THE HERD - Hour 3 - Thoughts on Fernando Mendoza, Kevin Durant addresses social media burner account speculation, Lance Zierlein

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3 (Feb 18, 2026)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd centers around current NFL draft analysis, quarterback prospects, and the ongoing controversy involving Kevin Durant and alleged social media burner accounts. Colin welcomes NFL draft expert Lance Zierlein for in-depth draft insights and discusses the impact of the KD story with both Zierlein and co-host Jason McIntyre. The episode maintains its energetic, opinionated tone, mixing sports analysis and candid judgments on athlete personalities and leadership.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kevin Durant's Alleged Burner Account Controversy (00:00–07:14, 22:05–31:25)

• Initial Reactions: Colin brings up the All-Star Weekend story alleging that Durant used a burner account to criticize teammates (Shen Goon and Jabari Smith), noting it fits a known, not-quite-leader narrative for KD.
  • “He did not deny it, but he did not confirm it. My take is I wouldn't be shocked by it.” (Colin Cowherd, 02:45)
• Discussion with Lance Zierlein: Zierlein says KD has a reputation for not wanting to be a leader and it's “bad timing” for a struggling Rockets team, but the story hasn’t soured Houston fans yet.
  • “He'll tell you right off the bat he doesn't want to be the team leader...this team is not playing very good basketball currently.” (Lance Zierlein, 04:45)
• Long-Term Impact: Both agree true hardship will test KD’s reputation in Houston, especially if the team underperforms.
  • “The real mess starts when you… don’t win in clutch situations. That’s when it really happens.” (Lance Zierlein, 06:44)
• Legacy Talk: Jason McIntyre later suggests the online posts were damaging (“this is not good... he's slandering teammates, Colin.”), but Colin downplays its legacy impact, noting it's “on brand” for KD.
  • “I don’t think it damages his legacy. I think it’s on brand for a guy that is a great player, kind of an independent thinker... doing his own thing.” (Colin Cowherd, 29:54)

Notable Quotes:

• “He could be the most talented guy on the Warriors, but I thought the soul of the team was Kerr, Steph, and Draymond.” (Colin Cowherd, 04:00)
• “If you think you’re hanging out with friends... you should be able to say what you want, right?” (Jason McIntyre, 30:34)

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2. NFL Draft Quarterback Analysis with Lance Zierlein

Ty Simpson vs. Jackson Dart (07:14–09:43)

• Simpson Evaluation: Colin labels Simpson a likely late 1st-round “reach” due to quarterback need; Zierlein says he’s less confident in Simpson than Dart but sees starting potential with proper coaching and a "redshirt" year.
  • “The mistakes he makes... are synonymous with first year quarterbacks... my grade on Ty Simpson is going to be 2, 3.” (Lance Zierlein, 08:30)

Fernando Mendoza’s Red Flags (11:23–13:00)

• Strengths: Good accuracy, composure, improvement during the season.

• Concerns: Pocket mobility; unlike Joe Burrow, Mendoza can’t escape pressure as well and needs a strong O-line and running game.

  • “The red flag is going to be pocket mobility...when the pocket heat gets… he’s pretty much cooked.” (Lance Zierlein, 11:42)

“Can’t Miss” Prospects (13:00–14:41)

• Mansour Delaine (LSU CB): Zierlein’s top-rated cornerback since Patrick Surtain.
  • “He is going to be a fantastic cornerback… just a smothering presence.” (Lance Zierlein, 13:13)
• Arville Reese (Hybrid LB/Edge): Elite explosiveness, rare traits, and “can’t miss” athleticism.

Running Back Talent – Jeremiah Love (14:41–16:46)

• Comparison: Colin compares Love to recent high-impact rookie RBs. Zierlein agrees on his explosiveness, notes he can contribute on third downs, and is a “three-down home run hitter.”
  • “The output he’s going to give you from day one is going to be pretty special.” (Lance Zierlein, 16:36)

Sleeper QB Prospects (16:46–19:14)

• Potential Later-Round Breakouts: Cade Klubnik mentioned as a possible 4th-round surprise; Diego Pavia's tape is strong but his size (<5’10”) is major hurdle.
  • “The last guy to start an NFL game under 5’10”... was Eddie LeBaron in 1963. Pavia measured in at under 5’10”…But his tape is number two behind Mendoza’s.” (Lance Zierlein, 17:50)

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3. NFL and QB Evaluation Talking Points

J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings’ QB Conundrum (24:06–27:41)

• McCarthy’s Role: Vikings simplified the playbook; concern is he remains a “game manager,” reminiscent of Sam Darnold’s USC career.
  • “This J.J. McCarthy stuff, this was the one quarterback in that class I was like, I don’t get it.” (Colin Cowherd, 25:44)
• Comparisons to Other QBs: Emphasis on seeing college QBs “carry their team” at some point—Mendoza did, McCarthy did less so.

Anthony Richardson Trade Rumors (27:41–29:00)

• Low Market Value: Rumored to be on the trade block but questionable interest due to poor short-throw accuracy and questionable self-awareness.
  • “That is just not permitted at quarterback in the NFL...I feel bad for him, actually, but I, I don’t think...he has a market at all.” (Colin Cowherd, 28:14)

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4. Colin on Caleb Williams’ Early NFL Impact & MVP Buzz (32:53–35:14)

• Support for Caleb Williams: Williams is the most-bet player to win MVP, though not the odds-on favorite. Colin attributes this to salary cap benefits and coordinated coaching (“play caller and cap hit”).

