The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode Title: Bears Built For The COLD, NFL Playoffs Are WIDE OPEN, Lamar Jackson’s Future, Ranking Top NFL Coaches
Date: January 8, 2026
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Danny Parkins

Episode Overview

Colin Cowherd welcomes Danny Parkins for an in-depth discussion on pivotal NFL topics as the postseason looms. The episode explores how the Chicago Bears are uniquely positioned for playoff football in harsh weather, the unpredictability and openness of this year's playoffs, what the future holds for Lamar Jackson and the Ravens, and a lively, ranking-focused debate on the league’s top coaches. The conversation is marked by nuanced team insights, historical context, and both hosts’ signature candor and strategic thinking.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bears vs. Packers: Built for Bad Weather Football

(00:41 – 09:44)

• Chicago’s Weather Advantage:
  Colin sets the tone, highlighting how the Bears' roster and playing style, anchored by a strong run game and O-line, are suited for snowy, windy Soldier Field playoff conditions.

  "Usually when the Packers play in a playoff game, they are the story, and it’s a total Bear story. ...The lousy weather benefits the Bears because they have one of the best run games."
  —Colin Cowherd (00:58)

• Caleb Williams’ Physical Talent:
  Danny emphasizes that Chicago’s quarterback, Caleb Williams, has already proven effective in cold conditions, particularly referencing a stellar performance against Cleveland.

  "Caleb’s best game…was against Cleveland…coldest game at Soldier Field in, like, 20 years. His arm is ridiculous."
  —Danny Parkins (03:18)

• Packers’ Defensive Slide:
  Parkins says Green Bay's defense, especially after losing key players, has been “just bad and not even opportunistic”—drawing unfavorable comparisons to the Jets (04:00).

• The Experience of Attending the Game:
  Danny shares personal excitement and nostalgia for attending a Bears-Packers game of this magnitude, noting, "I haven’t been this excited to go to an NFL game since I was like a child." (05:51)

2. Playoff Parity & Weatherproof Teams

(07:03 – 09:46)

• No Dome or Warm-Weather Dynasties:
  Colin makes the case that sustained NFL dominance is a cold-weather phenomenon, citing roster-building strategies that prioritize core positions (O-line, TE, slot receiver) over deep threats in harsh climates.

  “There’s never been a dome dynasty. ...The NFL success has gone through cold, crappy weather.”
  —Colin Cowherd (07:09)

• Smart Roster Construction:
  Both agree that new Bears leadership under OC Ben Johnson has built a team equipped for the playoffs' physical demands, drawing parallels to other teams like Philadelphia and Seattle.

3. NFL Playoffs: Wide Open Field

(12:32 – 19:53)

• Chargers and Playoff Matchups:
  Parkins makes a case for the Chargers as a strong playoff bet, particularly against New England, due to the Pats’ weak schedule and lackluster pass rush (09:47-12:32).

• Star Quarterbacks & Roster Building:
  Colin suggests the emerging NFL truth is that paying QBs big money “works only if they’re Superman,” pointing to high-paid stars like Mahomes and Allen whose teams have become flawed due to salary cap crunches.

  “Even if you pay your quarterback...they have to be Superman.”
  —Colin Cowherd (13:45)

• Draft Strategy:
  Advocates for continual QB drafting:

  “You should draft a quarterback every other year. Every other. I don’t care if you get Mahomes every other year. Draft a quarterback.”
  —Colin Cowherd (15:31)

• Parity and Team Flaws:
  Discussing playoff expansion and team weaknesses, Parkins underscores that “all these teams are flawed," even atop the field, such as Seattle's shaky O-line or the Rams’ defensive breakdowns (16:41-17:42).

• Josh Allen & Lawrence Skepticism:
  Both express skepticism towards Josh Allen and Trevor Lawrence’s reliability in big games despite strong recent stats (17:43-19:19).

4. Lamar Jackson & Baltimore’s Future

(19:53 – 27:22)

• Harbaugh’s Tenure & Lamar’s Trajectory:
  Colin and Danny discuss the unique challenges for Baltimore:

  • John Harbaugh's long run may have reached its course, illustrated by playoff results pre- and post-Lamar Jackson.
  • Concerns about the shelf life of highly athletic QBs as starters.

  "If you are a good escape artist, even if you’re not running to scramble, just like running to evade the pressure…you can still be effective. ...Two of the next four years, I think you have a top 10 quarterback Lamar Jackson."
  —Danny Parkins (25:19)

• Best Coaching Opening:
  Both agree Baltimore is the premier job opening, but the next coach must maximize Lamar’s strengths as his mobility begins to wane.

  “They need somebody that works with Lamar as he ages. ...Their culture is incredible. They just have to have somebody that Lamar’s like, oh, you’re my guy. You’re an offensive guy.”
  —Colin Cowherd (26:48)

5. Modern NFL Coaching — The Genius Debate

(27:22 – 41:53)

• Ready for Change?
  Parkins poses provocative hypotheticals: Should franchises fire established head coaches in order to promote a young, play-calling genius already in the building?

  “If you think that the genius is actually not the top person, fire your top person to promote your genius.”
  —Danny Parkins (32:08)

• Global Search for Coaches:
  Colin argues against “promoting the guy down the hallway” when a coach leaves, favoring a global search for the next true innovator.

