The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Hour 3) — October 27, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd is joined by former NFL quarterback Carson Palmer and college football analyst Josh Pate for lively conversations about quarterback performance and development in both the NFL and college football. The show covers critical evaluations of Caleb Williams and Jordan Love, Bo Nix’s progress with Sean Payton, Daniel Jones’ resurgence, A.J. Brown’s impact in Philadelphia, and major college football coaching landscapes. There’s also news analysis on Drake Maye’s surprising NFL success, the Chiefs’ outlook, and candid, insightful reflections on football culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Caleb Williams: Off-Script Magic, Pocket Questions

(02:43–04:40)

• Colin: Asks Carson Palmer to evaluate Caleb Williams’ strengths and concerns, particularly his timing, rhythm, and off-script playmaking.
• Carson Palmer:

  “The timing and rhythm aspect of his game and just playing within the pocket is non-existent. His outside-the-pocket, you know, making a play, extending a play is as good as anybody else in the league with maybe the exception of Mahomes… I just have yet to watch a game where I’ve seen him excel in the pocket... I just don’t see the development there for the last couple years and I don’t see a comfort level with Caleb’s game within the pocket.”
  (03:26–04:40)

• Implication: Williams’ improvisational skills are elite, but his lack of traditional, in-pocket quarterbacking raises major NFL concerns.

2. Jordan Love: The Merits of Sitting and Studying

(04:40–06:45)

• Colin: Marvels at Jordan Love’s patience, maturity, and growth after sitting behind Aaron Rodgers for three years.
• Carson Palmer:

  “It’s a huge challenge, especially if you’re a first-round pick... For the first time in your career, you’re having to sit and watch somebody else play... When I watch Jordan Love play, he reminds me [of] Aaron Rodgers in the way he throws the ball... He’s built that because he did not look like that coming out of Nevada... He spent those three years diagnosing his game, picking up on little things watching the way [Rodgers] worked... He’s generating the velocity from his lower half... much like we saw Aaron Rodgers and much like he watched Aaron Rodgers do.”
  (05:16–06:45)

• Takeaway: Love’s transformation is a testament to the value of patience and learning from a master; his physical improvements and mental understanding mark him as a legit Rodgers successor.

3. Bo Nix and Third Down Performance: Player, Coach, or Both?

(06:45–07:36)

• Colin: Raises question about Bo Nix’s third-down execution, whether it’s his progression or Sean Payton’s coaching.
• Carson Palmer:

  “You combine a great offensive-minded coach and then a quarterback that’s really mature, really smart, really does a good job taking care of the football and he has the ability, if number one and number two aren’t there, to get out there and move the chains with his feet. That’s a really rare, unique and rare combination that they have going in Denver.”
  (07:07–07:36)

4. Daniel Jones: From Written-Off to Must-Extend

(07:36–09:36)

• Colin: Candidly admits missing on Daniel Jones, who’s thriving with the Colts and looks dynamic after being dismissed as stiff and limited.
• Carson Palmer:

  “I’ve always liked his game... The athletic ability is there... Now, having protection and having the confidence in the guys in front of you... You give him a solid offensive line with Jonathan Taylor... with that defense and a great young play caller, I really like this setup for Daniel... Some of the plays... you think back because he was in that New York media, the long 50- or 60-yard run where he tripped in the open field... but the guy still took off for 50 all the time in New York, he was always making plays with his legs.”
  (08:18–09:36)

• Summary: A better supporting cast and system have unlocked Jones’ true talent; he’s moved past his New York stigma.

5. A.J. Brown, Locker Room Dynamics, and Addition-by-Subtraction

(09:36–12:08)

• Colin: Wonders if teams sometimes become more functional after losing an ultra-talented, high-profile receiver, referencing A.J. Brown and the Eagles’ offense.
• Carson Palmer:

  “A.J. Brown’s heavy on Jalen Hurts’ shoulders. You sensed it for the first six weeks of the season... you don’t want them to run 70% when you do take a shot and then you overthrow it and then, you know, that gets heavy... So I was not surprised at all to see the success they had, and I wouldn’t be all that surprised if, if AJ wasn’t on that team for very much longer.”
  (10:45–12:08)

• Insight: The pressure to keep superstars happy can weigh on QBs and teams, and sometimes, subtraction by subtraction actually works.

