The Herd with Colin Cowherd Podcast Prime Cuts – Chiefs Shouldn’t Panic, Daniel Jones an MVP Candidate? Will Belichick Finish The Season? Jared Goff a Hall Of Famer?

Date: October 11, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd, with guests Danny Parkins, Snacks, and John Middelkoff
Network: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Herd" dives into the unpredictable state of the 2025 NFL season, exploring questions around the Kansas City Chiefs' struggles, the Jaguars’ legitimacy, Detroit's dominance, redemption for quarterbacks like Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Daniel Jones, Bill Belichick’s future in coaching, and a debate on Jared Goff’s Hall of Fame credentials. The latter section ventures into societal topics, focusing on technology vs. employment, inspired by autonomous vehicles in California.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Kansas City Chiefs – Should They Panic?

Segment: [03:00–06:00]

• Chiefs Lose to Jaguars: Despite losing 31–28, the Chiefs dominated in total yards and first downs. Mahomes put up big numbers (307 yards passing), though his pick-six proved a turning point.
• Concerns & Silver Linings: Colin identifies KC as maybe the 4th or 5th best team ("not as consistent as Detroit, better defense than Detroit, but not the magic of Tampa" [03:40]). The inconsistency is troubling, largely attributed to aging key pieces and Mahomes carrying too large a load ("he has to be their leading rusher, it’s not ideal" [05:10]).
• On Mahomes: Cowherd notes Mahomes was "magical" despite the loss, but he can’t do it alone.
• The League Landscape: No team stands out as elite this year – "There’s not a great team in this league right now" [06:10].

Quote:
"I don't think they're a Super Bowl team but, again, there's not a great team in this league right now." – Colin Cowherd [05:52]

2. The Jaguars & Trevor Lawrence – For Real?

Segment: [06:40–09:50]

• Jacksonville’s Big Win: Impressive resilience, but Colin remains unconvinced they are better than KC. Points to Mahomes’ rare errors as the difference-maker.
• Lawrence’s Critique & Praise: Despite a "worse-timed" interception and a tendency for big turnovers, Lawrence’s final drive was highlight-reel worthy: "That throw to Michael Thomas up the right sideline, that is as good a throw as Trevor Lawrence has made as a professional quarterback. That was all-time stuff. That’s Eli Manning…Manningham in the Super Bowl." [09:09]

3. Herd Hierarchy Headaches & Detroit’s Surge

Segment: [06:55–08:55]

• Detroit’s Offense: Colin singles out the Lions’ backfield and O-line as the league’s best units, calling Detroit “the best team in the league right now” [08:26].
• Long Season Woes: Week 1 is misleading due to shorter preseasons; early upsets mean less ("it’s an extension of preseason" [07:57]).

4. NFC Fireworks: Tampa Bay vs. Seattle

Segment: [09:10–13:30]

• Shootout Recap: Tampa wins 38–35 over Seattle in a thriller reminiscent of "young Brady and Peyton Manning" [09:48].
• Resurgent QBs: Both Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield praised for career turnarounds and adaptability ("resurrected their careers" [10:47]). Darnold’s loss came on a well-called blitz, not a bad decision.
• Rookie WRs Shining: Massive praise for Emeka Egbuka and Jaxon Smith-Njigba – both regarded as "flawless" due to route-running and character, not size/speed. "Find me a better rookie right now in the NFL than Emeka…he is open, he doesn’t drop it. He runs 10-year veteran routes." – Danny Parkins [12:26]

5. The Value of Receiver "Types"

Segment: [13:25–15:15]

• Colin and guests debate why so many top receivers are “overachievers,” not physical freaks. Comparison to working-class careers and the importance of work ethic.

6. Defensive Coaches and Todd Bowles’ Redemption

Segment: [15:36–19:30]

• Defensive Minded Success: Todd Bowles lauded as one of the great modern blitz callers, and proof defensive coaches can still thrive.
• Overcoming NY Jets Stigma: Bowles and Darnold left the Jets, succeeded elsewhere, contrasting with the organizational dysfunction of the Jets.
• Tampa’s Resilience: Despite injuries, led by GM Jason Licht, Tampa scores 38 on the road [19:22].

7. Sam Darnold & Seattle’s Future

Segment: [19:30–21:14]

• Still young, Darnold is positioned as a long-term starter for Seattle.
• College QB landscape is thin – fit and coaching environment matter as much as talent, illustrated by Darnold’s improved results with new offensive minds.

