The Richard Sherman Podcast: Aaron Rodgers lifts Steelers, Ravens collapse, 49ers injuries, Jalen Carter | Sherman & Slay React

The Herd with Colin Cowherd – September 10, 2025
Guests: Richard Sherman & Darius “Big Play” Slay

Overview

This episode of the Richard Sherman Podcast, featured as part of "The Herd with Colin Cowherd," dives into a packed NFL Week 1 slate, highlighting Aaron Rodgers’ rejuvenation with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Ravens’ shocking collapse against Buffalo, ongoing injury woes for the 49ers, and the usage of rookie sensation Jalen Carter. Sherman and Slay share candid, insider takes while mixing strategy, storytelling, and locker-room culture, delivering humor, honesty, and the unique defense-first lens both are known for.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Pittsburgh Steelers’ Win & Aaron Rodgers’ Impact

[02:13 – 09:40]

• Defensive Battle:

  • Slay details the challenge of facing the Jets' run-heavy approach, with Breece Hall posting 100+ rushing yards.
  • “As a defense, man, we don’t want... nobody want to see two teams score 30 points. No, you win championships like that.” — Big Play Slay [02:50]

• Sideline Adjustments:

  • Pittsburgh came in prepared for Detroit-style aggression but were caught off guard by the Jets' relentless run game, making in-game coaching adjustments.

• Locker Room Culture:

  • Veteran Cam Heyward’s speech re-centered the defense postgame:
    “That’s not the Steelers standard…we know we got the dub, made the play that we need to make at the end…but that’s not our brand of football. So we gotta go in there and clean a lot of stuff up.” — Big Play Slay [07:03]

• Aaron Rodgers Resurgence:

  • Rodgers threw four touchdowns and scored 34 points, revitalizing the offense.
  • Slay praises Rodgers’ influence: “Just being around Aaron this whole training camp...I see why he won so many MVPs.” — Big Play Slay [08:14]
  • Sherman notes Rodgers hadn’t had a 4-TD game since 2021 [09:40].

Next Challenge: Seattle Seahawks

[10:25 – 11:27]

• Slay studies their diverse, speed-oriented offense.
• Cooper Kupp’s presence teaches young receivers; secondary needs focus.
• “We gotta play ball...make sure we got eyes and keys on them guys.” — Big Play Slay [10:56]

Special Teams Confidence: Boswell’s 60-Yard Game-Winner

[11:27 – 13:07]

• Steelers’ trust in kicker Chris Boswell was absolute:
  “Mike T is Mike T. He go up there, tell him, you know, our kicker is a serial killer.” — Big Play Slay [12:16]
• Slay jokes next time, he’ll just sit down and expect the make.

Defensive Swagger: Jalen Ramsey’s Physicality

[13:07 – 16:29]

• Slay admires Ramsey’s competitive energy and trash talk.
• “He’s manipulating you in the mind, and he’s playing as just as physical as any DB possible...He bring another kind of level to the defense, man…He’s a born Steeler.” — Big Play Slay [13:27]
• Ramsey’s iconic, game-ending hit on Garrett Wilson:
  “Not a pick, not a PBU, but a big hit…that was clean, man. Clean, man.” — Sherman & Slay [15:08–15:11]
• Ramsey played all 3 positions: safety, nickel, and corner during the game.

Bills’ 15-Point Comeback vs. Ravens / Baltimore’s Ongoing Issues

[20:06 – 24:20]

• “Ain’t many times you see a team coming back from 15 down in the fourth and the other team just allows it.” — Richard Sherman [20:53]
• Both praise Josh Allen for MVP-caliber heroics.
• Ravens’ collapse highlighted:
  • John Harbaugh’s teams have surrendered 17 double-digit leads (most since ’91), leading Sherman to say: “There’s something there where you gotta change something to close these games out.” [23:04]
• Discussion on conservative play-calling and the dangers it presents:
  “As a defensive, you be like, hey man, let’s play safe. Let’s keep everything in front of us...That’s when you get beat.” — Slay [24:20]

Fan on Field Incident with Lamar Jackson

[26:25 – 28:55]

• An unruly fan reached out to push Lamar after a touchdown.
• Sherman: “Keep your hands to yourself now, please. Especially... you could touch the players if they want to jump in the stands and they want to celebrate…but don’t go out of your way to try to mush somebody in the head...” [26:50]
• Both warn fans: players’ temperaments can be volatile, especially in-game.