  • “He’s probably a top three or four quarterback next year, and most bet on, not odds on. Favorite.” (Colin Cowherd, 35:01)

• Supporting Arguments: Durability, explosive plays, leadership and significant team improvements.

  • “His improvement from year one to year two has been astronomical... It’s fun to watch. Exciting. Caleb’s got a clutch gene.” (Lance Zierlein, quoting Matt Hasselbeck, 32:53)

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Colin on KD's Leadership:
  “He’s an all-time great player, but... not necessarily somebody I would build around. He’s not a leader. He’s just a great talent.” (02:36)
• Lance Zierlein on Houston’s Mood:
  “It’s still honeymoon phase... But let’s see what happens... the real mess starts when you start to underperform and you don’t win in clutch situations.” (06:21–06:44)
• Zierlein on Ty Simpson:
  “I think from a skill set standpoint there’s a lot of similarities to Mac Jones coming out... I do think he has a chance to be a legitimate starter and a good starter in the NFL.” (08:30)
• Colin on McCarthy:
  “Tough kid. But Harbaugh o-line, run game, they never asked him to lead them to wins... at some point in college, I need you to take a game over.” (25:45)
• Jason McIntyre on KD’s Burner Scandal:
  “He’s slandering teammates, Colin. Honestly, his coach, Udoka... may have to like have a sit down with Durant and the team and try to fix this.” (23:13)
• Colin on Caleb Williams’ MVP Odds:
  “You got to count everything. And if you do... you start adding all that stuff up, you’re like, yeah, he’s probably a top three or four quarterback next year.” (35:02)

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Memorable Moments & Tone

• Colin referencing historic leadership and “soul” players: “Magic felt like the Lakers. Kobe felt like a Laker. Jeter felt like a Yankee. ...KD is a wanderer.” (05:34)
• Group text anecdote: “After 68 vague, ambiguous references to stuff I didn’t get, I removed myself... My phone was blowing up.” (Colin, on group chat aversion, 22:42)
• Lively KD debate: Push-pull between Colin’s “it’s on brand” and Jason’s “this is not good” for KD’s perception.

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• Kevin Durant burner story, leadership talk: 00:00–07:14, 22:05–31:25
• Draft talk with Lance Zierlein: 07:14–19:14
• QB prospect deep dive (Simpson, Mendoza, Clubnik, Pavia): 07:14–19:14
• Jeremiah Love and RBs: 14:41–16:46
• Vikings QB situation & McCarthy discourse: 24:06–27:41
• Anthony Richardson trade rumors: 27:41–29:00
• Caleb Williams MVP buzz: 32:53–35:14

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Overall Summary

Hour 3 of The Herd delivers robust draft analysis, honest evaluations of quarterback prospects, and a candid breakdown of NBA star Kevin Durant’s alleged burner account drama. The discussion balances Xs and Os scouting with personality and legacy talk, while maintaining the buoyant, opinionated, and sometimes humorous tone that defines the show. Whether scrutinizing rookie QBs or parsing the reputations of superstar veterans, the hour is packed with insight for fans following both the NBA and NFL offseason storylines.

Transcript

[Emily Simpson]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Colin Cowherd]

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[Lance Zierlein]

Season, keep it pushing.

[Colin Cowherd]

But I know I get you have to answer those questions. Yeah, I. Does it bother me? Yeah, I don't think it's great to bag on your teammates. But I also, I've always said I would love to have KD on my team. I wouldn't build around him, but I'd love him to be. To be. He could be the most talented guy on the warriors, but I thought the soul of the team was Kerr Stefan Draymond. He was just the most talented guy with that Lance Zirlein, before we get into the football host daily radio show in Houston. KD's a rocket, obviously. So how have you guys handled this story? What do you make of it?

[Lance Zierlein]

Well, I mean, you know, we handle it about like everyone else is. You know, at first it was very curious. Kind of had my doubts. I mean, why? I don't know, it seemed plausible simply because KD has been that guy in the past. But I don't know, I thought, I don't know if I buy into this. And then you start thinking about group text exchanges and things that aren't meant for the public. And is there a chance he could have done it? Absolutely. And I think what you talk about is he'll tell you right off the bat he doesn't want to be the team leader. He doesn't. That's never what he wants to do. And so I think it's good that they have IME Odoka. But you know, Colin, this team is not playing very good basketball currently. I mean, they've, they've really fallen off over the last month, basically. And so this is, it's bad timing. I don't think it's going to have an impact on the court necessarily, but I do think it's worth a different conversation about how we end up viewing Kevin Durant when his career's over.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah, I mean, it's an interesting team. Shen Goon's talented, but a Euro. Is he going to be like the leader Katie doesn't want to be? Amen. Thompson's too young, the talents there, but I mean, they've got a very strong willed, excellent coach. Maybe that's the leader. But, you know, it's interesting. KD is one of those guys and LeBron in L. A feels a little bit like this. They're great and they're talented, but Magic felt like the Lakers. Kobe felt like a Laker, Jeter felt like a Yankee. You know, even when he left, Ken Griffey felt like a Mariner. Even though he left. It's like people think he likes us more. How is kd? How is he viewed in Houston? A very good basketball city with very passionate fans.

