Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3

Guest: Robert Mays (The Athletic Football Show)
Air Date: October 14, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Co-host: Jason McIntyre

Overview

This hour of The Herd centers on current NFL storylines, quarterback development, coaching dynamics, and personnel decisions. The conversation features Robert Mays of The Athletic, who joins Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre to dive into recent performances, the evolution of young quarterbacks, organizational trends, and the critical intersection of coaching and player progress. The discussion is rich with comparisons to recent NFL history and lively evaluation of teams around the league, particularly the Bears, Bills, Broncos, and Jets.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Offensive Evolution and the Bears’ Progress

Timestamps: 00:45–05:33

• Bears Offensive Simplicity:

  • Colin credits Ben Johnson for stripping away the “ridiculous” and relying on fundamental football — running the ball, ball security, and operating with intention rather than “wizardry.”
  • Memorable Quote:

    “What Ben Johnson essentially did… They can now score in the first quarter. They don’t lose on Hail Mary’s. The clock doesn’t run out. They run the ball and don’t turn it over. It’s not wizardry.” (Colin Cowherd, 00:32)

• Personnel Usage:

  • Robert Mays points out the improved understanding of player strengths — e.g., Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze being used more appropriately within the scheme.
  • Emphasizes the presence of overarching intention and plan behind the offense.
  • Quote:

    “There’s intention behind it. And that, for somebody who watches this team every week for a long time, it’s a nice change of pace.” (Robert Mays, 04:34)

• Reasonable Expectations:

  • Both Colin and Jason discuss hoping for a “B-minus” performance — incremental improvement given past struggles.
  • Quote:

    "All I want is to be like the 16th best offense in the league. I don't understand why that's a huge ask." (Colin Cowherd, 04:52)

2. QB–Coach Relationships: Growth Through Tension

Timestamps: 05:05–05:58

• Caleb Williams’ Development:
  • Discussion of the dynamic between a young, ascending head coach (Ben Johnson) and a star rookie QB (Caleb Williams).
  • Robert Mays relays insider info:

    "It's intense between them, but not in a bad way… the tension can be healthy. And I think after his rookie year, Caleb needed that. He needed… somebody to push him." (Robert Mays, 05:33)

3. Coach Archetypes and Quarterback Performance

Timestamps: 05:58–07:49

• Comparing Coaches:

  • Jason uses the analogy of Mark Jackson/Steve Kerr and Steph Curry to discuss needing the right system and leadership for transformational talent.
  • The conversation turns to Sean McDermott and whether he's the right fit for Josh Allen as Allen faces recent on-field struggles.

• Bills’ Stagnation:

  • Mays criticizes the lack of defensive evolution in Buffalo — the offense has grown, but the defense remains stuck with undersized, coverage-focused personnel, making them vulnerable to power rushing.
  • Quote:

    "All offenses are doing is saying you can do all that funky stuff… we're going to bludgeon you up front." (Robert Mays, 07:51)

4. Denver Broncos: Sean Payton, Bo Nix, & Offensive Trust

Timestamps: 08:29–09:57

• Bo Nix’s Limitations and Coach Trust:

  • Discussion on Bo Nix’s similarities to Drew Brees but with lacking deep-ball ability.
  • Mays questions if Payton truly trusts Nix — critical third-down play calls are consistently short screens rather than letting Nix air it out.
  • Quote:

    "He's saying one thing and then the construction and the decision making says another thing about the quarterback." (Robert Mays, 09:19)

• Roster Quality But Stagnant Results:

  • Both agree Denver has an excellent roster, especially on defense and O-line, but some of last year’s QB issues remain evident.

5. Aaron Rodgers: Elite… but Limiting?

Timestamps: 12:20–14:41

• Rodgers’ Style & Ceiling:

  • Colin notes Rodgers’ shift toward quick, risk-averse throws and how, despite criticism, it’s working for now.
  • Mays warns that this style may limit success against elite defenses and late in the playoffs, referencing Joe Burrow’s growth as a contrast.
  • Quote:

    “Eventually, you’re going to need to do that against the best defenses in the league. You can’t just hunt these matchups and get rid of the ball in two and a half seconds.” (Robert Mays, 13:31)

• Quarterback Psychology:

  • Discussion on how QBs “with a four in front of their age” are more quick to get rid of the ball due to career hits, per Matt Hasselbeck’s insights.

