Colin Cowherd Podcast Prime Cuts - Broncos Lose Bo Nix, Indiana Wins 1st Natty, NFL Coaching Carousel, Bills Drama

Summary

The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Prime Cuts (Jan 24, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" brings you Prime Cuts from a pivotal weekend in football. The host and guests break down the Denver Broncos’ overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills, Bo Nix’s unexpected injury, analysis of the NFL coaching carousel, and Indiana’s historic first college national championship. The conversation weaves together game analysis, front office decisions, coaching philosophies, and larger economic trends shaping both pro and college football. Special focus is given to the Buffalo Bills’ persistent playoff struggles and organizational crossroads, as well as Indiana's rise and the future shape of the Big Ten.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Denver vs. Buffalo: The Overtime Drama and Bo Nix’s Impact

• [00:05–04:38] Breakdown of the controversial finish
  • Slow-motion replay led to confusion over Brandon Cooks’ catch (actually not a catch at real speed).
  • The decision favored Denver and was ultimately correct, but the process spurred debate over NFL catch rules and officiating.

“Slow motion usually creates clarity. I would argue this is one of the rare instances slow motion created confusion... In the end, if you look at it at real speed, the ball's bouncing when he hits the ground, and that's not an official catch. Then it's whoever wins the wrestling match. And Denver won the wrestling match.” — Colin Cowherd (00:24)

• Reflections on Buffalo’s offensive roster shortcomings — too reliant on Josh Allen, not enough elite weapons, and ongoing turnover issues.

• In-game risk factors: “I thought Josh was very reckless. Can't you coach some of that out of him?” (Colin’s Co-host, 03:55)

• [07:28–10:04] Bo Nix’s injury and Denver’s chances

  • Broncos lose QB Bo Nix unexpectedly (“feels like an unprecedented injury—and no one knew, even the coach”).
  • Praise for Bo Nix’s season-clinching poise: “His final drive was fantastic… a gorgeous pass.” (Sports Analyst, 08:46)
  • Despite the setback, the Broncos’ robust roster and agile front office have them set up for continued success.

“Lost in all of this was their corners got beat twice on big plays and Bo Nix was more efficient.” — Colin’s Co-host (07:58)

2. Buffalo Bills in Transition: Playoff Heartbreak and Organizational Decisions

• [04:38–08:24] Assessing Buffalo’s perennial postseason flameouts
  • Recurring issues with execution and team development (turnovers, key moments lost, “loose” play, especially offensively).
  • Noting defensive head coaches’ tendency to underdevelop the offense (“That’s Buffalo again.”).
• [49:20–62:43] Detailed reporting on the Bills’ front office and coaching shakeup (with special guest, founder of Go Long)
  • Owner Terry Pegula’s awkward press conference: public defense of GM Brandon Beane, pointed questions about WR Keon Coleman’s development, and a challenge to the definition of success in Buffalo.

“At one point, Terry Pegula is... looking at the entire city of Buffalo: is seven years in a row of making the playoffs... success? Is that success and no Super Bowl appearance?” — Colin’s Guest (Sports Reporter, 52:02)

• Sean McDermott’s firing: justified by the Bills’ seeming “plateau” and failure in key defensive moments despite repeated personnel investments.
• [53:19–70:49] Psychological scars from iconic losses (the “13 seconds game” vs. Chiefs) lingered over the team, stalling progress and undermining internal trust.

“That moment kind of broke those Seahawks. 28-3 broke the Atlanta Falcons. 13 seconds broke the psychology of the Bills.” — Sports Analyst/Commentator (66:53)

• Debate over whether Brian Daboll is the right choice to pair with Josh Allen, given his close history with the QB but questions about his leadership style.
• Recognition of fan and media attachment to McDermott despite playoff frustration.

3. NFL Coaching Carousel: The Value of Aggression and Organizational Alignment

• [14:33–19:59] Shifting paradigms in team building and coaching hires:
  • Denver and New England’s swift moves off mistakes highlight the modern “quick pivot” mentality.
  • Playoff success increasingly found by organizations ready to move on—“Don’t get stuck in rigidity.”
  • The critical nature of “culture” in coach selection—Harbaugh to the Giants discussed as a culture-changer, not just an X’s and O’s hire.

“They don't need a schematic guy, John. They don't need a play caller. They need a culture changer. ...Harbaugh, to me, is what they needed.” — Colin’s Co-host (15:31)

• [23:10–25:58] Anticipation of further high-profile moves—Mike Tomlin seen as a next likely splash hire for Washington.
  • Debate over “mid” coaches (e.g., Dan Quinn) and the increasing sophistication of coaching standards.

4. Indiana Wins First National Title: Seismic Shifts in College Football

• [31:09–41:10] Indiana’s season capped by national championship; third-straight Big Ten title.
  • Key to run: relentless physicality, “gutsy” play-calling, elite special teams, and quarterback Mendoza earning consensus No. 1 pick status.
  • Miami’s impressive NIL investments and talent-rich recruiting profile couldn’t overcome Indiana’s team completeness.

“Are they the best team—I'm saying team—in college or pro? Because they don't really have a weakness. Their defense is great, their offense is very well rounded, their special teams are fantastic.” — Sports Analyst/Commentator (33:44)

• Big Ten’s ascendance: “At the top, it’s the best conference, hands down.”
• [41:10–44:06] Economic stratification in college football echoing American wealth divides; NIL and strong economies fueling super-programs (e.g., Mark Cuban’s booster dollars at Indiana).

“As our economy grows... very easy for a guy to rationalize a $6 million check to his local university if things are humming in the economy.” — Colin’s Co-host (38:22)

• The era of one-year wonders is gone; transfer portal and money keep powers at the top.

5. Wider Reflections: Football’s Enduring Appeal and Urgency

• [44:06–46:10] Football’s pageantry and FOMO—both NFL and college stadiums packed, every game loaded with consequence.
• [46:10–48:10] The premium placed on urgency in both coaching turnover and the viewing experience: “Football just benefits from that immediately. To the way society is kind of built. We’re not a patient place at all anymore.”
• Discourse on media, fan expectations, and the unique pressures of major markets (Buffalo, New York), with candid perspectives on the state and future direction of high-profile franchises.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Instant Replay Gone Wrong

• “Slow motion makes it look like it's more of a catch by Brandon Cooks than it is... the ball’s bouncing when he hits the ground.” — Colin Cowherd (00:24)
• “We've got to this point with instant replay... it does benefit us... but I do feel for Sean McDermott... it felt very rushed.” — Sports Analyst (01:39)

Buffalo’s Eternal Frustrations

• “It's always something for Buffalo... Buffalo's a little loose. They've missed on a lot of picks. They have too many turnovers.” — Colin’s Co-host (03:14)
• “No head coach has won more playoff games without a Super Bowl appearance than Sean McDermott... No quarterback has won more playoff games without a Super Bowl appearance than Josh Allen.” — Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter, 54:55–55:00)
• “That moment kind of broke those Seahawks. 28-3 broke the Atlanta Falcons. 13 seconds broke the psychology of the Bills.” — Sports Analyst/Commentator (66:53)

The Bo Nix Factor

• “Bo Nix was 2 for 2 on 2, big deep ball, home run, touchdown throws... the two times he went big, he hit on both of them.” — Colin’s Co-host (07:58)
• “His final drive was fantastic... a gorgeous pass.” — Sports Analyst (08:46)

Organizational Moves and Coaching Culture

• “If you make a mistake with a coach or a quarterback, the rebuilds are a year in the NFL, you get about a crappy year.” — Colin’s Co-host (10:33)
• “It's never been about Purdue, okay? The bottom line, it's always been top heavy.” — Colin’s Co-host (41:37)

Coaching Carousel & Culture Change

• “They don’t need a schematic guy, John. ... They need a culture changer.” — Colin’s Co-host (15:31)
• “When you met Tom Coughlin one time at the combine... you felt like this guy’s the boss, you know, just like stand up straight.” — Sports Analyst/Commentator (16:54)

On College Football’s New Reality

• “If you have the money, you, you just keep it rolling, you keep it flowing.” — Sports Analyst/Commentator (37:03)
• “College football’s on fire. I don’t remember in the last 20 years caring more about college football.” — Colin’s Co-host (43:22)

Packers and "Culture" Coaching

• “I know he's good with quarterbacks... This is about culture, right? And that's what I wonder about.” — Colin’s Co-host (77:35)

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Time-stamped Segment Guide

• 00:05–04:38 — Broncos-Bills overtime controversy; instant replay breakdown; Buffalo’s roster deficiencies
• 07:28–10:04 — Bo Nix’s injury & Denver’s QB situation; deep ball performance
• 14:33–19:59 — NFL coaching carousel: Giants, Falcons, Steelers, best staff races, Harbaugh’s influence
• 23:10–25:58 — Mike Tomlin, Dan Quinn speculation; evolution of coaching standards
• 31:09–41:10 — Indiana’s first national championship, Big Ten dominance, economic muscle of NIL
• 44:06–46:10 — The unique appeal and urgency of football as America’s prime sport
• 49:20–70:49 — Buffalo Bills' crossroads: coaching/GM debate, press conference fallout, Brian Daboll's possible return, legacy of playoff heartbreak
• 71:07–80:01 — Packers: LaFleur’s strengths and limitations, culture vs. smarts, organizational considerations

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Conclusion

This episode offers an incisive, passionate look at the state of football as both a game and a business, blending the micro (on-field decisions, coaching philosophies) and the macro (organizational vision, market dynamics, and broader social trends). The voices are candid, occasionally exasperated, but always focused on who is winning, why, and what it means for the future—whether you’re rooting in Denver, Buffalo, Indiana, or beyond.

