THE HERD - Hour 3 - The Browns have their starting QB, the Shedeur Sanders circus, thoughts on Caleb Williams, Dave Wannstedt

Summary

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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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

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

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[Dan Beyer]

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[Colin Cowherd]

Now, let's get this party started.

[John Middlekauff]

You're listening to Fox Sports Radio.

[Dan Beyer]

What, four? No, last year in the preseason. So they're all fired up about what happened. Dave Wanstadt, who's the last Bears coach to win a road playoff game. Six years in Chicago, five with the Dolphins, last head coach to win a playoff game. So listen, it's. I guess my take is because of the style that Ben Johnson demands. It's a very precise, exact style. He's like Shanahan, he wants his play run. And because of the style of Caleb Williams, which is a little Brett Favre, it's a little ad lib, I don't think they're a perfect marriage. I think it can work. But you've been at practice, you said it was pretty rough a couple weeks ago. Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

And Caleb and Ben, everybody in Chicago. Here I am in Chicago. Do you recognize the set call? And I got your microphone right here. Okay. But I. And Caleb, 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. And so that's a real positive. When you, how did the game start? I could have turned it. Think about this. He was up under center, which everybody in Chicago has been screaming about. The tailback, was it what I call a dotted position, you know, where he would be if it was a two back eye formation. They fake a running play. You see Caleb's athletic ability on the move and they throw the ball. The first round draft pick, I mean that was, 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. So my point, the point is though that, that I think Ben really, he understands that Caleb is a good enough athlete that he's going to have enough movement plays for him. And at the same time we saw it going into the third quarter they had 21 runs and 29 passes. So they are going to be balanced and run the football. If he does those things, it's a quarterback friendly offense and I think Caleb can really excel in that type of environment.

[Dan Beyer]

But let's Could I argue this that the backup Tyson Bent is a better fit actually for the offense that Ben wants to run. He's not as talented, but you could make an argument that if you had if and again they're going to play Caleb, this is not a quarterback controversy. But my argument is when you the Farve, even with Mike Colmgren Farve could frustrate a coach. That Caleb's style coach is going to frustrate Ben Johnson at times.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, I don't know that yet. I don't think anybody does. Okay. And Beijing had a great camp. I mean, if you went every day and I don't have the day I was up, I was standing on the field, we were talking. I was Ryan Poles and Beijing took him down the field and scored a touchdown. And I said to Ryan, well, at least you know you got a backup. And he says, oh, we definitely got a backup. So my point is that he had a outstanding camp. Okay. And they recognize that. But I really think that keep in mind last night Caleb, okay, we know the numbers. He was didn't see it against pressure. That to me is what separates quarterbacks. Now Caleb said, okay, I had a good day. You know that every time they blitzed them, it wasn't a real good result. That's when he threw his incomplete passes opening day against Minnesota Monday night. Brian Flores, he is a blitz king. So that's going to, that's going to open up a whole nother light for us to look at and say, okay, can he handle the blitz? Because everyone talks about Jared Goff, but if you look at Jared Goff's numbers against the blitz, they're really good. They really are good. So I think that's going to probably be a big deal how far Caleb can advance, at least progress this first year.

[Dan Beyer]

