Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Richard Sherman Podcast – Richard Sherman SETTLES DEBATE: Seahawks’ 2013 Legion of Boom vs. Broncos’ 2015 No Fly Zone

Date: February 21, 2026
Host: Richard Sherman (guest appearances, but main segment only features Sherman)

Episode Overview

In this off-season episode, Richard Sherman dives deep into a classic NFL debate: Which defense was superior—the 2013 Seattle Seahawks “Legion of Boom,” or the 2015 Denver Broncos “No Fly Zone”? As a cornerstone of the Seahawks’ historic secondary, Sherman methodically, humorously, and pointedly explains why he believes the Legion of Boom not only edges out the No Fly Zone but eclipses them by nearly every objective measure. He uses stats, anecdotes, and memories from those seasons—plus some friendly shots at his Broncos counterparts—to make a passionate, data-backed case.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Introduction & Context for the Debate

• Sherman sets the stage by acknowledging the NFL off-season as prime time for such spirited debates among fans and players.
• Quote: “It’s the off season, which means we can get into pointless debates about which defense is better... and in my personal biased opinion, it’s the Legion of Boom. And it’s not even close.” (02:44)

Respect for the No Fly Zone

• Sherman begins with respect for the 2015 Broncos, name-dropping Von Miller, DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr., TJ Ward, and Darian Stewart.
• Admits admiration for their style and success, acknowledges imitation (“imitation is the most sincere form of flattery”), referencing John Elway’s efforts to “recreate” the Seahawks’ build in Denver.

The Numbers Game: Decisive Statistical Arguments

Sherman draws a series of direct comparisons between the two secondaries:

• Interceptions:

  • Legion of Boom secondary (just the four starters): 20 INTs
  • No Fly Zone (all, including rotational): ~9 INTs
  • Entire Seahawks D: 28 INTs; Broncos: 14 INTs
  • “If you look at our secondary, just the starters… that’s 20 interceptions. What are we really talking about here?” (08:43)

• Passing Yards Per Game:

  • Seahawks: 172 yds/gm (led NFL)
  • Broncos: 199 yds/gm
  • “That’s a 27-yard difference per game.” (09:12)

• Passing Touchdowns Allowed:

  • Seahawks (2013): 16
  • Broncos (2015): 19

• Unique Turnover Production:

  • Playoffs: Seahawks had 8 turnovers in 3 postseason games (3 in 4th quarter alone of NFC Championship)
  • Super Bowl: Seahawks defense scored 8 points (safety and pick-six), special teams added 6.

Sherman’s refrain: “Again, how is it a debate?” (09:25)

Quality of Opponents & Super Bowl Matchups

• Seahawks shut down 2013 Broncos with Peyton Manning (record-breaking 55 TDs, 5,000+ yds): “We shut it down and we made it look easy.” (04:50)
• Broncos faced Cam Newton’s Panthers—a great season, but Sherman argues Panthers' passing attack not nearly as dangerous as the '13 Broncos.
• Saints in Divisional: Drew Brees (5,100 yds, 39 TDs that year) held down by Seahawks D.
• On the notion that Seattle “didn’t play anybody”: “We played Drew Brees... that would have probably won him MVP in this day and age, but Peyton had more.” (11:09)

Defensive Style: Zone vs. Man Coverage

• Responds to criticism that Seahawks “just played zone”:

  • Seahawks played man when needed, esp. on third down (about league average in man %).
  • “We didn’t play zone because we had to… we could have played man. We did play man when push came to shove.” (16:54)
  • Zone maximizes high-IQ players’ abilities (mentions K.J. Wright, Cam Chancellor, Earl Thomas, himself), allows for more takeaways.

• Dissects modern NFL defenses:

  • Most teams mix coverages; heavy man coverage isn’t prevalent or successful in recent years.
  • “Super Bowl winning teams… have not played a ton of man coverage. That's what the league has moved to.” (27:56)

Turnovers, Game Impact, and Identity

• “We would have given your offense 14 more possessions than you guys gave them...that's not including the picks that went for touchdowns.” (10:18)
• “We took pride in coming up, getting on the field and saying, hey, we're about to take the football again.” (27:09)

Talent Comparison & Legacy

• Sherman points to the number of All-Pros, All-Decade, and DPOY votes among Seahawks defenders; says several Legion of Boom members “would have been the best guys” on the Broncos secondary.

