The Richard Sherman Podcast – NFL Week 4 Reaction

Episode Date: September 29, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)
Host: Richard Sherman
Co-Host: Mitchell

Episode Overview

This special NFL Week 4 edition of the Richard Sherman Podcast, within The Herd, dives deep into the biggest storylines from Sunday’s action-packed games. Sherman and Mitchell deliver passionate, unfiltered reactions to key matchups—highlighting dramatic upsets, breakout performances, injury updates, division races, and emerging trends across the league. From the disastrous 49ers loss to the Jaguars, to dominant displays by the Lions, to the controversy swirling around Russell Wilson, this is a fast-paced, insightful breakdown designed for true football fans.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. San Francisco 49ers Upset by Jacksonville Jaguars

Segment Start: 02:30

• Sherman’s Take: “One of the worst games I've seen them play in a long time… Offensively, that was bad football.” (02:36)
  • 49ers lose 26-21, marred by turnovers—four total, including multiple Brock Purdy interceptions and a late Arik Armstead fumble.
  • Offense managed 300 passing yards, but the run game stalled at 83.
  • Special teams disaster: punt return allowed for a touchdown with “nobody even close.”
  • Numerous dropped passes by all skill positions.
• Sherman’s Frustration: “It just felt like everybody was going through the motions, like, hey, we're 3-0, maybe you’re looking forward a little bit to the Rams game…” (08:31)
• Defensive Notes: 49ers’ defense settled after a poor start, holding Jags to just 3 points in the second half.
• Division Impact: NFC West is “really tight right now. Everybody's 3-1 at the top.”
• Key Quote: “To turn the ball over four times in any game is unacceptable. That’s an unacceptable thing to do.” (07:26)
• Looking Ahead: Short week; need to “lick your wounds and figure it out.” Praises Jaguars’ defense—“three plus turnovers in every single game; they're making plays.” (09:46)

2. Detroit Lions Dominate the Browns

Segment Start: 03:43

• Mitchell Exalted: “They’re starting to look like a juggernaut, Richard.” (03:43)
• Game Recap: Detroit beats Cleveland 34-10; efficient offense and staunch defense.
• Amon-Ra St. Brown: 2 TDs, Gibbs adds 91 rushing yards.
• Offensive Line Emergence:
  • Replace two veterans (Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler) with rookie guards (Tate Ratledge, Christian Mahogany)—“turning into absolute studs right in front of our eyes.” (04:35)
  • No sacks allowed for the second straight week; huge for future roster construction and salary cap.
• Secondary Concerns:
  • Terrion Arnold struggling with penalties and reduced role.
  • DJ Reed suffers a significant hamstring injury.
• Sherman’s Guidance for Young DBs: “You just gotta stop pressing, you know, just do your job. Trust your technique…” (06:03)
• Injury Outlook: Next-man-up mentality crucial as both starting corners and one safety are banged up.

3. NFC West Check-In: Rams, Seahawks, and Tight Division Race

Segment Start: 11:58

• Los Angeles Rams:
  • Beat Colts thanks to Stafford’s 375 yards/3 TDs, Puka Nacua’s 170 yards/TD.
  • “Puka Nakua… the new Cooper Kupp out there.” (12:36)
  • Weird moments: Adonai Mitchell “dropped the ball at the goal line for a touchback” and later erased a 51-yard Taylor TD with a holding penalty, “one guy single-handedly might have lost them this game.” (13:47)
• Sherman’s View: Credits Colts for beating themselves, but excited for 49ers-Rams TNF: “Division games always are [close]. McVay versus Shanahan always is…”
• Seattle Seahawks:
  • Sam Darnold “looks the part,” praised for elite game management:
    • “Tom Brady… he would say himself, he's really a phenomenal game manager… That's what Sam Darnold is doing…” (15:49)
  • Defense and all phases impress; Darnold outperforms expectations.
• Power Rankings & Division Outlook: Sherman still leans toward Seahawks: “I feel like they're going to win this division and it's going to be a tie with San Francisco 49ers, but they're going to have the tiebreaker.” (17:11)
• 49ers Miss Nicholas John Bosa on edge, lack pressure; Jaguars kept Trevor Lawrence clean.

