The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hour 3 – NFL Trade Deadline, Rams as a Complete Team, Bills’ Needs, and More

Date: November 3, 2025
Hosts/Guests: Colin Cowherd, Rob Parker, Albert Breer (Monday Morning Quarterback), Danny Parkins, J. Mack

Overview

This hour of The Herd dives deep into the looming NFL trade deadline, examining the evolving strategies of key teams (notably the Buffalo Bills), the aggressive tendencies of a new GM generation, and how contenders like the Rams and Bills are shaping up. Colin and guests also discuss the dynamic around NFL head coaches under pressure, quarterback narratives in Arizona, and major moments from baseball’s World Series. The hour closes with candid banter about Bears optimism, the Packers’ decline, and organizational excellence in pro sports.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The NFL Trade Deadline: Bills' Needs & Industry Trends

• Albert Breer on the Buffalo Bills’ Priorities

  • Defensive Tackle Search: Ed Oliver’s injury has pushed DT to the top of Buffalo’s priorities. Breer suggests a call to Washington for a player like Javon Kinlaw is in play.
  • Wide Receiver Options: The Bills are calling around for receivers. New Orleans’ Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed are mentioned; Olave’s long-term status is uncertain, and the asking price for Shaheed is “high,” but he offers the over-the-top speed Buffalo craves to leverage Josh Allen’s arm.
  • Quote: “Shahid does bring something to the table... an over the top type of weapon that can stretch the defense. He could really weaponize Josh Allen’s arm strength.” – Albert Breer [04:14]

• Aggression and Activity Among NFL GMs

  • Breer acknowledges more early, aggressive talks, with big names floated around, but actual trades often remain minimal.
  • Potential movers include Saints veterans (Demario Davis), Dolphins DB (Minkah Fitzpatrick), Jets defenders (Jermaine Johnson, Quincy Williams), Titans’ edge rushers, and Calvin Ridley.

2. Coaching Hot Seats and Front Office Evaluations

• Coaching Stability This Year

  • Compared to past seasons, there’s less heat on coaches for midseason firings. Giants probably will not make in-season changes.

  • The Dolphins’ recent firing of Chris Grier (GM) signals a “global look” at the organization. Owner Stephen Ross seems cautious about firing Mike McDaniel before season’s end, valuing what McDaniel has accomplished and preferring a clean organizational review.

  • Quote: “I think the barometer would be whether or not he loses the locker room... But I don’t think the idea would be to pull the trigger on Mike McDaniel until after the season when they get that full look at football ops.” – Albert Breer [09:22]

3. Top Teams & Playoff Prognostications

• Kansas City Chiefs Outlook: Breer says insiders believe the Chiefs are fine with Josh Simmons back, predicting a late surge as the O-line comes together.
• Buffalo Bills: Finally winning “in different ways”—effective running game, Allen throwing less—Buffalo is perceived as adaptable and dangerous.
• LA Rams: Labeled “complete,” the Rams’ physicality up front and balance (Sean McVay’s self-reflection as key) make them especially playoff-ready.
  • Quote: “This is very much like Sean McVay in the mirror... building a more physical team... The offense is really centered more around Kyren Williams than it is Matthew Stafford at this point.” – Albert Breer [11:33]
• Noted NFC West parity: “The Rams... look like a team that can win a lot of different types of fights, which is generally what wins in the playoffs.” [11:59]

4. Kyler Murray’s Future in Arizona

• The Cardinals’ QB dilemma is dissected: with Jacoby Brissett (average but stable) under center, weapons like Marvin Harrison have flourished. Brissett’s steadiness exposes how Murray’s improvisational style might disrupt offensive structure.
• Contract Conundrum: Arizona is “locked in” on guaranteed money for Murray through 2026, making a trade difficult unless a suitor emerges.
  • Quote: “I certainly think getting a look at what this looks like with just an average quarterback in there does become part of the evaluation.” – Albert Breer [13:32]