  “Proximity to genius does not equal genius.”
  —Colin Cowherd (35:12)

• Ben Johnson’s Impact:
  Both hosts agree Ben Johnson’s effect on the Bears—his maniacal work ethic, overall offensive control, and new culture—puts him in the “McVay-Shanahan” tier.

  “I think Ben Johnson. I think we have our next McVeigh.”
  —Colin Cowherd (38:33)
  “I think the Bears have a McVay-Shanahan guy, which is the most valuable thing you can have in coaching.”
  —Danny Parkins (39:14)

6. Ranking the NFL’s Top Coaches

(41:53 – 50:36)

• Coach Tier List:
  Cowherd and Parkins try to rank the league’s best coaches (excluding Andy Reid for “Belichickian” dominance):

  • Colin’s Top 7:

    1. Sean McVay
    2. Jim Harbaugh
    3. Kyle Shanahan
    4. Mike Vrabel
    5. Sean Payton
    6. Mike McDonald
    7. Ben Johnson

  • Danny’s Pushbacks:

    • Shanahan’s ability to reach Super Bowls with Garoppolo and Purdy
    • Favors Ben Johnson over LaFleur and possibly even Vrabel
    • Mike McDonald lauded as the “McVay on the defensive side”

  • Chief Criteria Debated:

    • Offensive vs. Defensive minds
    • Longevity, adaptability, culture-building
    • Ceiling and ability to sustain success

• Memorable Coach Quote:

  “Ben Johnson changed the culture pretty damn quick. ...I agree with you. ...I think the Bears have a McVeigh-Shanahan guy.”
  —Danny Parkins (39:14)

7. Coaching Styles, Leadership, and The CEO Model

(50:36 – 61:39)

• The Value of the CEO Coach:
  Cowherd quotes Tom Telesco, emphasizing that a head coach is, above all, a "CEO of culture," not just a schematic wizard (55:58).

• Mike Tomlin—High Floor, Low Ceiling:
  Tomlin’s consistency, motivator role, and lack of offensive innovation are discussed:

  “He’s obviously a great football coach. It’s just, I would…the things that he has not been able to do, he can’t fix the run game. It’s like, it’s eight years.”
  —Danny Parkins (61:08)

  They argue Tomlin would instantly make other franchises Super Bowl contenders if paired with a top-10 QB.

8. Draft Strategies and Organizational Trends

(61:39 – End)

• Quarterback Draft Prospects:
  The hosts discuss future drafts and potential teams seeking QBs, mentioning prospects like Arch Manning and the trend of always aiming for the next one.

• Houston’s Success—A Patriots Contrast:
  Cowherd notes how former Patriots exec Nick Caserio has drafted well for Houston, while Belichick’s final years in New England were marked by offensive draft misfires (63:46).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Danny on Attending Bears-Packers:
  “I am very, very excited to be there…feeling like we are not out coached and we are not out quarterbacked. …This game could be like…the beginning of the rivalry being real.” (05:51)

• Colin on Parity and QBs:
  “The way to make the playoffs is with a star quarterback if he can stay upright... or a really, really cheap quarterback.” (13:45)

• Danny on Ben Johnson:
  “He is a maniacal worker and he’s an awesome play caller and he has changed the culture…the Bears have a McVay-Shanahan guy, which is the most valuable thing you can have in coaching.” (39:14)

• Colin on Coaching Rankings:
  “I get to seven and I could argue Ben Johnson.” (46:48)

• Colin on Coaching Philosophy:
  “You’re really hiring a CEO that builds a culture—that’s really the key to all this stuff.” (55:58)

• Danny on Mike Tomlin’s Floor:
  “High floor, low ceiling…If you told me Mike Tomlin has a top 10 quarterback…that’s a Super Bowl.” (60:13)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Bears built for bad weather: 00:41 – 09:44
• Weatherproof teams / roster-building: 07:03 – 09:46
• Playoff parity and playoff bets: 12:32 – 19:53
• Lamar Jackson & Ravens coaching future: 19:53 – 27:22
• The ‘boy genius’ coach debate: 27:22 – 41:53
• Debate: Ranking top NFL coaches: 41:53 – 50:36
• Coaching styles, Tomlin’s legacy: 50:36 – 61:39
• Draft, team-building, & Houston/New England contrast: 61:39 – End

Episode Takeaways

• The Playoffs are Wide Open: No dominant teams, all contenders have notable flaws—this opens the door for fresh narratives like a Bears playoff run.
• Chicago’s Moment: With a physically gifted QB, elite play-calling, and a roster built for January, the Bears finally have the personnel to capitalize on their cold-weather homefield.
• Coaching Matters More Than Ever: The quest for the next McVay or Shanahan is ongoing. Ben Johnson may be that guy—his impact is already transforming the Bears’ prospects.
• Lamar & the Ravens Are at a Crossroads: The next Baltimore coach will shape not only Lamar Jackson’s future but potentially the AFC playoff landscape for years.
• Winning Culture—A CEO’s Job: Sustained success is as much about organizational leadership and flexibility as X’s and O’s.

This episode is a must-listen for any NFL fan eager for inside strategy, big-picture trends, and the personalities driving league transformations—delivered with characteristic insight, personal stories, and sharp debate by Colin Cowherd and Danny Parkins.