[Lance Zierlein]

Yeah, still, you know, it's still honeymoon phase, so this kind of story a year removed. Maybe if he had played poorly in the playoffs, it could impact it differently. Right now, I think it's just weighing on everyone just a little bit and they're kind of curious to see where this goes. But everyone's handling it okay for right now. But let's see what happens when in the win and loss column because, you know, just like I do, the real mess starts when you start to underperform and you don't win in clutch situations. That's when it really happens. KD has been a great addition. Maybe hasn't won as many games down the stretches as Rocket fans had hoped, but some of that just goes to, you know, they're still figuring out him versus Shingoon, who needs the ball in their hands and, you know, and he's not a demanding player. We talk about the leadership thing. He's not an alpha, give me the ball, give me the ball type guy. And so sometimes he's not going to get the ball. Maybe when he wants the ball because he's done demand.

[Colin Cowherd]

It's Lan Zurline, NFL.com draft analyst doing it for a long time, covering the league for 24 years. So let's just get to the quarterback and the quarterbacks. Mendoza is a clear number one pick. Ty Simpson. You have late first round, which I said yesterday. There are certain things men will spend on and reach on regardless cars, another driver in their golf bag and quarterback. Somebody's going to reach for Ty Simpson. Let's start with him. I think he feels a little bit like a less mobile Jackson Dart. He's talented. He faced SEC defenses, he had some good receivers. He didn't have a ton of a run support behind him. I think he's probably with the right coach, a franchise quarterback. How, how do you view Ty Simpson, let's say compared to a Jackson Dart? Is he as good a prospect as the Giants rookie quarterback this year?

[Lance Zierlein]

I have a higher grade on Jackson Dart, but I can tell you, you know, based on the way I saw Jackson Dart play, I would put Jackson D over Ty Simpson. I think Jackson Dart has a level of confidence that you have to have. It's kind of rare for a rookie in New York to be unfazed by that market. And I liked a lot of what I saw from Jackson Dart from a mobility standpoint, from a confidence standpoint, he looked like a guy who belongs and I feel like I was way off on his evaluation. I think he's going to be much, much better. Ty Simpson, you know, the mistakes he makes, Colin is he does a lot of things that are synonymous with first year quarterbacks, first year starters. Now he's 23 years old, but he started one season so, you know, a little bit lazy with the eye discipline that the feet get a little jittery when the pocket starts to heat up sometimes he doesn't know when to get rid of the football. At times he trailed off the second half of the season. Maybe teams got a book on him. That's synonymous with quarterbacks who've been doing it for one year. So I still think there's a lot of growth. I see a lot of things. I do think it may feel lazy because it's Alabama, Alabama. But I think from a skill set standpoint there's a lot of similarities to Mac Jones coming out and I had a second round grade on Mac Jones and my grade on Ty Simpson is going to be 2, 3. But I do think he has a chance to be a legitimate starter and a good starter in the NFL. It just really depends on he's going to be very dependent upon where he goes and the type of tutelage he gets in that red shirt year. And I think having a red shirt year is really important. That's why I think, you know, a chance to play with the Rams would probably be optimal for Ty Simpson.

[Colin Cowherd]

Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app. Fox Sports Radio is taking over YouTube and you can be a part of it. Pay attention. Just go to YouTube and search Fox Sports Radio. Hit that subscribe button and smash that notification bell and catch all the videos from your favorite shows. Two pros and a cup of Joe, Dan Patrick, Colin Cowherd, Doug Gottlieb, Kavino and Rich the Odd Couple with Rob Parker and Kelvin Washington, the Jason Smith show with Mike Harmon and the Ben Maller Show. Fox sports radio on YouTube. Subscribe hit that thumbs up icon and comment away. This month, iHeartRadio is celebrating the stars.

[Lance Zierlein]

Of the 2026 Winter Games. Louisville, Kentucky is home to Oxana Masters.

[Colin Cowherd]

A living legend of adaptive sports. A multi sport phenomenon with 19 Paralympic.

[Lance Zierlein]

Medals, she dominates the snow in both.

[Colin Cowherd]

Cross country skiing and biathlon.

[Lance Zierlein]

Her relentless upper body strength and competitive.

[Colin Cowherd]

Fire make her nearly unbeatable on the tracks.

[Lance Zierlein]

Masters arrives in Milano, Cortina not just.

[Colin Cowherd]

To compete, but to continue her reign.

[Lance Zierlein]

As one of the most dominant athletes in history.

[Colin Cowherd]

For more Winter Games gold search olympics.

[Lance Zierlein]

On the iHeartRadio app.

[Emily Simpson]

Hey everyone, it's Emily Simpson and Shane Simpson from the Legally Brunette podcast.

[Colin Cowherd]

Each week we're bringing you true crime through a legal lens.

[Emily Simpson]

Whether you want all the facts on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie or you still need to wrap your head around the Diddy verdict, we're breaking it all down step by step.

[Colin Cowherd]

And we're not just lawyers, we're also husband and wife. It makes for some pretty entertaining episodes.

