The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3 (August 18, 2025)

Main Theme:
A football-driven hour focused on quarterback situations across the NFL and college, the fit between coaching styles and QBs (especially in Chicago with Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson), “celebrity” quarterbacks like Shedeur Sanders, Miami’s unique coaching challenges, the Rams’ future with Matthew Stafford, and the ongoing evolution in NFL team-building strategies. Special guest: Dave Wannstedt.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson, and the QB Dynamic

• Caleb’s Progress & System Fit

  • After some preseason struggles, rookie QB Caleb Williams is showing clear improvement in running Ben Johnson’s offense.
  • Dave Wannstedt: “Everybody’s admitted that it’s been the last week that he’s really turned a corner as far as, you know, how he’s performed, how he’s grasped the offense. Everything about his play has gotten better.” (04:08)
  • Ben Johnson favors a precise, system-driven, Shanahan-like offense, while Caleb has an off-script, Brett Favre-esque bent. Colin raises if that marriage will work long-term but acknowledges early signs are promising.

• Balanced Offense & Adjustments

  • The Bears were balanced against the blitz: “Going into the third quarter they had 21 runs and 29 passes. So they’re going to be balanced and run the football.” (05:00, Wannstedt)
  • Caleb will need to respond better to blitz-heavy defenses, with concern over his struggles under pressure in preseason.

• Backup Situation

  • Tyson Bagent (the backup) is arguably a better technical fit for Johnson’s offense, but there’s no QB controversy—Caleb is the guy.
  • Wannstedt: “You know you got a backup...he had an outstanding camp.” (06:06)

Notable Quote:
“Caleb’s style is going to frustrate Ben Johnson at times.” – Dan Beyer (05:32)
“Farve could frustrate a coach.” – Dan Beyer (05:32)

Timestamps:

• Start of Bears/Caleb/Johnson discussion: 03:24
• Wannstedt on Caleb’s progress: 04:08
• Ben Johnson’s offensive philosophy: 05:00
• The backup QB and pressure concern: 06:06

2. Miami Dolphins: Culture, Coaching, and Challenges

• Mike McDaniel’s Fit

  • Colin and Dave discuss if McDaniel is the right culture fit for Miami, likening his challenges to those of coaches in “distracted” markets.
  • Miami’s environment and ownership priorities may not align with McDaniel’s style; both emphasize the value of CEO-like leadership over just schematic smarts.
  • Wannstedt: “[Miami] is a little different. I never got caught up in that because we were a running team with Ricky Williams...Miami almost sometimes seemed to be happier when they would lose, when they weren’t running the ball, Marino was throwing. They’d lose 35-34 and people would say, ‘Well, it was an exciting game.’” (08:16)
  • Cites red flag in McDaniel’s play-calling when “they threw the ball with their third team quarterback...more than they ran it.” (08:16)
  • Issues with last season’s press conference and player management led to doubts about leadership.

• Jalen Ramsey’s Exit & Player Culture

  • Jalen Ramsey’s parting comments subtly highlight respect for head coaches as a factor in joining new teams:
    “Let’s go to a team where there’s a lot of respect for the head coach.” (29:41)
  • Discussion whether Miami is an attractive job for top coaching candidates given the city’s distractions—Kirby Smart name-dropped as a possible future fit.

Notable Quotes:

• “It’s falling apart...Is this a job? Because it feels inevitable now this thing’s going to get blown up. Are people going to be lined up for this?” – John Middlekauff (30:08)
• “You need more Brian Flores-ish than Mike McDaniel pro-player-ish.” – Colin Cowherd (31:23)

Timestamps:

• Miami/distracted market discussion starts: 07:23
• Wannstedt on Miami: 08:16
• Ramsey’s quote: 29:41
• Miami as a coaching destination: 30:08

3. “Celebrity Quarterbacks” & the Browns’ Depth Chart

• Shedeur Sanders & QB Media Presence
  • Colin voices skepticism over the rise of “celebrity” college QBs.
  • “Coach Parcells used to say ‘no celebrity quarterbacks’ but I think that ship has sailed...” – Colin (12:00)
  • Shedeur Sanders discussed as a legit talent but potentially bringing distractions; competition with Dylan Gabriel.
  • Wannstedt emphasizes focus on talent and professionalism over personalities, unless off-field antics negatively affect the team: “I try to keep the personalities out of it as long as they’re doing all the right things in the classroom and on the field.” (15:13)
• Cleveland’s QB Room
  • Joe Flacco named starter; rest of the Browns QBs seen as secondary or developmental.