Not only were you a head coach, you worked with a great head coach, Jimmy Johnson. And I think I told you this privately, probably over a little Italian dinner or cocktail a couple years ago. I said, I think Mike McDaniel's smart. I'm not doubting the smart thing, but I need my head coach. I need him to be a CEO. And I, I've been doubting him for a couple years. I'm like, I, I know he's got all the motion, but Miami's a hard place to win, as you know. It's a distracted market. It's got perfect winter weather. It's got a lively port it you players. It gets very quickly there. And I think maybe Mike McDaniel in Boring Indianapolis, right. Would Be a better fit than distracted L. A. But I think their culture's off. I don't like their. I don't know what they are. Is that a fair criticism? You coached in Miami, you know, it's a distracted market.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. Miami is a little different. And obviously the thing that they didn't like about me, I never got caught up in that because we were a running team with Ricky Williams. We, you know, we. He led the league in rushing. Okay. So we were going to play defense and run the ball. Miami was. And we were winning games. 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. I mean, you know, so. So you're right. I mean, the culture down here is to throw it when I had my doubts. And it really surprised me because McDaniel, supposedly, he was in charge of the running game at San Francisco. Go back two or three years ago, that playoff game. I think it was against Buffalo, and they had their third team quarterback in. Their kids from Kansas State, I believe it was. And they, they threw the ball with their third team quarterback. I think it was three or four times. You can look up the numbers more than they ran it. And they lost the Buffalo in that playoff game. And that, that was a big red flag to me. Big red flag to me. And I think another way that a coach can lose your team by what's happening on the field. You're. We're talking about the physicality, but also by what happens off the field sometimes from a press conference standpoint. And last year, you know, with Tyreek Hill, I mean, they had an outside shot of the playoffs, let's be real. You know, a lot of things had to happen for them to get in, but they still were playing for a possible playoff game their last game the season. And Tyreek Hill doesn't go in on the field the last two or three sessions. And I'm watching the press conference, and they asked Mike Butt, well, what happened to Tyreek? And he says, I don't know. I didn't. I haven't talked to him yet. Boy, you know, if you're a player that just doesn't give you, you know, a good grasp, but you got your hands around this thing, and I think it's. It's caught up with them. So hopefully they can rebound, but it is going to be a tough one.

[Dan Beyer]

Yeah, Staff just sent this to me. Skyler Thompson threw it 45 times in a playoff loss to Buffalo. Skyler Thompson thank you. Yeah. What are you doing now? What are you doing?

[Colin Cowherd]

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific.

[Dan Beyer]

He's Mike Carmen I'm Dan Byard. We have a fantasy football podcast called I Want your Flexed.

[John Middlekauff]

That's right, Dan. Every week we're going to scour the waiver wire to find the pickups to turbo boost your fantasy lineup. Sit starts Fantasy football players rank to get you ready to dominate the competition.

[Dan Beyer]

Listen to I Want yout Flex with Mike Harmon and me, Dan Beyer on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts and wherever.

[John Middlekauff]

You get your podcasts.

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[Dan Beyer]

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[Colin Cowherd]

No, I don't think you can keep four guys. I really don't. You know, I don't. Kenny Pickett was my pick to come out of this thing. Not just because he's a pit guy like me, but he was my pick when it started that he was going to come surface this thing as the starter and obviously injuries or whatever happens. So it sounds like that thing has gone cold. Sanders has the most talent in my mind, just watching them both play as Far as the personalities, God, I mean, I don't know, you know, unless he's a distraction to members on the team, which I don't think he is. I think Sanders is probably your second best option. And Gabriel, will he ever get better? And that's the question mark. I think, you know, what's the upside on Gabriel? And I loved him, just like everybody wants to talk about at Oregon. You know, the guy had 75% completions or whatever it was. But is that, you know, is he about as good as he's going to be right now? Can he improve? I don't know. That's a real tough one. 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.

[Dan Beyer]

So you didn't worry too much about, you know, if some guys are quirky and some guys aren't, you try to just eliminate that.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, yes, as long as it's not affecting your football team from the standpoint. Are they on time for meetings? I mean, do they know what they're doing on the field or they practice? Are they getting in early and staying late if they're doing all those things, you know, I think sometimes, you know, that off the field stories will get blown out of proportion to one extent. You know, that's a tough one. That's a tough one because Gabriel's not going to back away. I mean, you know, you got two good, young, talented quarterbacks. Maybe you need to play them both and you. And see what falls. Because the tough thing is Flacco's probably. It's going to be tough if Joe can last a whole season, whether he just gets tired, he gets hurt, or whatever happens. So you got to be looking at thing if you're Stefanski and you got to be saying, who can go in here and finish the season for me and win enough games to give us a playoff run or save my job or whatever the situation is. Who can win games for me? Who do I have the most confidence in? Because the thing with Joe, hopefully it lasts, but it probably won't. He may not have confidence any of the three, to be quite honest with you.

