The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Hour 2 - Where Colin Was Right and Wrong
Release Date: June 30, 2025

In the second hour of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," the show dives deep into a candid self-assessment segment titled "Where Colin Was Right and Wrong." Hosted by Colin Cowherd alongside co-host J. Mac and guest Matt Hasselbeck, the episode navigates through Colin's previous predictions, current sports controversies, and insightful analyses of player performances and coaching strategies across various sports leagues.

Where Colin Was Right and Wrong

LeBron James Opting In
Timestamp: [04:09]
Colin highlights his accurate prediction regarding LeBron James deciding to opt into the upcoming NBA season. He recalls expressing skepticism about LeBron's potential retirement rumors, asserting, "LeBron's not retiring. He's too good. He plays joyfully." His foresight proved correct as LeBron confirmed his participation, reinforcing Colin’s confidence in LeBron’s enduring athletic prowess and strategic team placement alongside Luka Doncic in Los Angeles.

Caitlin Clark's Impact on the WNBA
Timestamp: [05:09]
Colin lauds Caitlin Clark, drawing parallels between her influence in the WNBA and cultural icons like Tiger Woods and Taylor Swift. He emphasizes her significant contributions, noting, "She's driving half of the league's television ratings" and "She's getting stuff sold out." Colin celebrates Clark's role in elevating the league's visibility and popularity, underscoring her as a transformative figure in women’s basketball.

James Harrison on Mike Tomlin’s Coaching Style
Timestamp: [05:58]
In a nod to Colin’s longstanding viewpoints, he references former Pittsburgh Steeler James Harrison’s recent comments on Coach Mike Tomlin. Harrison admitted that while Tomlin excels as a player's coach, this approach might be a double-edged sword, especially when dealing with elite players like Jalen Ramsey. Colin reiterates his belief that Tomlin's player-friendly style may lack the structural rigor needed for sustained success in high-stakes environments.

Sean Payton Ranked as Top NFL Coach
Timestamp: [07:20]
Colin commends Sean Payton, positioning him as the second-best coach in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). He praises Payton's strategic acumen, particularly his ability to revitalize the offense and instill a winning culture. Colin remarks, "He is brilliant," highlighting Payton's direct approach and his success in turning around team performances, especially with the addition of key offensive talents.

Aaron Judge: An Untouchable MLB Athlete
Timestamp: [08:05]
Focusing on Major League Baseball, Colin names Aaron Judge among the seven untradable athletes in America. He cites Judge’s impressive statistics, including "two homers, four RBIs," and his pivotal role as the "centerpiece of east coast baseball." Colin underscores Judge’s indispensable value to the New York Yankees, likening his importance to that of Shohei Ohtani for the Los Angeles Angels.

Where Colin Was Wrong

Goalie Matt Freese’s Performance with USA Men’s National Team
Timestamp: [04:37]
Colin admits misjudging goalie Matt Freese’s potential as the United States men's national team’s goaltender. Initially skeptical about Freese's readiness, Colin was proven wrong when Freese excelled in a crucial match, making pivotal saves that secured his position on the team. This humbling moment highlights the unpredictability of player performance under pressure.

James Harden’s Contract Decision
Timestamp: [06:46]
Colin critiques his earlier stance on James Harden signing a lucrative two-year, $40-plus-million contract. He had expressed concerns over Harden’s defensive capabilities and playoff performances, stating, "He doesn't defend. He never shows up in the playoffs." Despite acknowledging Harden's offensive brilliance, Colin reflects on the potential negative impact of his contract on team dynamics and championship aspirations.

Austin Reaves Declining Lakers’ Offer
Timestamp: [08:37]
Colin confesses a miscalculation regarding Austin Reaves declining a $90 million contract from the Los Angeles Lakers. He initially viewed Reaves as a "B player" not warranting such an investment but acknowledges Reaves' potential growth and value as evidenced by the Lakers' decision to retain him. Colin states, "I think I'm wrong because apparently Austin and his reps said yes."

Caleb Williams: Quarterback Concerns and Expectations

Timestamp: [10:47 - 16:46]

A significant portion of the hour is devoted to quarterback Caleb Williams, focusing on his performance metrics and future potential. Colin emphasizes his primary concern with Williams' high sack numbers, stating, "All I care about is the sack number... if the 68 sacks become 30, I'm good." He argues that reducing sacks is crucial for a young quarterback’s development, affecting both physical health and psychological confidence.

