Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: HOUR 2 – Can Derrick Henry repeat his greatness against the Steelers? Shedeur Sanders could get another year
Date: December 29, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Co-host/Guests: Jason McIntyre, Matt Hasselbeck, Diana Rossini

Overview

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd dives deep into the most pressing storylines in the NFL as playoff races heat up. Colin and crew analyze player performances—especially running back Derrick Henry’s monstrous workload, Brock Purdy’s legitimacy as a top-tier quarterback, and the unpredictable long-term prospects for young players like Shedeur Sanders. Matt Hasselbeck joins to provide quarterback insights and break down coaching philosophies, while the crew also debates coaching futures, personnel moves, and week 18 playoff implications.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Where Colin Was Right / Where Colin Was Wrong (03:38–10:13)

• Sam Darnold’s Resurgence:
  Colin touts Darnold as joining elite company with consecutive 13-win seasons, highlights his perseverance:
  "You know quarterbacks with consecutive 13 win seasons in NFL history? It's Brady, Manning, Rodgers, Favre, and Sam Darnold... Just goes to show your first job isn't always your best." (04:15)

• Brock Purdy’s Development:
  Colin admits being initially too harsh but is increasingly impressed with Purdy’s aggression and poise.
  *"The last month, Brock Purdy's aggressiveness, efficiency, movement has been stuff for the ages…" (05:00)

• Coaching Assessments:
  A rundown of calls made right and wrong:

  • Mike Vrabel jumpstarted New England’s rebuild (“They tripled their win total…” 05:40).
  • Colts stagnating, questionable trade logic (06:40).
  • Defensive coaches' failures—Aaron Glenn cited for poor stats, no interceptions (07:00).
  • Futility of the Raiders’ rebuild, possible need to trade Max Crosby (07:50).
  • Giants’ QB situation: not sold on Jackson Dart, open to moving on if higher-ceiling options are available (08:20).
  • Lakers and LeBron—JJ Redick admits offensive disorganization since his return: “JJ Redick saying the honest part out loud and the uncomfortable part. LeBron coming back has made things a little difficult.” (09:30)

2. Quarterback Play and Franchise Building

Guest: Matt Hasselbeck (10:13–23:09)

• On Brock Purdy:

  • Hasselbeck echoes Colin’s newfound respect for Purdy’s “intangibles”:
    “He doesn’t pass the eye test… but his intangibles are off the charts. His teammates talk about him like he’s a dog. He’s a beast.” (10:40)
  • Attributes Purdy’s success to both playing within structure and making plays off-script; praises Kyle Shanahan for optimizing QBs outside the pocket:
    “Kyle Shanahan does a really nice job with these shorter quarterbacks, getting them outside the pocket just as much as they’re inside…he’s got moxie.” (11:00)

• On Caleb Williams & Chicago Bears:

  • Hasselbeck highlights Caleb’s steady improvement over three strong games, credits both offensive coordinators for creativity:
    “This was just a great offensive matchup… explosive plays, trick plays… both quarterbacks were elusive and on time.” (11:59)

• Coaching Gambles: Going for Two (Bills/Eagles):

  • Both Colin and Matt support Buffalo going for two; Matt details how these plays are scripted days in advance:
    “When you decide on your two-point play the night before… you write on your big call sheet, ‘if we’ve got fourth and goal to win the game, our two-point play is what?’…The play worked; Allen’s got to be kicking himself.” (13:22–14:22)

• Eagles’ Offense—What's Wrong?:

  • Acknowledges Philadelphia’s perplexing inconsistency: “Who knows, man? If you’re an Eagles fan… it would be better if you took a knee three times and let your punter punt.” (14:46)
  • Praises “complementary football” but admits it’s frustrating when used to a dynamic offense.

• Steelers-Ravens Preview / Derrick Henry’s Value:

  • Hasselbeck expects a physical Ravens offense when Tyler Huntley starts, with Henry/Flowers featured: “When he’s in the game, they lean more on Derrick Henry… they get a little bit more of what I think about Baltimore Raven football: we’re going to be the hammer, not the nail.” (16:36)
  • Steelers’ offense limited by injuries:
    “They’re not operating at full strength. I’d love to see Aaron Rodgers under center more, using his Hall of Fame brain… the things that he does better than anybody in the world.” (16:36–18:11)

• QB Development: Malik Willis Story:

  • Discusses how Willis thrived with the Packers’ stable system and LaFleur’s guidance vs Tennessee’s urgency: “Clearly your environment does matter. Green Bay overinvests in the QB position, and Malik is one of those guys…he’s kind of overachieved for what his expectation level was. If you’re running that exact same offense, I think you can do that.” (19:31–20:53)

• Seattle vs. San Francisco Matchup:

  • Both see Seahawks as a viable threat, especially if defense can pressure Brock Purdy:
    “This is a really good Seattle team; probably the best defense they’ve had in a long time…Their D line—Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy, DeMarcus Lawrence—can get pressure on Purdy, but he’s elusive… Prime time, it should be a great one.” (21:47–23:09)

3. Derrick Henry’s Workload & Steelers-Ravens Preview

With Jason McIntyre and Colin (29:29–32:29)

• Henry’s Herculean Game:

  • J. Mac: “36 carries, 216 yards, 4 touchdowns… How’s Derrick Henry going to perform the week after 36 carries?” (29:29)
  • Colin: sees Henry as a player who thrives on heavy workloads, expects him to be ready (30:18).