[Dan Beyer]

So we got into this discussion. John Middlekop, my buddy here, is a former scout, and we got it. We were talking about Ashton Genty, and he's just. He is tough, Dave. He is. He runs right? He looks. It reminds me of Adrian Peterson. He is like a missile. He is seeking contact. He's 5, 7, 5, 8, whatever. What do you tell a running Back. I mean, when you're coaching men, you're seeking guys who like physicality. But there are positions in football like quarterback and running back where I feel like I look. I'll show you the clips of Ashton Genti. He is just getting throttled. And I think to myself, how does a coach send the message live for another day to a, to a power running back?

[Colin Cowherd]

I don't know if you do. I think it's just in their nature. And you know, Ricky Williams, let's just use him as an example because we were talking Dolphins, you know, I remember my first year we had Thurman Thomas, who I signed as a free agent. He was done at the Bills, so I was using Thurman and third Don and Ricky and first and second Don. After about two games, Ricky came in my office and said, coach, what are we doing here? And I said, well, you know, you're playing first and second down, trying to, you know, keep everybody fresh. I want the ball. I want the ball. So I think the great running backs, they want the football. Can you change their style? I wouldn't try that. I would not try that. I think he got a great back. You hand him the football and you try to win as many games as you can. I mean, that's in my opinion, the philosophy I came up with looking at the Eric Dickerson's and I played with Tony Dorsett and we saw Emmett Smith firsthand. I was with him, as you know, for four years. The great backs are going to win games for you. And we all know you throw it to score points, but you got to run it to close out games. And Genti's what? He's one of those guys, he will close a game out and win it for you. If you got the lead.

[Dan Beyer]

Dave Wanstadt, you know, you look good in that chair. If, you know, maybe someday they're going to, you know, my, my days could be numbered. You look pretty good in that authoritative chair.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, I'll tell you what, I'm going to look better in Stefano's restaurant in about five hours, okay. In that chair in Little Italy. So let's think about that, okay?

[Dan Beyer]

I'm totally jealous, by the way. Completely jealous. Dave wants that. Good seeing you. What a good friend. What a good guy. All right. He's got, he's got. They ever tell you my funny Dave want story?

[John Middlekauff]

No.

[Dan Beyer]

So I'm sitting when I first meet him and I said, you know, we, I was talking, he was me, I think my wife was there or something. I said, you know, I like going down to Naples, Florida. He goes, oh, I love Naples. I said, man, they got this bar, Handsome Harry's. I love this place. He goes, yeah, I own it. I'm like, what? He goes, well, I did own it. And then he told me the story. I'm not going to get into that, but I'm like, oh, I owe us. That was my Handsome Harry's. It was just the best. It's like, yeah, I used to own that.

[John Middlekauff]

I had to Google how old he was. He looks fantastic for 73.

[Dan Beyer]

I've never met a storyteller like Dave Wanstaff. I mean, like just there, just out of the blue, he's like, I remember when I had Ricky Williams and I told him, yeah, I'm going to try to save you for 30 because now I want the ball. He has a memory like a trap. He's got a million. First of all, if you were on a Jimmy Johnson's staff, yeah, you've got stories.

[John Middlekauff]

They used to go on those walks, I think, at practice and talk football and talk life.

[Dan Beyer]

Yeah, he's just. There's very few people that are more fun to I don't think I've ever golfed with Dave, but going out and dinner drinks with Dave is about as much fun as I could have. All right, we'll take a break. We'll come and wrap it up with Herdline on what has been a busy day. The the Browns have named Joe Flacco as their starter, which is the only quarterback spot I don't care about with the Browns, who's 2, 3 and 4. We'll talk about that now.

