The Herd with Colin Cowherd
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PodcastThe Herd with Colin Cowherd
Publisher/creatoriHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Published
Shortcast updated
About this episode
On this episode of 3 & Out , John Middlekauff reacts to the Denver Broncos giving head coach Sean Payton a massive contract extension and what that means for the long-term success of the franchise. He breaks down the Knicks historic come from behind win over the Spurs and what led to the Spurs incredible late collapse, and weighs in on Phil Mickelson being kicked out of his country club for inappropriate conduct toward a female employee of the club. For his Fugazi Friday special, John explains why does NOT love owning a pool. To wrap things up, it’s the Middlekauff Mailbag , with John answering your questions and covering a wide range of NFL and college football topics. Follow John on Twitter , and Instagram for the latest. All lines provided by Hard Rock Bet #Volume See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Episode summary
What is going on, my people—wild week. Sean Payton gets paid, the Knicks pull off a ridiculous finish, there’s a headline that floors me in golf, and we’ve got your mailbag ready to roll.
Q: Why did Denver lock in Sean Payton now? A: Star coaching guarantees relevance and a floor; he cleaned up the Russell Wilson mess, re-centered the building, and had them hosting the conference title game with a backup—if their starter is healthy, I think they win that night.
Q: What did the Knicks comeback really show? A: One bad decision can sink you, and relentless effort flips outcomes; De’Aaron Fox should have bled clock, and OG Anunoby’s chase and tip-in was a clinic I’d show any NFL team.
Q: Does effort really separate pros? A: Absolutely—watch Max Crosby, Puka Nacua, George Kittle, and Will Anderson; fatigue tests your will, but guys who play every snap like it matters tilt games.
Q: Reaction to the Phil Mickelson report? A: If what’s alleged is accurate, it’s reputationally brutal; worse for how you’re perceived going forward than a lot of off-course mistakes we’ve seen, and I don’t know how you shake it.
Q: Quick life detour—pools and new cars? A: Pools look great on listings and crush you with bills, and modern cars are rolling computers, so those extended warranties suddenly matter.
Q: Is Mahomes a lock for Comeback Player? A: No—the award now tilts toward players who missed most of a season, so look for true injury returnees instead of someone who just had a down year.
Q: Could the NFL expand despite the quarterback gap? A: The real blocker is markets, not players; there aren’t obvious U.S. cities left, and international logistics are messy, even if talent could stretch.
Q: Do Pro Bowl alternates count the same? A: Around the league, original nods carry more weight; guys skip now because they’re wealthy, so totals get inflated, and yes, I prep with quick lookups but most of this is off the top.
Q: What about those big-money speed WR deals? A: Teams pay for traits and projection, and older vets probably roll their eyes, but a true field-stretcher can unlock a Shanahan-style offense.
Q: How did the Rams and Browns keep huge deals quiet while Philly lived in headlines? A: AJ Brown’s own comments kept that story hot, Jalen Hurts stays buttoned up, and credit to the Rams, Browns, and smart agents for radio silence.
Q: Should Seattle match the Niners after the big pass-rush move? A: Both should slow-play it, evaluate early, and pounce at the deadline if needed; Seattle’s chasing the top seed, San Francisco feels more like a wild card.
Q: Has Mahomes slipped? A: He pressed last year in a choppy setup, but the fix is balance—lean on the run, let Spags’ defense cook, and trust that he’ll recalibrate.
Q: If you swapped Stafford and Rodgers in their primes, what changes? A: In Green Bay, Stafford could match Rodgers’ arc; in Detroit, Rodgers might sag with the chaos, and remember some of Aaron’s best teams got let down by defense.
Q: Thoughts on a 24-team college football playoff? A: Too big; with NIL cash skewing the sport, the blue bloods will dominate the bracket, so keep it tighter—I can live with something like 16.
Appreciate you all—have an awesome weekend. See you.
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