The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hour 3 - Tyler Dunne Stops By
Release Date: September 8, 2025
Podcast by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd centers on the NFL's biggest Week 1 storylines, including breakout performances, quarterback controversy, and the latest drama with the Chicago Bears and their rookie QB, Caleb Williams. The hour features an extended interview with Tyler Dunne, whose three-part exposé delves into leadership and dysfunction inside the Bears’ organization. Engaging analysis, candid opinions, and insider reporting keep the show lively and insightful for football fans.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Packers’ Impressive Performance & Micah Parsons’ Debut

• Continuity as Key to Packers’ Success

  • Colin opens the hour by analyzing why the Packers looked sharp in their opener, crediting their roster continuity and plugging in Micah Parsons as “the big star they’ve never had” (02:49-05:16).
  • “It’s hard to deny how good the Packers looked yesterday... These young receivers now have been there two and three years... a lot of continuity in Green Bay.” — Colin Cowherd (02:49)

• Impact of Superstar Edge Rusher

  • Micah Parsons’ limited but high-energy debut changed the Packers’ defensive swagger.
  • “These last six months was super draining, super toxic for everyone... now that’s behind. These guys embrace me... and I’m just going to give these guys everything I have because I know what’s at stake.” — Micah Parsons, postgame (03:41)

• Untangling the Defensive Dynamic

  • Guest Matt Hasselbeck likens having a dominant, unpredictable pass rusher to having a great closer in baseball: “It’s like having a great closer... you don’t know where he’ll line up, what down he’ll play... it changes your whole offensive scheme.” (04:43)

2. Atlanta-Tampa Thriller & Rookie Watch

• Rookie Standout Emeka Egbuka Shines

  • Tampa’s Emeka Egbuka posts a breakout game: 4 catches, 67 yards, 2 TDs—earning high praise from Baker Mayfield.
  • “He’s the real deal. True professional, doesn’t play like a rookie, doesn’t act like a rookie. His head’s never spinning.” — Baker Mayfield (07:00)

• QB Analyses and Team Outlooks

  • Discussion around Michael Penix’s debut (Atlanta)—“unfazed” by the high-pressure debut, and how sitting behind Kirk Cousins may help his growth.
  • Intrigue for both teams as potential playoff contenders, but run game questions for Tampa remain. (07:44-08:52)
  • “Maybe Tampa’s a little frisky... I’m going to still say Atlanta is slightly better.” — Colin Cowherd (07:54)

3. College Football Top 25 Musings

• SEC Dominance & Surprises in Rankings

  • Florida’s drop and the SEC landing 11 teams in the Top 25 raises eyebrows.
  • Opinions on teams ranked too high or low—“Clemson should not be [12]... Oklahoma probably a little better than 13... FSU making early statements.” — Colin Cowherd (09:47-10:31)

• Michigan & Harbaugh’s Departure

  • Ongoing skepticism regarding Michigan’s transition post-Harbaugh.
  • “I’m not blown away by Michigan replacing Jim Harbaugh. Go look at the coaches that have tried.” — Colin Cowherd (09:57)

4. Show Anniversary & Behind-the-Scenes Banter

• 10 Years on FS1

  • Brief acknowledgment and light-hearted montage celebrating Colin’s 10-year tenure.
  • “When I’m 70 doing this show... don’t call me crazy old man—I’m crazy middle aged man!” — Colin Cowherd (11:01)

• Crew Camaraderie

  • Fun exchange about receding hairlines, team spirit, and the perks of cake in the break room. (11:42-12:17)

5. NFL Week 2 Lookahead & “Bounce Back” Theory

• NFL Week 2 Preview
  • Colin discusses his rule: in the NFL, teams that get blown out one week are good bets for a bounce back the next, unlike in college football.
  • “If a team gets blown out and humiliated in the NFL, take them the following week.” — Colin Cowherd (12:50)
  • Key storylines on Cowboys, Chiefs, Jets, Dolphins, and Packers. Major question: Is Miami “cooked”? Did the Jets find their QB? (12:50-16:00)

6. Justin Fields—Hope for the Jets?

• Fields’ Breakout Game
  • Matt Hasselbeck says Fields “was good, not great, but I think he can be great,” emphasizing growth as a passer, not just a runner. (16:04)
  • Coaching changes (Jets, Lions) notably impact QB performance.

