The Richard Sherman Podcast – Giants Fire Brian Daboll! Eagles-Packers Reaction & Week 11 NFL Power Rankings

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (The Volume, iHeartPodcasts)
Episode Date: November 12, 2025
Host: Richard Sherman

Episode Overview

This episode features Richard Sherman breaking down the shocking firing of New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, dissecting the Philadelphia Eagles' gritty win over the Green Bay Packers, and unveiling his Week 11 NFL power rankings. Sherman offers candid takes on front office decision-making, quarterback contracts, and the realities of coaching in the modern NFL, all with his trademark blend of insight and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Giants Fire Brian Daboll: Breaking Down the Decision

• Sherman expresses surprise at Daboll’s firing, noting the Giants rarely fire coaches mid-season.

  • “From the outside looking in, I was not [expecting this]. I thought they had found some stability at quarterback, some stability offensively...But some of these games they lost the double digit...those are always going to be a red herring and a red flag.” (Richard Sherman, 02:50)

• Sherman reads and reacts to the joint statement from Mara and Tisch, emphasizing:

  • Disappointment in recent seasons.
  • Fan frustration.

• Joe Schoen (GM) survives – and Sherman can’t believe it:

  • Cites Schoen’s decisions, especially letting Saquon Barkley walk and drafting questionable players.
  • “If you’re firing Daboll, then [Schoen] has to go too. The guy who allowed Saquon Barkley to walk out...That’s a fireable offense...He survives. That’s what I don’t get about this.” (04:15)
  • Recalls the franchise’s “glaring mistakes” in recent drafts and says Schoen shouldn’t be credited for Jackson Dart’s success.

“Color me stupid, because I don’t get it...You’re not going to improve.” (Richard Sherman, 06:08)

2. Eagles-Packers: Ugly Wins & Quarterback Critiques

• Eagles beat Packers 10–7 in defensive struggle:

  • Both teams’ defenses played well, forcing turnovers, especially in the red zone.
  • Sherman appreciates this as a sign of elite defense.

• Quarterback contracts & expectations:

  • Offenses struggled; D-lines dominated.
  • Sherman rails against teams reflexively paying QBs $50M+:
    • Only a handful deserve “difference-maker” money: “Maybe 5 to 6 difference makers in this league.” (09:28)
    • His (partial) difference-maker list: Dak Prescott, Burrow, Josh Allen, Lamar, Mahomes.
    • Second tier: Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert, C.J. Stroud, Jaden Daniels, Brock Purdy (injuries considered), Baker Mayfield, Stafford, Drake May (potential), Jordan Love (inconsistent).

“If a team ever allows me to be part of decision making...I’m not paying a quarterback $50 million unless he’s a difference maker.” (Richard Sherman, 09:10)

• Packers’ offensive woes:

  • Jordan Love’s struggles, some on him, some on teammates (e.g., Josh Jacobs’ missed assignment and fumble).
  • Sherman insists: “You’re only going as far as your quarterback will take you.” (11:26)

• Criticism of Coach Matt LaFleur:

  • Fans calling for his firing are “insane.”
  • Notes LaFleur’s successful track record (multiple NFC championships, winning seasons).
  • Cites the marriage of coach and quarterback success: draws parallels to Mike McDaniel/Tua in Miami and past success with Rodgers.

“To say you want the head coach fired...you’ve lost your mind. You have went outside your mind.” (Richard Sherman, 14:39)

3. NFL Coaching: The System vs. The Individual

• Discusses how success is symbiotic between coaches and QBs:

  • LaFleur makes things easier for Jordan Love.
  • Cites Tua’s struggles pre-McDaniel as a clear example of system lifting player performance.

• On firing coaches for offensive struggles:

  • “Can they all be better? Are they above criticism? Nobody is.” (16:39)
  • Emphasizes play-calling and game-plan critiques are fair, but root cause analysis is more nuanced than firing the coach.

4. More Eagles-Packers Analysis & NFC Race

• Eagles’ defense praised for holding Packers to 7 points, forcing crucial turnovers.

• Gives DC Vic Fangio credit for game prep and execution.

• Notes Jalen Hurts’ “solid but open to criticism” stat line (15/26, 183 yards, 1 TD).

• Cites Keyshawn Nixon’s forced fumble as a game-changing moment.

• Packers’ D impresses, but offensive issues persist (especially O-line).

• Warns of “trap game” for Packers vs. Giants, who recently fired their coach (22:17).

• Eagles face Lions in “big NFC test” next week.

5. Week 11 Power Rankings (26:58)

Sherman’s updated top five:

1. Seattle Seahawks
   • “Most complete team on both sides of the football...discipline, special teams, and just got even better with Rasheed Shaheed.” (26:58)
2. Philadelphia Eagles
   • “Defense is playing lights out...played an incredible game against Jordan Love and Josh Jacobs.”
3. LA Rams
   • “Have to move them up from 5 to 3.”
4. New England Patriots
   • Describes their win over Tampa Bay as a “signature win,” Drake May’s poise, and Christian Gonzalez’s standout play.
5. Indianapolis Colts
   • “Jonathan Taylor should be the NFL player of the year...244 yards this past game on 32 carries.”

• On the Outside Looking In:
  Broncos could return.
  Bills drop out after getting “whooped” by Miami — “gotta get those things fixed before you’re gonna get back in my power rankings.” (30:24)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Giants front office confusion:
  “I wonder if Mara is really evaluating this entire thing in totality, because those are huge mistakes, glaring mistakes.” (Richard Sherman, 05:45)

• Money and the quarterback position:
  “When you pay a quarterback that kind of money, the expectations high, the criticism is high.” (Richard Sherman, 11:46)

• Coach-QB symbiosis:
  “Their success is married. I don't know if Jordan Love is as successful as he is without Matt LaFleur.” (Richard Sherman, 18:57)

• Philadelphia sports fandom:
  “I know Philadelphia Eagles fans are mad about winning, losing, mad when they win the superbowl if it ain't the way they thought it should have been.” (Richard Sherman, 20:29)

• Trap games warning:
  “Those are trap games where a team just fired their coach and now they play with this, this crazy enthusiasm...” (Richard Sherman, 22:14)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Giants Fire Daboll & Front Office Critique: 02:50–08:40
• Eagles-Packers Reaction & Quarterback Discussion: 08:40–15:45
• Matt LaFleur Defense & Coaching Symbiosis: 15:45–20:00
• Eagles, NFC Race, and Trap Games: 20:00–22:25
• Week 11 Power Rankings: 26:58–31:35

Final Thoughts

Sherman delivers insightful, unfiltered analysis and challenges both conventional wisdom and knee-jerk fan reactions. He stresses the importance of context, system, and leadership in NFL team-building, while maintaining his playful, assertive tone. If you missed this episode, you’ll walk away understanding not just “what” happened around the league this week, but why it matters, both on and off the field.