[Emily Simpson]

Listen to Legally brunette on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Colin Cowherd]

So Mendoza, give me the red flag. We picked these guys apart. Give me the red flag on Mendoza. What worries you the most? Because we know he's big and he's got a decent arm and he's a great kid and he's humble and gracious and he won big games. I thought he got much better beginning to end of the year. What's the red flag on him?

[Lance Zierlein]

Red flag is going to be pocket mobility. The red flag is going to be, and this is my biggest concern, I think he throws the ball from an accuracy standpoint, a baseline accuracy like Joe Burrow did when he was coming out. It's just, it's really impressive, his ability to hit receivers in stride and throw the ball right to your hands. And every single time he's unfazed by a lot of what he sees. I think he gets, he attacks the intermediate pockets of zones. But my big concern, Colin, is that if you don't protect him properly, Joe Burrow could slide around in a pocket, get outside of the problem and make some things happen. That's not Fernando Mendoza. I know he's tough. We all saw the touchdown run in the national championship game. But when the pocket heat gets, you know, when it actually leaks inside the pocket, he's pretty much cooked. And he's not real pocket mobile in terms of sliding around, climbing, sliding, which Ty Simpson ironically is really good at. That Fernando's not great at it. So I think he has to be protected at an above average level and has to have a running game to kind of neutralize, you know, defenses a little bit. I think everything about that you mentioned about Fernando Mendoza is dead on. But if you want to look for a red flag, it's the fact that pressure can maybe unduly take him out of his potential faster than some of the other top quarterbacks we've seen over the last few years.

[Colin Cowherd]

If I said to you can't miss athlete and I think there's a couple in this draft, if I just said too talented to miss. Give me two guys that you just think can't miss.

[Lance Zierlein]

Yeah. Mansour Delaine, cornerback at lsu. I've got him as my highest rated cornerback since Patrick Certain who I gave a seven. Oh, grade two Mansoor, I've got a six, eight, which basically means he's on the high end of Pro bowl to all pro caliber type player from lsu. If you haven't seen him, he's very fast. He's very sticky, great feet. Just a smothering presence from a man cover standpoint, out of press. And I think he is going to be a fantastic cornerback and one that really gets drafted a lot higher than some people are projecting him right now. And then, you know, I guess I'll go to my, my top pick in the draft. My number one prospect is Arville Reese. You know, Arville Reese. The one problem I have is we have seen guys with the elite traits, elite explosiveness, not pan out, especially when they're hybrid players because you got to pick a lane and see, you know, see what you become. But for Reece, he's been coached by James Larinaitis, he's been coached by Matt Patricia. So he has pro tutelage. Then you look at rare height, length, explosiveness and he can come off the edge. I think he's a very good linebacker. Too many people to me are just pushing him to the edge and saying he's an edge. He's not a linebacker. I mean, I don't know. I think he could be a linebacker that just is a real, is a real demon and a werewolf as a pass rusher on rushdown scenarios. So I think Arvo Reese's explosiveness, his toughness, he's got a little chip on his shoulder. I think he's kind of, I think that's can't miss traits and can't miss athleticism in my opinion.

[Colin Cowherd]

I think about every other year it feels like there is a running back that just feels plug and play in the NFL and he's very good. I thought Bijan Robinson, Ladanian Tomlinson, Ezekiel Elliott, Saquon Barkley, it Ashton Genty I wasn't quite sure about it was a weak draft but I do feel like Jeremiah Love explosiveness, kind of core strength, strong. I it just looks like, oh, he will play as a rookie and be productive. Where do you over the last five or six years is he in that elite B John Robinson group?

[Lance Zierlein]

I think he is, yeah. Based on my grade. I don't have miss high as Bijan and I had Ashton Genti hired. But you know what I mean Jeremiah Love to me he's not even the most natural running back on his team. I think it's Jadarian Price has better vision, is more natural, but Judarian but rather but Jeremiah Love. I mean this guy has unbelievable speed and explosiveness. He runs with an urgency that at times is a little too hot because he doesn't let the, you know, the run blocking develop. But when he hits that hole, I mean, forget about it. He's got a great spin move, leaves his feet too much. He tries to jump over everyone. But I think that's his mindset. This desire to jump over everything and just attack everything is what you love about him and it's what makes him such an explosive home run hitter when the ball is in his hands. And I'll tell you what makes him special third down talent. He is really good at picking up blitzes and they line him up out in the slot, they'll run him out in the slot and he runs real routes. So now we have somebody who can hit you home runs, you know, from the backfield, who can mismatch people out on the slot linebacker. So you can't put a linebacker on him. He is a three down home run hitter with the ability to, you know, give you an unbelievable output relative to where you draft them. And that's not something you can say with all running backs. That's why, you know, the analytics set doesn't love running backs early but the output he's going to give you from day one is going to be pretty special.

[Colin Cowherd]

Okay, I want to end it here. Lancer line NFL.com so listen, we've seen Dak drafted in the fourth round, Brock Purdy in the seventh. So let's take Simpson Mendoza out. There were a lot of quarterbacks. Lance Nuss Meyer at lsu, Cade Club Nick at Clemson, Drew Aller at Penn State. We came into the league, we're like these are lottery picks. And then it's funny, I watch Cade Club Nick. I'm like, you know, he throws a decent ball, he moves pretty well and now it's just, he's off the radar. Then there's the Vanderbilt kid. I am out on small quarterbacks. I don't, I, what I'm hearing is if I said to you there's a fourth round quarterback in this draft with a shot to shock people, does this draft have one?