Transcript

[Colin Cowherd]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

The volume. All right, let's go to Denver and overtime, 33 to 30 over Buffalo. You know what, John? Like everybody in America, I have watched every replay, and I will say, I think in most instances, when fans, you know it's rigged. If you were going to rig this thing, you'd rig it for Josh Allen and the Bills, Bo Nixon. The super bowl is not moving a number, but I will say I talked to a GM today, and I looked at several. Let me put it this way. Slow motion usually creates clarity. I would argue this is one of the rare instances slow motion created confusion because slow motion makes it look like it's more of a catch by Brandon Cooks than it is that in fast motion. When I watched it about 30 times after talking to a GM, the GM, who is no, by the way, fan of Denver. I'll just leave it at that. Said, in the end, if you look at it at real speed, the ball's bouncing when he hits the ground, and that's not an official cash. Oh, then it's whoever wins the wrestling match. And Denver won the wrestling match. So I thought slow mo, as I'm watching it in slow mo, it actually, in hindsight, did it a disservice because it makes it look like Cooks is more in possession. That was my take anyway. They got it right, but I've never seen anything like that, so I didn't know for about a day how to compute it.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

Yeah, I mean, I think the catch has become such a convoluted situation in the NFL. Like, why do we have to make this so confusing? And by the letter of the law, they got it right. I think you could argue was he officially touched, and then he ran out of bounds and dropped the ball. Some people are saying it should have been a safety. Bills win. But I'm with you. I mean, I just think that we've got to this point with instant replay, which does benefit us. Right. Because we can get things right. But also, like, I do feel for Sean McDermott, if you watched his long kind of, you know, he went on this, I wouldn't even call it a rant because he was very under control. And he said, listen, if I take a step back, objectively, can't we just try to get it right? And it felt very rushed. Now, I think, you know, being in that spot in the first place, all the turnovers. Right. Obviously, the way the half ended for Buffalo, there's a lot to even get to that point. That was avoidable. And I also Think it's a reflection of when the season's on the line. He's throwing a jump ball to a very old, I mean, for NFL standards, an older player who is not a jump ball player. I mean, he's made such a place for him and he honestly made a couple. He made a great catch that went out of bounds. But kind of a reflection of their personnel. Isn't that you and I talk about a lot?

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Yeah. Brandon Cooks has always been like a number two or three. He's a speed guy. You run him up, you run him deep. Yeah, I mean, I. This has been my knock, is that they have three elite players, all on offense, you know, and by the way, Josh Allen's best teammate, James Cook, led running backs and fumbles. That's his best teammate. They have a slot receiver, a good left tackle, Josh Allen, and a fumble prone running back who's got jets. That's not great, you know, so my takeaway is it's really not a good enough roster. So you are left to, I mean, they had three active guys. You're left to throwing up a jump ball to a speed guy, not a big receiver. Brandon Cooks is a smaller, smaller speed guy without a huge catching radius. So, you know, I mean, my question, if you're going to run McDermott out of the building, and I think he's a B B plus coach, I feel like there's always something. Last year they couldn't get the tush push right. This year it's multiple turnovers. The year before, you know, three years ago or whatever it was, it was the 13 second loss, you know, years and years and years ago, it was wide right. It's always something for Buffalo. But I do feel like there are certain teams where we watched the Indiana Hoosiers, wow, they're tight. The Belichick dynasty, really tight. I just feel. And it usually comes on the offensive side. John, Buffalo's a little loose. They've missed on a lot of picks. They have too many turnovers. I thought Josh was very reckless. Can't you coach some of that out of him? By the way, another defensive coach, Demiko Ryan, who I think fondly of CJ Stroud, way too loose. You know, it's. Sometimes I look at these defensive coaches and they're so good on the defensive side, elevating and developing, developing that, that the offense just doesn't feel like it's buttoned up. And that's Buffalo again.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

I do think when it comes to Josh and the reckless nature, I mean, that's probably the Worst playoff game he's ever had. I mean statistically, right. You know, I think there's a farvee in quality. I don't, I don't think you coach that out. I mean he had Mike Holmgren, Andy Reid, John Gruden, Steve Mariucci and you know, in the prime of his career and he drove them all nuts. Sean McDermott, on an individual play basis, like the end of half, he's not the offensive coordinator, but that's how you come on the headset. We're kneeling it Tony Romo, you know, best point of the day was like you could not, it's not worth the risk there when you don't have any timeouts and then Josh, you know, carries the ball like Shady McCoy and the ball hits the ground. But like on the, the aggregate of his career, they've been really successful. Right up until Yesterday they were 8 no to non mahomes, Joe Burrow teams. So they had won a lot of playoff games. Look at how many playoff games he's won relative to like Harbaugh and Tomlin. I mean Harbaugh just got $100 million. If Tomlin chose to coach, he'd probably get $100 million right now. And Sean McDermott I think would say, well, we're all defensive CEO types. I actually think the GM and you look around the league, all these GM survived, Joe Shane, the guy in Arizona, the guy in Cleveland, I think the gm relative to having this court, Howie Roseman would rather get thrown off the Walt Whitman than be to not be aggressive when he had Josh Allen as quarterback. And I think if you look at him a little far in Ted Thompson or not Rogers, I mean remember it was like, God, Ted, be aggressive here you got this guy in the peak of it and they weren't smaller market. Now they have an owner, but he doesn't feel that aggressive, at least from sitting here 3,000 miles away like some of these owners. I think the GM has been dramatically worse than Sean McDermott. Now we feel Sean McDermott more on game day than we do the GM just because on an individual play basis. But I think the GM relative to having this all time great quarterback has been really bad. I mean Keon Coleman, he had a touchdown yesterday but was inactive most of the season. So it's like how many impact? One thing. How did the 49ers keep it going all these years? They hit on a lot of like mid round guys to become him. Like where are those guys in Buffalo? You know, Shakir's been on the team a Long time now. It's like, you know, Cook was a second round pick. Where are your big impact guys? And they, they where are your aggressive moves? Like why when, how he's making these trades when les knee, when John Schneider, why aren't you hand in hand with them? Like hey, I need to outbid this guy. When the 49ers traded for McCaffrey, they had an added extra pick because the Rams were going to get him and put people like God, the Rams, the Niners are crazy here. But they lean aggressiveness. When I look at Buffalo, it's like, yeah, they're just not that aggressive of a front office. And I think it's bit them on the margins when they've had now finally their quarterback played a bad game. But man, that's so to me, Sean McDermott by the time people are listening to this Monday, he might be done. But the GM to me cannot be one of those that survives in the coach goes that that would be insanity to me now.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

And credit to Denver. They will not have Bo Nicks, Jarrett Stidham, because he's been in the program a couple of years, should be a fairly competent backup. And they also have between Mims, Cortland, Sutton, Harvey, they run the ball pretty effectively at times. They did not against buffalo. Credit to McDermott and the defense, they didn't run the ball well. But Stidham should be a capable backup. He won't run like Bo Nix. He's not that athlete. But in the end, could I not argue the Broncos have the better coach, the better roster, the more efficient quarterback for this game, and frankly, huge edge on deep balls at wide receiver. Lost in all of this is that Bo Nix was 2 for 2 on 2, big deep ball, home run, touchdown throws. He did a lot of stuff under 8 yards, a lot of stuff behind the line of scrimmage. The two times he went big, he hit on both of them. So lost in all of this was their corners got beat twice on big plays and Bonix was more efficient.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

Well, think about this one area that he got a lot of credit this year. So did Caleb. Throughout the regular season when it mattered most, they turned into a high level player. I mean both of them played like top five guys on the last couple drives throughout the season when their backs were against the wall. That led them to both winning a bunch of games. Right. And becoming, you know, high seeds. His final drive was fantastic.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Fantastic.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

Multiple big shots in zone coverage, a big run for a first down and obviously the game winning touch or game. I guess they Took the lead and then Buffalo tied it. But it was just a gorgeous pass. And what was an area that we hammered him on this season was like, ah, the deep ball is a little.

[Nav Green]

It's not great.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

And I think one thing, if you wanted to be critical of Sean with Bo, like, I think Ben Johnson's a lot like this too. Their favorite place are timing pass routes. That's what Ben Johnson thrived with Jared Goff and him with Sean Payton. These guys are playmaking athletes. You kind of got to let them. And it's hard, you know, Steve Kerr, and I'm not comparing Steph Curry to either one of these guys. But like, listen, sometimes you've got to let him be him. And most coaches struggle with that. And I think he got like, this game's probably not as close if Sean just let him kind of scramble around and make plays. But sometimes in, in the pocket, that's not where Bo, when he gets out of rhythm, it can look a little off, right? But as he just kind of like, hey, make some plays. We need a touchdown, run around, let it loose. That's when he's at his best. Which. Do you ever remember a game ending and then all of a sudden the guy broke his ankle and no one saw it? I mean, it's, it feels like an unprecedented an injury when you factor in no one knew even. Clearly the coach didn't know till he was told. I mean, he walked. The NFL tweeted out a video of him walking off the field high fiving people.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Yeah, I mean, I just think it's a bummer that Jared Stidham is playing because I do think Denver, although I don't know if they would win the Super Bowl, I do think they're on a short list of teams that can compete with it. I think they have an excellent roster. And I'll give you, I was thinking about this today. John Denver and Seattle pivoted off Russell Wilson. Denver really paid both number one seeds. And the, the message to the NFL, if you make a mistake, move off it quickly. Think about this. Gerard Mayo, New England, big mistake. Moved off it there in the AFC Championship. Seattle, you know, we got Russell Wilson, we're moving off it didn't take long. Gino Geno Smith, Darnold, Boom. Number one seed, hit on draft picks. Denver still paying cap room for this year. Blue Bo, Knicks draft him. Playoffs, second year, number one seed now AFC championship. Bad weekend for Russell Wilson. Not the bury him. But the point being between New England and Denver, the message is, guys, don't get out of the rigidity. If you make a mistake with a coach or a quarterback, the rebuilds are a year in the NFL, you get about a crappy year. I mean, Denver in their rebuild year with Bo Nix, made the playoffs. New England in, I believe a rebuild year is going to make the AFC championship. So I kept thinking about it this weekend when I looked at Denver, the overarching message is, you get the coach right, you get the quarterback mostly right. Bo Nix is hit and miss. You can not only make the playoffs, you can end up a number one seed. Our number one seeds are Bo Nix and Sam Darnold. You know, so I. We were getting into a weird space, John, where it felt like Mahomes, Allen, Lamar, like you were getting into a space where it felt like you had to have a superstar quarterback to get in. The takeaway now is no, get. Get a young, talented quarterback, Caleb Williams. I mean, Stafford's now the only expensive guy left, right? Going into this.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

