The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Hour 3) — August 21, 2025

Main Theme: Quarterback Decisions, College Football’s Changing Landscape & Urban Meyer’s Insights

This episode revolves around the NFL’s evolving quarterback situations—specifically the Cleveland Browns’ surprising depth chart with Shedeur Sanders as third string—and the broader implications of coaching philosophies, college football’s rule changes, and the infamous Michigan scandal. Urban Meyer joins to offer coaching perspectives, and Greg Cosell provides QB analysis. The hosts also touch on major NFL and college football news, with engaging debates on how talent evaluation, program building, and rule changes are reshaping the game.

1. Shedeur Sanders: Third String QB in Cleveland

Overview & Reactions

• Colin Cowherd opens with candid reflection, admitting he was wrong to rate Shedeur Sanders above Dylan Gabriel.

• The Cleveland Browns announced QB depth: Flacco starting, Dylan Gabriel second, Shedeur Sanders third (42:03).

  • “The league has spoken. It’s been three weeks in training camp. We got time, ex-career. …I think I overvalued Shedeur Sanders.” — Colin Cowherd (10:43)

• Key reasons discussed for Shedeur’s ranking:

  • NFL GMs and Head Coach Kevin Stefanski preferred Gabriel’s “consistency, accuracy, and quick decision-making” in the structured Browns system.
  • Shedeur’s improvisational style doesn’t fit Stefanski’s Shanahan-inspired offense, which values “running the play” over ad-libbing (12:48).
  • Greg Cosell points out Shedeur’s tendency to “drift or retreat in the pocket,” impacting scheme fit (44:46).

Notable Quotes

• “Coaches like high floor, low ceiling if they’re given an option. Without a star, it’s like… consistency is really appealing to offensive coaches.” — Dan Beyer (12:00)
• “Shador strength is kind of just making plays. …That’s not really what Stefanski is looking for, you know, in the way he’s judging his.” — Colin Cowherd (13:34)
• “What Gabriel is, is he’s essentially stylistically similar to a Tua Tagovailoa. Sanders is a little different player. …He tends to drift a little in the pocket.” — Greg Cosell (44:46)

2. Guest: Urban Meyer on Sanders, Harbaugh & Changing College Football

QB Depth Chart Decisions

• Urban agrees the Browns picked Gabriel due to draft investment and coaching preferences; says if competition is close, coaches side with their guy, but “if Shedeur gets better… you could see that move happening.” (19:33)

The Jim Harbaugh/Michigan Scandal

• Urban refutes reports he called for Harbaugh’s NFL suspension, clarifies NCAA-NFL penalty history.
  • “No, I never said that. That was a typical media guy saying that.” — Urban Meyer (21:09)
• On sign stealing, Urban is unequivocal: it’s a “huge deal” if teams gain illegal competitive advantages with signal knowledge.
  • “Any advantage that’s gotten illegally, then that’s a major deal.” (22:30)

On College Football's Shift Toward Strength of Schedule

• Both Colin and Urban celebrate new rules to reward tough scheduling, hoping for less punishment for brave losses (23:53).
• Urban’s “play-in” proposal: favors cutting the playoff committee in favor of earned advancement on the field.
  • “So to put that in the hotel room, a bunch of people making decisions, who’s in and who’s out. I much rather come up with a system that… you get in and the most important people make that decision, the players. If you win, you’re in, if you lose, you’re out.” — Urban Meyer (26:12)

Talent & Transfers

• On Ohio State’s new QB, Julian Saying: reports of “Dwayne Haskins type arm action… great anticipation.”
• On massive transfer classes (e.g., Belichick’s 40 transfers): Urban admits, “How do you develop chemistry and culture… I have no idea.” (28:33)
• Jeremiah Smith (freshman WR): compares to Percy Harvin at Florida, emphasizes how “elite teammates” magnify young stars’ readiness (30:06).

3. News and Analysis: Lamar Jackson, QB Development, Dodgers’ Woes

Lamar Jackson's Minor Injury (31:50)

• Dan and Colin agree: minor injuries are expected for mobile QBs, but caution that health in key games drastically impacts playoff seeding.

Anthony Richardson Benched, Daniel Jones Starts

• QB coach Cam Turner: “Consistency is just not where we wanted it to be.” (34:02)
• Colin reads this as pragmatic: “They just don’t think Anthony Richardson’s very good.”
• Dan reminds: only 1-2 QBs per class become legitimate franchise starters; misses are common even among early picks.

MLB: Dodgers’ Struggles

• Shohei Ohtani leaves after a comebacker; Dave Roberts and Colin discuss the Dodgers’ injuries and unpredictability, warning that “best roster” matters less if pitching is unhealthy come playoffs (36:31).

4. Final Thoughts: QB Depth, The Reality of Sports Fandom, Chicago Bears' Prospects

Browns Depth Chart Reactions (42:03)

• Colin reads Ohio message boards, highlights emotional investment in QBs and how sports “aren’t just data or widgets—they’re attachments and hopes.”
• Predicts that, while Sanders fans are discouraged, NFL journeys ebb and flow—“it’s not the end of the road.”
• “The optimistic way to look at this [for Bears fans] is… There’s positive ways. Dallas is really bad. …But the over unders in Vegas, they make money on fans betting the over. So I think 9-8 is a …very realistic look.” — Colin Cowherd (49:19, 52:07)

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You’re right or you’re learning.” — Colin Cowherd reflects on mistakes, citing Mark Cuban’s advice (06:10)
• “If you’re given an option, without a star, coaches like high floor, low ceiling.” — Dan Beyer (12:00)
• “Every NFL GM disagreed with me, and Kevin Stefanski… has spoken.” — Colin Cowherd (09:04)
• “The best player on your team …is the backup quarterback. Then he gets in, you’re like, what were we talking about?” — Dan Beyer (15:11)

6. Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:13 – Colin admits misjudging Shedeur Sanders
• 09:06 – Greg Cosell on “scheme adaptability” and QB fit
• 12:00 – Why coaches prefer consistency, not flash
• 19:33 – Urban Meyer analyzes the Browns’ QB decision
• 21:09 – Meyer refutes Harbaugh-NFL suspension claims
• 22:30 – Meyer on why Michigan’s sign-stealing mattered
• 23:53 – College Football Playoff, strength of schedule debate
• 26:43 – Ohio State’s Julian Saying: early inside scouting
• 28:33 – Transfer portal chaos: building team culture
• 30:06 – Meyer on rare “NFL-ready” freshmen (Percy Harvin)
• 31:50 – NFL news: Lamar Jackson, QB injuries
• 34:02 – Anthony Richardson benched: developmental realities
• 36:31 – Dodgers’ playoff concerns
• 42:03 – Browns confirm: Sanders third string
• 44:40 – Cosell: Why Shedeur’s style doesn’t fit the Browns
• 49:19 – Bears’ schedule and fan optimism/predictions
• 52:07 – Realistic Chicago Bears outlook (9-8 prediction)

Conclusion

This episode delivers an honest, opinionated breakdown of the dynamics guiding pro and college football—especially the ongoing quarterback carousel, changing evaluative criteria, and the tension between data-driven decision-making and the deeply personal nature of sports fandom. Insights from Urban Meyer and Greg Cosell offer depth on how coaching preferences, rule interpretations, and off-field developments increasingly shape the game’s future.