[Lance Zierlein]

You know, I'm going to throw somebody out there that you mentioned that I actually thought the tape was a little bit better than my expectations. And that's Kate Clubnik and that's. Listen, this is, this is all relative because I watched five times, I liked him. Yeah, I mean look, he has better arm talent than I was led to believe. He's, he is mobile. I think that he had a situation where it was just, it was a bad situation. Too many bad drops. The coverage got a little, or rather the protection got a little leaky for him. I think Klubnick with the right offense, a ball control play action based offense, I think he's got a chance more so than Carson Beck who has, you know, better traits. But I think he's going to make too many mistakes. Aller to me might be a lost cause. And then, you know, Diego Pavia is too small. The last guy to start an NFL game under 5 foot 10 if you don't count Kyler Murray. If we assume he is actually, 5 foot 10 was Eddie LeBaron in 1963. Pavio measured in at under 5 foot 10 at the Senior Bowl. But his tape is number two behind Mendoza's. I mean, from a tape standpoint, he's ahead of Ty Simpson, he's ahead of these other guys. But it's just, you know, the size is tough. He sails some balls because he has to throw a trajectory to get it over, you know, over the pocket, over the offensive line. And just historically it just doesn't work out. And then you also have to ask yourself, does he have the personality to, to be a second set of eyes, to be deferential to whoever the starter is? Can he take his hyper, competitive, you know, behavior and really reign it in as a backup? I don't know if he can do that. He had good tape though. But Clubnik, if you ask me, who is the guy, I think Clubnik maybe would have that chance in the middle rounds.

[Colin Cowherd]

All right. Lance Sterling. Good stuff as always, Lance. And we'll, we'll check back a couple times before the draft.

[Lance Zierlein]

You got it?

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. Even that, that tape on the 5, 9 quarterback from Vandy, who. I don't like his personality at all as a pro quarterback, but it looked small, really small. Remember when, when, when Jason McIntyre was being so mean to Bryce Young and said his, his helmet looks too big for his body. And in the end you were like, it kind of feels like that's. And Bryce Young was one of the great high school football players in the history of the state of California. But it's, he's a good player.

[Jason McIntyre]

He was a good player this past season. Brighton.

[Colin Cowherd]

Look how tiny he is.

[Jason McIntyre]

By the way, the fact that he said Drew Aller is basically cooked and there's like no interest in him. Remember last year before the college football season, you know, seven months ago, Drew Aller was thought to be a top 10 pick. Wow, that is a take. I didn't know it was that much.

[Colin Cowherd]

Of a lost cause for Allen. I watched Club Nick several times. I like Club Nick a little. I thought he, I think he's got a decent arm. I think he moves well. I mean it, it's.

[Jason McIntyre]

He could be a Mac Jones type middle round.

[Colin Cowherd]

He's much more athletic. I think he moves way better than Mac Jones.

[Jason McIntyre]

But I, I just meant like not really a starter, but a good, good backup.

[Colin Cowherd]

He went to a great high school. I mean, he was a high school star. He's very good college player and he fell off a cliff and I'm like, he's not tiny. He's got a good arm. He. He moves well. I'm like. I mean, I. I've. I. I've YouTubed an interview or two. It's like, sounds fine to me. I just fell off a cliff. Is he getting. Is it. Is it. Was it the right system for him? I don't know. Jordan Love was better on the year before he came out to college. Then he lost the coach or he loses a star receiver.

[Jason McIntyre]

So, wait, is that how much you miss football? You're watching YouTube interviews?

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, before the draft? Yeah, I try middle round picks. Well, there's no games the last four days with the NBA. So there's. I'm like, I'm. There's. I'm sick of it.

[Jason McIntyre]

College basketball exists, my friend. Come on, buck up. You missed out on Michigan Purdue last night. Easy winner. Cash that ticket cowherd.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, we'll take a break. We'll come back. Herdline news, JMac around the corner. Be sure to catch live editions of the Herd, weekdays at noon Eastern, 9am Pacific, on Fox Sports Radio, FS1 and the iHeartRadio app.

[Emily Simpson]

Hey, everyone, it's Emily Simpson and Shane Simpson from the Legally Brunette podcast.

[Colin Cowherd]

Each week, we're bringing you true crime through a legal lens.

[Emily Simpson]

Whether you want all the facts on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie or you still need to wrap your head around the Diddy verdict, we're breaking it all down step by step.

[Colin Cowherd]

And we're not just lawyers. We're also husband and wife. It makes for some pretty entertaining episodes.

[Emily Simpson]

Listen to Legally brunette on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Colin Cowherd]

Do you think KD's teammates think he did the key? He can deny it, but do you think his teammates. Shen Goon, Jabari Smith, do you think J. Mack. They believe it? Because if they believe it, he can say anything he wants. I. It does kind of feel like a KD move.

[Jason McIntyre]

Well, unfortunately, somebody showed me a website where they collected all this stuff. I don't want to give it out on air, and it's really bad. Colin, this is not good. Somebody did him dirty. Listen, man, you're in a bunch of group texts, right? You say, guys, you're not.