4. Philadelphia Eagles Outlast Buccaneers

Segment Start: 20:59

• Eagles Jump Ahead Early, Bucs Rally Late:
• Baker Mayfield Praise:
  • “The more I watch Baker Mayfield, the more I love the guy. I would love for him to be a quarterback of any team I root for.” (21:05)
• AJ Brown Usage:
  • Targeted 9 times, just 2 catches for 7 yards.
  • Sherman: “Not for a lack of them trying to get him the football. But I’m sure Todd Bowles understands who A.J. Brown is.” (22:27)
• Jalen Hurts Manages Game: 15/24, 130 yards, 2 TDs; “Doing what’s necessary to win the ballgame is all that matters.” (22:13)
• Eagles' Defensive Vulnerabilities: Secondary can be had, especially after losing key vets.
  • Standout: Quinyon Mitchell “forced the most tight window throws today.” (24:00)
• Sherman Stance:
  • “The best team in the National Football League right now is the Philadelphia Eagles. And until they lose, it’s hard to say otherwise.” (25:43)

5. QB Change in New York: Jackson Dart Sparks Giants

Segment Start: 26:18

• Jackson Dart’s Debut:
  • Giants upset Chargers in Dart’s first start; he was “solid,” played “with energy,” ran one TD, threw another.
  • O-line still shaky, Dart sacked 6 times.
• Malik Nabers Injury: Believed ACL tear, season likely over.
• Locker Room Dynamics:
  • “There was a clip of [Brian Dabol] and Jackson Dart after the game...so excited with him… you could just see the love and appreciation and the belief.” (28:09)
  • Speculation about “two different playbooks” for Wilson vs. Dart—“I’ve never heard that in the NFL.” (29:00)
• Russell Wilson Era Ending?
  • “New is better. You know, sometimes people like the new toy… there’s an excitement level.” (31:21)
  • Sherman expects Giants will try to trade Wilson; “There are a lot of QB needy teams…Cincinnati Bengals come to mind right now.” (33:44)
• Giants’ Draft Class Praise: Abdul Carter leads all rookies in pressures; Cam Scadaboo “a bowling ball… made for New York football.” (33:13)

6. Chiefs Make Statement vs. Ravens

Segment Start: 38:33

• Game Recap:
  • Both teams 1-2 entering; Chiefs win, Ravens drop to 1-3.
• Ravens in Crisis?
  • “If they did [miss the playoffs]… oh my God. Is furniture going to be moving in Baltimore?” (39:33)
  • Lamar Jackson lacked confidence; Derrick Henry only 8 carries.
  • Defense gives up big points, missing Namde Matabuike.
  • “Just not something I thought we would see in a full game… especially against the Kansas City Chiefs.” (41:22)
• Chiefs Reassert Themselves:
  • “They are a championship team. There’s a reason they’ve been in the Super Bowl 5 of the last 6 years.” (43:31)
  • Praises return of Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy; Mahomes still elite.
  • “I don’t even talk about the Chiefs until the postseason because regular season don’t matter…they’re going to be a tough out.” (45:13)

7. Steelers’ Resurgence Under Aaron Rodgers

Segment Start: 46:30

• Steelers beat Vikings in Ireland, now 3-1:
  • “The big reason is Aaron Rodgers… even though he’s looked rough the last couple years… he still has a way about him.” (46:30)
  • Rodgers efficient (18/22 for 200 yards, 1 TD); DK Metcalf emerging as favorite target.
  • Defense stands tall: 2 INTs, 6 sacks, T.J. Watt was a “hungry dog.”
• Coach-QB Dynamic: Tomlin gave Rodgers fourth-down control, learning moment as they get to know each other.
• Vikings’ Woes:
  • Carson Wentz solid statistically, but “doesn’t look like the same team without Sam Darnold.” (49:46)
  • “Minnesota Vikings hadn't lost internationally until today.” (51:05)
  • Team playing back-to-back games abroad—Sherman thinks that’s rough on players.