5. Bills, Jets, and Running Back Rumors

• Rob Parker floats that the Jets may need to "flush out a lot"—suggesting Breece Hall as a trade asset.
• Colin pokes fun at this, defending the idea that young QBs need Breece Hall and existing weapons as building blocks.
  • “Jets are going to be drafting top five, right? Top three, maybe top two. You need Breece Hall to hand off to.” – Colin Cowherd [15:15]

6. Postseason Baseball Dissection

• Dodgers’ World Series Win:
  • Huge viewership numbers: Game 7 peaked at over 31 million.
  • Rob and Colin debate whether Dodgers “dynasty” is good for baseball (“That’s just envy. It’s not bad for baseball.” – Rob [22:20]); parallels to historic dynasties (Yankees, Warriors, Chiefs).
  • Blue Jays’ collapse: criticized for baserunning in Game 6 and small lead at 3rd in Game 7.
  • “Dynasties are great. The Chiefs were a great dynasty. The Yankees, the Warriors. Everybody loves or hates dynasties. They’re polarizing.” – Colin [22:22]

7. Bears’ Resurgence & Packers’ Identity Crisis

• Danny Parkins (Bears fan) on Chicago’s offensive breakthrough:

  • “Literally, Colin, in my life the Bears, when they have allowed 35 or more, they have not won a football game since I turned 22.” – J. Mack [33:19]
  • Growing confidence in Caleb Williams' development, and praise for play-calling and protection under new OC Ben Johnson.
  • “It’s improvement... Caleb’s getting better at that. And then he has the ability to do those other things.” – J. Mack [35:05]

• Packers’ Decline

  • Bears fans appreciate Packers’ lack of identity, with Jordan Love’s inconsistency called out by J. Mack: “Jordan Love still makes inexplicable throws... Should have thrown a pick-six...” [42:30]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Breer on Bills’ Deadline Moves:

  • “Would you flip New Orleans a third round pick for Shahid whose contract is up after the year? ...they have asked on receivers, and again... top priority would be defensive tackle.” [04:14]

• On Sean McVay’s Rams Evolution:

  • “Like Sean McVay in the mirror... having more physical training camps and building a more physical team.” [11:33]

• On Bears’ Rare Offensive Outburst:

  • “Quite literally, I’ve never seen a game like Sunday... Caleb Williams was clutch, Ben Johnson was in his bag. They were electric, they were exciting...” – J. Mack [33:33]

• Colin on Baseball Dynasties:

  • “Dynasties are great... everybody loves or hates dynasties. They’re polarizing.” [22:22]

• J. Mack’s Cut on Packers:

  • “It’s hard to create an identity. They have lost theirs.” [41:54]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Bills’ Trade Deadline Needs: [03:56–05:23]
• Market Activity/GM Aggression: [05:23–07:42]
• Coaches on the Hot Seat & Dolphins’ “Global Look”: [07:42–10:03]
• League’s Best Teams Analysis: [10:03–12:20]
• Kyler Murray/Arizona QB Future: [13:10–14:42]
• Jets and Breece Hall Trade Talk: [15:03–15:36]
• Dodgers-Blue Jays World Series Recap: [21:06–23:16]
• Bears Offensive Breakthrough & Packers Struggles: [33:11–43:15]

Tone and Style

The discussion is fast-paced, opinionated, and collaborative, blending insider reporting (Breer), earnest defending of favorite teams (J. Mack, Danny Parkins), and Colin’s classic blend of curiosity and provocation. Sports talk banter and good-natured ribbing keep things energetic and accessible, even when covering complex strategy.

Conclusion

This episode of The Herd delivers a sweeping look at the NFL trade market as the deadline approaches, highlighting key contenders’ needs and the strategic mindset of rising GMs. The Rams’ physical makeover and the Bears’ offensive jump get special attention, with baseball’s latest World Series serving as a parallel for what makes dynasties and front-office excellence so compelling across pro sports. Listeners leave informed, entertained, and ready for what’s next at the trade deadline.