[Colin Cowherd]

Oh, no, I refuse to be friends.

[Jason McIntyre]

Don't you have friends?

[Colin Cowherd]

I once got on a group text with the NFL on Fox Sunday. Group. And after 68 vague, ambiguous references to stuff I didn't get, I removed myself. And they were like, how come you're not in the group text? I'm like, it's Nonsense. My phone was blowing up.

[Jason McIntyre]

Come on.

[Colin Cowherd]

You guys were referencing stuff. I didn't even know what you were talking about. And I'm like, I, I got kids to feed. I can't be on a group text.

[Jason McIntyre]

So I mean the group texts are amazing. I'm on so many of them. But like memes come out and links that you maybe not otherwise have seen, but he's slandering teammates, Colin. Honestly, his coach, Udoka from Guy from Boston. He's no nonsense. And Houston's kind of unraveling right now as a team with Steven Adams injury. Odoka may have to like have a sit down with Durant and the team and try to fix this. I don't know. Like the stuff about Sengun is bad. He's just trashing his own teammate who's like an all star. Sengun's a good player.

[Colin Cowherd]

He called him soft. And then Jabari Smith he called worse.

[Jason McIntyre]

Well, I'm sure Charles Barkley's happy, you know, because it's being mean and cruel to teammates.

[Colin Cowherd]

Oh God, Barkley. I think of Barkley. I think of funny. You think mean.

[Jason McIntyre]

He's just negative, Nancy. I'm a positive, Jason. That's what I am.

[Colin Cowherd]

J. Mac with the news. No, no, no. Heard on the news. This is the Herd line news.

[Jason McIntyre]

Right on the low key quarterback situation to watch in the NFL. Are you ready for this?

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[Jason McIntyre]

Minnesota Vikings. What veteran will they bring in to help out J.J. mcCarthy, right? They let Sam Darnold go, they let Daniel Jones go. Both thrived. There's some names starting to perk up and according to the Athletic, Kevin O' Connell and company had to simplify the offense so much for McCarthy last season. Going so far as to move, remove. Sorry. Most of the over the middle passing concept throughout the season.

[Colin Cowherd]

Why? Just too complicated.

[Jason McIntyre]

I think it's a little too complicated, a little too crowded. He couldn't read the defense, didn't know what the linebackers were doing and it was just too dangerous turnover wise.

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, this is. Who is reporting this?

[Jason McIntyre]

This is the according to the athletics.

[Colin Cowherd]

So we could say something. Injuries, inconsistencies, lack of confidence. This story, it's over.

[Jason McIntyre]

It's not over. Come on, two years over. He's like 21 and a half.

[Colin Cowherd]

Give me one positive story and then why is this stuff.

[Jason McIntyre]

I'll get back to you.

[Colin Cowherd]

Stuff leaks when somebody wants it to leak. Why is it leaking?

[Jason McIntyre]

All right, so who are they going to go get Aaron Rodgers to be the veteran Atua Kyler Murray?

[Colin Cowherd]

Who you want? I told You Tua in a dome is not a terrible thing. Although Brian Flores is on the staff and Tua and Brian didn't.

[Jason McIntyre]

Oh, that's right.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[Jason McIntyre]

No shot of that. Derek Carr. Who wants to come back to a contender? I think Minnesota's got Super bowl potential.

[Colin Cowherd]

Oh, God, slow down.

[Jason McIntyre]

The defense is ridiculous. Justin Jefferson still breathing. Skill position players are good.

[Colin Cowherd]

This J.J. mcCarthy stuff, this was the one quarterback in that class. I was like, I don't get. Tough kid. But Harbaugh o line run game, they, they never asked him to lead them to wins. It was just managing. Like at some point in college, I need you to take a game over. And I said this with Mendoza, they have four losses at Indiana. Without Mendoza, they lose to Ohio State. They probably lose to Iowa. They definitely lose to Miami. Yeah. So you mean they were in a bunch of close games. Tighter. Trailing late. So in the. You could say, well, Indiana had a great coach. Indiana needed Mendoza to carry them across the finish line.

[Jason McIntyre]

So what you're saying is McCarthy just needs. He needs to be Sam Darnold, just.

[Colin Cowherd]

A game manager who gets Sam Darnold. Say what you want. Darnold at usc, bad defense. Darnold had to lead them to a Rose bowl win over Penn State. Donald had to carry a poorly coached USC team for a college quarterback. By the way, Kayla Williams, USC, lousy defense. Had to carry them to 11 wins his first year with the Trojans. I want to see you at some point lead and carry your team.

[Jason McIntyre]

Didn't we see that in J.J. mcCarthy's first game of the season last year against the Bears? Remember that fourth quarter comeback? Just throwing dimes, dude.

[Colin Cowherd]

His last seven college game. His last seven college games at Michigan, he had four touchdown passes. They're fighting you.

[Jason McIntyre]

That was like three years ago, dude.

[Colin Cowherd]

Come on now.

[Jason McIntyre]

Just for the record, last year, Sam Darnold, good number. Three years ago, Sam Darnold, two fourth quarter comebacks. Last year, J.J. mcCarthy won. That's it.

