The Herd with Colin Cowherd
--% time saved
PodcastThe Herd with Colin Cowherd
Publisher/creatoriHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Published
Shortcast updated
About this episode
On this episode of 3 & Out , John Middlekauff opens up the mailbag to answer your biggest football questions and dive into some of the hottest debates around the NFL and college football. Why are NFL teams willing to give up home games for international matchups, and what does the league really gain from expanding globally? John breaks down the business side of the NFL’s international push and why owners continue to buy in. He also discusses whether Andy Reid and Sean Payton have lost some of their offensive edge, examining how the league has evolved and whether even the best play-callers eventually get caught by changing trends. Plus, would an NFL Draft Lottery actually work? John looks at the pros, cons, and whether the league could ever seriously consider changing the current draft format. And in the college football world, can Auburn realistically become a powerhouse program again? John talks about what it would take for the Tigers to return to national relevance in today’s NIL and transfer portal era. All that and much more on this episode of 3 & Out . Follow John on Twitter , and Instagram for the latest. All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet #Volume See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen to the original episode
Loading episode data...
Episode summary
What’s up, everybody—hot day in Arizona and a packed mailbag. Hit me on Instagram DMs to get on future shows, subscribe to the Three and Out feed, and if you want video, find me on Netflix and set alerts.
On the international slate and the 49ers going abroad twice: the designated home team does surrender a stadium date, and the Niners see Mexico City as a business play to grow a massive market even if it annoys season-ticket holders, while the Australia game feels like the Rams dodged a San Francisco home invasion in L.A.; the travel is wild and probably only workable early, but I expect more of it.
Have Andy Reid and Sean Payton lost their scheme edge? Results matter—Kansas City keeps winning with a thinner receiver room post‑Tyreek, and Denver was in big spots despite uneven quarterbacking; I expect the Chiefs to lean into the run with Bieniemy back, a stronger line, and some Justin Fields packages rather than asking Mahomes to sling it fifty times off the knee.
Draft lottery tweak—split picks one to five and six to ten—sounds fun and still blocks tanking, which is already rare in the NFL; make it two TV nights at the combine and it’s must‑watch.
On Auburn, NIL, and Alex Golesh: I haven’t deep‑scouted him, but I like his presence and momentum, and Auburn can flip fast with real backing; with Saban gone, Bama’s shifting identity under DeBoer is something to watch, and this new SEC coaching wave has juice.
Why the 49ers drafted playmakers over linemen: Kyle values weapons over trench investments, believes he can coach up the line, and has Forster aligned; I’d have moved for a tackle and I hate betting on another Trent Williams falling from the sky, but they won’t change unless losing forces it.
On the DOJ sniffing around streaming and access: legacy networks live or die with NFL rights while tech platforms could smother them with resources, so the fight is political and existential; long term, streaming wins, and my own setup is already internet‑only.
Going live on Netflix after games? We’re working on it and the capability exists; no promises yet, but it’s a priority before the season.
Do elite play callers need to be O‑line gurus? Andy Reid is one at heart—he invests in linemen and line coaches—and Ben Johnson’s run‑first patience sets up explosives; commit to the run, let your line eat, and play action becomes a cheat code.
Last pick in the first round or first in the second? Give me the first round every time: the fifth‑year option and tag leverage inflate guarantees and drive bigger extensions.
About the 49ers’ cap space: think optionality—an August fund for surprise veterans, trade flexibility, and rollover if nothing premium pops; it doesn’t force a splash, it enables one.
Why did Cleveland float trading picks five years out? Analytics and flexibility; owners killed it because future firsts can become top‑two landmines when a franchise craters.
Life question—asking out a coworker: know HR rules, read the room, and start light, like a casual drink; tread carefully but don’t live with a what‑if if your gut says there’s real interest.
Nineteen and torn between coaching and construction management? Coach high school while you study or work, see if the grind fits, and keep a lucrative day path in play.
Bieniemy back to Kansas City feels intentional: Andy’s the steady father figure, EB’s the bad cop who demands accountability, and that edge is what the offense needed after a sloppy year.
Vikings optimism check: I’m out for now; I do not love the quarterback room and I expect a step back rather than a playoff run.
Packers outlook: I’m bullish again—they lost some pieces but the core is strong, the rookie tackle can slide in, and those Packers‑Bears tilts were appointment TV.
Best‑run leagues: the NFL is miles ahead; NHL playoffs are fantastic but niche; NBA and MLB feel star‑ and market‑dependent and less culturally urgent, while college football has surged past both in relevance and NFL adjacency.
A Super Bowl series? No chance—football’s magic is single‑elimination, one shot, everything on the line.
Russell Wilson’s next act likely ends up on TV, but I’m not sure the on‑air spark is there; at his peak he was electric, and now authenticity will matter more than polish.
Closing note: allergies are crushing the house, the kid’s got a runny nose, and we’re still swinging—see you tomorrow.
Ready to save time?
Download Shortcast and get started today