[Colin Cowherd]

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific.

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[Dan Beyer]

Balancing work, family and education isn't easy, but American Public University makes it possible with online courses, monthly start dates, and flexible schedules. APU is designed for busy professionals who need education that fits their lives. And Affordability matters, too. APU offers the Opportunity Grant, giving students 10% off undergraduate and master's level tuition, helping you reach your goals without breaking the bank. Plus, they provide career services and 24. 7 mental health support at no extra cost. Visit Apu Apus edu to learn more. That's Apu Apus Imagine never buying gas again. EVs are as easy to charge as your phone and perfect for everyday life. Drive daily with confidence everywhere you go. Most Americans drive 40 miles a day. Most EVs are equipped with 200 to 400 miles of range. They've got fewer parts, fewer repairs, and fewer headaches. With hundreds of new and used EV models available today, there's an EV to fit every lifestyle and every budget. I love my electric vehicle. It's easy. No more gas stations. The way forward is electric. Learn more@electric for all.org Summer is here, and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now, what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A day at the lake? That's a no. A Philly cheesesteak? That's a yes. A nice tan? Sorry. A box fan? Happily, yes. What about a day of sunshine? Not happening. How about a box of fine wines? Yeah, that's happening. Delivery's on its way. Okay, how about some clear skies? Nope. Well, how about some French fries? Yeah. So how about a freshly cut lawn? Can't help you there. But a barbecued prawn? Order it and it's on its way. Even throw in some paper towels. Clean up after the feast. So while you can't get fun in the sun delivered, don't worry because you can get pork buns delivered. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details So a story today that I didn't think was much, but has percolated over the last couple of weeks. Matt Stafford Stafford finally showed up to practice. Now again, I don't expect my old quarterback Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins to play in the preseason. You'd like him at practice. So Stafford slowly Walked into practice today. Sean McVeigh, who keeps things incredibly close to the vest, almost sounded annoyed when talking about Matt Stafford.

[Colin Cowherd]

It's good to be able to have Matthew out there. You know, he did a good job today. I thought he looked good, but, you know, I don't really have any updates. You know, I think there was a lot of intended information, but there's no updates. We're going to keep it a day and really a week at a time. What I'm not going to do is sit here and go back and forth every single day. I don't think that's fair to anybody involved. That's not, you know, it's not accurate with what's going on with the situation either. And so we're trying to, you know, get our hands on it. We're trying to do right by, you know, the player number one and in our team. And so, you know, it was good to be able to have him out there today.

[Dan Beyer]

Yeah, I mean, it's again, the Rams, and I've thought about this. I have a right to ask you any question, but you have a right not to give me an answer. And Belichick for years said, on to Cincinnati, and the Rams keep things very private. And I think John talked about this earlier. Shanahan is very loyal to the player. I mean, they've signed contracts I disagree with. The Rams have moved off Cooper cup, who felt like a ram for life. Jalen Ramsey, Todd Gurley. Jared Golf was a shocker. He got to the Super Bowl. So they're very business like. I think that's how you should run an organization now. There are times I totally support the player. Trey Hendrickson in Cincinnati. What are you doing? You don't have a defense without him. Jamar Chase, Pam, Micah Parsons. I'd move him, I would have before the season. So I'm not always for the player, but the Rams and I don't, you know, it used to be like, oh, it's cutthroat. It's professional sports. They're not going to sign bad contracts. And so Matt Stafford got a year. That was it. And they said, we love him. But there is a benefit. I will say this, John. There is a benefit. Playing for Sean McVay, Andy Reid. The leverage you get when you have a great coach is that you don't have to always pay the star. Your coach is able to. You can move off Tyreek Hill in Kansas City and get and win Super Bowls without him. You don't need the greatest receiving unit. And I think the way The Rams look at it is the advantage to having. I mean, they moved off Von Miller quickly. The advantage to having McVeigh is they're going to defend McVeigh's choices always.