[Colin Cowherd]

Half as much.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah, exactly. It's not, it's not that big of a gap. I'm not selling my McCarthy stock. I refuse to to sell. I'm going to hold it like bitcoin and suffer.

[Colin Cowherd]

How's that working out for you?

[Jason McIntyre]

Not good. All right, let's go to Anthony Richardson. Collar. Remember that guy? He had like a handful of college starts at Florida, but they drafted him. Top five. Sounds like he's done it. Sounds like. Sorry. A recent report called it inevitable that Richardson will request a trade this off season. Yeah, I don't know what you can get in return for him.

[Colin Cowherd]

Nothing.

[Jason McIntyre]

I mean, if you're the Steelers, do you take a flyer. He's 8 and 7 completion percentage of 50% in 17.

[Colin Cowherd]

There'll be some. Hey, listen, the Niners got a fourth round pick for Trey Lance and I think it's the same situation.

[Jason McIntyre]

Where was that? Jerry Jones.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. So, I mean, this is a young man who, you know what really beyond. I remember talking to a GM that told me he'd never seen a tape so bad from an NFL quarterback on stuff under 15 yards. He said, forget everything else. Just the layup stuff, the 15 yard stuff. He's like, I've never seen it this bad any. Any tape ever. But the other thing was when he took himself out of the game. That is just not permitted at quarterback in the NFL. Like, that is not having a level of self awareness you have to have. I feel bad for him, actually, but I, I don't think there's an. I don't think he has a market at like, at all.

[Jason McIntyre]

Yeah.

[Colin Cowherd]

Who has got a bigger market?

[Jason McIntyre]

To me, somebody out there will be like, hey, I can revive his career. Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh. I mean, why not? I'm like, McCarthy knows quarterbacks. Let him. Let him battle Will Howard for the job and win four games in Pittsburgh. I don't know. You got to figure something out. Final story comp to the NBA. Here we go. Back to the Kevin Durant burner story. It's starting to percolate even more.

[Colin Cowherd]

Today.

[Jason McIntyre]

KD was asked about it in front of the media and you know, he's usually vociferous, not afraid of any questions. I think he's afraid of this one.

[Colin Cowherd]

I know you got to ask these questions, but I'm not here to get into Twitter nonsense. I'm just here to focus on the season, keep it pushing. But I know I get you have to answer those questions.

[Jason McIntyre]

Now. You know, I have a checkered history with Mr. Durant. I do say he is. He's a great basketball player. But. There's always a but with Kevin Durant. I don't know, Colin. Does this kind of thing damage his legacy or whatever?

[Colin Cowherd]

I don't think it damages his legacy. I think it's on brand for a guy that is a great player, kind of an independent thinker, kind of a wanderer doing his own thing. He's one of my favorite players ever. I'd want him on every team I've ever had. He can catch and shoot drive. He's a remarkable talent. But I would be surprised if steph Curry did this with kd. I'm like, you know, I. I could see it.

[Jason McIntyre]

So this is video of him? Yeah. All Star Weekend when the stuff started to pop, he was just on his phone the whole time, probably trying to do damage control, figure out who did him dirty. Hey, man, remember, trust nobody. Cowherd. Somebody really screwed Durant here, man. Yeah, or you could say he screwed himself by making the comments. But if you think you're hanging out with friends talking to him, you could. You should be able to say what you want, right?

[Colin Cowherd]

Well, people talk trash all the time about everybody, so it's. It's.

[Jason McIntyre]

I mean, you don't talk trash about me, but, yes, that usually happens. People slander teammates. Why are you laughing? Huh?

[Colin Cowherd]

No, I just. I. You know, it's. KD is. I don't think it hurts his legacy. I don't think. I don't think anybody, you know, like, everybody.

[Jason McIntyre]

Did Michael Jordan's legacy get hurt when he punched teammates?

[Colin Cowherd]

Michael Jordan would tell you to your face. Michael Jordan was brutal to your face. Mike. Mike. Kevin Durant is not the kind of guy that's gonna be. Confrontation.

[Jason McIntyre]

He doesn't want confrontation. Yes.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah. Michael and Kobe are. Were very confrontational people. LeBron James isn't confrontational.

[Jason McIntyre]

No.

[Colin Cowherd]

It's just their personality. So. All right, J. Mac with the news. Well, that's the news, and thanks for stopping by the Herd line news. I don't. I don't think it's even a lukewarm take. We were talking about Caleb Williams. He is the mvp. Odds on favorite Caleb, not Josh Allen or Mahomes. Well, what does that tell you? It tells you that if. If you count everything with Caleb Williams, by late September, early October, will he be the best quarterback in the league? Is Ben Johnson. Part of it, absolutely. Is the fact that he doesn't make much money and you can load the roster up. Part of it, absolutely. But you have to consider those things. You can say, well, I mean, who's the most talented quarterback? Well, Brady's probably not, but he was the most productive. He had a coach. He had Josh McDaniels. He didn't take the most. So, like, best? What do you mean, best? All I'm saying is the numbers that are out on him. He has the lowest interception rate since he entered the league. He never misses a start. He was unbelievable in the fourth. He was number two to Stafford on big plays, and he's got a tiny capit, so you can load the roster and maybe the best play caller in the sport. You have to consider all those things. And so I said, forget. Best quarterback in the NFC north, are we? Very early in next season, he's got the leading odds to be mvp. Could he be the best quarterback in the league? Here's Matt Hasselbeck.

