Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 1: Lamar Jackson vs Josh Allen Release Date: January 17, 2025

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, host Colin Cowherd delves deep into the intricacies of the NFL's top quarterbacks, focusing primarily on Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills. The discussion seamlessly transitions into broader NFL topics, including coaching dynamics, team performances, and the evolving landscape of college football versus basketball. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. Lamar Jackson vs Josh Allen: A Quarterback Showdown

Comparative Analysis: Colin Cowherd initiates the episode by spotlighting the upcoming game between the Buffalo Bills and the Baltimore Ravens, framing it as a potential "best football game of the last five, six months." Central to this discussion are quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen.

• Josh Allen’s Postseason Prowess: Colin highlights Allen's impressive postseason statistics, noting his high passer rating. He mentions, “[Josh Allen] has been very good in the postseason. In fact, his passer rating in the playoffs is one of the best ever” (03:15).

• Lamar Jackson Under Pressure: In contrast, Colin scrutinizes Jackson's playoff performances, comparing him to Derek Jeter's World Series demeanor, where the regular-season performance doesn't fully translate to postseason success. He states, “Lamar looks tight, he looks anxious, he admits it and you're left scratching your head” (04:45).

• Legacy Implications: Colin posits that this game holds more weight for Jackson in shaping his legacy. He emphasizes, “[If] Lamar delivers another clunker, it's going to start to define him and how he plays” (05:30).

Notable Insight: The discussion underscores the importance of quarterback performance in high-stakes games and how pivotal moments can significantly influence a player's legacy within the league.

2. Philadelphia Eagles vs Los Angeles Rams: Team Dynamics and Coaching Relationships

Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni’s Relationship: Transitioning to the Philadelphia Eagles, Colin explores the relationship between quarterback Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni.

• Speculation on Leaked Stories: Colin expresses skepticism about the origins of rumors regarding their strained relationship, pondering, “Why are these stories coming out if everything seems harmonious?” (09:20).

• Team Performance Correlation: He draws parallels between team harmony and on-field success, suggesting that maintaining a strong coaching-player relationship was crucial in the Eagles' impressive 48-14 record under their partnership (10:15).

Notable Quote: Colin articulates the depth of their collaboration, “They're 48 and 14 all time together. How can they not get along?” (09:30).

Team Dynamics Reflection: He reflects on how internal team dynamics, reminiscent of close-knit families that argue yet remain inseparable, contribute to sustained success, especially in high-pressure environments like Philadelphia.

3. Chicago Bears Coaching Conundrum: Mike McCarthy vs Marcus Freeman

Hiring Dilemma: A significant portion of the episode focuses on the Chicago Bears' potential hiring of Marcus Freeman versus retaining Mike McCarthy.

• Colin’s Stance: Colin argues against hiring a coach without prior head coaching experience for a team as monumental as the Bears. He proposes, “I think it gets easier as you get to the playoffs because you have the best quarterback and you kind of know what you're going to get in the performances” (15:00).

• Marcus Freeman’s Potential: He weighs Freeman's capabilities, comparing him to successful NFL coaches, and suggests that Freeman might bring a fresh, dynamic approach to Chicago. Colin emphasizes Freeman’s energy, stating, “He has a chance to be the youngest coach to ever win a national championship” (17:45).

Notable Quote: Reflecting on Freeman’s potential impact, Colin remarks, “Sean McVeigh has been with the Rams about as long as I've lived in LA, and he's winning double digits virtually every year” (19:00).

Urban Meyer’s Endorsement: Colin references Urban Meyer’s praise for Freeman, highlighting qualities like unselfishness and hard work. Meyer notes, “He’s always had that reputation of doing things the right way, of being unselfish and extremely hard work” (19:45).

Conclusion on Coaching Hire: The consensus leans toward Marcus Freeman potentially revitalizing the Bears, offering a strategic edge that Mike McCarthy may lack in the current NFL landscape.

4. Dallas Cowboys’ Coaching Search: The Deion Sanders Speculation

Potential Hiring of Deion Sanders: The episode further explores the Dallas Cowboys' ongoing search for a new head coach, with Deion Sanders emerging as the top candidate.