• “If you took [Legion of Boom members] and put them on the Broncos, they’d be the best in that secondary. Is that a debatable point?” (20:38)

• “The gap between the 2013 Legion of Boom and the 2015 No Fly Zone isn't even a closable gap.” (21:34)

• Admits if the numbers were reversed, the argument would go the other way—“If you said the Denver Broncos had double our interceptions, how would that be an argument?” (28:33)

• On personal confidence: “There’s not a corner in this world that’s going to say anything other than what [Talib] said...I’m not picking nobody over myself at any time, any place.” (20:19)

Broader Defensive Greatness & Context

• Recognizes Von Miller as the best Bronco and Bobby Wagner as the “best middle linebacker to ever play.”

• Points out the Seahawks’ defensive talent/depth beyond just the starters (Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett, KJ Wright, Malcolm Smith, Walter Thurmond, Byron Maxwell).

• On Seattle’s enduring defensive identity: “We led the league in turnovers. We led the league in passing yards. We led the league in scoring for four years straight.” (19:13)

• Regarding the Super Bowl:

  • “We just dominated them from start to finish...Our defense scored 8 points in that game. Our special team scored 6.” (25:59)

Final Thoughts

• Sherman is open to being proven wrong if someone “can show me a stat or a number that makes their point,” but maintains no such number exists.
• Decision: 2013 Legion of Boom, definitively, is the superior defense to the 2015 No Fly Zone.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “It’s the off season, which means we can get into pointless debates about which defense is better... and in my personal biased opinion, it’s the Legion of Boom. And it’s not even close.” (02:44)
• “We shut it down and we made it look easy because of the team we had and because of the defense we had, because of the players we had.” (04:51)
• “What are we really talking about here? What are we really... discussing?” (08:44)
• “If you go through passing yards per game, the Legion of Boom gave up 172 passing yards a game. Number one in the league, No Fly Zone gave up 199. That’s a 27-yard difference per game.” (09:12)
• “We had 8 turnovers in the playoffs alone. In three playoff games. We had three in the fourth quarter of the NFC championship alone.” (10:49)
• “We didn’t play zone because we had to. We didn’t play zone because we were incapable of playing man. We could have played man.” (16:54)
• “There’s not a corner in this world that’s going to say anything other than what [Talib] said... I’m not picking nobody over myself at any time, any place.” (20:19)
• “If it was the other way, would it be an argument? It wouldn't. It wouldn't. So that's why I don't understand where the angst in this conversation has gotten and how it's gotten out of control.” (25:13)
• “The part of the argument that changes it is the two hall of Fame pass rushers they had. Von Miller was the best player on that defense. I think if you ask anybody who the best player on our defense that season was, it would start with the secondary.” (28:46)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:44] – Sherman introduces the debate and his bias for the Legion of Boom.
• [04:50] – Compares 2013 Seahawks to 2015 Broncos; respect to the No Fly Zone.
• [08:43] – Detailed statistical breakdown; INTs, passing yards, and touchdowns allowed.
• [10:49] – The Seahawks' superior playoff turnovers and impact, including “making MVPs look easy.”
• [16:54] – Discussion on zone versus man, defensive philosophy, and football intelligence.
• [19:13] – Defensive intelligence as a strategic advantage (“coaches on the field”).
• [20:19] – On DB self-confidence; who would get picked “first” if secondaries went head-to-head.
• [21:34] – Sherman states the gap between the Legion of Boom and No Fly Zone “isn't even a closable gap.”
• [25:59] – Super Bowl recount; defense/special teams dominance, Broncos-Panthers comparison.
• [28:33] – Sherman invites stats to challenge his argument, reiterates statistical superiority.
• [30:17] – Episode content ends.

Tone and Language

• Sherman is passionate, slightly teasing, facts-obsessed, and unapologetically biased (with transparent explanations for that bias).
• He often backs up emotional or subjective statements with hard data.
• Maintains respect for Denver’s defense and counterparts (“I got a ton of respect for the 2015 Denver Broncos...”) even while picking apart their record.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

Richard Sherman’s argument is clear: The Seattle Seahawks’ 2013 Legion of Boom defense wasn’t just good—it was historically dominant, both statistically and in whom it defeated on the biggest stages. While giving credit to a fierce 2015 Denver Broncos unit, Sherman asserts there’s no legitimate debate if you look at actual numbers, playoff dominance, or the talent stocked on each roster. His summary: the Legion of Boom wins “and it’s not even close.”