I also think that a lot of, like, the Texans are a good example. If CJ Stroud would have taken the approach like, hey, on this team, I'm just going to be Brad Johnson or Trent Dilfer. Call me a game manager. They could have won the Super Bowl. But he tried to play like, I'm this number two overall quarterback. Watch me make plays. He's like, bro, you do not need to do that. So I think there's this fine line of, can you get a guy to play within your system, understand what he is? It's hard. These quarterbacks now are rock stars. They make a ton of money on and off the field. And some guys just can't kind of find their lane. And then you're very predicated on the play calling. Also, when you pay a lot of money for these quarterbacks, it does limit. I mean, Buffalo and Kansas City just have less wiggle room to make moves. Look at Denver.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

That's right.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

I want Hu Funga and I want Greenlaw. Boom. Buy it. Bought McGlinchey a year ago. You just start. You, you, you just can be a little more aggressive once you pivot off and kind of manipulate the cap. Also, it speaks to these owners. What is Denver doing a lot like the Eagles did. They funny money contracts. They pay you more cash up front, push it all down the line, and it's become not only a smart guy, aggressive league, but is your owner willing? Because they all have money. Like, if the Browns want to spend money, they can. They just choose not to. In Cincinnati, they'd be cheap if your Owner wants to double down. I mean, that's been the knock on Jerry. It's like, yeah, just I'll pay a couple guys, but like I'm going to, I'm going to be a little cheap on the margins. And I think Denver, clearly, this is only going to solidify they, they might get beat by 20 points in the AFC championship just because this guy doesn't take any reps. Right. So we're in late January. I mean he's probably gone four months without really taking. Assuming Bo takes them all during practice. He's with the scout team. That's a lot to ask. So even worst case scenario, but big picture now, Sean's kind of, you know, validated. When I tell you when I want something, listen to me. And these owners, I mean, who has more money than Walmart, you know, Steve Ballmer, I mean it's a very short list. So it's like, hey, let's pay this guy, give him a $80 million signing bonus, we'll do a 10 year contract and we'll manipulate the books. And that's why they were able to kind of maneuver the Russell Wilson disaster. Think about Trey Lance. Niners pivoted in a blink of an eye. Boom. Didn't even think twice. You know, Carson Wentz years ago with the Eagles. It's like if you're willing to be like, hey, we missed some. We traded first rounders, we paid a bunch of money, who cares? You're all making so much money you won't even remember it in six months.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Giants get their guy, Atlanta gets their guy. Baltimore's probably next top of the food chain with Steve Boschotti, Lamar Jackson, good roster. Steelers at best get fourth. Watch out Pittsburgh. John Harbaugh to New York. So I text the GM today, I said, Joe Shane, I mean Harbaugh, John Harbaugh's making 20 million a year. Joe Shane has no leverage. And that's what he said. This is. John is going to go straight to Mara. I have picked four years in a row. My double, your win total team. Giants went 4 and 13. I actually think they're going to be a 10 or 11 win team next year. I think Washington's a bit of a mess. Dallas, we don't know what they're doing with the coaching position. I think they're bringing the, you know, they're bringing Brian Schottenheimer back. They still have some real holes defensively. You know, you get to watch Jackson dart. John Harbaugh can watch Jackson dart for a year and say, let's see I'm going to get. I'm going to start him and see if I like him because they're going to be going into a great quarterback draft out of college. I think it sets up really well. I think between Andrew Thomas, if they get a right tackle like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did with Brady, go get a right tackle. There's three good ones in the first round. I think offensively they're going to be interesting. They've got Abdul Carter, they got Brian Burns. Probably needs some secondary help. I strongly believe that this is a. They don't need a schematic guy, John. They don't need a play caller. They need a culture changer. There's no Shanahan's on the market. Right. That's rare. You get the CEO and the play caller. Play designer. Harbaugh, to me, is what they needed. Successful culture builder. Good staff builder. I like. I'll be honest. If they get the right tackle and a corner and a tight end in the draft, John, I like their roster.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

Yeah. To me. And it's a great fit for him. Yeah. When it. When he got fired and then the next day they fired Mike McDaniel and it was like they're going to go after him. I was like John Harbot in Miami. That feels like a weird fit. That feels like where a guy goes to kind of retire in his shoes. To me, he feels New York Giants, you know, since 1998, he got hired with Philadelphia. I think that was the year before Andy Reid even got there. Yeah, Andy kept him. And then so basically from 98 till a couple weeks ago, he's been in Philadelphia and Baltimore like he belongs in that area. He's comfortable. He feels like that area.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Yeah. So it's variable.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

Yeah, 100%. I was. I don't really remember the Walsh Niner era, but there was one team that could handle them, and it was Bill Parcels. And then the one team that could take down Brady and Belichick, it was Tom Coughlin. And I would say that when Bill Parcells and Tom Coughlin. I remember meeting Tom Coughlin one time at the combine. He's not the biggest, most intimidating human. It's not like a variable or a Jim Harbaugh, but when you met him, you felt like this guy's the boss, you know, just like stand up straight. And to me, that's what the Harbaughs bring to the table. So the Giants, now, you could argue this about New York. Think about the successful coaches, even remove football. Pat Riley. Right. Joe Torrey, they've kind of been like, yeah, this guy's the boss. And the last decade since they got rid of Coughlin, which wasn't the wrong move. It was time.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Right.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

They got a bunch of guys that like, this guy's a number two, this guy's a number three. This guy is no. In this market, too. You could pull it off in some of these smaller market spots. You have no chance. In New York, you get eaten alive. The jets make that mistake a lot. Right, Right. And John Harbaugh will come in. I mean, look at. They are very, very lucky that this played out the way it did because it gives them a chance to change the franchise.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Also, John, when you do the first hire, you get the best staff. So this is why I worry about Pittsburgh. So Atlanta immediately goes and gets Stefans because they want to get the best. Stefanski wants to get that defensive staff in because Stefanski is going to get a good offensive staff. He's a bright guy. He wants to get special teams and defense taken care of. So, I mean, to me, I think Atlanta is very attractive in terms of offensive skill. Pretty good offensive line. I think there's stability in Arthur Blank. I think people respect Arthur Blank. I think Stefansky's really bright. It's a weaker division. You're playing indoors. You know, to me, I think Stevansky would fit there. But the minute the Giants went Harbaugh, I think Atlanta looks at that and goes, all right, let's get our guy. That's where I worry about Pittsburgh, because they don't do this. At least Atlanta and the Giants have. They have a history of hiring coaches and the process.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

My only issue with the Giants thing is the Giants had to do whatever it took to get this guy. They gave him $100 million. I mean, great time to be a coach. I mean, how much money is John Harbaugh going to make over the course? By 2030, he'll be worth, like, hundreds of millions of dollars, this guy. These guys are crushing it. But I do think you got to be very careful. And Andy's like his mentor, a guy that he looks up to. I think that helped. He talked to a bunch. When Andy went to Kansas City, he said, listen, I do not want to pick the players. Now, I'm not saying John is saying that, but when you put yourself away from the gm, you have all the juice. To me, the Giants, what they should do is, listen, we are going to put you at the top of the food chain, but we want you like your brother with Ortiz, get someone you really respect. So you can lean on him. Like, you know what? D' Amico doesn't have to worry about picking players. Casario does it. All right, you know what? Mike McDonald doesn't have to worry about picking players. John does it all. Focus on coaching, focus on the culture. Obviously you impact who we draft and sign, but right now, John's kind of. It's kind of gruden, like. And Mark Davis said, I want you to work with Reggie McKenzie for a year.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

You know why?