8. Baker, Tampa, and the Importance of Environment

Segment: [21:14–22:00]

• Mayfield's new environment in Tampa, supportive media, and personal stability have facilitated his late-career success.
• A broader point: “It makes me very happy that he’s kicking butt.” – Danny Parkins [21:41]

9. Colts Rise, Raiders Fall, and Daniel Jones’ Emergence

Segment: [23:10–29:13]

• Colts’ Big Win: Indy blows out the Raiders, and Colin continues to trumpet their roster as "top six in the league" [24:04].
• Daniel Jones’ MVP Candidacy?: DJ’s arm talent and efficiency are exceeding expectations; praised for his play outside NYC.
  "He’s got a better arm than Alex Smith…He’s not Josh Allen, but he’s heaving that thing in there." – Cowherd [26:22]
• Efficient Offense: Colts are "the most efficient offense in the league" [27:05] and could win a playoff game.

10. The Redemption Season: Baker, Sam, Daniel Jones

Segment: [27:05–29:13]

• All three former castoff QBs now lead, or are key pieces for, their teams, and display the importance of coaching and environment.
  "The story this year is the story of redemption." – Danny Parkins [27:26]

11. Will Belichick Survive the Season?

Segment: [30:46–41:18]

• Buyout Buzz: Widespread reports of a buyout, with Colin and guests arguing Belichick never wanted a college job.
• Bad Fits & Aging Coaches: Belichick’s gruff style clashed with college settings, echoing other grizzled legends who failed to adapt. "I just don’t think Bill at this point has the tolerance for it." – Cowherd [32:02]
• On Legacy: Embarrassing present doesn’t impact his all-time status; the consensus is Belichick will remain on the coaching Mt. Rushmore. But the “Brady or Belichick” debate is now settled: “Pretty clear” – Tom wins breakup [41:15].

Notable Quote:
"80% of the world's problems involve old men hanging on who are afraid of death and insignificance." – Snacks quoting Barack Obama [35:32]

12. Jared Goff: Hall of Famer?

Segment: [42:26–46:57]

• Cowherd’s Stance: “He will be a Hall of Famer. Absolutely.” [42:31]
• The Case: Goff’s stats, adaptability with seven offensive coordinators, and team success make his résumé. Cowherd compares his run of success to Jim Rice’s baseball career.
• Counterpoint: Goff needs playoff and possibly Super Bowl wins for a true HOF lock. The bar is still high.
• Stafford Comparison: Stafford’s trophy locks his spot; Goff’s trajectory is similar but hinges on playoff success.

13. Football Management & QB Talent

Segment: [46:57–48:00]

• Debate over the difference between evaluating “team,” “talent,” and HOF credentials.
  “I would love to give Howie Roseman the ability to build a team around Matt Stafford…” – Snacks [46:35]

14. Tech & Work: Driverless Cars and Job Loss

Segment: [46:57–55:00]

• The Prompt: Colin references a Derek Thompson piece questioning liberal opposition to Waymo/autonomous vehicles in California.
• Colin’s View: "I’m pro technology and nobody has a right to a job." [49:13]
• Danny and Snacks React: Both see technological change as ultimately positive, citing parallels in other industries (EZ Pass, TV sports jobs, etc.). The episode closes on this social commentary, considering the cost of innovation. "In general, innovation is good... progress moves forward." – Snacks [50:37]
• Safety: Driverless cars are shown to increase safety, another major pro (“car deaths will plummet” [52:02]).

Quote:
"I feel bad for the individual who would lose their job – not enough to make me anti innovation and progress." – Snacks [53:33]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• "That throw by Trevor Lawrence will go down as one of his great throws as a pro to beat Kansas City." – Colin Cowherd [09:09]
• "Find me a better rookie right now than Emeka..." – Danny Parkins [12:26]
• "Jared’s a Hall of Famer and he’s made no enemies. Even McVay feels guilty for letting him go." – Colin Cowherd [43:23]
• "Bill didn’t need the money and he knew the team wasn’t as good. And then he kind of stayed and stayed..." – Colin Cowherd [38:16]
• "Progress moves forward... we have to keep evolving in our field, a lot of people have to keep evolving in theirs." – Snacks [52:54]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Chiefs/Jaguars + NFL Landscape – [03:00–09:50]
• Tampa/Seattle Recap, Receiver Discussion – [09:10–15:15]
• Defensive Coaches & Redemption Stories – [15:36–22:00]
• Colts, Daniel Jones, Redemption QBs – [23:10–29:13]
• Belichick’s Future – [30:46–41:18]
• Jared Goff / QB Evaluations – [42:26–46:57]
• Technology vs. Jobs, Waymo – [46:57–55:00]

Final Takeaway

This episode underlines the NFL’s unpredictable 2025 landscape: no super-teams, redemption arcs for quarterbacks, debate over coaching legacies, and how fit and environment matter as much as talent. The ending provides a cultural reflection on workplace disruption from technology, using sports as a lens for broader societal changes.

For listeners:
If you missed the show, this summary captures all major talking points, key opinions, and memorable lines, conveying both the content and lively, candid tone of the hosts.