THE HERD with Colin Cowherd

Hour 3 – Super Bowl Champion Julian Edelman Stops By
Date: November 4, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Episode Theme: Trade Deadline Reactions & NFL Contender Strategies with Julian Edelman

Episode Overview

In this third hour of The Herd, Colin Cowherd discusses the NFL’s blockbuster trade deadline and what it signals for top franchises, with Super Bowl champion Julian Edelman joining for expert analysis. The conversation focuses on major trades involving the Cowboys, Jets, Colts, and Seahawks, examining their impact on team chemistry, playoff chances, and roster-building philosophies. Edelman offers first-hand insights on what makes a contender and shares anecdotes from his playing days, especially regarding how midseason moves can galvanize a locker room. The episode closes with a fiery segment critiquing NBA star Ja Morant’s troubles and a look at rebuilding strategies for NFL also-rans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dallas Cowboys’ Trade Moves: Flexibility Over Stars

(Starts ~07:30)

• Trades Involved: Cowboys send Micah Parsons to Green Bay; acquire Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, along with an extra 1st round pick.
• Colin’s Take: “It gave them flexibility... now the Cowboys have two of [the best interior linemen], Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark. And they’re paying less than they were for Micah.” (08:25)
• Philosophy: Colin argues that dominant interior defensive linemen are rarer and more valuable than edge rushers or most other positions, referencing legends like Aaron Donald and Reggie White.

Edelman’s Insight:

• “If you got a guy that can take away two gaps, that's tough on the run game... Once you start to make a team one-dimensional... you can dial up better coverage for your secondary and get more creative.” (11:35)
• Patriots Parallel: Draws comparison to New England’s glory years: “We wouldn’t have been the New England Patriots if it wasn’t for Seymour or Wilfork.” (11:55)

2. Indianapolis Colts Go ‘All-In’ with Sauce Gardner Acquisition

(Starts ~10:00)

• Trade Details: Colts acquire Sauce Gardner for two 1st-round picks and a player.
• Locker Room Impact: Edelman notes the CB position as “plug-and-play,” expecting Sauce to thrive on a contender after losing seasons with the Jets.
• “A really good corner, all you got to say is, ‘Hey, buddy, cover three. Or it’s cover one: you cover him.’ And I think he’s going to have a great impact on that team.” (10:55)
• Personal Parallel: Edelman references the Patriots trade for Aqib Talib as a season-changing acquisition: “Instantly made an impact on our team.” (11:10)

3. Seahawks Add Rasheed Shaheed: What It Means for Their Offense

(Starts ~15:40)

• Acquisition Analysis: Seattle trades for Rasheed Shaheed, allowing JSN (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) to move inside to his most lethal role (slot).
• Edelman’s Expertise: “As a guy that ate a lot in the slot... Once you got one pass on the defense, it changes how defenses play you completely.” (16:45)
• On Darnold & Deep Threats: “It’s gonna take one big throw from Sam Darnold to Rasheed Shaheed over the top and then JSN’s gonna eat all day.” (16:15)

4. Jets’ Fire Sale & Team-Building Philosophy

(Throughout; Explodes in News Segment ~27:00)

• Major Outbound Trades: Jets ship Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams; entertaining offers for Jermaine Johnson and Breece Hall.
• Cowherd’s Rebuild Model:
  • “If your coach stinks it doesn’t matter. But they have bites at the apple… Five first round picks over the next two years.” (30:10)
  • Jets will “rebuild defense on the cheap,” acquire a quarterback, and buy offense in free agency.
  • “Keep your defense in the NFL nimble, cheap, and fast.” (32:40)

5. Are Colts Committed to Daniel Jones?

(20:35)

• Colin: “The Colts going for it though is telling me Daniel Jones is our guy… Do you buy that?”
• Edelman: “I do buy that right now. The confidence is showing on the screen each week with Daniel Jones.” (20:55)
  • He points out Jones “looks like a quarterback” and is thriving in Shane Steichen’s system.

6. Bills vs. Chiefs: Rivalry and Postseason Meaning

(22:55)

• Edelman’s Take: “The Bills are just further ahead than the Chiefs right now… But by no means do I think this affects the Chiefs the next time they play; they'll be a completely different team.” (23:30)
  • Draws on New England’s battles with Denver and Baltimore: regular season losses can fuel playoff resolve.

7. NBA Sidebar: Ja Morant & the ‘Me League’ Critique

(38:00 – 44:00)

• Colin: Rips Ja Morant’s attitude, comparing him unfavorably to mature international players.
  • “Another domestic basketball player that isn’t mature enough to embrace the chance at stardom.” (41:25)
  • “Small skinny guys that can’t shoot... they're tremendously fun to watch. They don't win titles.” (42:00)
  • NBA is called “a me league,” contrasting football’s “we” mentality.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Colin on Cowboys’ Approach:
  “It gave them flexibility... If you ask general managers in the NFL, if you had a choice between a dominant interior guy or an edge rusher, you'd take the dominant interior guy.” (08:20)
• Julian Edelman on Corners:
  “A really good corner, all you got to say is ‘Hey, buddy, cover three. Or it’s cover one: you cover him.’” (10:55)
• Edelman on Defensive Linemen:
  “We wouldn’t have been the New England Patriots if it wasn’t for Seymour or Wilfork.” (11:55)
• Colin on Jets’ Rebuild:
  “Keep your defense in the NFL nimble, cheap, and fast.” (32:40)
• Edelman on Daniel Jones:
  “The confidence is showing on the screen each week with Daniel Jones... I think that Sauce trade tells you that they’re all in for this year and rightfully so.” (21:10)
• Colin on Ja Morant:
  “Domestic basketball player that isn’t mature enough to embrace the chance at stardom… Ja Morant can’t shoot. His shooting’s gotten worse the last three years.” (41:25, 42:15)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Cowboys Trade Breakdown: 07:30–13:00
• Colts’ Sauce Gardner Move: 10:00–13:30
• Seahawks Add Shaheed: 15:40–17:20
• Colts/Daniel Jones Discussion: 20:35–22:15
• Bills vs. Chiefs Rivalry: 22:55–23:40
• Jets Rebuild Philosophy: 27:00–34:00 (news segment and further analysis)
• NBA/Ja Morant Commentary: 38:00–44:00

Overall Tone

The tone is upbeat, opinionated, and playful—Colin leans into bold takes and banter while Edelman brings practical, locker-room-based analysis, especially on how in-season moves impact teams. The episode is peppered with NFL war stories, brisk trade analysis, and unapologetic critiques (especially of the Jets’ perpetual rebuilding and the NBA’s “me” culture).

Summary Takeaway

This episode delivers a blend of real-time NFL trade analysis, deeper strategy talk, and cultural commentary. Edelman and Cowherd break down the value of specific player types, how front offices think about roster management, and what kind of moves actually change team trajectories midseason. The hour is essential listening for those wanting to grasp the why behind the NFL’s biggest deadline deals, and what separates contenders from also-rans on and off the field.