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

Because I think a lot of these owners, they spend way more time with the gm. They end up liking the guy. I'm sure they like Joe Shane a lot. This is never gonna. Joe Shane, I would be stunned. Now, I said that about Sean Payton with the guy, he's still there. The GM that, you know, kind of fall, so it's never guaranteed, you know, he's got a year to sell himself, I think. George, Pat Paton, Patton, right. Still Sean's gm, he's respected, though.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

I mean, he's pretty good. Personnel guy.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

Well, had turned down GM interviews for like seven years before he got the Denver job. He was kind of like, you know, Chris Ballard, Adam Peters, they're these rare personnel guys that, like Casterio was like, that have a run where they kind of pick their specific job. This doesn't feel like that with Joe Shane. And it almost feels inevitable that he's just going to have a Raven type guy in that spot. Why not do it right now? Why not just start fresh? So, John. Because sometimes coaches, they think a lot different than personnel guys. Yeah, personnel guys can be a little less emotional, can think bigger picture stuff. They understand the marketplace of the draft a little bit better. And I just feel now the Giants don't really have a crazy. It's not like there's a Khalil Mack for him to trade or, you know, something crazy for him. But in a year he could do something that maybe he would regret in two years that he didn't have to do that in Baltimore because he had Ozzy and Eric Dacosta and by many, considered the best, one of the best staffs in the league. Now he's going, he's, you know, Vrabel, when he went to New England, brought one of his guys to Tennessee to work with Elliott Wolfe. I have a lot of friends that think you watch John will bring, you know, a Baltimore guy with him. But then that's what's the point. You know, it's. I'd be very careful about that. Totally pro. The hire think it's a no brainer but that the coach having too much juice sometimes they can. I think he told Ian o' Connor we plan on making the playoffs next year. I mean this guy's not coming there to, to rebuild.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Yeah and I think it's hard enough to be a gm. I think you have to be very careful about wanting that power. Sean Pay has had some power but again has a really strong guy. Joe Shane I don't think is going to rise to a top five gm. The Saquon Barkley move because it was so public and on TV but I mean let's be honest. Abdul Carter was scatter Boo Jackson dart Malik Neighbors when he's healthy I mean there are some players on this roster that he's done a pretty good job. Joe Shane hasn't. He hasn't whiffed. I mean Brandon Bean with the Buffalo Bills has. I mean there's some big whiffs here. So Joe Shane's done been more than competent for a lot of his draft picks. The Saquon Barkley thing is going to hang over him forever. That's why. That's another reason why you don't want to do one of these HBO Hard Knocks shows. But my argument is that division between Dallas's dysfunction Dan Quinn, keep your eyes on that Adam Peters basically Cliff Kingsbury felt he was bullied. Now you don't have an offensive coordinator Jaden Daniels, you cross your fingers Sirianni is going to maintain his job. So my take it this is not one of the stronger coach divisions. This is not McVeigh Shanahan and Mike McDonald. Okay. This division is a Harbaugh the minute you hired Vrabel best coach in the division the minute you hired John Harbaugh best coach in the division that. That usually works out well.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

Well I think what you can see with Washington come from a mile away is Mike Tomlin because pretty sure Mike Tomlin's from that general area. Yeah and he's going to go on tv. His stock is only going to skyrocket and who's their owner? An NBA guy. Who has he hired? Doc Rivers. Nick Nurse won an NBA championship in Embiid. Get Paul George like the NBA is a splash year league and that's. He's kind of used to that and he goes well we haven't even won but we've always been a topic conversation. We can win and be a topic of conversation. To me you can see it coming from a mile away. The Tomlin thing who, who's his right hand man now? Bob Myers, NBA guy They're meant to. Bushad is an NFL guy, thinks big picture, can take a deep breath, doesn't live, you know, on Twitter, like doesn't even care. Right. Most of these NFL owners, they're making so much money, they realize that they've been making the money before social media. They realize how irrelevant is the NBA is a little bit more day to day. Internet, all that flashy headlines and Josh Harris like, to me, Dan Quinn's a year away. You don't make the playoffs next year. Which, listen, the Eagles, obviously their coach, but they're going to be good. You know, they got good players.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Dallas, feisty Ben Johnson turned down Washington. His takeaway was the Washington guys. The NBA Washington guys thought they knew a little more about football than they really did. Those are NBA guys. Yeah. I think, I think the Tomlin thing, I think you're right about. And Tomlin's not a college or a west coast guy. He wants to stay east. That's his heritage, that's his history. That's what he feels comfortable doing. Again, some of these guys, Belichick, Vrabel, Tomlin, Harbaugh, they just feel like they're at home. They feel comfortable. Where you live, dictates a lot of your happiness and comfort and confidence. And I think you're right.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

I give Mike a lot of credit. If truly, and who knows exactly the behind the scenes detail, but if he truly looked in the mirror and he probably would have known this before the day that he announced, like, this thing's over. Right. They're going to be better off. I need to move. Sean Payton did the same thing. Like, guys, this thing's done. We need both pivot. 19, 18 years, you know, John Harbaugh, it's hard. I mean, the reports, Mike, Tom was making $25 million. Most human beings don't walk away from that. But he saw this team a lot like the Saints. It's going to get uglier before it gets better.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Yeah.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

What was the Rooneys quote? We don't plan on rebuilding. Well, bro, you might need to like, yeah, this is 20, 26. Check your roster, you got problems. So I think Mike Tomlin, if Dan Quinn is Dan Quinn, you know, he's a great guy, people love him. Is he missed. He's had a good little run there with McCarthy. They had some really good players there for a couple years. Like, I don't know. You know, I don't know.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

I think he's mid. I think that's fair. I think he's a nice guy. I think he's pretty mid. I think coaching is getting better and smarter and I just even defensive coaches, I don't put him in like a Mike McDonald class or a Robert Sala class or a DeMico Ryan's class. Today's show is brought to you by our friends and our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock bet, Florida's sportsbook. Folks, these playoffs have been crazy. I hope you're cashing in unexpected moments all in Hard Rock Bet, two teams will punch their tickets to the big game this weekend. And when it comes to these standalone matchups, nothing better than the same game parlay. Lock in one game, stack your picks, build your script. You know, quarterback maybe throws for 250 yards, running back goes for 100, tight end, first one to hit pay dirt. Hard Rock Bet gives you tons of ways to build your sgp your same game parlay. All right? If you miss kickoff, don't worry. Hard Rock Bet has live in game betting, so you're never too late to get in on the action, find a winner, grab that player prop that you meant to play, and live bet between snaps in just a few easy taps. It's really simple. If you haven't tried your first bet on Hard Rock Bet, there's still time. You get 150 bucks in bonus bets if you win. All you got to do is place a $5 bet. If it hits you not only get your winnings, you also get an extra 150 in bonus bets. So just because your favorite team may be out of it doesn't mean you have to sit on the sidelines. Same game parlays Live betting Can't miss welcome offer New promos dropping every day. Hard Rock Bet has you covered all postseason long. That's Hard Rock Bet. Download the Hard Rock Bet app. It's easy. Make your first deposit today. Payable and bonus bets. Not a cash offer offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in Florida. Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital LLC in Alder States. Must be 21 plus and physically present in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee or Virginia to play. Terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling in Florida? Call 1-888- admit it. In Indiana. If you or somebody you know has a problem wants help, call 1-800-9 with it. Gambling problem. Call 1-800- GAMBLER Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia this show contains.

[Nav Green]

Information subject to but not limited to personal takes, rumors not so accurate stats, and plenty more. What's up man? It's your boy, Nav Green from the Broken Play podcast. Look, it's the end of the season. The playoffs are here. But guess what? It ain't the end of your season. You can always tune in with Broken Play podcast with Nav Green on the Black Effect Podcast network. Not a team who ain't going to the playoff. The Chiefs. What's a wrap? It's time to rebuild. Who your MVP right now then Drake May up there. Josh Allen up there still. Oh my boy Matthew Stafford.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Nick said he ain't too far behind. He did all this talking.

[Nav Green]

What Matthew Stafford is doing statistically bro is crazy. Bro, you know I ain't no Josh Allen fan, but Matthew Stafford got better weapon. Caleb Williams hey, he should be in that conversation.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

And what conversation?

[Nav Green]

He should be in it. Listen to Broken Play with Nav Green from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast or whatever.

[Colin Cowherd]

You get your podcast on June 11, 1998, a deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department went missing.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

It's an all out manhunt for John Ajay.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

Every search and rescue team in LA.

[Colin Cowherd]

County has been called in to help. Within days, tips started flooding into the sheriff's department. They ruler around the drug scene. Was that a deputy was taken care of. Is this the story of a man who just got lost in the desert? Or of a cover up inside the nation's largest sheriff's department?

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

A homicide captain saying detective, do not find out if this guy's guilty or innocent. Who does that?

[Colin Cowherd]

Valley of Shadows, a new series from Pushkin Industries about crime and corruption in California's high desert.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

Do you have any advice for us.

[Colin Cowherd]

While looking into this disappearance?

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

I wouldn't do it alone.

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen to Valley of shadows on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. As we head into 2026, it's safe to say that 2025 was a year like no other. So much news, so much disruption and yes, so much division. That's why we're wrapping up this season of Next Question with a look back at everything that's happened. Things are coming at us with such a velocity. We thought it was important to take a moment, connect the dots and explore what it all means. We're summing up the first year of Trump's second term with David Graham on Project 2025 and how many of the goals have been implemented. Richard Haass on foreign policy and the changing world order. Jessica Valenti on reproductive rights and the terrifying consequences of abortion bans. Tina Brown on the year scandals here and across the pond. The President has upended Everything from pardons to the press. So we're covering it all. Listen to next question. With me, Katie Couric on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Well, we have a new national champion in college football. Third straight year, it's a Big Ten team. First, it's Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines. Last year, it's Ohio State. Punish people in the playoff. And Miami and Ohio State both were built to potentially beat Indiana. Neither could 27, 21. Third straight Big Ten champion. I will say I thought it would be a little like this, a little more scoring than I thought. I thought it would be the under, but, you know, be cheap. Cheap. A little chippy. Early against Mendoza, he got a late hit. They didn't call it. Couple of little late hits, personal fouls, not called. And I mean, make Indiana, you know, convert fourth downs and third downs and they did. That's what Indiana's been doing all year. They did it against Iowa, they did it against Penn State, they did it against Ohio State, and they did it against the Miami Hurricanes. I think Mendoza, I mean, if there were any critics or doubters that he's the number one pick, John, I mean, he just. That quarterback draw for a touchdown took a beating. Listen, I think, you know, what I think it proves is that Miami not only deserved to be in the College Football Playoff, but Miami was the second best team. I mean, Ohio State's offense couldn't generate, you know, this kind of offensive explosion. I mean, I, you know, I mean, they were driving to put their fourth touchdown up. So, I mean, I think, I think we got the two best teams in the country. And by the way, if you're an SEC fan, not only should you be terrified of the gap that is widening between the Big Ten and the sec, Miami has major, major nil money. Broward county is a just an unbelievable recruiting hotbed, and Cristobal may be the best recruiter in the country. So Miami and Indiana. Now Indiana's got Mark Cuban's checkbook. John. John Middlekop joining us. I. It just, it's a. Those are. Miami and Indiana, John, are not going anywhere.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

