The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Hosted by Jason McIntyre & Rachel Nichols)

Hour 3: Rich Ohrnberger, Cardale Jones
Date: August 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This dramatic, news-packed hour centers on the seismic trade of Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys to the Green Bay Packers—a move described as "league-shifting" and likened to the biggest NFL transactions of the past decade. Jason McIntyre and Rachel Nichols break down the impact on both franchises, debate Jerry Jones’ management, and examine broader implications for the NFC hierarchy. The episode also features in-depth guest appearances by former NFL lineman Rich Ohrnberger and legendary Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones, discussing the trade and previewing a marquee Ohio State vs. Texas college football clash (with a focus on new Texas QB Arch Manning).

Main Discussion Themes

1. The Shocking Micah Parsons Trade (02:47–15:24, 20:33–30:51, 38:09–40:20)

• Overview:
  The Packers make an uncharacteristic blockbuster trade, prying away All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons from the Cowboys. The move immediately changes the Super Bowl landscape and sets off heated debate about Dallas’s front-office logic and the Packers’ Super Bowl hopes.

• Packers' Perspective:

  • Jason McIntyre lauds the Packers for capitalizing on their window:

    “This puts them in serious Super Bowl consideration. I had them in my Tier Two for contenders earlier this week. They clearly vault to one.” (03:27)

  • Calls it a “seismic” move, bigger than recent trades involving Matthew Stafford, Christian McCaffrey, and Khalil Mack, noting Parsons’ youth and All-Pro production.
  • Emphasizes the shift in organizational philosophy—first-round WR pick in Matthew Golden showing willingness to break from tradition.

• Cowboys' Perspective:

  • Jason argues Jerry Jones was “emotional” and mishandled the situation:

    “Amateurs act on emotion. Pros look at the numbers, and the numbers said, Jerry, you bungled this badly.” (08:25)

  • Dallas loses leverage by waiting too long; the return is underwhelming compared to historic trades.
  • Critiques Jones’ justification for the trade and highlights a disconnect between his statements ("we need to stop the run") and Dallas’s recent draft picks.

• National and League Impact:

  • Rachel Nichols and Jason dissect likely playoff matchups, notably a potential Packers–49ers NFC Championship featuring Parsons vs. Trent Williams.
  • The deal shifts Green Bay’s Super Bowl odds from +2200 to +1200 overnight.

• Notable Quotes:

  • Jason McIntyre:

    “Micah Parsons is already on track to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer after four seasons. He’s in the discussion with the likes of Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, Myles Garrett.” (04:27)

  • On Jerry Jones’ spin:

    “If I was allowed to use expletives, I would have come out of that quote and said, ‘What the [blank] are you talking about?’” (10:32)

  • Producer’s joke:

    “If Jerry Jones wore his shirt inside out...would anybody in Dallas have the cojones to tell him?...Feels like nobody is telling Jerry what he needs to hear.” (12:55)

  • Rachel Nichols, on Parsons:

    “It was those little things that I think were frustrating...” (15:24, referencing voluntary activities and off-field behavior)

2. Guest Reactions & Deeper Analysis

Rich Ohrnberger (Former NFL Lineman, PSU alum)

(20:33–32:45)

• Shock and Context:

  • “I was shocked like everybody else. I thought Jerry would come to his senses...” (21:28)
  • Highlights the rarity: only 1 of 29 first-round Pro Bowlers in the modern era left their team before a fifth season—and that's Parsons.

• Trade Impact:

  • “It’s not just franchise-shifting for Packers and Cowboys, but it’s league-shifting. …This takes the Packers to a different level … and plummets the Cowboys’ already paltry chances.” (22:39)
  • Suggests something personal, not just business, led to the move:

    “It felt like this went beyond business for some reason.” (23:38)

• On Parsons’ Character:

  • “From a character standpoint, I haven’t heard anything negative about Micah Parsons... all you see is his leadership.” (24:40)
  • Discusses possible locker room protection, but says nothing truly disruptive was ever public.

Cardale Jones (Legendary Ohio State QB)

(44:27–52:47)

• Initial Reaction:
  • “Another example that Jerry Jones needs to get out of his own way. …I don’t know how you away such a dominant pass rusher…who’s continued to get better each and every year.” (45:01)

3. College Football Preview — Ohio State vs. Texas (w/ focus on Arch Manning)

(28:12–30:51, 44:51–52:35)

• James Franklin Discussion (Penn State Coach):

  • Ohrnberger reflects on Franklin’s struggles vs. elite competition:

    “You can say one thing and also live in reality...where he is 1-16 against top-5 opponents. That does hurt...” (28:48)

  • Acknowledges Franklin’s need to adapt and evolve; believes this could be the year for a breakthrough.