• Fan Sentiment: Colin cites a poll from The Athletic, revealing that 78% of Cowboys fans disapprove of Jerry Jones' handling of the coaching search, and 54% feel the franchise is "lost with no reason for hope" (23:50).

• Deion Sanders’ Candidacy: Discussions revolve around Sanders' potential to transform the Cowboys, despite skepticism about his coaching depth and experience. Colin speculates, “He’s going to be impossible to ignore, but can he deliver wins?” (24:30).

• Challenges with Sanders: Concerns are raised about Sanders’ fit with Dallas’ existing dynamics, especially regarding Jerry Jones' control over team decisions. Colin remarks, “Deion's not going to want any power... he’s going to push back” (25:50).

Notable Quote: Colin humorously critiques the betting odds, saying, “You can't get down any real money. You can't put six figures on this” (24:10).

Implications for the Cowboys: While some view Sanders as a charismatic addition that could boost merchandise sales and fan engagement, others worry about potential conflicts with team management and his ability to lead the team to consistent victories.

5. Green Bay Packers’ Early Playoff Exit and Jordan Love’s Performance

Packers’ Playoff Challenges: Examining the Packers' unexpected early exit from the playoffs against the Eagles, Colin analyzes the factors contributing to their performance.

• Urgency and Team Composition: He emphasizes the need for increased urgency and better competition within the team, asserting, “We need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency” (27:48).

• Jordan Love’s Role: Discussions center on Jordan Love’s performance, where Colin maintains that Love remains a top-tier quarterback, projecting him to be near the top 10 in the league. He states, “I think he's near like 10” (29:00).

Notable Insight: Colin believes that with the right leadership and team dynamics, the Packers have the potential to compete for championships in the near future, highlighting the importance of developing key players like Love.

6. The Intersection of College Football and the NFL: A Shifting Paradigm

College Football’s Evolution: A substantial segment debates the recent changes in college football, particularly the decision of players to stay longer in college programs and earn significant salaries.

• Financial Incentives: Colin cites examples like Carson Beck choosing to remain at the University of Miami for $10 million over declaring for the NFL draft, arguing that such decisions enhance the quality and maturity of college football players (36:26).

• Impact on NFL Scouting: He posits that older, more mature quarterbacks provide NFL teams with better data and performance metrics, thereby improving the overall talent pool in the league. “College football players now often make more than pro players, especially quarterbacks” (44:35).

• Comparison with College Basketball: Contrasting with basketball, Colin critiques the transient nature of college basketball players, who often enter the NBA after a single year, diminishing fan connection and understanding of player capabilities. He remarks, “College football is getting older, more mature, better players, staying longer, higher quality” (45:01).

Notable Quote: Highlighting the cultural shift, Colin observes, “This actually helps college football and pro football, not just so this is the opposite of the basketball culture in America” (44:00).

Conclusion on Sports Development: The discussion underscores a positive trend for both college and professional football, where enhanced player development and retention lead to a more robust and competitive league, unlike the more superficial and fleeting nature of college basketball.

7. Additional Topics and Insights

Chicago Bears’ Potential Coaching Moves: Colin shares insights on other coaching prospects, mentioning Bill Belichick's rumored role with the UNC and expressing doubts about speculative stories regarding his departure (22:00).

Marketing and Merchandise Dynamics: He touches upon how high-profile coaching hires, like Deion Sanders with the Cowboys, could influence merchandise sales and fan engagement, though recognizing potential internal conflicts (26:00).

Broader NFL Landscape: Throughout the episode, Colin interweaves discussions about team performances, coaching strategies, and player development, providing listeners with a holistic view of the current NFL season's dynamics.

Conclusion

In this episode, The Herd with Colin Cowherd offers an in-depth analysis of some of the NFL's most compelling narratives, from quarterback showdowns and coaching decisions to the evolving strategies in college football. Colin's insightful commentary, complemented by Matt Cassel's perspectives, provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of the factors shaping the league's present and future. Whether debating the merits of Deion Sanders as a potential Cowboys coach or examining the pressures faced by Lamar Jackson, the episode delivers a rich and engaging exploration of contemporary sports issues.

Note: All timestamps reference the minutes and seconds within the podcast transcript provided.