Guest Matt Hasselbeck concurs, highlighting the importance of "protecting the team" by minimizing negative plays, and suggests that structural changes within the offensive line could alleviate Williams' issues. The discussion further delves into leadership qualities and decision-making under pressure, with Colin advocating for Williams to prioritize stability over aggressive yardage gains.

Jalen Ramsey’s Move to the Pittsburgh Steelers

Timestamp: [13:14 - 16:46]

The episode examines the strategic implications of Jalen Ramsey’s transfer to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Colin analyzes the Steelers' defensive strategies, noting their commitment to a flexible secondary and a robust run game tailored to counteract teams like the Cincinnati Bengals. He observes, "The Steelers are just going to do what the Steelers do. They do not care about the rest of the league," emphasizing their focus on building a team identity centered around defense and a bruising running game.

Colin also discusses the broader NFL trend towards defensive flexibility, with teams adopting various defensive alignments to better handle offensive innovations. He praises the Steelers for their clear identity and strategic acquisitions, suggesting that their approach could serve as a blueprint for other teams aiming to enhance their defensive capabilities.

Coaching Philosophies and Team Cultures

Timestamp: [18:31 - 24:00]

A lively debate unfolds between Colin and J. Mac regarding coaching styles and team cultures in the NFL. Colin critiques coaches like Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins, arguing that despite McDaniel's offensive ingenuity, the overall team performance and culture under his leadership have stagnated. He states, "Miami's no better than they were when he took over and in fact the culture’s worse," questioning the long-term viability of McDaniel’s strategies.

Conversely, J. Mac defends McDaniel, attributing the Dolphins' struggles to defensive issues and quarterback injuries rather than coaching flaws. He highlights McDaniel's offensive success and playoff appearances, suggesting that external factors have hindered the team’s progress. The conversation underscores the complexity of attributing team performance to coaching alone, acknowledging the interplay between offensive strategies, defensive capabilities, and player injuries.

NFL Team Strategies and Comparisons to Other Sports

Timestamp: Throughout the Hour

Colin and his co-hosts frequently draw parallels between strategies in the NFL and other sports, emphasizing the importance of efficiency and minimizing errors. Referencing Bill Belichick’s approach to football, Colin emphasizes the value of preventing negative plays, likening it to a "field position game" where maintaining control and avoiding mistakes are paramount. This philosophy is contrasted with more aggressive, high-risk strategies that can lead to significant setbacks, as discussed in the context of Chicago Bears' offensive struggles.

Closing Remarks and Future Discussions

As the hour wraps up, Colin revisits the significance of Caleb Williams' performance metrics, reiterating his stance that reducing sacks is paramount for the Bears' success. He draws insights from a recent interview with Bill Belichick, who praised Tom Brady's ability to minimize negative plays, reinforcing Colin's emphasis on stability and control in offensive strategies.

Looking ahead, Colin hints at upcoming discussions on the United States men's national team's progress in soccer, particularly focusing on the selection of a reliable goalie and the team's advancement to the semifinals. This forward-looking remark sets the stage for future episodes, promising continued analysis and debate on key sports topics.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Cowherd [04:09]: "LeBron's not retiring. He's too good. He plays joyfully."

• Colin Cowherd [05:09]: "She is driving half of the league's television ratings."

• Colin Cowherd [08:05]: "Aaron Judge is the centerpiece of east coast baseball."

• Colin Cowherd [06:46]: "He doesn't defend. He never shows up in the playoffs."

• Colin Cowherd [08:37]: "Maybe I'm being a little over the top, but when people suggest they want him to go to 30 touchdowns and 4,000 yards, I'm like, I don't care."

Conclusion

Hour 2 of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" offers a thorough exploration of Colin's previous stances, acknowledging both his accurate predictions and missteps. Through in-depth discussions on player performances, coaching strategies, and team dynamics, the episode provides valuable insights for sports enthusiasts. Colin's willingness to critique his own opinions fosters a dynamic and engaging dialogue, ensuring that listeners are well-informed on the multifaceted aspects of contemporary sports.