The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Hour 3, September 19, 2025
Guests: Robert Mays (The Athletic), J. Max Dubois (JMAC)
Segments Featured: Robert Mays interview, NFL headlines, Tomorrow’s Headlines Today with JMAC
Episode Overview
In this episode, Colin welcomes NFL writer and podcaster Robert Mays (The Athletic) to discuss quarterback fits, franchise team-building, the Green Bay Packers' sustained excellence, the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive philosophies, Jim Harbaugh's impact on the Chargers, and the evolution of quarterbacks Josh Allen and Dak Prescott. Later, J. Max Dubois joins with “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today”, predicting key NFL Week 3 matchups. The hour is packed with high-level football analysis, sharp opinions, and memorable analogies—ideal for NFL fans seeking in-depth breakdowns of current league narratives.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Quarterback Fits: Caleb Williams & Bears, JJ McCarthy & Vikings
[Starts ~02:54]
Bears & Caleb Williams
- Colin discusses Caleb Williams’ fit with the Bears’ new coach, Ben Johnson, describing Johnson as a “timing and structure” play caller and questioning if Caleb’s improvisational style is a true fit.
- Robert Mays offers optimism on Caleb after the previous Sunday, emphasizing his underrated proficiency in intermediate throws and comparing his arm talent to Jared Goff.
- Quote: “Caleb has more similarities as a passer to Jared Goff than most people would think. They have very whip-like arms. They're really good at attacking the intermediate area of the field.” (Robert Mays, 04:22)
- Mays notes structural Bears’ problems: run-game struggles and offensive line health, not just rookie QB woes.
Vikings & JJ McCarthy
- Colin is openly skeptical of McCarthy's transition, citing his lack of adversity at Michigan and struggles when not surrounded by strong support.
- Robert Mays: Minnesota’s “plug-and-play” vision for McCarthy hasn't materialized due to O-line injuries. He urges patience, noting that true judgment awaits when infrastructure improves.
- Quote: “If we get to the back half of the season, the offensive line is healthy, the run game is good, and those four or five throws you're asking him to make are still going awry, then I think we can really get into causes for concern.” (Robert Mays, 06:15)
2. Green Bay Packers: NFL’s Best-Built Team?
[Starts ~07:12]
- Colin makes the case that Green Bay, thanks to no meddling billionaire owner and methodical front office, has the NFL’s best roster for the next three years.
- Quote: “I look at Green Bay right now, it's almost a flawless team... I don't think anybody right now for the next three years is built like Green Bay.” (Colin Cowherd, 08:16)
- Robert Mays agrees, praising the patience and “awareness” of the Packers—flexibility to seize bold moves like a Micah Parsons trade, smart coaching, and steady player development.
- Quote: “There is a roster strength overall, they've been able to build so much depth because of how patient they build the roster. But then you look at the schematics of it on both sides of the ball. This is an extremely well-coached, creative team.” (Robert Mays, 08:41)
- Highlights DC Jeff Hafley’s adaptability and rapid improvement of young talent.
3. Philadelphia Eagles: Can Their 2025 Offense Last?
[Starts ~10:11]
- Al Michaels’ dig at Philly sparks a discussion: the Eagles’ refusal to throw deep post-bye last year is rare in a “pass-first league”.
- Robert Mays says the approach is unsustainable, especially since their run game isn’t compensating for it.
- Quote: “If you're going to be a team that doesn't want to throw the ball down the field, you better be the most explosive, dynamic running team in the league. And through the first couple weeks, they just really haven't been that.” (Robert Mays, 11:28)
4. Jim Harbaugh & The LA Chargers: Cultural Shift & Identity
[Starts ~16:35]
- Colin claims that, given his college/pro record, if the Football HOF were like basketball’s, “I could argue Jim Harbaugh is the best coach ever.”
- Quote: “He takes five car wrecks …he leaves, they're all a hazmat spill instantly. So it's not that you lose a good coach... Jim leaves. It’s man overboard. I find him to be a remarkable guy.” (Colin Cowherd, 16:35)
- Robert Mays traveled to evaluate Harbaugh’s impact in the locker room; found players describe a new, strong identity (“when you look at the logo, what do you see?” — Derwin James).
- Tells a key anecdote of Harbaugh making every player and employee share “why are you here?” at OTAs to foster team connection.
- Harbaugh’s looseness has freed QB Justin Herbert.
- Quote: “I've always joked about it. I WISH Justin was 10% dumber. And I honestly think he has played the last year and a half like he's 10% dumber, and it's been to his benefit. And I think Jim's a big reason for that.” (Robert Mays, 19:05)
5. Josh Allen’s Historic Evolution
[Starts ~19:41]
- Colin: “Josh Allen has had about a year... The Bills have not lost the turnover battle in 25 games and they have a V12 for an engine. I find what we're watching... it's not validated through stat precision... but in terms of, we're watching history.”