6. Personal Insight: Carson Palmer Coaching and Family Life

(12:08–12:50)

• Colin: Checks in on Palmer’s high school coaching.
• Carson Palmer:

  “We’re doing good... I’m always yelling, I’m always screaming. I’m not cussing, but I’m on the headset and I’m in the refs year nonstop... critiquing their game more than I’m critiquing my own players’ game. But yeah, I’m that guy yelling and screaming on the headset for sure.”
  (12:11–12:46)

7. NFL News Desk: Surprise Division Leaders and Patriots’ Rise

(17:44–20:25)

• Cavino & Colin: Drake Maye’s standout rookie year for the Patriots, surprising division leads (Patriots, Colts, Broncos).
• Drake Maye (clip):

  “The fans have been awesome all season. It’s been really cool to really see the difference from last year to this year. Man, it’s been a journey... I think the best fans in the league and they continue to show out every week.”
  (18:10–18:41)

• Colin:

  “This kid throws such a pretty ball and his feet aren’t nervous. Like, he’s not frenetic. He’s just a big, athletic, accurate quarterback. He’s like Justin Herbert, like the ball. He looks like a logo.”
  (18:59–19:32)

• Cavino: Points out Patriots haven’t been tested against good teams recently, but favorable schedule ahead.

8. Monday Night Football Preview: Chiefs’ Health and Execution

(20:25–22:44)

• Cavino and Colin: Analyze injury updates (Chiefs missing offensive linemen against Washington) and betting insight for the game.
• Matt Nagy (Chiefs OC):

  “The execution by these players has been great. Protect the football. That’s been a key element... This is a detailed offense... all of a sudden one little detail can hurt you.”
  (20:55–21:25)

9. College Football Coach Carousel and Job Hierarchy (Josh Pate Interview)

(27:37–34:13)

• Brian Kelly’s LSU Tenure – What Didn’t Work?

  • Josh Pate:

    “Brian Kelly never understood how to harness Louisiana... If you come in there and you just do above average work in recruiting and ingratiating yourself to those people, it is a rocket booster attached to your back... I just don’t think Brian Kelly ever really wanted to roll his sleeves up and get dirty...”
    (28:21–29:49)

• Best College Coaching Openings: LSU, Florida, Penn State

  • Josh Pate:

    “A lot of people in the sport think LSU is the best job in college football... If you take generic college football coach... they would say LSU, Florida, Penn State, in that order... For a guy like Lane Kiffin, I think he’d fit great in Baton Rouge or Gainesville.”
    (30:29–32:00)

• Indiana’s Sudden Dominance

  • Josh Pate:

    “Sometimes a guy is just a perfect fit at the perfect place at the perfect time... Maybe this really was just an example of a guy who was ready to jump and he was at James Madison... He had to reportal again this year... [Other major programs] portaled and failed, and Kurt Signetti is just sitting over there looking pissed off that he’s only up by 50.”
    (32:32–34:13)

10. Quarterback Prospects: Sunday Potential

(34:13–35:49)

• Colin: Asks for the next great college QB prospect.
• Josh Pate:

  “The one thing I’ll say about Ty [Simpson]... is they don’t have a complementary ground game and too much has been put on their shoulders... Ty Simpson’s complementary ground game is not there... What stood out to me... is they’ve still been able to scale their offense... I think you may see him play his best ball down the stretch.”
  (34:47–35:49)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Carson Palmer on Caleb Williams:

  “The timing and rhythm aspect of his game and just playing within the pocket is non-existent… I just don’t see the development there.” (03:26–03:53)

• On Jordan Love:

  “When I watch Jordan Love play, he reminds me of Aaron Rodgers in the way he throws the ball, the way he moves within the pocket…” (05:16–05:26)

• On A.J. Brown’s Influence:

  “A.J. Brown’s heavy on Jalen Hurts’ shoulders... that gets heavy. You know that weighs on Jalen’s shoulders.” (10:45–11:43)

• Josh Pate on Brian Kelly:

  “If he would have won, they don’t care if he speaks Portuguese pig Latin. They don’t care if he won, he would have fit and the entirety of Louisiana would have gotten behind him.” (28:54–29:08)

• Colin on Drake Maye:

  “This kid throws such a pretty ball and his feet aren’t nervous. Like, he’s not frenetic. He’s just a big, athletic, accurate quarterback.” (18:59–19:11)

Additional News and Rapid-Fire Segments

• Rams cornerback trade prediction came true (37:29)
• NFL trade deadline speculation: Patriots, Colts, Rams (37:29–38:24)
• Monday Night Football props and analysis—focus on trends, injuries, and potential surprises (20:25–22:44)

Conclusion

This episode delivers high-level football analysis with a heavy focus on quarterback development, both on the field and in the locker room, and a keen look at college football’s coaching landscape. Carson Palmer and Josh Pate bring experienced, candid, and entertaining perspectives, while Colin orchestrates nuanced, in-the-moment reflections on the NFL’s biggest stories and trends. The dialogue is fast-paced, insightful, and packed with actionable knowledge for football fans looking for more than just the box score.