The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3

Episode Date: August 28, 2025
Main Theme:
Hour 3 of "The Herd" dives deep into key NFL storylines—expectations for Aaron Rodgers with the Steelers, a wild trade rumor involving Micah Parsons, the ongoing relevance of the Dallas Cowboys, and quarterback development in Chicago—plus a robust college football preview featuring expert panels.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Aaron Rodgers: “Most Annoying” Label & Steelers Outlook

Timestamps: 03:56–06:43

• Rodgers’ Perceived Annoyance:
  Greg Jennings responds to Aaron Rodgers topping a poll as the "most annoying player" in the NFL.

  • Jennings:

    “Anytime you’re in the media as much as he is, and your popularity is where his is and the expectations everywhere you go is to compete for a Super Bowl and that not happening ... you start to get a little annoyed with that.” [04:28]

  • Jennings highlights that such labels tend to follow players who don't win consistently, noting that stars like Mahomes and Kelce are also in the top three but escape the criticism because they're winning.

• Expectations for Rodgers with Pittsburgh:

  • Jennings is skeptical about Rodgers providing a big upgrade for the Steelers, noting recent performance decline.

    “He is a spectacular quarterback. … He’s not that version of Aaron Rodgers that we’ve seen in years past. Can he show flashes? Of course. But the level of consistency … we haven’t seen it.” [05:34]

  • He attributes Pittsburgh's slim margins of success in recent seasons more to the weakness of other AFC teams than Steelers’ strength.

2. Micah Parsons-Packers Trade Rumor

Timestamps: 06:43–08:37

• Greg Jennings’ Take:

  • Dismisses the rumor as “fantasy world,” emphasizing the logistical and organizational implausibility:

    “This would be unreal … for the Green Bay Packers because they’ve struggled with getting after the quarterback … but when you have a name like Micah Parsons and you know what he can provide … until you start to talk about what you got to give up.” [07:13]

  • Cites Packers’ organizational history—never a team for blockbuster, “Herschel Walker package” trades:

    “That’s just out of character for them.” [08:13]

3. Are the Dallas Cowboys Still Relevant?

Timestamps: 08:13–09:50

• Cowboys’ Perpetual Attention:

  • Jennings credits the Cowboys’ constant media spotlight to ownership and brand, not on-field achievement.

    “We’re going to be talking about the Dallas Cowboys because that’s how [Jerry Jones] has orchestrated this thing. So, are they relevant? Yeah, they are.” [08:37]

  • Stresses pressure on Dak Prescott to prove elite status regardless of any Parsons outcome:

    “Dak Prescott has his work cut out for him. Regardless of what takes place with Micah Parsons … Let’s see what you can do. Can you live up to this elite quarterback status that you are being paid to be?” [09:23]

4. Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson & Chicago Bears Expectations

Timestamps: 15:15–20:17

• Williams’ Transition Issues:

  • Jennings cautions about Williams freelancing in college and the growing pains under new OC Ben Johnson:

    “The talent … it’s there. We know he possesses the skill set. … However … you can’t just go out there freelancing.” [15:52]

    • Ben Johnson wants Williams to master structure first before improvisation:

      “Until you get it, you can’t just go out there freelancing. … You can’t do those types of things.” [16:13]

  • Jennings gives an example of a botched play and coaching frustration: > “When you make mistakes like that, where it’s on your cadence to time up a guy that you put in motion … those are the types of plays that just stay with you as a coach and as players.” [17:31]

• Media/Fan Overreaction to Young QBs:

  • Jennings predicts that after Week 1, the loser of Bears-Vikings (Caleb Williams vs. JJ McCarthy) will be immediately questioned by media and fans:

    “We just saw Sam Darnold take this team, and nobody believed in Sam Darnold. … There’s going to be pressure for JJ McCarthy too … that if Sam did it, why can’t you do it?” [18:54]

    • He cautions that fan/media impatience is unrealistic compared to coaches' expectations.

5. Travis Kelce, Distractions & Lions’ 2025 Prospects

Timestamps: 20:41–25:39

• Kelce’s Distractions & Focus:

  • Rachel Nichols highlights off-field noise (engagement to Taylor Swift, brand deals) and Kelce’s own acknowledgment to minimize distractions.

    • Rachel Nichols:

      “Are these distractions going to continue through the season or do you feel like … he knows he’s got to buckle down on football?” [21:45]

  • Panel agrees Kelce will focus once season starts, but notes added pressure due to Rashee Rice's suspension and uncertainty with Hollywood Brown.