• Injury Updates:

  • Lamar Jackson (“a shade under 50%” to play), T.J. Watt “long shot,” DK Metcalf suspended, Darnell Washington out with a broken arm.
  • Limited weapons for Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh.

• Game Predictions:

  • Jason: “Pittsburgh’s only way to win, it would seem to me, is 17-14 or you make a defensive play.” (31:31)
  • Colin: “Baltimore could win by scoring points… I trust Huntley… He’ll make smart decisions, plays within the system…” (31:37)

4. Quarterback Futures, Shedeur Sanders, and the Draft

Quarterback Carousel, Prospects, and Retaining Shedeur Sanders (34:14–35:42; 46:31–52:42)

• QB Class and Draft Strategy:

  • Giants, Raiders, Jets: Discussing possible draft picks, positional value, and teams' needs.
  • J. Mac: “Would not be surprised if the Browns kept Stefanski and went after Malik Willis… He’s going to be the best free-agent quarterback, right?” (34:35)
  • Colin: “You’re still paying Deshaun Watson… got to hit a quarterback in the draft. That’s the thing about Shedeur—you can have a decent roster because you’re not paying him anything.” (34:40)

• Shedeur Sanders’ Analysis:

  • Both Colin and J. Mac are cautious about crowning Shedeur but advocate for another season of evaluation: “He needs an entire off-season being coached by Stefanski as the number one quarterback this year…this is not a great quarterback class in Cleveland.” (46:31) “Do I think Shedeur is ever going to have great traits? No… But next year, if Dante Moore doesn’t come out, you get another chance. This idea, is he good, is he not? There’s a lot of analytics that say Shedeur isn’t very good…” (46:31–52:42)

• Draft Patience Message:

  • “There is no one way. There’s no linear path for an actor, a singer, a quarterback, great athletes… just give Shedeur the reins, build the offense around him…” (46:31–52:42)

5. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers’ Collapse & Head Coaching Hot Seats (35:42–40:46)

• Mayfield’s Decline:

  • Jason: “Baker Mayfield, two picks and a fumble. He was quite bad.” (36:10)
  • Mayfield: “Offensively, it comes back to execution… didn’t do enough.” (36:10)
  • Colin: “Something’s wrong with Baker Mayfield. He has been so bad for two months now.” (36:56)

• Todd Bowles’ Job Security:

  • Jason: “Todd Bowles record in Tampa: 34-32… Mike McDaniel now has a better record… all the narratives about the Dolphins and their softness. Well, Todd Bowles, same record.” (38:08)
  • Colin and Jason discuss Bowles' fate, O.C. turnover, and the big-picture head coach market:
    “NFL average is seven new coaches a year… Raiders and Pete Carroll, you could see that getting flushed out… the right path is your path. Hire an offensive guy.” (37:58–40:46)
  • Importance of hiring offensive-minded coaches in the modern NFL.

6. Coaching Philosophy: Offense vs. Defense (40:46–46:31)

• Offensive Minded Coaches Succeed:

  • Colin: “Go look at the end of the season, the final six and eight coaches, final four, your Super Bowls, it’s offensive coaches…” (40:37)

• On What Makes a Good Coach:

  • Colin: “Even if you’ve got a losing record, are you taking care of your side of the ball? That’s why with the Jets you’re like, they don’t have an interception this year, and you’re a defensive guy. That would worry me…” (40:50–42:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Brock Purdy:
  • Matt Hasselbeck: “He doesn’t pass the eye test… but his intangibles are off the charts. His teammates talk about him like he’s a dog. He’s a beast.” (10:40)
• On Complementary Football:
  • Matt Hasselbeck: “You just don’t screw it up when you’re up by two scores.” (14:46)
• On Derrick Henry’s Stamina:
  • Jason: “He’s a pitcher who gets better from the fifth inning on… I think he'll be fine for the matchup.” (30:18)
• On Shedeur Sanders:
  • Colin: “Do I think Shedeur is ever going to have great traits? No… But next year if Dante Moore doesn’t come out, you get another chance.” (46:31)
• On the Risks of Defensive Coaches:
  • Colin: “If you’re a defensive guy and you have no interceptions, that would worry me… Offense coaches, they’re just different.” (40:50; 40:46)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:38 – 10:13: Colin’s Right/Wrong (NFL storylines & quarterbacks)
• 10:13 – 23:09: Matt Hasselbeck segment (Purdy, Bears/Niners, Philly/Buffalo, Steelers-Ravens, Malik Willis, Seattle/SF preview)
• 29:29 – 32:29: Derrick Henry/Steelers-Ravens preview (carry workload/injuries)
• 34:14 – 35:42: QB Carousel, rookie draft strategies, Shedeur Sanders’ outlook
• 35:42 – 40:46: Baker Mayfield decline & Buccaneers coaching questions
• 40:46 – 46:31: Coaching philosophy (offensive vs defensive)
• 46:31 – 52:42: Shedeur Sanders analysis, patience with young QBs

Episode Tone & Language

• The tone is energetic, conversational, and filled with sharp opinions.
• Colin is candid about previous mistakes and quick to praise genuine growth in athletes and coaches.
• The crew strikes a balance between analysis, prediction, lighthearted debate, and big-picture perspective.

Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive breakdown of quarterback evaluations, running back durability, the importance of coaching philosophy in today’s NFL, and a unique look at team-building in the age of free agency and the draft. Listeners get a forecast of key games and insight into major NFL storylines, all delivered with Colin Cowherd's signature blend of sharp analysis and unmistakable banter.