On the Nature of Defensive Violent Mindset

[28:28 – 29:59]

• “You thought my interview after the NFC championship game was crazy. A lot of these dudes...are going a million miles of destruction through their skulls while they’re playing.” — Richard Sherman [28:28]
• Slay: “I am simply a weapon of destruction.” [29:06]

College/NFL Two-way Play: Travis Hunter’s Usage

[30:44 – 38:23]

• Brief analysis on Travis Hunter playing limited snaps both ways.
• Sherman is critical of “spot playing” a corner: “There’s no real way to spot play at corner...you can’t just throw somebody at corner [cold].” [32:22–33:25]
• They stress the importance of rhythm for corners; rotating players is disruptive.

San Francisco 49ers Plagued by Injuries

[40:26 – 42:43]

• Brock Purdy’s shoulder/toe, George Kittle’s hamstring, and Jauan Jennings’ injuries draw concern.
• “If they lose a couple guys, they become a whole different team...the COVID is pretty bare after that.” — Sherman [42:43]
• Slay quips: “They need to draft better.” [42:48]

Locker Room Brotherhood, Old Teammates, and “Soft” Moments

[44:45 – 56:33]

• Slay revels in his former Philly teammate Joe’s big pick for Seattle.
• Conversation shifts to the “softness” of the Cowboys’ offensive line for not defending Dak Prescott over a spitting incident.
  • “That is my dog...but if I’m Dak now, I’m gonna have to question my linemen…Y’all ain’t getting no dinner from me. No, nothing.” — Slay [51:03]
  • “Nobody letting nobody walk up on their quarterback, their franchise quarterback like that.” — Sherman [54:01]
• Discussion on J.C.’s quick temper and learning from mistakes:
  “He gonna be locked in…it was just adrenaline going…after that, he gonna be calm. He gonna show what he worth.” — Slay [56:16]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Aaron Rodgers:
  “He be slinging that thing…He was out there going crazy in practice, detailed in, locked in.” — Big Play Slay [08:14]

• On Special Teams Kickers:
  “Our kicker is a serial killer.” — Mike Tomlin according to Slay [12:16]

• On Defensive Mentality:
  “I am simply a weapon of destruction.” — Big Play Slay [29:06]

• On Fan Infractions:
  “Keep your hands to yourself...be careful putting your hands on football players when they’re on the field in the heat of battle.” — Richard Sherman [26:50]

• On Spot Playing Corners:
  “There’s no real way to spot play at corner…And you can’t just throw somebody at corner…They go on third-and-five for the game and be like, oh yeah, shut somebody down. That’s not how it works.” — Sherman [32:22-33:25]

• On Locker Room Culture:
  “Nobody letting nobody walk up on their quarterback, their franchise quarterback like that.” — Sherman [54:01]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time (MM:SS) | Segment | |--------------|----------------------------------------------| | 02:13-09:40 | Steelers/Jets recap; Rodgers' impact | | 10:25-11:27 | Scouting the Seahawks | | 11:27-13:07 | Chris Boswell’s clutch kicking | | 13:07-16:29 | Jalen Ramsey’s role & big play | | 20:06-24:20 | Bills’ comeback vs. Ravens; Harbaugh critique| | 26:25-28:55 | Fan-on-field incident | | 30:44-38:23 | Travis Hunter’s two-way play analysis | | 40:26-42:43 | 49ers injuries and roster depth | | 44:45-56:33 | Locker room loyalty & Dallas O-line discussion|

Tone & Style

The episode is candid and playful, balancing hard-nosed football talk with locker room camaraderie and unfiltered personal opinions. Both hosts blend in-depth Xs and Os, personal anecdotes, and insider “defensive back” wisdom with good-natured trash talk and genuine admiration for players who play the right way.

Final Thoughts

Sherman and Slay provide layered, behind-the-curtain context for the NFL’s biggest stories, from Aaron Rodgers’ resurgence in Pittsburgh to the Ravens’ haunting collapses and the hard realities of football injuries and locker room culture. Their perspective—rooted in years of elite defensive play—offers unique analysis, memorable stories, and authentic locker room banter, making this a must-listen for fans and players alike.