One, the one thing Mario's going to do is build in the trenches and that's going to translate moving forward. I mean, they had. Early on in the game, you went. This is going to be hard. This felt like an NFL game to me. Like, the stats like this wasn't going to be either. Quarterbacks not throwing for 300 yards. It's. It's going to be about getting bigger third and fours converted the Mendoza in that first couple series stretch when he got absolutely destroyed. Multiple free hits on sacks, hit in the face. I thought I can imagine Tom Brady up in the box looking at his GM going that's the NFL right there. And he hopped right back up, phased off. And then obviously he played well throughout. But even Ohio State because I started texting around, you know, Bane is viewed as a top 10 pick but Mesadore is 25. And I was like, you know teams and it's like, well he might not go in the first round because he's older, but he ain't gonna last far in the second round. So they have two guys that were just coming. They're D line. The other guys are really good. That was a test for Indiana, the physicality. Because one thing Indiana's had is beside Ohio State. No one could match their physicality. I'd argue. Tell me if you agree with this. Are they the best team? I'm saying team in college or pro because they don't really have a weakness. Their defense is great, their offense is very well rounded, their special teams are fantastic.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

I would say Seattle feels the same way as when you can have great special teams. I think they said that was the eighth blocked punt by a signetti team at Indiana. So like Seattle is rare where they don't have a hole and they have elite special teams. That's Indiana. So like that you don't get that usually at the college level. Even when you have great college programs, you don't spend any, you know, you're not spending nil money these days on the special teams. I can remember when Pete Carroll was at usc they didn't even care about special teams. They didn't even go for blocks. You know, they were just going to beat you on their units O and D. And so I think I would say this about Indiana. They were trailing the entire game. They felt like they were coming from behind. Miami is physically the way to beat Indiana is what Ohio State and Miami have which is better than average college quarterback. Big time skill players that can, you know, you don't. You can get over the top. Fletcher the running back, Tony the receiver. You can pop for big plays. You're not going to get 13, 15 play drives in Indiana and Ohio State and Miami both had that. And then in tough physical defenses that make Indiana get down to late third and five and fourth and three because you can't give many. You can't, you can't win against Mendoza if it's third and one. If it's second and four, you got to put him into third and fives, fourth and fours. You got to make them earn it. But that's what Indiana does. I mean their, their gutsy play calling, those sideline fade patterns, they're just a really complete college team. And again this is with the 60th ranked recruiting classes. John, they're going to get top 20 classes now. Now they've got Cuban's checkbook. So I mean next year Ohio State's loaded. Michigan's going to rebound with Whittingham. They've got great offensive pieces. Indiana's going nowhere. Oregon now with Dante Moore's a top six program. USC and Washington are out of the rebuild stage. They both have their quarterbacks returning and a lot of nil money and a lot of players. Penn State with Matt Campbell should be at least, maybe they'll be somewhere around the top 20, 25. I just think this is, I think the Big Ten now at the top is the best conference hands down.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

Well, and it's a coaching conference when you think about it, right? Saban retires, you add Signetti, who immediately is just an elite. I mean he's, he's right away, I mean there's not a better coach right now in the country than him. I mean look what he just did. He went through the bore and Dan Lanning like they were Swiss cheese and took on Miami and physically went toe to toe with them and obviously beat Ryan Day. So he's, you got to give him spur the, you know, living in the moment, the best coach in the country, the money aspect and the transfer portal advantage for them. I mean Signetti, I was reading, I don't know that much about the transfer portal. Had a great transfer portal, landed a quarterback like, like they're not only not going away, like they're going to view themselves as a playoff team again next year. Like this is switched. This isn't. You know, it used to be pre recruiting. If a team had a great year, basketball or football, they got kind of a one year wonder. Well, one year wonders are over. If you have the money, you, you just keep it rolling, you keep it flowing.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

That's right.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

So and the other advantage he has, like his coordinators aren't going anywhere. I mean what do they really hang their hat on? Because beside Mendoza, Miami had way more prospects in the top 100 of this upcoming draft than Indiana. They're the best coach team in even tonight. You just saw, even when their plays didn't hit one time, one of their wide receivers got held.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

It was a perfect route.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

They find a weakness like the weakness of Miami clearly is a secondary. And they found the weak link on that secondary.24. And they were just going after him. And they were going after. That's what NFL coordinators do when they find a weak link. You've seen it with Ben Johnson, with Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVeigh, and they attack.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Well, what is happening in America? The, the, the elite 1% have separated the. The Dow is almost at 50,000. So again, what would, what would put college football in the crosshairs of trouble? It's just like our national debt. You know why our national debt, we talk about it a lot, but we're not in danger because our economy keeps growing. So as our economy grows, that's the only way. Elon Musk talks about this regularly. The debt becomes less relevant. If your economy grows. The debt's a bigger problem in Europe because their economy is not growing at the pace of America's, according to all the economists. Well, it's the same in the nil. It's very easy for a guy to rationalize a $6 million check to his local university if things are humming in the economy. So if the be crashed, that's I think when college football people would say, okay, we're taking two years off. I'm not writing you $24 million in checks. So even for billionaires, a lot of it is what's the current state of the economy? So for the rich right now, not middle class, not normal people, but for the rich, they've separated, things are good, things are hot. And that's about as deep into the economy as John and I will ever go because I certainly don't know what I'm talking about. But I think big picture and all this, that is true.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

I mean it's just those guys are more willing, they've never had more money. And as it keeps ripping, giving these checks. But if it does flip and what's the first thing to go the second home, the country club membership. That's where this time. This is funny money right now. And if you're doing well, it's probably flown. I mean, Indiana, the amount of booster money they are going to get in the next six months is going to be historic.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Well, and here's the other thing. Baseball talks about this. This is why I keep saying, you can tell me college football's in trouble. The ratings for tonight's game are going to be massive. ESPN and Fox have great college football deals. They're Making a lot of money on it. The attendance has been great. Remember, there was a decline in ratings and attendance during the Alabama dynasty. At the end the last five years, that was the problem. The sport became incredibly regional. Well, it's not regional. The country was watching Miami and Indiana. So Indiana, boom. Huge fans. SEC fans were obviously watching because Big Ten's their villain. Miami, you've got the ACC watching. And I think west coast people, I've said this is. Growing up on the west coast, you always watch Big Ten football because they were in the Rose Bowl. So I've always been a Big Ten fan. Even if I was a Husky or a Duck or a Trojan, I was always a Big Ten. I watched everybody in the Big Ten. But I love the SEC as well.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

I didn't really start watching the SEC till Nick Saban really took it to another level. Most of my Life in the 90s, SEC didn't feel as popular. It was regionalized toward that. You watched Michigan football, whatever, Ohio State football, much more often than you ever did. Beside maybe like a big Florida Georgia game. You weren't watching random SEC games. And obviously the TV has expanded that. But the Big Ten feels like they're in a pretty good spot right now.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

They are. So. But. But I think about this all the time. People complain about baseball and they say, oh, Kyle Tucker went to the Dodgers. Well, baseball was in a big. Was in a really dry spot about three years ago. Okay? Attendance was going down for three straight years. TV ratings were going down for 15. And then Rob Manford said, pitch clock, speed the game up. Defensive shift, no pitchers hitting. All of a sudden you look up and you're like, oh, there's more hits, there's more action, there's more runs. Ohtani goes, Angels, Dodgers. And over the course of the last couple of weeks, the Dodgers have gotten better. The Cubs added Bregman at third. Cabrera the pitcher. Yankees Weathers throw in another good arm. The Yankees, the Cubs, the Dodgers, all got better. Well, I'm sorry, that's not bad for baseball. The Nil and the transfer portal is not bad for college football. When Miami and the Big Ten are humming and the Texas schools are humming and Notre Dame is humming, folks, college football's in a great spot. This sport's never been about Purdue, okay? The bottom line, it's always been top heavy. Right now you got three Texas schools humming. Miami, Notre Dame, Big Ten in the secs is still wildly popular. And I've said this about baseball. Well, what about the little guy? Mariners, Guardians, brewers, all great. Last year, by the way, the Astros, if they're healthy, with the Cubs, with the Dodgers, with the Padres, with the Phillies, with the Yankees and the Mets, should be okay, will all be viable. The Pittsburgh Pirates weren't winning 25 years ago, they're not winning now. Nobody cares. So usually when you have these big changes and it feels like there's a separation, John, there's a separation in everything. You know, Tesla's separated from, you know, some automotive company. There's, there's a big separation in banking, in college football. If you look at the country right now, I was looking at baseball, salary gaps in baseball. St. Louis right now is a tiny market. They've lost 15 Fortune 500 companies in the last 30 years. St. Louis might as well have. They're a little small fry. They weren't 30 years ago. That's the reality of America. The coasts, Florida, Miami, by the way, has become a tech center. Miami's got a lot of money right now. Part of it is Miami's economy now is a big boy economy. It wasn't 30 years ago, it wasn't 20 years ago. It is now. So I don't worry about the sport, I don't worry about baseball, I don't worry about college football. Look at the ratings, look at the attendance, look at the relevance, look at the revenue. College football's on fire. I don't remember in the last 20 years caring more about college football. Every time I turn a game on, John, it's like the NFL I'm watching this weekend. The weather's horrible. You can't find a seat in any of these games. There's not a seat available in any of these games. When they show these panoramic views of.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