Feature Interview: Tyler Dunne on the "House of Dysfunction" (22:05-32:56)

Exposé on Caleb Williams & Chicago Bears Inner Turmoil

• Bears “Recruiting” Caleb Williams

  • Unlike a normal QB search, the Bears tried to woo Williams, the “first NIL superstar”, even tailoring their entire offense to his style and friendships (e.g., keeping college friend John Jackson III on the practice squad).
  • “Roles were really reversed...the Bears were in full-fledged recruiting mode...there has to be some type of coaching, some type of authority.” — Tyler Dunne (23:16)

• Allegations of Entitlement & Lack of Accountability

  • Multiple coaches accused Williams of disrespect and lack of coachability: “You try to tell him something...offer criticism, he’d turn around and walk the other direction.” (23:16)
  • Bears leadership tried to “twist and contort and try to change everything” for Williams, but when they finally tried to impose discipline, it was too late.

• Front Office Fumbles—No Serious Vetting of Other QBs

  • The decision to draft Williams was made well before the draft process, with “no process” and “no serious consideration” for other rookies according to scouts.
  • “It was Caleb Williams all the way...December of ’23, as soon as they had the first pick, it wasn’t a serious conversation.” — Tyler Dunne (26:06)

• Questions about Williams’ Leadership & Locker Room Fit

  • Williams’ introverted leadership style didn’t resonate with some teammates. “He would break down the team after practice and didn’t really know what to say... they kind of stopped doing it... wasn’t really voted to be a captain.” (28:29)
  • Video game playing over film study and missing informal linemen meetings contributed to frustration among veterans.

• Can Ben Johnson “Fix” Caleb Williams?

  • New head coach Ben Johnson won’t bend his system for Williams like previous coaches. “Ben Johnson... is old school. He’s not going to dumb down the offense and tailor it to Caleb. He’s going to run his stuff.” — Tyler Dunne (32:41)
  • The relationship between Johnson and Williams is “fascinating to everyone watching” — the make-or-break dynamic for both men’s careers.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Micah Parsons on overcoming offseason drama:
  “These last six months was super draining, super toxic for everyone... but these guys embrace me...” — Parsons (03:41)

• Baker Mayfield on Emeka Egbuka:
  “He’s the real deal. True professional, doesn’t play like a rookie, doesn’t act like a rookie...” — Mayfield (07:00)

• Colin on Fields’ improvement:
  “He didn’t statistically have one off-target throw, and that was always his issue.” — Cowherd (16:31)

• Tyler Dunne on Bears’ process:
  “It was Caleb Williams all the way... there was no process. It was Caleb Williams all the way.” (26:06)

• Tyler Dunne on Caleb’s leadership gaps:
  “He’s introverted... coaches themselves told me, yeah, we named him a captain, but he really wasn’t voted to be a captain.” (28:29)

• Colin on NFL bounce-backs:
  “If a team gets blown out and humiliated in the NFL, take them the following week.” (12:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Packers analysis, Micah Parsons’ impact — 02:49–05:16
• Atlanta-Tampa game, Egbuka and Penix — 06:31–09:09
• College Football Top 25 React — 09:10–10:31
• Show Anniversary Moments — 11:01–12:17
• NFL Week 2 Storylines & Trends — 12:50–16:00
• Justin Fields & Jets QB outlook — 16:04–16:31
• Tyler Dunne interview on Bears dysfunction — 22:05–32:56

Conclusion

Hour 3 delivers an insightful blend of NFL breakdowns, candid QB analysis, and deep investigative reporting on the Chicago Bears’ internal struggles. The highlight is Tyler Dunne’s exclusive, in-depth look at the Caleb Williams saga, leaving listeners with burning questions about the Bears’ future and the high stakes for their personnel and head coach. For NFL fans and those tracking the evolution of young quarterbacks, this episode is essential listening.