- Robert Mays lauds Allen not just for efficiency, but for pre-snap decision making, mental and physical prowess, and sack avoidance.
- Quote: “Where he's really made the most progress to me, outside of the accuracy...is that he has become pre snap one of the best quarterbacks in the league. I think it’s him and Mahomes.” (Robert Mays, 22:08)
- The “mental horsepower with the physical horsepower” is why Allen looks unstoppable now.
6. Dallas Cowboys, Dak Prescott, & the “Foo Fighters” Analogy
[Starts ~23:17]
- Colin is stunned by Dak’s play post-second surgery and puts him in Hall of Fame contention:
- Quote: “History is going to be very kind to Dak Prescott…He's going to get Hall of Fame votes. Is he not?” (Colin Cowherd, 25:30)
- Robert Mays: “Dak is like Foo Fighters, right? This band you never thought was the best, but they've been doing it for so long at a pretty good clip. And Dave Grohl did it with Nirvana... Dak has been that... Consistency and legitimacy you can't deny.” (Robert Mays, 25:30)
- Discussion of how Dak delivered through adversity, coaching changes, and tumultuous eras for Dallas.
Tomorrow's Headlines Today: J. Max Dubois' Week 3 NFL Predictions
[Begins ~31:23]
-
Rams at Eagles
- Headline: “Hookah and Rally: Philly Can't Go Shot for Shot with LA”
- JMAC expects the Rams’ explosiveness to top a “stale” Eagles offense.
-
Colts at Titans
- Headline: “Smile for the Camera: Ward Picture Perfect in First Win”
- Cam Ward, Titans’ rookie, gets first victory—JMAC cites trends for 0-2 underdogs and Indy’s pass rush woes (33:31).
-
Falcons at Panthers
- Headline: “Working 9 to 5: Falcons Stand on Business Hours”
- “This is a Bijan Robinson special.” Falcons’ run game dominates, Panthers still haven’t led in 2025 (35:40).
-
Saints at Seahawks
- Headline: “Rattler Kept Coiled by Circling Hawks”
- Seattle’s defense expected to pummel rookie QB Spencer Rattler; calls for a low-risk, ball-control win for Seahawks (37:45).
-
Ravens vs. Lions (Monday Night)
- Headline: “Turn Your Head and Goff: Lions Fail Physical Test”
- Detroit’s letdown outdoors against Baltimore, pressure gets to Goff, Ravens dominate time of possession (38:05).
Colin & JMAC agree on several picks; rare for the show!
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On Caleb Williams’ fit:
“Even if you're Ben Johnson, Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, you're never going to be able to scheme things properly all the time. And that's why having a quarterback who can do something out of structure is important, because he makes you right when you're not right.”
(Robert Mays, 04:22) -
On Packers ownership:
“The lack of an owner actually allows patience that nobody else can have in the league.”
(Colin Cowherd, 07:12) -
On Jim Harbaugh’s effect:
“How do I build connective tissue in this building? How do I make people feel invested?... The best example of this to me is what Justin Herbert has played like...”
(Robert Mays, 18:30) -
On Josh Allen:
“He's so smart that when you combine it with his athleticism and the offensive line talent…he has the answers to the test before it even starts.”
(Robert Mays, 22:25) -
Foo Fighters analogy for Dak Prescott:
“You're never gonna say Dak Prescott is the best quarterback in the world, the same way you're never going to say that Dave Grohl is the best rock star…but there is a consistency and a legitimacy for so long that you really can't deny it.”
(Robert Mays, 25:30)
Important Timestamps
- [02:54] — Colin introduces Robert Mays, kicks off Bears/Caleb discussion
- [04:17] — Mays breaks down Caleb Williams’ strengths/weaknesses
- [06:10] — JJ McCarthy/Vikings evaluation
- [07:12] — Packers’ team-building and ownership philosophy
- [10:11] — Eagles offense breakdown
- [16:35] — Jim Harbaugh/Chargers cultural impact
- [19:41] — Colin & Mays on Josh Allen’s historic play
- [23:17] — Cowboys-Bears, Dak’s resurgence; Dak/HOF talk
- [25:30] — Foo Fighters analogy for Dak Prescott
- [31:23] — “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today” segment begins (Week 3 picks)
- [38:05] — Ravens/Lions Monday Night preview
Style & Tone
Colin blends pointed opinion with humor and storytelling; Mays brings deep football analysis and locker-room anecdotes. The exchange is lively, candid, and packed with both statistics and big-picture perspective. Listeners get actionable insights and colorful analogies that make complex football dynamics approachable.
Summary prepared for: Fans seeking a full breakdown of The Herd’s Hour 3 (09/19/2025), featuring Robert Mays and “Tomorrow’s Headlines Today” predictions with J. Max Dubois.