[John Middlekauff]

I'm usually anti media, but I will defend. I know McVeigh was kind of edgy right there. They had said he was going to throw on Saturday like he had done the previous week, and then they just went. They just went mute. And then he comes out a couple days later and gets defensive about it. Like we're talking about your hall of Fame quarterback that you go as kind of. He goes. It is kind of a big story. I mean, and listen, he's Belichick, but he's 40 years old and he smiles. That was kind of Belichickian in his version. He's getting mad, he's getting angry. But I'm sorry, this is a massive NFL story.

[Dan Beyer]

Yeah. And again, you, you, your backup situation is Stetson Bennett, who's not, you know, that's very debatable whether he can start NFL games.

[John Middlekauff]

Very debatable.

[Dan Beyer]

And Garoppolo has aged. I mean, when we watched him in Las Vegas, he aged very, very quickly. Now again, can you keep him upright for a three or four game stretch and he wins a couple? McVeigh could probably do it. He's a bit of a magician. But this is a huge story because this is the only team in the league that could win the super bowl or win four games based on Mass Stafford.

[John Middlekauff]

Well, that's why when you see his reactions, I think he understands what's at stake here. If this back does not go away, they're in major. They have major issues.

[Dan Beyer]

John Middelkoff with the news.

[Colin Cowherd]

No, no, turn on the news. This is the herd line news.

[John Middlekauff]

Okay. Speaking of teams with major issues, the Dolphins build off season. They had a joint practice with the Lions. Safe to say it did not go well for Mike McDaniel and the Hot seat that he is currently sitting on. Jalen Ramsey, his former star corner, was just traded out of Miami earlier this offseason and he dropped some interesting quote referencing his former head coach on a podcast.

[Colin Cowherd]

I do appreciate the Dolphins and them working with me and David, you know, not just, hey, this team called and you know, we gonna send you here and this and that. Like, it wasn't any of that. It was very open communication. Y' all been good to us.

[Dan Beyer]

I've been good to y'. All.

[Colin Cowherd]

Like, like, let's do it the right way. Let's go to a team that's going to be able to compete. Let's go to a team where there's a lot of respect for the head coach.

[John Middlekauff]

You know, Dave wants to hit on it. What they want in Miami because of Marino. I, I, I've had this theory that it's really, really difficult to win there for a long, long time. And now with the explosion of money, what Pat Riley did in Miami for a long time with the basketball team was kind of an outlier situation. Look at that. It's falling apart. The baseball team's a joke, the football team. 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? Say what you want about the Bears. Ownership's a little cheap. It's still the Chicago Bears. Football really matters. You can win in that town if you do it right. I think if this job becomes available. Is the quote unquote, top candidate a Mike Vrabel, a Ben Johnson, whoever that guy is in this upcoming cycle, even interested in that gig?

[Dan Beyer]

Well, Miami is, if you've never been to Miami, it's one of one in America. It's very international. I, I've said before, if every super bowl the rest of my life was in Miami, I'd sign up for it today. I think it is the Super Bowl. Ocean Avenue, Collins Avenue, International. You can go eat Argentinian food one night, Chilean food the next. It's an amazing, amazing city. But the culture is distracted, the people are beautiful. I mean, it's the best beaches in America. There's money in Maseratis everywhere. And you got a bunch of 24 year old players. So when W was winning there, W was considered, you know, boring. Defense, run game, physicality. I mean, I don't know if people know this. When Juan Stat was in Miami through his first three or four years, he had a better record than Mike Tomlin. Pittsburgh. But Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh is an easier place to coach. Right. There's less to do. So I think Miami not only takes a good coach, it takes a certain type of personnel. Tom Coughlin could have won in Miami. Tom. I mean, by the way, Brian Flores did turn the culture around, but he didn't get along with the quarterback and he rubbed people the wrong way. I think you need more Brian Flores ish. Than Mike McDaniel. Pro player. Ish.

