The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hour 3 – Special Guest: Robert Griffin III
September 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers around in-depth football analysis, with Colin Cowherd hosting special guest Robert Griffin III (“RG3”), former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and current Fox Sports analyst. They break down the weekend’s top college football and NFL stories, offering candid insights on coaching decisions, quarterback development, team identity, and the ongoing AJ Brown situation with the Eagles. The broader purpose is to contextualize key games and trends through the perspective of a pro quarterback and a seasoned sports commentator.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Alabama’s Big Win & Kalyn DeBoer’s Impact

(Starting at 02:45)

• Colin’s Take: Kalyn DeBoer’s hiring at Alabama was bold and, against the odds, has been vindicated by a significant win over Kirby Smart’s Georgia. Cowherd describes it as a "coaching classic."
• RG3’s Analysis:
  • DeBoer didn’t just out-coach Smart; he re-established Alabama’s identity post-Saban.
  • Praises DeBoer’s adaptability after the Florida State loss, noting his ability to acknowledge shortcomings and pivot the team’s culture (“don’t let up, no mercy”).
  • Highlights the maturation of QB Ty Simpson, who took “full responsibility” and is now “one of the best quarterbacks in college football.”
  • Quote:

    “DeBoer has always been a hell of a football coach. He’s won every single way he’s been…It lets you know how much he believes in himself and his staff.” (03:44 – RG3)

  • Pointed Question: Wonders what Alabama fans, once skeptical, are saying now.

2. Dante Moore’s Meteoric Rise

(05:03 – 07:13)

• Colin’s View: Dante Moore could be worthy of the NFL’s #1 pick, showing rare composure.
• RG3’s Take:
  • Moore is “climbing up draft boards faster than any quarterback in the country.”
  • His performance under pressure in a playoff environment stood out; particularly a clutch bootleg touchdown pass.
  • Commends Moore’s “calm feet,” rhythm, and maturity after sitting a year at Oregon for development.
  • Notes a “14:1 TD-INT ratio” and his ability to spread the ball to eight different receivers as signs of high-level processing.
  • Modern NFL QBs need both “in-pocket operation” and “off-schedule answers” — Moore has both.
  • Quote:

    “NFL coaches absolutely love this young man…he could very well be the number one pick in the draft.” (06:10 – RG3)

3. Lincoln Riley, USC, and the Up-Tempo Defense Dilemma

(07:13 – 10:02)

• Colin’s Frustration: USC’s defense is faltering against teams like Illinois, despite high NIL investment and recruiting.
• RG3 Explains:
  • Defense is “holding them back” due to excessive big plays allowed — not a talent or NIL issue.
  • After conversations with Utah’s Kyle Whittingham, RG3 shares the view that up-tempo offenses inherently weaken their own defenses by putting them on the field longer and wearing them down.
  • Points out that fatigued defenses “give up explosives” — “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.”
  • Riley, as head coach, must decide: Stay all-in on the high-tempo offense, or adjust for defensive success?
  • Expects Riley to keep pursuing up-tempo: “They’re probably just going to try to outscore everybody.”
  • Quote:

    “At the end of the day, it all falls on [Lincoln Riley]…make the decision: go up-tempo all-in, or try to help your defense. I think I know the answer to that.” (09:22 – RG3)

4. Caleb Williams and the Challenge of Athletic Quarterbacks

(10:02 – 12:13)

• Colin’s Reflection: Great athlete QBs (like Caleb, Steve Young) struggle to balance structure with improvisation; there’s a “burden” in having that natural talent.
• RG3’s View:
  • The “yin and yang” between Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson as QB and coach is working well. Their personality and competence differences are complementary.
  • Caleb is learning “not to color outside of the lines,” but early wins are building trust and accelerating his growth.
  • “Winning cures all,” and the environment in Chicago is now positive.
  • Quote:

    “Caleb Williams is learning how to not color outside of the lines, but they’re finding ways to win games—and that’s going to make that growth process even better.” (11:41 – RG3)

5. AJ Brown, the Eagles, and Offensive Fit

(12:13 – 15:15; 19:37 – 21:01)

• Colin’s Problem Statement: Despite targeting him, AJ Brown’s talents aren’t translating into production. Ponders if Eagles should trade for a cornerback and move Brown, comparing the situation to a marriage that “shouldn't be this hard.”
• RG3’s Analysis:
  • The offense isn’t scheming Brown open with “easy completions.” Success correlates with Brown’s involvement, and when absent, the offense stalls.
  • Responsibility is on the offensive coordinator more than on Jalen Hurts.
  • Analogy:

    “It’d be like, you know, Kobe Bryant, and you’re like, you know what, we’re not going to give him 30 shots tonight. We’re going to give him five. That’s never going to work.” (20:08 – RG3)

  • Trading Brown would hurt the team’s playoff hopes; he’s a difference maker in high-leverage moments.
  • Quote:

    “The Eagles are a better football team when A.J. Brown is on it than…when he isn’t.” (20:32 – RG3)

6. Bears’ Momentum and Caleb Williams’ Growth

(21:59 – 24:31)

• **Jason & Colin discuss Chicago’s gritty win over the Raiders and how it might kickstart a run post-bye week.
• Upcoming opponents (Washington, Saints, Ravens, Bengals) are all vulnerable, and optimism is growing.
• Emphasizes the Bears’ typically poor road record, making this win particularly significant.

7. Dante Moore vs. Drew Aller and Penn State’s Conservative Play

(25:52 – 30:18)

• **Jason points out Moore outplayed Aller, with Franklin owning up to Penn State’s struggles against top-10 teams.
• Colin is critical of Franklin’s conservative game plan:
  • “You have…top five offensive line, really good defensive personnel. That’s a game you have to win, and they didn’t.”
  • Homefield advantage in college “matters more” than in the NFL; Penn State played it too safe.
• Jason likens the matchup to a “safe Manny Pacquiao fight.”
• Both tout Dante Moore as a future NFL starter and possible #1 draft pick, with maturity gained from transferring and sitting a year.

8. NFL Parity, Modern Offenses, and KC Dominance over Lamar

(35:00 onward)

• Colin reflects on the NFL’s offensive explosion due to rule changes, strong special teams, and unprecedented quarterback development.
• Discusses the parity in team-building approaches:
  • “There are so many different ways to win…”
  • It ultimately still comes down to “coach, quarterback, and somebody to protect his backside.”
• Matt Hasselbeck (recorded quote) notes Spagnuolo and the Chiefs “don’t fear Lamar Jackson” and have a system that works against the Ravens.
• Colin opines there are counters for every QB—except a protected Mahomes or Josh Allen.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• RG3 on Coaching Change at Alabama:

  “It was more than that. I thought that Kalyn DeBoer has always been a hell of a football coach. He’s won every single way he’s been.” (03:47)

• Colin on Risky Hires:

  “I said, that takes guts. The Bama people didn’t want to hear it.” (02:57)

• RG3 on Lincoln Riley’s Dilemma:

  “They say fatigue makes cowards of us all. So I wonder if that’s a question Lincoln Riley has to ask himself.” (09:00)

• RG3 on QB Growth:

  “The more they win, the more success they have, the more belief they’re going to have in one another.” (11:43)

• RG3 on AJ Brown:

  “You have to find ways to get him easy completions… They’re not getting him the easy screen catches…” (13:31) “When it comes down to it, when you get late in the season… it’s not going to be about the X’s and O’s; it’s going to be about the Jimmy’s and the Joe’s, and the Eagles are a better football team when AJ Brown is on it than when he isn’t.” (20:23)

• Colin’s Analogy:

  “It’s like a marriage. It can’t be this hard. You shouldn’t have to go to therapy every day.” (13:16)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Alabama’s Coaching and Big Win: 02:45 – 05:03
• Dante Moore’s Emergence: 05:03 – 07:13
• Lincoln Riley & USC’s Defensive Struggles: 07:13 – 10:02
• Caleb Williams’ Development: 10:02 – 12:13
• AJ Brown & Eagles Offense: 12:13 – 15:15, 19:37 – 21:01
• Bears’ Win and Postseason Hopes: 21:59 – 24:31
• Dante Moore v. Drew Aller / Penn State’s Conservative Approach: 25:52 – 30:18
• NFL Offensive Trends & KC vs. Lamar: 35:00 – 41:35

Overall Tone and Dynamics

• Conversational & Analytical: The episode balances sharp, opinionated takes with technical breakdowns, delivered in the breezy-yet-informed style that defines Cowherd and RG3.
• Respectful & Inquisitive: Cowherd values RG3’s perspective as a recent NFL QB, leading to insightful exchanges on both college and pro football.

Utility for Non-Listeners

This summary encapsulates the episode’s central themes, flowing naturally from segment to segment. It spotlights key insights and arguments, provides direct speaker quotes, and maps major storylines with clear context. Whether interested in college coaching, QB development, or NFL team-building, the episode and this summary provide wide-ranging, smart football discussion.