The stadium, they, they did get lucky that the, the Bears and the Patriots, the Eagles have this, Seattle has this, are collegiate like atmospheres and collegiate like fan bases. And I, they're some of the rare fan bases that does have a pageantry a little bit like some of these college, I mean, yeah, the Bears, that was fun. And I think the NFL. I'm with you, you turn on. It's. We, we talked about it last 7 degrees. The Patriot game sure didn't look warm. There ain't a, there ain't a seat. You couldn't even get one. If you tried one, they'd beat you up. Two, that was not even available. And I mean look at the get in prices tonight. I mean the vibe. These games, they feel like a really big deal. It's a little FOMO action to the sport. People. And one thing football really benefits from is the, the inventory is just a lot smaller than these other sports. I mean if you don't watch an NBA game, you talk about sports for a living. If you miss a couple weeks, like you ain't missing anything right now, you're just not. But in football, every game kind of matters. In the playoffs, they're not a series. I remember, I remember a couple of years ago the warriors played Memphis in the second round. They lost a game by 50 points in a playoff series. It didn't even matter. I mean the game later, they win, they're off to the next round. In football, every same with tonight. Every snap matters, every drive matters. I mean look at Josh Allen's in tears. He knows, like it felt like he's, like his career's over or something after losing a divisional round playoff game. There is just an intensity to football that. Listen, it's not proud to say this, but the amount of time we spend on our phone, the way we're wired now and the urgency to everything, football just benefits from that immediately. To the way society is kind of built. We're not a patient place at all anymore. And the NFL is not patient either. I mean look what are there 10 job openings in the NFL? Look at college football this year. Four or five games in, you weren't winning. Brian Kelly, James Franklin, there's just so much money and fans like that like urgency. Let's go next guy. Even if it's, I mean, we'll find out the bills, I mean if it's going to work out who they can hire. But I think that adds a lot of juice to all this thing.

[Colin Cowherd]

On June 11, 1998, a deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department went missing. It's an all out manhunt for John Ajay.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

Every search and rescue team in LA.

[Colin Cowherd]

County has been called in to help. Within days, tips started flooding into the sheriff's department. They ruler around the drug scene. Was that a deputy was taken care of. Is this the story of a man who just got lost in the desert? Or of a cover up inside the nation's largest sheriff's department?

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

A homicide captain saying, detective, do not find out if this guy's guilty or innocent.

[Colin Cowherd]

Who doesn't that Valley of Shadows, a new series from Pushkin Industries about crime and corruption in California's high desert.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

Do you have any advice for us.

[Colin Cowherd]

While looking into this disappearance?

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

I wouldn't do it alone.

[Colin Cowherd]

Listen to Valley of shadows on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or Wherever you.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

Get your podcasts, this show contains information.

[Nav Green]

Subject to but not limited to personal takes, rumors, not so accurate stats, and plenty more. What's up, man? It's your boy N. Green from the Broken Play podcast. Look, it's the end of the season. The playoffs are here. But guess what? It ain't the end of your season. You can always tune in with Broken Play podcast with Nav Green on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Not a team who ain't going to the playoff. The Chiefs. What's a wrap? It's time to rebuild. Who your MVP right now, then Drake May up there. Josh Allen up there still. Oh, my boy, Matthew Stafford.

[Colin Cowherd]

Where did Bo Nicks at?

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

He ain't too far behind. He did all this talking.

[Nav Green]

Hey, what Matthew Stafford is doing statistically, bro, is crazy. Bro, you know I ain't no Josh Allen fan, but Matthew Stafford got better weapon. Caleb Williams. Hey, he should be in that conversation.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

In what conversation?

[Nav Green]

He should be in it. Listen to Broken Play with Nav Green from the Black Effect podcast Network on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast or whatever, you get your podcast.

[Colin Cowherd]

As we head into 2026, it's safe to say that 2025 was a year like no other. So much news, so much disruption, and yes, so much division. That's why we're wrapping up this season of Next Question with a look back at everything that's happened. Things are coming at us with such a velocity. We thought it was important to take a moment, connect the dots and explore what it all means. We're summing up the first year of Trump's second term with David Graham on Project 2025 and and how many of the goals have been implemented. Richard Haass on foreign policy and the changing world order. Jessica Valenti on reproductive rights and the terrifying consequences of abortion bans. Tina Brown on the year scandals here and across the pond. The president has upended everything from pardons to the press, so we're covering it all. Listen to next Question with me, Katie Couric on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Well, I brought him on the herd. He won our first ever big J Journalism award. I think we retired it after he won it. We've never handed out a second. He is the founder of Go Long, one of the first guys in sports to really jump over to substack and be his own man. I love that about him. And one of the teams that he has really been really at ground zero, a foundational reporter and has pushed back on this franchise, many times, they have had a wild last four weeks. You don't think of Buffalo and controversy. You think of New York in controversy in Philadelphia and Boston. But Buffalo's just, you know, it's quiet. It's upstate. So let's start with a press conference today where Terry, the owner, Pegula, basically calls out Keon Coleman. I just kept thinking, man, for a billionaire, that's not a ton of self awareness. You were at the press conference. Basically, he was defending Billy Beane, who was sitting next to him, who's taking a ton of criticism for his draft record, which is not stellar. Okay, let's start with a press conference. Was it awkward when Terry went off script to defend Billy Bean?

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

You know, it was. It was uncomfortable. It was awkward. It was something that you never see in sports, right? Owners, general managers, head coaches, they never bring you inside publicly like that and say, no, this person wanted that player. That person wanted that player. I'll be honest, Colin. I loved the honesty. I love the transparency. I. I'm not in pr. It probably isn't the best PR move, because that's pretty avoidable if you're the Buffalo Bills. Like, you just don't need to bring that up. If. If you want that information out there. There's people like me, you can tell Record. All these people in all sports know that. But I. To me, what I kept thinking of is, all right, the one person who has control over this is Keon Coleman. The only reason he's being framed as a bust is because he has been a boss two years in. Yeah. I mean, he's showing up late to meetings twice. He's getting into Sean McDermott's doghouse. I will say this. I was told it wasn't necessarily Sean McDermott who drafted Keon Coleman. It was coaches on the staff. But, yeah, Brandon Bean. It puts him in a tough spot where he's sitting there like, all right, well, we're going into year three with this guy. We don't want to give up on this guy. He later, you know, made a point to say, look, I drafted him. We all drafted him. At that point, it's kind of out there. But to me, you know what this press conference was, Colin? Truth bombs left and right. And the truth hurts for. For Keon Coleman. I'm sorry if feelings are hurt. More production. Sean McDermott, they praised him for his nine years of service. At the end of the day, it's been a decade with arguably the best player in the league, and what do you have to show for it? To me, that was the biggest takeaway from this press conference. At one point, Terry Pegula is, is looking at all of us and basically looking at the entire city of Buffalo. Say it is. Is seven years in a row of making the playoffs. Is that success? Is that success and no super bowl appearance. He's basically asking everybody if you want to get to the playoffs and lose. We've done that. Do we want to win a Super Bowl? Do we want something more? Then you got to move on. Look, I mean, yeah, one stat I'll give you too is I. I've been repeating it nonstop and go along, but teams move on from head coaches at this point for a reason. You know, he's entering year 10. There's only been three head coaches, really two who have won their first Super bowl in year nine or beyond with, with that team. Bill Cower, Tom Landry, Hank Strand and Hank Strand won an AFL title before that.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

So.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Right.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

You know, the list of the Marty Schottenheimers and Marvin Lewis's and Bart Starrs and Wayne Fonts and Marv Levy's. It's much, much longer. It was overdue if you ask me.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Yeah, let's, let's. There was a feeling in Buffalo and I've said this with, with Brandon Bean. I, I did some sourcing on it. I called a couple of GMs I respect. I said, what do you. What do you know about him? Because I don't know him, nor do I have any, even a text relationship. And they said he's really good with the cap. He's not necessarily known as an elite John Snyder level. You know, like what you would say, personnel guy doesn't mean he can't do it. For the record, it's really hard. Drafting is really hard. The best whiff, I mean, you know, the Rams have whiffed on second rounders, the Niners have. It's hard. So there is no, there's no exact science to guessing how a 22 year old will work. I mean, Keon Coleman, Florida to Buffalo, just the weather alone. You know, it's like, wow, that's a different. He probably never been to Buffalo before. Right. Like a lot of these kids. But what is the sense. Is it fair to say Since Josh Allen, 55 draft picks, two Pro Bowlers. Is it fair, Is that a fair criticism that he has struggled in the draft? Or do you see personnel as he's been reasonably solid like most GMs, hits and misses.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

You know what, that's a great question because I think everybody's asking that same exact question right now. Because who's at fault here, right? Is it the head coach or the GM for why this team forget winning a Super bowl, hasn't gotten to a Super bowl, right? No. No head coach has won more playoff games without a Super bowl appearance than Sean McDermott.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

8.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

No quarterback has won more playoff games without a Super bowl appearance than Josh Allen.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

8.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

So like who's at fault here? People that I talk to around the league, they believe this has been a championship roster year in and year out that they should have won in 20, 21, 13 seconds. And we can get into that because I really do believe that was the moment that probably broke the psychology of the Buffalo bills under Sean McDermott.