8. Around the League:

Ashton Jeanty Breaks Out for Raiders:
Segment Start: 52:40

• 6th overall pick gets running room for the first time, racks up 138 yards/3 TDs.
• Raiders lose on another blocked field goal—Sherman: “Some of it is just offensive lines not being as strong as they used to be…” (53:42)
• “Shout out to Ashton Jeanty… Happy for the kid. Hat tip to the kid. He deserves it.” (54:34)

Buffalo Bills Remain Unbeaten (4-0)
Segment Start: 57:13

• Sherman: “Without Josh Allen, no, they’re not [head and shoulders above]. But they have Josh Allen and he’s the MVP.”
• “I don’t think there’s a team in the AFC better than them… I think the Philadelphia Eagles are a better team, which is why they are one and two in my power rankings.” (58:15)

Titans Struggles, Cam Ward’s Blunt Quote
Segment Start: 58:34

• Titans rookie QB Cam Ward: “If we keep it a buck right now, we’re ass.” (58:34)
• Sherman’s advice: Young QBs can’t throw teammates under the bus; “That’s the mistake as a quarterback… you got to say, 'I’m not playing good enough right now.'” (60:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Richard Sherman (on 49ers loss):
  “To turn the ball over four times in any game is unacceptable. That's an unacceptable thing to do.” (07:26)
• Mitchell (on Lions):
  “They’re starting to look like a juggernaut, Richard.” (03:43)
• Sherman (on Giants QB switch):
  “New is better… there’s an excitement level. There’s a fun about driving a different car.” (31:21)
• Mitchell (on Baker Mayfield):
  “The more I watch Baker Mayfield, the more I love the guy.” (21:14)
• Sherman (on the Chiefs):
  “I don’t even talk about the Chiefs until the postseason because regular season don’t matter…they’re going to be a tough out.” (45:13)
• Sherman (on Titans rookie QB):
  “That’s the mistake as a quarterback… you got to say, 'I’m not playing good enough right now.'” (60:15)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:30 — Dive into 49ers-Jaguars and fallout
• 03:43 — Lions-Browns recap, OL and defense discussion
• 06:03 — Sherman’s advice to young DBs; more 49ers talk
• 11:58 — NFC West race: Rams, Seahawks, hat change
• 13:14 — Rams-Colts: Puka Nakua, Adonai Mitchell mishaps
• 20:59 — Eagles-Bucs, Baker Mayfield, Philly WR usage
• 26:18 — Giants upset Chargers; Jackson Dart debut, Wilson speculation
• 33:42 — Russell Wilson future with Giants
• 38:33 — Chiefs-Ravens: AFC playoff picture
• 46:30 — Steelers win in Ireland; Rodgers era; Vikings’ identity
• 52:40 — Raiders’ Jeanty breaks out, block FG epidemic
• 57:13 — Bills undefeated, Allen’s MVP impact
• 58:34 — Titans QB Cam Ward’s bluntness, Sherman’s leadership advice
• 61:44 — Closing thoughts, sign-off

Closing Thoughts

Richard Sherman and Mitchell blend sharp game analysis, personal experience, and vibrant locker-room perspective—peppering in tough love, optimism, and humility. Their lively banter makes this episode ideal for NFL fans looking to go beyond the box score, understand the human stories, and track the trends shaping the league in 2025.

Sherman’s message to fans:
“Congratulations on your teams winning or keep hope alive. If your team lost today, it ain’t over yet. It’s a long season and you never know what can happen. This is the NFL.” (61:44)