[John Middlekauff]

I got a name for you. And I could see their owner who's gone after big name guys before. Remember he tried to get Harbaugh Kirby Smart.

[Dan Beyer]

Yeah.

[John Middlekauff]

Was there assistant coach with Nick Saban way back in the day maybe he's a little tired of this nil and everything in college football. I, I could see that because a bunch of the top assistants might not be interested. They go other places. Kirby Smart, keep an eye on that one. I. I could see that one taking place. Okay. The 49ers seem to be a pretty well run operation. Obviously last season was a disaster with the injury. San Francisco, they're already dealing with some injuries at the wide receiver position. Obviously IUK had the bad knee injury, but Brock Purdy and the former first rounder Ricky Pearsall connection looked very, very good against the Raiders. They linked up three times, 42 yards. And Purdy discussed the chemistry with his young wide receiver.

[Dan Beyer]

We watched a lot of stuff from last year too and understanding like where we both need to be better when, you know, obviously I'm throwing to him. And I think we honed in on some, on some things this year in camp and the game. Man, we just go out there and I feel like it's pretty natural. Just both of us are chemistry and everything. Yeah. I mean Piersol is. Isn't he viewed as sort of a yard after the catch guy?

[John Middlekauff]

Yeah, I mean he's a physical guy with the ball in his hands, but he can run.

[Dan Beyer]

I mean, he's fast, but that's Shanahan's mantra. What he loves, loves the yards. I'll get you open, catch it and break tackles.

[John Middlekauff]

Listen, Debo a couple years ago had one of the coolest, most unique seasons we've ever seen. But he's not a great wide receiver. He's just a great football player. This guy is a true wide receiver. Him and Purdy have some early, you know, chemistry. They didn't draft him in the first round. It's not like this is like some fifth round fight. I mean they, they use their first first round pick since the Trey Lance trade. So they hadn't had one in years and they use it on him and the expectations are pretty high.

[Dan Beyer]

Yeah. A John Middelkoff with the news.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, that's the news.

[Dan Beyer]

And thanks for stopping. Stopping by the herd lie news. Good show today. Dave Wonstadt and Matt Hasselbeck both stopped by. No, I thought, you know, Dave has got great stories. I think he's brutally honest. Is that the times I've talked to Dave about. He loved coaching in Chicago. He still lives there. Absolutely loved it. I, I think Chicago is one of those cities I would call loud. Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco. Media can be loud. Louisiana Is not as loud. It's kind of laid Back Dallas media can be loud where you get into these cities and it's, it's almost cultural. You have to have a strong coach, a definitive coach. I think there's something that has happened in the league. I've talked about it ad nauseam and it bores people to death. So I don't talk about it too much. But not only are offensive coaches better with quarterbacks, they're better with offensive lines. I've seen McVeigh rebuild the Rams O line three times. Andy Reid's done it in an off season two to three times. And I think when Ben Johnson came to Chicago, Drew Dahlman, Joe Tuney, Jonah Jackson, his first and then draft the left tackle. They want to get the old line right because that's what happened in Detroit when Ben Johnson was there. Let's get the old line right. A, you're protecting your number one asset. B, everything works when the O line is strong. So I mean Sean Payton immediately fixed a messy offensive line. He had Garrett Bowles at left tackle and he went out and spent some money. Some thought he overspent for the right tackle from San Francisco, McGlinchey. But his whole take was if we don't get the O line right. See the offensive coaches prioritize O lines because it's the insurance policy for your quarterback. So I look at Ben Johnson and I'm like, forget Caleb. He got the O line right. The play calling will be better. He and Caleb may not be perfect stylistically. You know, Dave goes to the Bears practices. Here's Dave wants that thoughts on Caleb earlier.