[Colin Cowherd]

Yeah.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

And I mean you've got seasons other than that you can point to and say that they had enough talent to win it all. And I think, look, Brandon Bean was the driving force behind the move up the draft board for Josh Allen. So Terry Pula remembers that. And then if you fast forward to this year, you've got the rating MVP. You've got the NFL's leading rusher and James Cook, you've got a top five offensive line and the defense, right. You've got a defensive minded head Coach and Sean McDermott. And you look at these playoff losses in the last six playoff losses and we could really kind of point to that as when the Bills have been legitimate super bowl contenders, right? Because they get The Jacksonville in 2017, they end the drought 2019, Josh Allen's in year two. They lost in the wild card to the Texans in overtime, blew it 16 and nothing lead that game. But let's look at those six with a defensive minded head coach, Colin, 52 non kneel down drives in those six games against, that's what you've got. Three Mahomes, one Burrow, one Bonix. Okay, 52, nine kneel down drives. They've allowed 25 touchdowns, 13 field goals, forced only 12 punts. There's one missed field goal in there. They've created three turnovers allowing 100 and 99 points. That's 3.83 points per drive. I believe that's more than the 2007 Patriots average per drive with a defensive minded head coach. So Brandon Beans thinking, okay, it was defense again in the AFC championship game last year, right? Josh Allen did enough, the Bills offense did enough at Arrowhead and a Chiefs offense that was average to above average the last season and a half hung 32 on you. So he goes out and signs Bosa, Larry Ogobi Michael Hoyt and drafts five defensive players in a row. Like, here's more options for you, Sean McDermott. Let's get a stop, right? Let's, let's get one stop. You get to Denver. Yes, Josh Allen had four turnovers. The crazy play at the end of the half and he's hit from the blind side, but yes, he had four turnovers. Even then, they almost became the second road playoff team ever to overcome a minus three turnover differential to win. I think it was one. They were one in 85 going into this game because of Alan, because of the offense. And then two minutes left, third and 11. It looks like Sean's going to send the dogs seven at the line of scrimmage. Here's the moment he's finally going to be aggressive and three of them back off. Bonix hits Cortland Sutton for a first down. Four plays later, Tridavius White gets hurt. He's out. Sean Payton smells blood. Dean Jackson, ice cold off the sideline. You leave him one on one on the outside. What do you think Sean Payton's going to do? He did the same thing earlier in the game when Cam Lewis, the safety got hurt. And Darnell Savage, your fifth or sixth safeties on the field. A bus from Green Bay shouldn't be in that spot, but Peyton saw it and he took advantage. So Sean McDermott failed to learn his lesson in the game. Look, if you got a defensive minded head coach, these are the little things you got to do. And I think that Terry Pula is looking at these moments and he's looking at the eyes of his players in the locker room. He talked about this today and he sees how despondent, how teary eyed Josh Allen is. Dion Dawkins, everybody. He's saying, man, we can't keep doing this year to year like this team has plateaued. We got to do something. And I get the debate. But he decided that it was Sean McDermott's fault, not Brandon Bean.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Yeah, I agree with that. I think, you know, here's where I'll defend Brandon Bean. I think their offensive personnel is pretty good. They have an excellent slot receiver. Maybe not lad McConkey, but darn good star back. Star left tackle, great running back o line, more than solid. Multiple tight ends. Dawson Knox, obviously Dalton Kincaid. So. And Keon Coleman. I didn't have a problem with the draft pick because I saw him in college and I thought he was rangy and tall. Receivers, number one last 20 years, number one position, first round bust is wide receiver. He's not the first to Belichick, couldn't draft one in the first round. Chad Jackson, Nikhil Harry. Nikhil Henry from Arizona State couldn't draft one to save his life. So, by the way, Andy Reed, Brute, Brett Veach. Great, great guys. Sky Moore, Ms. Rasheed Rice, always in trouble. Xavier Worthy. Bottom first. Meh. So, like, I do think Brandon Bean deserves credit for. They've done a pretty damn good job on offense, a pretty good group, and I think an offensive coach like Brian Dabel would squeeze even more juice out of that group. So let's pivot to that. Is Day Ball the front runner?

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

He'll definitely be in the conversation. And I love this. I love talking Brian Dable because it is fascinating. He was like a father figure for Josh Allen here. They were unbelievably close when I did.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

That three, you were all over this.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

Yeah, yeah, we probably talked about it on the Herd then. I mean, we're. The 911 speech that McDermott gave. That gate got a lot of headlines, but really, I thought one of the more fascinating Nuggets was in part three of that series where I had heard from veterans on that team and coaches who repeated just how close Josh Allen was to Brian Dable on the field. You know, Josh Allen, he's. He's a farm boy from Fireball, California.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

Right.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

And no star recruit had to earn everything. He. He's okay with a coach yelling in his ear hole like Brian Dabel would. I can picture him on the sideline after an interception in year two against the Patriots stables losing his mind. Allen took the hard coaching, did something with it. Dable had such an effect on him as a young player, but he got off the field. I mean, they were hanging out all the time. It was a special relationship. So there was one player, and I asked, this is 2023. Like, at that point, Dable's with the New York Giants, obviously. Like, did the Bills keep the right coach? And he paused for quite literally 13 seconds, ironically enough. And he goes, does that answer your question? I mean, there's people who think that the Bills could have multiple Super Bowls right now if Dable and Allen stayed together. And look, Josh Allen is going to be in these interviews with the head coaches, and I. Not. Not Dabel. I actually caught up with a coach who might be in the running for this job recently, and he, you know, we'll see if he's. He's of interest, too. There's going to be a lot of people that want this job. When it comes to Dable, though, all signs would point to him being the front runner for all those reasons. But I also think of this, Colin. Brandon Bean is tight with Joe Shane. Joe Shane was here in Buffalo. And Joe Shane knows firsthand what went down with the Giants. Right. He probably knows all the good that comes with Dable and maybe some of the disorganization behind the scenes that came with table. You can learn from that stuff. Like, I love it when teams give a. Give a head coach a second chance. Like you should be able to learn from what went wrong.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

Yes.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

So he absolutely could. That's what Bean has to kind of parse through and figure out, like what. What went wrong and would he do better the second time around? Because being that being an NFL head coach, it's more than just coaching quarterbacks and having a relationship with Josh H. Which is unbelievably important. There's game management stuff, which D. Struggled with with the Giants. Obviously, interpersonal relationships behind the scenes.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

Right.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

He famously clashed with Wink Martindale. So I think that's the kind of stuff that probably they're going to ask Brian D. In this interview when they have him in.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

You know, I have defended Brian D. Because coaching in New York is hard. Coaching in New York, having to take Dave Gettleman's guy, Daniel Jones, and win is hard. The New York media is multifaceted, multi personality, very uber competitive. And I said today on the Herd, I said, you know, Buffalo's different. I mean, you have real pros in the media. I'm not disparaging anybody. A lot of good radio, TV people up there. Buffalo's always played bigger than it is as a market. Always reminds me, I don't know why I think of this as Salt Lake City media. Buffalo media feel much bigger than they are. A lot of pros, people just want to live in Salt Lake City and ski and people love living in Buffalo because it's a wonderful place to live. But I, I guess when I look at Brian Dable, who succeeded in New York, even Coughlin at the end struggled. Whereas I really like the ownership of Buffalo, I think Brandon Bean realizes a lot of people have the microscope on him now. And so the Buffalo media and I really respected this has been hard on Bean, and tomorrow's columns on this press conference will be intense. What is the relationship? Pegula Bean fans, media today? Because usually when you get a market the size of Buffalo or Baltimore, the media is not antagonistic, but it does feel like Baltimore. Buffalo's media feels almost a responsibility. They know they're in the national spotlight and they've sharpened the saw. It feels like. I mean, Bean's radio appearance, I think, on wgr. I read the columns. I mean, is it. Is it as tense as it sounds?

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

It was tense today, Colin. There's no way around it. They asked. I was there. I wasn't able to get a question in. It was hard to get a question in because it was an opportunity to ask about the firing of head coach, which hasn't happened here in western New York in nearly a decade. They've been winning division titles. Sean McDermott cleaned up the Rex Ryan mess, and it was a mess. It was worse than you can imagine. And he deserves all the credit for that. I mean, I think he. He's a free agent head coach right now. If he wanted to clean up the Cleveland Browns or a team like that, he could do it. Like, that's what Sean McDermott does really well. But yet, to answer your question, people are ready to ask Brandon Beat some hard questions. I think it's interesting. You know, Sean McDermott really did ingratiate himself to the community this past year in a way that he hasn't most of his tenure. He has been a little standoffish, not doing much media beyond press conferences, kind of, you know, a little colder, a little more aloof, and just didn't want to play that game, really. And then recently, even after I did that series, I was welcome back in the building. I sat down with Sean at the combine. We talked about it, got a credential. Next thing I know, into the playoffs in 2024, I'm in his office, we're talking for an hour about his evolution as a coach. I mean, he definitely made a concerted effort to get his personality out there. Dan Pompeii at the Athletic. An excellent profile on Sean McDermott recently. I think through all of that, you know, there's a story in the Buffalo News where ahead of the last game at Highmark Stadium, he's, like, looking around the field and taking it all in. And the community kind of felt an attachment to Sean McDermott, really. I mean, you can see it. You can feel it. The same fans who are pissed that this team loses every January, they. They felt a bond to him. And I think the majority of fans, at least this season, kind of pinned a lot of the problems on the GM and the wide receiver position, and it has kind of rooted in that WGR interview that Brandon Bean did.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

