Colin Cowherd Podcast - NFL’s Toughest Schedules, Expectations For Aaron Rodgers? Expanded College Football Playoff

Colin Cowherd and co-host John discuss the NFL's evolving scheduling challenges, from the controversial international games to the growing pains of expanding the college football playoff to 24 teams. They argue that while the NFL's push into global markets like Australia and Mexico City is inevitable and strategically sound, it creates real hardships—especially for teams like the 49ers facing 16-hour flights and disrupted recovery cycles. Cowherd defends the league's growth, citing fan interest abroad and the economic necessity of expansion, while acknowledging the valid frustrations of coaches and players. The conversation turns sharply to Aaron Rodgers’ one-year return to the Steelers, where Cowherd paints a skeptical picture: at 42, Rodgers is physically diminished, has a history of difficult relationships with coaches, and is playing for a team with limited ceiling. He questions whether Rodgers can even stay healthy for a full season, suggesting his return is more about legacy than competitiveness. On college football, Cowherd makes a bold case against expanding the playoff to 24 teams, arguing it will destroy the meaning of the regular season and that the current 12-team model already works. He proposes a radical alternative: only Power Four teams play each other, eliminating meaningless non-conference games, and starting the playoff immediately after the regular season ends.