[Lance Zierlein]

His improvement from year one to year two has been astronomical. Like I've been very, very impressed. They built the team up. Ryan Poles buil team up around him in an impressive way. Started up front. Ben Johnson. His impact on, on Caleb has been incredible. It's fun to watch. Exciting. Caleb's got a clutch gene that, that you don't know if a quarterback has it till you put him in that situation. If he can continue to improve the way he did from year one to year two to from two to three, then, then, yeah, I think this guy's the limit. But that's not always the case. Some guys sometimes that after that first year of success, it doesn't mean that you're guaranteed to have another great.

[Colin Cowherd]

I stand correct that he's not the MVP favorite. He's the most bet on by the pros and the Joes. He's getting tons of betting support in that community. He's not the, he's not the odds on favorite. He's the most bet. But my take is there's a reason for it, is that people are watching the games. They're watching that amazing play against the Rams. They're watching how he played late against Green Bay in the last seven regular season games. And you look up and you're like, okay, well, he was the fastest player this year in terms of speed lot. Lamar Jackson. He had the longest completion, lowest interception rate, never misses a start, does not throw a lot of picks. So all those things add up to you. Tell me. But what's interesting is when you talk best quarterback, we don't, we don't add in play caller and cap hit. And I think that's the big problem with like, like today. If you told me who do I like more, Lamar Jackson or Caleb Williams, I would say Caleb. And part of it is I like Caleb's play collar and I like Caleb's cap hit like Lamar, it's too punitive. Josh Allen. I still take Josh over Caleb, but there is a reason that Max Crosby would be a perfect fit in Buffalo and they probably can't afford him, but they can afford him in Chicago. So you got to count everything. And if you do endurability and speed and longest completions and most big plays second mo you start adding all that stuff up, you're like, yeah, he's probably a top three or four quarterback next year. And most bet on, not odds on. Favorite. Most bet on. I stand corrected on mvp. All right, J. Mac, good stuff today. We flew through the show and I'm. I'm. It's one of the slower weeks and so.

[Jason McIntyre]

So you. You playing. You said you're playing volleyball this afternoon on the beach in Chi Town.

[Colin Cowherd]

It is. I. I did not wear a second day in a row. Flex did not bring a jacket to wear. Wow. In Chicago in mid February.

[Jason McIntyre]

Now two weeks from now, it might get arctic again. Because that's what happens in Chicago.

[Colin Cowherd]

It is. The staff is writing it down. 62° high in Chicago today.

[Jason McIntyre]

Downright balmy.

[Colin Cowherd]

It is actually. It's when you're not getting wind. It's 6 degrees warmer than Los Angeles.

[Jason McIntyre]

Might be a good day for a liquid lunch for you. Just tie one on, dude.

[Colin Cowherd]

Every day is a good day for a liquid lunch. Doesn't have to be going into a vacation.

[Emily Simpson]

Think Verizon is expensive? Think again. Anyone can bring their AT&T or T mobile bill to a Verizon store today, and we'll give you a better deal. So bring us your bill. Walk in, running, pogo sticking, teleport. If you can ride on the back of a rollerblading yak or fly in on the wings of a majestic falcon. Any. Any way, you can bring your AT&T or T mobile bill to a Verizon store today, and we'll give you a better deal on the best network based on RouteMetric's best overall mobile network performance. U.S. 2nd half, 2025. All rights reserved. Must provide a very recent postpaid consumer mobile bill in the name of the person redeeming the deal. Additional terms, conditions and restrictions apply.

[Jason McIntyre]

You know how it's never really about.

[Colin Cowherd]

Where you're going, it's about who you're going with.

[Jason McIntyre]

The right people can turn any drive.

[Colin Cowherd]

Into a great memory. That's something Toyota really believes. They design vehicles around real life and real people, the ones who make plans happen and bring everyone together inside. Everything's built with passengers in mind. Comfortable seating, smart layouts, and space that actually works so everyone can relax and enjoy the ride.

[Jason McIntyre]

There's room for the people, room for.

[Colin Cowherd]

The stuff, and room for the moments that happen along the way. Because when people are the destination, your ride is important. Learn [e-mail] and find the vehicle that fits your people.

[Emily Simpson]

Hey, everyone, it's Emily Simpson and Shane Simpson from the Legally Brunette podcast.

[Colin Cowherd]

Each week we're bringing you true crime through a legal lens.

[Emily Simpson]

Whether you want all the facts on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie or you still need to wrap your head around the Diddy verdict, we're breaking it all down step by step.

[Colin Cowherd]

And we're not just lawyers, we're also husband and wife. It makes for some pretty entertaining episodes.

[Emily Simpson]

Listen to Legally brunette on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. On June 11, 1998, a deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was went missing.

[Colin Cowherd]

Hey, if they'll kill a cop and bury him, what are they going to do to me?

[Emily Simpson]

What really happened to the missing deputy? Valley of Shadows, a new series from Pushkin Industries about crime and corruption in California's high desert.

[Lance Zierlein]

Listen to Valley of Shadows on the.

[Jason McIntyre]

Iheartradio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Lance Zierlein]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Colin Cowherd]

Guaranteed Human.