriverwhiskey.com, please drink responsibly. American Public University is the number one provider of education to our military and veterans in this country. They offer something truly unique special rates and grants for the entire family, making education affordable not just for those who serve, but also for their loved ones. If you have a military or veteran family member and are looking for affordable, high quality education, Apu is the place for you. Visit Apu Apus Edumilitary to learn more. That's Apu Apus Edu Military. Imagine never buying gas again. EVs are as easy to charge as your phone and perfect for everyday life. Drive daily with confidence everywhere you go. Most Americans drive 40 miles a day. Most EVs are equipped with 200 to 400 miles of range. They've got fewer parts, fewer repairs, and fewer headaches. With hundreds of new and used EV models available today, there's an EV to fit every lifestyle and every budget. I love my electric vehicle. It's easy. No more gas stations. The way forward is electric. Learn more@electric for all.org this is an iHeart podcast.