And.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

And so in a roundabout way, yeah, like, fans, they. They didn't think that a lot of fans, I don't know what the percentage would be. Didn't think that Sean McDermott should have been fired. So when this goes down, I think a lot of folks were surprised and wanted answers and the media sought those answers. But here's where I, here's where I think though, and this isn't to blame local media, blame fans. And just the theme that I keep coming back to, Colin, is let's not lose the plot here, everyone, right? I gave you that stat earlier on this most, right? Move on at this point and that game, that 13 seconds game at Arrowhead. I've been told repeatedly again on Monday when I reached out to people around the team, around the relationship of McDermott and Bean, that that moment had a lot of. Did a lot of damage, right? I think Richard Sherman would tell you the exact same thing about the legion of boom Seahawks. When Pete Carroll decided to throw the ball at the one yard line, that moment kind of broke those Seahawks. 28 3. Broke the Atlanta Falcons. 13 seconds broke the psychology of the Bills. Here's why. Reported all of it. And it's funny, I mean, to my knowledge, Sean McDermott has been peppered with these 13 second questions, but I've reached out to coaches, I've reached out to players. He overruled the special teams coordinator, Heath Farewell, who wanted a squib kick. McDermott said touchback. That allows for those two plays to happen over the full 13 seconds. And what happens before those plays, he calls a timeout. They call it Kodak, a chance to kind of see what the Chiefs are doing and line up accordingly. The DBs are in another zip code. It's easy, easy work from Mahomes. In that moment, McDermott, I was told, overruled. Leslie Frazier's defensive coordinator. He's doing the defensive play calling. They gave up the field goal, they get into overtime, they get rolled over, they get inside the locker room. And I had a coach tell me that even in that moment, Sean McDermott said something like why the offense left too much time on the field. Like what, 13 seconds. And then the next day is kind of looking at his assistant coaches and saying, you guys need to figure out what went wrong here. You need to figure it out. And that was it into the off season. So not only does this like really traumatic by football standards moment happen, there's really no ownership, there's really no accountability in that moment. And it really did linger into 22, 23, 24, to the point where people in all departments are saying like that. That has kind of been a dark cloud over this team to where and look, the timing's kind of always been awkward. If Terry Pul and the Bills wanted to fire McDermott because in 2022, Sean McDermott probably has his best coaching job ever. A player nearly dies on a football field tomorrow, Hamlin comes back to life and you've got to somehow get your team ready to play a football game the following week. Unbelievable job by McDermott. Yes, they get smashed by the Bengals in the playoffs, but it's not like Pula is going to fire him after all that 2023, I write that three part series when they're six and six, they win six games in a row, they're a missed field goal away from getting to the AFC championship game. You can't really fire him after that. And then 2024, you're in the AFC championship game, that 4th and 5 prayer from Allen, you know, he escapes all that Rush gets it to Dalton, Kincaid just misses it. They don't fire him after that. When in retrospect, maybe you should have Vrabel, Ben Johnson, Liam Cohen are available, but in a roundabout way, I'm just saying, look, I think that that has kind of hovered over the team in a way that isn't, isn't really understood by the fans, the majority of the fans who I feel this connection with Sean McDermott internally, I'm telling you it's real. And if the Bills could do it all over again, I think they would think long and hard about do the Doug Collins to Phil Jackson thing at that point.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

Right.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

Where it would have been hard to though the Bills were still on the rise. But if, if you could rewrite history, I mean, that would have been a moment to move on to a new coach. Write that upgrade while you're on the rise. After 13 seconds.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

We've covered a lot of ground with Buffalo. I can't bring you on and not talk packers because that's what we were first introduced to. You pick really fascinating franchises. So I defended Matt LaFleur and Brian Gudenkoontz, but mostly Matt LaFleur because he's won 66% of his games. I also think the NFC over the last two to three years has really improved. It's superior to the AFC. And I also think Aaron Rodgers at the end was difficult. He had one or two really. Aaron was really happy to see him. McCarthy and Aaron had regressed as a relationship clearly eroded. He put his arms around the young, good looking guy, just like Aaron. Generationally they were in line, kind of good looking, young, you know, successful guys. But at the end I think we know that Aaron aged pretty quickly. Like, unlike Brady, he was not obsessed in the off season. You know, he took his off seasons to do his thing and Aaron's age more quickly, so he didn't get really great. Aaron for quite the Runway, we thought. Then Jordan Love. I thought he did a tremendous job with him and Malik Willis in multiple opportunities when I mean, they got him into camp late and a month later he's playing and they're winning. So I just think he's a winning coach. I think it's the NFC's gotten better his division. You know, Detroit arguably best roster. Kevin o', Connell, one of the sharpest guys in the league. And now the Bears have Ben and Caleb. It's a really tough division with a lot of smart guys in it. But do you think when the stories came out and when I see a story proclaiming a big possible change, okay, who wrote it? Do you believe they sat down in that organization 48 hours and thought about moving off Matt LaFleur?

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

It had to have been a thought. If you're Ed Policy, you know, this is your opportunity to put your imprint on this team. I mean, he's the CEO, he's the president. We know the fans own the team, but he's the one in charge. It's kind of a perfect situation when you, when you take over a team where you've got a head coach and a GM entering the final year of their deal. So you decide right then either you give them the extensions or you move off them. I mean, they didn't want to be lame ducks. Nobody wants that situation. So I think it was probably a thought. How could it not be after that choke job at Soldier Field? And then it wasn't. It wasn't the first to be up, but it could. It could have been 24 to 3 at half with the field goal. Hell, Jordan Love almost hit Christian Watson on a touchdown. It could have been 28 to 3 at the half. That's kind of a forgotten play. But yes, it's 21 to three to have those four three and outs, to have no answers as an offensive coach. And you could just, you could just feel it, you know, especially it was interesting, Colin spending a week around the New England Patriots out of that game and hearing from Mike Vrabel and these players and how they strain through the play, how they work through the play, the longevity, but they never quit. They're relentless. And that is just created by Mike Vrabel as far back as the spring. It is very culture driven when he's telling guys, pick up your dirty washcloths in the shower. He instructed the equipment staff, if you see dirty washcloths on the shower floor, just wring them out and don't wash them. Like little things like that. All the way to the defense. He installs X's and O's. Wise has a purpose. And then to hear Matt LaFleur talk about how they need to strain through the plane the play more after the latest collapse. I don't know, man like that speaks to the DNA of a team. He's been there a while. There's been a lot of late game collapses. Not all the way back to Aaron Rodgers.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

So let me throw something at you. When he was hired, I was told, I've said this on the air. When McVeigh Shanahan and Matt LaFleur were together, McVeigh was the culture guy. Shanahan was the scheme guy. LaFleur was the nice guy. When he was in. When he was in Tennessee and went to Green Bay, I was told by somebody that was very close to the situation that he didn't think he was necessarily a great culture guy. He thought he was a good guy, a smart guy, knew his shit, but again, not necessarily. Didn't know if he could build his tough, relentless culture. I've said this about Lincoln Riley. I know he's smart. USC leads the nation in offense regularly. I know he knows his side of the ball. I know he's smart. I've compared Lincoln Riley and Matt lefleur. I know they're good and I know they're smart and they know quarterbacks and offense. I don't know if either is a great culture creator. Ben Johnson did it in a six weeks. I mean, they were, they were a better football team in six weeks. They literally eliminated negative plays in sacks in the first two weeks. They were gone, out of the program. So my thing is when I watch Dan Campbell's culture bite kneecaps. Top Physical. I can see it. Vrabel clean it up. No penalties. Top I can see it. Ben Johnson with Caleb in the offense. I can see it. I can't with the floor. I see smart. I see good with quarterbacks. I see good with. I see, you know, good guy, liked by a lot of people. I don't see a great culture. Is it fair for me to say.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

That I agree 100% and I'm not just blowing smoke? I think you just nailed it? That's exactly what I hear about Matt LaFleur. What we see with our own eyes when we Watch the Green Bay Packers. Look at five of their nine losses. They led by nine plus points three times. They lost when they didn't even punt. Like, if that's not coaching, I don't know what is. It's wow. It is incredible what he did with Aaron Rodgers after a really messy breakup with Mike McCarthy. Now you're coming in with your offense if you got to blend it. With Aaron Rodgers wanting to do whatever the hell he wants to do with the line of scrimmage, somehow they made it work. To the point of what, Getting MVP awards? Getting to divisional and conference playoff games.

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

I know he's good with quarterbacks. I watched him with Malik, I watched him with Jordan, I watched him with Aaron. It's like Lincoln Riley. I don't doubt that part. The mvp. I don't doubt it. This is about culture, right? And that's what I wonder about.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

I'm right there with you. It's totally about culture. What he did with Jordan Love. Hell, I remember doing this podcast after that brutal Raiders game. It was awful. And we're all wondering, where's Jordan Love gonna go from here? He developed those three years behind the scenes and then three years as a starter. He is, in my opinion, a top 10, maybe a top five quarterback.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

But you're.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

You shouldn't lose a game when your quarterback throws for what, 300 plus yards, four touchdowns, and no picks on the road. And right there, look, we can pick plays all day long. If, if Michael Parsons is on the field, he probably creates a big play that wins you that playoff, right? If Romeo Dobbs recovers an onside kick, you win that game. But when it happens repeatedly, go back to the Cleveland Browns game. They blow a 10 nothing lead to the freaking Browns with a few minutes left. That is culture. And a player tell me that he could see and feel Matt LaFleur freeze up. In his words, in big moments. It's kind of like he.

[Sports Analyst/Commentator (possibly a co-host or guest)]

There's a little.

[Colin's Guest (Sports Reporter or Insider)]

There's a little bit of a tenseness, a little bit of a panic in some of these moments. Look, I think you can grow, you can evolve. Maybe he can get that out of him. That this is last year, that the player told me that. But you watch these games and you see these finishes, it makes you wonder, right? That's the big gamble by Ed Policy here, is that Matt LaFleur will continue to develop as a coach. And with the healthy Micah Parsons, he can figure this out. They've got the talent. I don't think talent's a problem. I think that's why Brian Gudiken was always safe. He's the one that put his career on the line for Jordan Love. When everybody was calling him nuts and he saw something, he believed he's the one that's drafted all these wide receivers. Look, we want to doc Brandon Bean probably could take a page out of that Gudigan's playbook. Just, just draft receivers around your quarterback and let them develop together. He's done that. They made the big move for Parsons. It's on the floor to figure all that other stuff out. And I think it is rooted in culture, whatever you want to define it by. There's something amiss in Green Bay because look, if the new playoff rules weren't in they're not even making the playoffs the last three years they're part of the 44% club is at seventh seed because they added another team. And what kind of conversation are we having right now with all that?

[Colin's Co-host (likely a sports analyst or commentator)]

The Volume.

[Colin Cowherd]

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