Timestamps:

• Shedeur Sanders/celebrity QB discussion: 12:00
• Wannstedt on balancing personalities: 15:13

4. Running Back Physicality

• Ashton Gentry Case Study
  • Discussion around coaching “physical” running backs who seek contact (like Gentry, compared to Adrian Peterson).
  • Wannstedt: “Great running backs, they want the football. Can you change their style? I wouldn’t try that. I would not try that.” (18:26)

Notable Story:

• Wannstedt recalls coaching Ricky Williams, who demanded more carries, highlighting how special backs have undeniable drive and style.

Timestamps:

• RB physicality, coaching approach: 18:26

5. Rams & Matthew Stafford: Future Uncertainty

• Stafford’s Health & Rams’ Approach

  • Matt Stafford missing time in preseason; Sean McVay cryptic and slightly annoyed when asked for updates.
  • “It’s good to be able to have Matthew out there...I don’t have any updates...We’re trying to do right by the player and our team.” – Sean McVay (25:47)
  • John Middlekauff defends the media’s interest, calling Stafford’s status “a massive NFL story” (27:57).
  • Discussion expands to the Rams’ “business-like” approach to player personnel—moving quickly off big names (Cooper Kupp, Jalen Ramsey, etc.) when needed.

• The Importance of Coaching Stability

  • Major teams with high-level coaches (McVay, Reid, Shanahan) get more leeway to manage contracts and rosters without losing competitive edge.

Timestamps:

• Stafford returns to practice, McVay’s comments: 25:47
• Rams’ roster management philosophy: 26:20
• Middlekauff on Stafford story: 27:57

6. 49ers, Brock Purdy, and Rookie WR Connection

• Purdy & Ricky Pearsall Chemistry
  • Purdy discusses offseason adjustment with new WR:
    “We honed in on some things this year in camp...I feel like it’s pretty natural.” – Brock Purdy (32:58)
  • Pearsall described as “a physical guy with the ball in his hands, but he can run.” – John Middlekauff (33:19)

7. Team-Building: Offensive Coaches & The O-Line Philosophy

• Offensive Coaches Prioritizing Offensive Line
  • Colin credits coaches like Ben Johnson (Bears), McVay (Rams), Reid (Chiefs), and Payton (Broncos) for emphasizing O-line construction as a foundation for QB and offense success.
  • “The offensive coaches prioritize O lines because it’s the insurance policy for your quarterback.” (36:00)
  • Noted that Ben Johnson’s rebuild in Detroit centered on fixing the offensive line, a blueprint he’s bringing to the Bears.

Timestamps:

• Ben Johnson’s O-line philosophy and impact: 36:00
• John Middlekauff on Ben Johnson’s experience in Detroit: 37:47

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Caleb Williams:

  • “That was enough for me to see right there. I could have turned the TV off and said, I saw enough, let’s get ready for the next game.” – Dave Wannstedt (04:08)

• On Miami’s Coaching Culture:

  • “Miami almost sometimes seemed to be happier when they would lose, when, when they weren’t running the ball, Marino was throwing. They’d lose 35-34 and people would say, ‘Well, it was an exciting game.’” – Dave Wannstedt (08:16)

• On ‘Celebrity QBs’:

  • “Coach Parcells used to say no celebrity quarterbacks, but I think that ship has sailed.” – Colin Cowherd (12:00)

• On Prioritizing O-lines:

  • “Forget Caleb. He got the O line right. The play calling will be better.” – Colin Cowherd (36:00)

Additional Highlights & Personalities

• Dave Wannstedt: Fantastic storyteller, lauded for his directness and laugh-out-loud anecdotes (Ricky Williams, brunch and bar tales, former Dolphins and Bears experience).
• Matt Hasselbeck: Brief appearance noted, but not part of a major segment in this hour.
• Trade/Contract Philosophy: L.A. Rams’ willingness to move on from fan favorites as a modern, businesslike approach.

Recommended Listening Timestamps

• 03:24-07:23 – Bears, Caleb Williams’ growth, and the QB dilemma.
• 07:23-10:15 – Miami Dolphins, distracted markets, and coaching realities.
• 12:00-17:38 – Shedeur Sanders, “celebrity” QBs, and Browns QB room.
• 18:26-19:43 – Running back physicality (Ashton Gentry, Ricky Williams).
• 25:47-29:08 – Rams’ Stafford situation and NFC coaching cultures.
• 29:41-32:11 – Miami market, Jalen Ramsey’s exit, and coaching destination status.
• 36:00-38:29 – Ben Johnson’s O-line focus, lessons from Lions to Bears.

Summary:
This episode offers a rich, opinionated dissection of NFL quarterback dynamics, coaching philosophies in unique markets, the evolving “star power” of young QBs, and how modern team-building increasingly revolves around O-line and head coach stability. Dave Wannstedt provides both levity and insider perspective, making this hour especially lively and insightful for football fans.