• Ohio State–Texas Game Preview (w/Cardale Jones):

  • Hype around Arch Manning as Texas' new starter. Cardale’s take:

    “I’m never jumping on anyone’s hype machine unless I can see it consistently for at least two years. …If he was this good, why didn’t he start last year?” (47:30)

  • On whether Arch will be rattled:

    “I wouldn’t say rattled, but this is an environment he’s never played in before...now you’re the guy.” (46:24)

  • Keys to the game:
    • Both teams have new offensive linemen; the real battle will be in the trenches.
    • Emphasizes OSU’s depth at skill positions beyond Jeremiah Smith.
  • Good-natured trash talk after Texas legend Colt McCoy picks Texas by 10:

    “I’m letting you know right now, ain’t no way in heck Texas leaving Columbus, Ohio victorious.” (51:14)

4. NFL Player Rankings & QB Debate

(33:00–35:45)

• Jalen Hurts’ Top 100 Placement:
  • Rachel Nichols presents debate over Hurts’ ranking (#19), calls criticism “disrespectful.”
  • Jason McIntyre counters that volume stats don’t account for context like game flow and roster strengths.
  • Rachel: “If you were asking someone to win you a Super Bowl, and he went out and won a Super Bowl, what else do you want?”

5. Washington Commanders Outlook

(35:45–38:09)

• Optimism on offense, skepticism on defense:
  • Rachel: “My rule is the Fight Club rule. What’s the first rule of being a Commander fan? We don’t talk about the defense.”
  • Jason: Puts Washington on the NFC’s second tier with the Lions, Rams, Bucs, and Falcons.
  • Both reminisce on Washington’s storied past; Rachel: “We’re back, baby. Kind of. Maybe not defensively.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jason McIntyre (on trade):

  “It’s not hyperbole to say Micah Parsons is already on track to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer after four seasons.” (04:27)

• Jason McIntyre (on Jerry Jones):

  “Did Jerry just totally misplay his hand here? Well, yeah, clearly he bungled this so badly.” (09:19)

• Producer anecdote:

  “If Jerry Jones wore his shirt inside out…would anybody…tell him?” (12:55)

• Rachel Nichols (on Commanders):

  “My rule is the Fight Club rule…we don’t talk about the defense.” (36:47)

• Rich Ohrnberger (on trade’s impact):

  “It’s league-shifting…this really was a poor move by the Cowboys and it was a head-scratching move for Jerry Jones.” (22:39)

• Cardale Jones (on Arch Manning hype):

  “Let this guy grow into that player that we all hope him to be. Not just self-proclaiming and putting that crown on his head already.” (47:30)

• Cardale Jones (in response to Colt McCoy’s trash talk):

  “Ain’t no way in heck Texas leaving Columbus, Ohio victorious.” (51:14)

Key Timestamps

• 02:47 — Start of Micah Parsons trade breakdown
• 14:39 — Rachel Nichols on Parsons’ character and locker room anecdotes
• 20:33 — Rich Ohrnberger joins, discusses shock and NFL historical context
• 28:12 — Penn State and James Franklin debate
• 30:51 — College football QB preview: Arch Manning at Ohio State
• 33:00 — Jalen Hurts ranking debate
• 35:45 — Washington Commanders analysis & NFC Outlook
• 38:09 — Revisiting historical NFL trades vs. the Parsons deal
• 44:27 — Cardale Jones joins: NFL and NCAA insights, predictions, and rivalry banter
• 51:03 — Colt McCoy’s “Texas by 10” tease; Cardale’s response

Tone & Style

• Opinionated and energetic sports talk, with playful banter and strong stances (especially from Jason and Rachel).
• “Insider” perspectives with both criticism and praise for key NFL figures.
• Candid and sometimes sarcastic in addressing front-office failings and player hype.
• Engaged debates that invite both expert voices and personal anecdotes (family, youth sports, and alma mater pride).

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode delivers a gripping breakdown of one of the NFL's biggest trades in years and its wide-reaching impact. The passionate hosting duo lay out why Green Bay’s championship window now looks wide open and Dallas’s future outlook is in question. Rich Ohrnberger and Cardale Jones add depth: Rich with league context and behind-the-scenes perspective, Cardale with blunt assessments of player hype and college football’s week-one blockbuster. Throughout, the panel delivers strong opinions, sharp football insight, and enough playful trash talk to fuel your weekend debates.