[Colin Cowherd]

I think Ben really, he understands that Caleb is a good enough athlete that he's going to have enough movement plays for him. And at the same time we saw it going into the third quarter they had 21 runs and 29 passes. So they are going to be balanced and run the football. If he does those things, it's a quarterback friendly offense. And I think Caleb can really excel in that type of environment.

[Dan Beyer]

Yeah, I think that, I think the best friend to the quarterback early is an offensive coach and a consistent run game. And I think, I think all the offensive coaches get it. I mean remember the criticism the Lions got for drafting Jameer Gibbs and like four games in were like yeah, that worked that and now they have. Was it Montgomery and Gibbs? So now they have a two pronged run game with two different types of running backs. So I just think when I watch Ben Johnson, he's doing, I feel like I'm watching the next great offensive coach because all his moves look like McVeigh and Peyton and I mean right now in the off season. What have we said about the Vikings, man? Have you looked at their offensive line like the offensive coaches? It's not just about quarterback. It's they they are better with the O line almost as a rule. That's why Brian Dabel has not done a great job with the O line. That that's you could be a knock on him as that's the one thing about Dable I have questions about. Why is the Giants O line never good enough? By the way, the Broncos, my staff just sent this, have the second highest rated O line going into the season. It was a mess when he arrived.

[John Middlekauff]

I think a lot of offensive coordinators get jobs when they go work with a really good quarterback and they may be a stint for one or two years. He showed up in Detroit, I think he was the tight ends coach at first because remember Anthony Lynn was the offensive coordinator. But he saw it from the ground floor and he saw them build it up and obviously he was a big part of it. But he got to witness in all those staff meetings and all those drafts like he was a part of like we talk a startup from nothing. They were a joke not just of the NFL but in all of professional sports. So he's kind of uniquely equipped to have a lot of perspective even though a stardom. I would say his rise over the last couple years was kind of like a rocket ship, but he saw the lowest of lows in the NFL.

[Dan Beyer]

Well, they were one of the more entertaining offenses in the league with Jared Goff as their quarterback, who's not a wildly athletic quarterback. You could not wait to watch Lions, the tricks, the tempo. They gave you a little bit of everything. So now just add Caleb Williams athleticism to that. It's the Herd American Public University where service members like you can access high quality, affordable education built for your lifestyle. With online programs that fit around deployments, training and unpredictable schedules, APU makes it possible to earn your degree no matter where duty takes you. Their preferred military rate keeps tuition at just $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's tuition. And with 24. 7 mental health support, plus career coaching and other services, APU is committed to your success during and after your service. Learn more at APU. That's APU APUS eDumilitary. Imagine never buying gas again. EVs are as easy to charge as your phone and perfect for everyday life. Drive daily with confidence everywhere you go. Most Americans drive 40 miles a day. Most EVs are equipped with 200 to 400 miles of range. They've got fewer parts, fewer repairs, and fewer headaches. With hundreds of new and used EV models available today, there's an EV to fit every lifestyle and every budget. I love my electric vehicle. It's easy. No more gas stations. The way forward is electric. Learn more@electric for all.org Summer is here, and you can now get almost anything you need for your sunny days delivered with Uber Eats. Now, what do we mean by almost? Well, you can't get a well groomed lawn delivered, but you can get chicken parm delivered. A nice tan? Sorry, A box fan? Happily, yes. A day of sunshine? No. A box of fine wines? Yes. Uber Eats can definitely get you that. Get almost, almost anything delivered with Uber Eats. Order now. Alcohol in select markets. Product availability may vary by region. See app for details. Every once in a while, you get the chance to make a real difference, and this is one of those moments. Folds of Honor provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military members and first responders. It's a powerful mission, honoring their sacrifice through the gift of education. But last year, about 7,000 qualified students didn't receive funding, and that number is expected to grow to nearly 10,000. Don't let financial needs stand in the way of their future. Visit foldsofhonor.org to donate. Any amount helps. Together, we can close that gap one scholarship at a time.

[Colin Cowherd]

This is an iHeart podcast.