Colin Cowherd Podcast Prime Cuts - Is Shedeur A Franchise QB? Caleb Williams Becoming A STAR, OKC’s Dominance, Lamar Jackson’s Lost Season

Danny Parkins is with me—even if the camera angle’s weird—and I went off today on how there’s no such thing as fair in sports; dynasties happen, the CBA punishes sloppy teams, OKC’s blowing people out on brains and efficiency, and while the Dodgers’ money machine is flashy and fun, the Thunder’s numbers-first dominance can feel dull.

I think it’s more brand than parity; a genius run in OKC won’t move national needles like the Dodgers, but if that same style lived with the Bulls, Celtics, or Knicks, ratings would pop, because dynasties tied to big badges usually travel.

My bottom line is stop obsessing over tanking and parity; the league says it’s player-first, then boxes stars into draft prisons that penalize them for wanting to play in places they actually want to live.

Drafts are anti-labor across sports, but a world where only glam markets win would get stale, and I value the Milwaukee kind of title over the superteam version, so give me dynasties and one-off legends in the mix.

I get the Shedeur buzz as the first true quarterback influencer, and I think Dylan Gabriel’s early edge was reps and a pro-style setup, but talent eventually took over and the tape shows Shedeur was better than the league graded—Cleveland might have lucked into a real one on a rookie deal.

I respected his Titans tape, but crowning him off that is early when the Ravens and Niners games were rough and the Raiders day was mostly yards after the catch; the real test is cold weather against a takeaway defense, and if I were picking very high I’d still lean Mendoza.

That path kills the cheap-QB runway, and I don’t think Cleveland will be picking high enough anyway, while Mendoza could be a Pro Bowler fast.

Teams had reasons to pass multiple times, so now it’s show me, and the Watson contract plus ownership pride means Shedeur must be undeniable to win next year’s job.

Caleb just uncorked a couple throws that don’t compute, and to me he’s a six-foot-one Josh Allen—huge arm, explosive runner, and more careful with the ball than he gets credit for.

I see peak Rodgers as the model—deep strikes without giveaways with video-game escapability—and with Ben Johnson and a second year in that system, he screams breakout and early MVP buzz.

Pittsburgh-Baltimore felt like a bailout; I thought Likely scored, the Steelers were outplayed for long stretches, and Rodgers with DK rescued them while the run game stayed stuck.

I’d have called it a touchdown, and Lamar looks off his usual pace, which makes everything feel heavy.

His last series had no juice, so this version of both teams tops out fast; even Burrow’s rare mistake stood out on a day Lamar’s line sagged.

Baltimore’s defense cracked at the worst time, Pittsburgh got a simple walk-in, and with the Tomlin noise I see a quick playoff exit.

They used to blow teams out like Detroit did, but something’s off, and Seattle’s the one handing out two-score beatings now.

We’ve seen both the Lions and Ravens peak then fade in spots, which brings us to the Rams and a lifeless Arizona.

The Rams carved them up with Puka and Stafford, and the Cardinals look directionless.

That’s ownership, while McVay, McDonald, and Shanahan form a ridiculous coaching row that leaves others, like the Raiders, searching for a lane.

I was surprised Payton signed up for Denver’s mess, and this division now has three killers, which is why Arizona feels boxed in while a well-run Cleveland could steal its division with the right quarterback.

Denver’s Walmart wealth changes margins, the Cards are cheap and tied to Kyler, even elite coaches need a passer, and the Rams and Texans just picked up prime draft ammo from Washington.

Minnesota blanked Washington, JJ had his sharpest day, and Washington’s defense is a turnstile while Jayden Daniels is back limping around.

His build and reckless style invite hits, the all-in plan blew up, Sirianni taking a firmer hand helped the offense, Dan Quinn’s defense didn’t, and last year’s magic might’ve been a Giants-style mirage.

The real playoff teams stack dudes through the draft and development, and Washington needs a bunch of them, so good on JJ for a clean step forward against a group that can’t run, cover, or push people around—The Volume.