6. Quarterbacks’ “Second Acts”: Sam Darnold & Baker Mayfield

Timestamps: 15:15–16:47

• Unexpected Revivals:
  • Discussion on the recent strong play from former high draft picks, focusing on Sam Darnold (now thriving in Seattle).
  • Quote:

    "You see this convergence of physical talent and mental maturity… That happens for quarterbacks at 27, 28 years old." (Robert Mays, 16:47)

7. Drake Maye and the Impact of Coaching & Roster Chaos

Timestamps: 17:08–18:56

• Drake Maye’s Surprising Maturity:
  • Both hosts express surprise at how quickly and ably Drake Maye is adapting — emphasizing his composure and reduction of major mistakes, plus high-end upside.
  • Quote:

    “…Those completions that are there underneath, checking the ball down. He’s doing all of that stuff at a really competent level early on and he is so talented and so aggressive. The high end stuff is going to come.” (Robert Mays, 18:28)

8. When to Pull the Plug: Jets Organization Dysfunction

Timestamps: 18:56–20:59

• Robert Saleh’s Tenure & Organizational Rot:
  • Is it time for Jets to move on? They discuss the ongoing dysfunction, especially with play-calling and lack of development on defense — despite Saleh’s supposed expertise.
  • Quote:

    “What’s most discouraging to me is… their defense… has just looked lost… These things that should be the strongest parts of your team with a defensive minded head coach.” (Robert Mays, 20:20)

9. Bears’ Offensive Line and Skill Talent: A Bright Future?

Timestamps: 20:59–24:01

• O-Line Cohesion:

  • Cowherd notes a dramatic improvement, attributing it to post-preseason stability and buy week adjustments.
  • Detailed praise for specific O-line pieces and skill players, and optimism about the Bears matching up (offensively) with any team but the Chiefs.
  • Quote:

    “I felt the Bears last night… skill and coaching, they can match up with everybody except the Chiefs.” (Colin Cowherd, 22:16)

• Mays agrees:

  “I don’t think that’s unreasonable at all… now they’re really starting to fine tune things they couldn’t fine tune in August.” (Robert Mays, 22:16–23:12)

10. Bills’ Roster Decisions at the Trade Deadline

Timestamps: 23:12–24:01

• Where Should Buffalo Invest?
  • While many clamor for more explosive WRs, Mays argues Buffalo’s defense is more in need of an upgrade (“beefing up the defense”) due to size and physicality issues.

11. News Segment Highlights (with Jeff Passan)

Timestamps: 25:56–34:54

• Bill Belichick Rumors:
  • Belichick denies buyout rumors at UNC, looks “old and frumpy” at the podium; panel debates his future and demeanor.
• Dallas Cowboys’ Defensive Collapse:
  • Jerry Jones expresses faith in embattled defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, but the crew argues Jones’ own roster decisions have doomed the defense.
• Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr.:
  • Penix exudes confidence after a strong win, with both hosts commending his poise and the Falcons’ grown-up offense — but questioning if Atlanta will deliver against top competition.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Bears’ Turnaround:

  “All I want is to be like the 16th best offense in the league.” (Colin Cowherd, 04:52)

• On QB-Coach Relationships:

  “It's intense between them, but not in a bad way… the tension can be healthy.” (Robert Mays on Ben Johnson & Caleb Williams, 05:33)

• On Denver’s QB Play:

  “He's saying one thing and then… decision making says another thing about the quarterback.” (Robert Mays, 09:19)

• On Aaron Rodgers:

  "Eventually, you're going to need to do that against the best defenses in the league. You can't just hunt these matchups and get rid of the ball in two and a half seconds." (Robert Mays, 13:31)

• On Quarterbacks’ Second Acts:

  "You see this convergence of physical talent and mental maturity… That happens for quarterbacks at 27, 28 years old." (Robert Mays, 16:47)

• On the Bears’ Personnel:

  “I felt the Bears last night… skill and coaching, they can match up with everybody except the Chiefs.” (Colin Cowherd, 22:16)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Bears offensive evolution: 00:45–05:33
• Caleb Williams & Ben Johnson relationship: 05:05–05:58
• Bills defense & Josh Allen: 07:06–07:49
• Denver’s roster and Bo Nix: 08:29–09:57
• Aaron Rodgers limits: 12:20–14:41
• Sam Darnold’s resurgence: 15:15–16:47
• Drake Maye’s leap: 17:08–18:56
• Jets dysfunction: 18:56–20:59
• Bears O-line/coaching future: 20:59–24:01
• Bills trade deadline priority: 23:12–24:01
• Hot news items (Belichick, Cowboys, Falcons): 25:56–34:54

Tone and Style

The tone is fast-paced, opinionated, and conversational, mixing insider knowledge, sharp critique, and optimism for rising NFL talents. The hosts and Robert Mays blend analytic insights with relatable sports analogies and frank assessments, making complex league trends easy for listeners to understand—even those less familiar with in-depth football strategy.

For listeners:
This episode offers a thorough, insightful look at what’s working—and what isn’t—for a range of NFL teams and key players. If you want to understand the subtleties behind team performance, QB development, and the ripple effects of coaching philosophies, this hour with Robert Mays on The Herd is essential listening.