  • Jennings jokes: > “Let’s get the engagement out of the way, the big podcast with the wife and the clothing line … Sundays I got to work.” [22:19, 22:24]

• Detroit Lions Losing Coordinators:

  • Discussion about whether loss of both coordinators will impact Lions’ 2025 season:

  “If you look at this list of teams that have had coordinators leave, it hasn’t gone great for them.” [23:47 - Rachel Nichols]

  • Both expect early-season hiccups but believe in Detroit’s talent and locker room culture to stabilize—media likely to overreact to any early loss.

6. Caleb Williams: Mindset and Public Perception

Timestamps: 25:41–27:09

• Williams’ Return to Form:

  • Nichols notes Williams told media he’s “back to finding joy in his game” and being himself (e.g., painting his nails again).

    • Williams:

      “I’m just back to being myself. I’m being unapologetic about it. I’m not going to apologize for it. I’m going to be me.” [26:37]

  • Panel debates whether authenticity/attitude matters on the field, or if it’s just media noise. Some skepticism about translating it to wins:

    • Jennings:

      “I don’t know what that means … Bears fans think we’re hating. I don’t hate Caleb Woods. … I just don’t see a lot of positives right now, and that’s okay.” [27:09]

7. College Football Preview with Anthony Herron

Timestamps: 32:06–43:22

• Ohio State vs. Texas, Spotlight on Arch Manning:

  • Herron sets up the matchup as a high-pressure test for both programs with new starters, but points out the increased media focus on personalities (Manning) over defending champs.

• Media’s Role in Storytelling:

  • Herron argues the NFL and CFB media drive narratives around celebrities and storylines (Mahomes, Kelce-Swift, Arch Manning) at the expense of more successful teams like the Eagles or Ohio State.

• Penn State and James Franklin:

  • Panel debates Franklin’s struggles vs. top teams (“1–16 against top 5,” notes Jennings), with Herron emphasizing year-to-year roster retention, improved offensive line, and elevated QB talent with Drew Allar.
    • Herron:

      “This has the potential to be the best unit on the offensive line that James Franklin has had at any point in over a decade … they’ve been amongst the elite in the country for a decade.” [38:00–42:05]

• Notre Dame–Miami, Carson Beck's Test:

  • Herron sets up the game as a low-scoring affair, focusing on Notre Dame’s tough defense as a test of Beck’s development and poise.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Rodgers’ Annoying Image:

  • Greg Jennings (on why Rodgers is labeled annoying):

    “Typically it’s because of ... how they portray themselves. And they’re probably not winning games. Not a lot of people are gonna say if you’re winning and having success that you are an annoying player.” [04:28]

• On Cowboys’ Perpetual Relevance:

  • Jennings:

    “We’re going to be talking about the Dallas Cowboys because that’s how [Jerry Jones] has orchestrated this thing.” [08:37]

• On QB Development and Media Overreaction:

  • Jennings (on rookie QBs):

    “Fan bases are a little more impatient and we in the media are even more impatient.” [19:46]

• On Lions’ Motivation:

  • Rachel Nichols:

    “[Amon-Ra St. Brown] told his former OC, quote, We are going to eff you up … I don’t think he just said F.” [22:54]

• On What Draws Media Attention:

  • Anthony Herron (on why Eagles get less attention):

    “It just kind of depends on which audience you’re trying to appeal to. The broader audience will come with some of the more charismatic personalities. But if you’re just talking ball, man. Yeah, the Eagles are where it’s at.” [36:34]

• On Penn State’s Realistic Yet High Expectations:

  • Herron:

    “Yes, expectations are high and they should be. But let’s not ignore the results that have been there. They’ve been amongst the elite in the country for a decade.” [42:00]

Quick Reference: Important Segments

• [03:56–06:43]: Aaron Rodgers labeled “most annoying.” Steelers expectations.
• [06:43–08:37]: Micah Parsons trade rumor; Packers’ needs and tendencies.
• [08:13–09:50]: Are the Cowboys still relevant?
• [15:15–20:17]: Caleb Williams’ learning curve and Bears outlook.
• [20:41–25:39]: Kelce distractions, Lions after losing coaches.
• [25:41–27:09]: Caleb Williams’ mindset, “being himself.”
• [32:06–43:22]: College football preview (Ohio State–Texas, media narratives, Penn State, Notre Dame–Miami).

Tone and Takeaways

• Direct, conversational, sometimes joking (especially with Greg Jennings/Rachel Nichols banter).
• Cautiously skeptical when discussing hype around players and teams (Rodgers, Lions, young QBs).
• Media as both amplifier and creator of NFL/CFB storylines—with panel self-aware about their role in driving narratives.
• Panelists praise work ethic/maturity (Kelce, Hurts), but don’t shy from critiquing hype and impatience among fans or media.

Overall Impression:
Hour 3 is a fun, brisk, and comprehensive breakdown of NFL and college football storylines, loaded with analysis that balances skepticism and insight, and framed by an affable, no-nonsense tone. Perfect for hardcore fans and media skeptics alike.