Overview of The Herd – Hour 1
This hour focused on NFL team and quarterback evaluations, with Colin Cowherd and guest host John Middlecoff breaking down why “wow moments” matter for young quarterbacks, why the 49ers’ roster and injury issues are a bad sign, and why Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers could be “scary good” in 2026. The show also touched on the Dodgers’ losing streak, Arch Manning’s expectations, C.J. Stroud’s development, and Jonathan Taylor’s extension.
Jaxson Dart: Talent, Flash, and Why “Wow” Matters
The strongest quarterback discussion centered on Jaxson Dart, whom Cowherd views as an exciting young QB because he flashes both consistency and playmaking ability.
Key takeaways on Dart
- Cowherd said he doesn’t judge young quarterbacks primarily by wins and losses when the situation is bad.
- Instead, he looks for “wow moments”:
- Drake Maye = wow accuracy
- Caleb Williams = wow athleticism and big-play ability
- Jaxson Dart = a mix of both
- Dart was described as:
- highly athletic
- fearless as a runner
- capable of hitting layups, not just making highlight plays
- better than many young QBs because he can also complete a high percentage of throws
- The Giants’ improving roster and coaching stability were framed as reasons for optimism.
Why Cowherd likes Dart
- He sees Dart as a quarterback who can thrive even in imperfect conditions.
- The idea is that if a young QB can flash plus basic efficiency, the long-term outlook is good.
- Cowherd emphasized that Dart’s upside is more meaningful than his early record.
The 49ers: Injuries, Age, and “Bad Vibes”
Cowherd spent significant time on the 49ers’ injury issues and broader organizational tone, arguing that the franchise feels old, expensive, and brittle.
Main concerns
- The 49ers reportedly had 20 players injured in practice.
- The roster was described as:
- old
- expensive
- brittle
- More bad news:
- the coach has a concussion
- Ricky Pearsall is out for the year
- the team’s injury trend feels chronic, not random
Broader theme: coaching philosophy and loyalty
Cowherd contrasted Kyle Shanahan with Sean McVay:
Shanahan
- Loyal to players who understand his system
- Can become too attached to familiar veterans
- More likely to keep guys around if they’re smart and scheme-friendly
McVay
- Thinks more like a general manager
- More willing to move on from players at the right time
- Prioritizes what a player will do going forward, not just what he already did
Cowherd’s larger point
- The 49ers’ injury-prone, aging roster is tied to this philosophy of loyalty and continuity.
- He argued that McVay’s model is better at avoiding roster decay.
- The 49ers’ constant injuries are becoming part of the team’s identity.
Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers: Physical, Confident, and Building Something
The Jim Harbaugh interview was a major feature of the hour. Harbaugh came across as energized, optimistic, and fully bought into the Chargers’ project.
Harbaugh’s tone and message
- He repeatedly stressed:
- enthusiasm
- physical football
- day-by-day improvement
- getting the healthiest and best roster ready for Week 1
- He said last year’s injury-riddled offensive line actually helped build toughness and grit.
Chargers positives
- Last season the Chargers:
- won 11 games
- made the playoffs
- ranked in the top five on both third-down offense and third-down defense
- They did it despite constant O-line shuffling:
- 32 starting offensive line combinations, most in the NFL
- Now they have key tackle pieces back, which Harbaugh sees as a major boost.
Coordinators and continuity
- Harbaugh acknowledged the challenge of replacing coordinators.
- He praised:
- Mike McDaniel as a great football mind and fit
- Jesse Minter as a great defensive coordinator
- Chris O’Leary as a sharp replacement
- The message: the Chargers may lose assistants, but the culture and system remain strong.
Justin Herbert discussion
- Harbaugh was very upbeat about Justin Herbert:
- said Herbert loves football
- praised his energy and leadership
- noted how excited Herbert is about being engaged
- Cowherd pointed out that Harbaugh and Herbert seem aligned in temperament and football obsession.
Bottom line on the Chargers
- Cowherd and Harbaugh both sounded bullish.
- With the offensive line stabilizing and the defense still strong, Cowherd framed the Chargers as a team with “scary good” potential.
Dodgers Losing Streak and Baseball Team-Building
Cowherd also took aim at the Dodgers’ six-game losing streak, but mostly used it to talk about roster construction and trade-deadline strategy.
Main baseball points
- The Dodgers are not invincible.
- He argued that despite the slump, they still have the kind of roster that other teams are trying to catch.
- He emphasized that the way to beat them is:
- elite starting pitching
- lasting deep into games
- getting to the bullpen late
Broader criticism
- He contrasted the Dodgers’ aggressive approach with teams like:
- the Brewers
- the Yankees
- His point: many teams say they want to win, but don’t always act with urgency at the deadline.
Other Quick NFL Notes
Arch Manning
- There was debate about whether people are overhyping Arch Manning.
- The key issue discussed:
- Texas has a brutal road schedule
- road games in college are much harder than in the NFL
- Manning will face serious defensive tests
C.J. Stroud
- Cowherd said Stroud has the arm talent and accuracy, but needs to stop trying to do too much.
- He compared Stroud’s development to quarterbacks who learned to let plays die instead of forcing heroics.
- The Texans’ success will depend on Stroud playing more efficiently.
Jonathan Taylor
- The Colts extended Taylor on a strong deal.
- Cowherd praised him as one of the true elite running backs and a low-drama, high-character player.
- He also noted how rare it is to get that level of production at running back for relatively modest money.
Main Themes
1. Young quarterbacks should be judged by flashes, not just record
Cowherd’s entire Dart segment was built around the idea that talent + “wow moments” matter more than early team success in bad situations.
2. Roster health and age matter
The 49ers were used as the prime example of how repeated injuries and older personnel can sink even talented organizations.
3. Harbaugh’s culture is real
The Chargers were portrayed as a team with rising confidence, physical identity, and legitimate upside if they stay healthy.
4. Winning organizations think ahead
The McVay vs. Shanahan comparison was really about front-office thinking:
- McVay-style decisiveness
- Shanahan-style loyalty
- Cowherd favored the more ruthless, future-focused approach
Notable Quotes and Phrases
- “Wow moments” — Cowherd’s key standard for evaluating young QBs
- “Scary good” — how Harbaugh described the Chargers’ ceiling
- “What will you do for me going forward?” — Cowherd’s definition of McVay’s roster mindset
- “Old, expensive, and brittle” — his description of the 49ers’ roster profile
Bottom Line
This hour was mostly about quarterback evaluation, roster construction, and coaching philosophy. Cowherd is high on Jaxson Dart because he shows both athletic upside and functional passing skill, pessimistic about the 49ers’ injury-prone roster, and very optimistic about Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers as they build on a tough-but-promising 2025 foundation.