The Richard Sherman Podcast — Sherman x Slay: Steelers Head to Ireland, Defense Dominates Patriots & Debating Myles Garrett’s GOAT Case

Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Date: September 26, 2025
Episode Focus:
Richard Sherman and “Big Play” Darius Slay break down the Steelers’ defensive dominance, dig into NFL news and locker room stories, discuss the team’s upcoming trip to Ireland, analyze defensive play-calling trends, and debate Myles Garrett’s greatness among all-time non-quarterbacks.

Episode Overview

This engaging episode delivers the trademark chemistry and candid banter between Sherman and Slay, offering listeners sharp, first-hand insight into the NFL’s biggest storylines. The show highlights Pittsburgh’s defensive clinic, addresses league shakeups (including Giants and Texans quarterback changes and controversial cuts), explores the logistics and culture shock of NFL international games, and ends with a passionate debate on Myles Garrett versus all-time greats like Aaron Donald.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

Steelers Defense Lights Up Patriots ([02:58]–[04:56])

• Slay’s Play:

  • Slay celebrates recovering a fumble in a dominant defensive performance: five turnovers, five sacks, and two goal-line stands.
  • Stresses the importance of transforming from a “splash defense” to a “complete defense” that avoids giving up long drives.
    • “Right now, we are more of a splash defense instead of a complete defense… We waiting for a guy to make a splash play instead of dominating the whole game… we got to get that nipped in the bud.” – Slay ([03:10])

• Handling 4th Downs:

  • Discusses the league-wide uptick in teams gambling on 4th down and the new defensive challenges this creates.

• Slay’s On-Field Injury:

  • Recalls a rookie accidentally kicking his leg during a play.
    • “Like he a NBA boxer…kicked me right in the dog on right in the sh... That’s my little bro…he kicked me now leg. But…just a little stingy. I was straight, man.” – Slay ([04:04])

Rodgers Makes History, but Locker Room Didn’t Notice ([04:56]–[05:36])

• Aaron Rodgers Surpasses Favre:
  • Sherman highlights Rodgers moving past Brett Favre on the all-time list for touchdown passes with only modest yardage in the game.
  • Slay admits the defense didn’t even know until after the game, reflecting on how defensive units can be disconnected from offensive milestones.
    • “I Dane show gave him his flower before anything, but he already deserved ‘em because you know he one of the best that ever do it.” – Slay ([05:09])

Steelers’ Ireland Trip: The Realities of NFL Global Games ([05:36]–[09:16])

• Slay’s Reluctance:

  • Despite the novelty, Slay is honest about his lack of enthusiasm for working overseas.
    • “I have not been excited about going to no out of country game… I really want to enjoy the view…when I get there I ain’t going to be able to go sightsee nothing. I got to be mind focused and ready to go.” – Slay ([05:54])

• Preparation & Sleep Struggles:

  • Explains early practice schedules, sleep disruptions, and the difficulties adapting to time-zone jumps.
    • “Now my routine gotta be like, 5:30…It’s gonna be a tough week, man, with some sleep, so I might be in the bed in about two more hours.” – Slay ([08:23])

• Trying to Integrate Sights and Focus:

  • Sherman encourages sightseeing; Slay prioritizes winning and the approaching bye week:
    • “Can I get home to this dub, try to get this win…cause, you know, got that bye week coming up, so I need that.” — Slay ([11:34])

Vikings Game Prep: Schemes, Quarterbacks & Inside Intel ([09:16]–[11:22])

• Facing the Vikings and Justin Jefferson:
  • Sherman and Slay talk about expecting to face rookie J.J. McCarthy, but instead preparing for veteran Carson Wentz and Kevin O’Connell’s modern, “outside zone” scheme.
  • Slay discusses the challenges of defending versatile running schemes, and how experienced QBs like Wentz adapt within these offenses.
    • “I think a lot of quarterbacks…can fit very well in his system. And Carson is one of them guys. Of course, he got the ability to…extend the plays with his legs.” – Slay ([10:21])

NFL News Round-up ([16:50]–[21:50])

• Quarterback Changes and Struggles:
  • Giants bench Russell Wilson for Jackson Dart. Sherman calls out puzzling decisions and pressure on coach Brian Daboll to make changes.
    • “After a while you got to show them something different…you coaching for your job right now.” – Sherman ([17:17])
• CJ Gardner-Johnson Cut from Houston:
  • Emotional take on the Texans’ abrupt decision to cut a major off-season addition after only three games.
    • “I know he’s a true competitor…he’s emotionally driven…for them to let him go in three weeks…that gotta be a lot going on.” – Slay ([20:31])
  • Emphasis on the “What have you done for me now?” nature of the NFL.

The Week of Blocked Field Goals and Special Teams Mayhem ([21:50]–[23:53])

• Jordan Davis’ Big-Play Speed:
  • Slay raves about 340+ lb. Jordan Davis hitting nearly 19mph on a blocked field goal return.
    • “I guarantee you he could beat almost every D tackle in the league with one sprint.” – Slay ([22:21])
• Importance of All Three Phases:
  • Both agree: “That’s why three phases are very important in this game.” ([23:53])

Defensive Chess Match: Lions Contain Lamar Jackson, Goal-line Grit ([23:53]–[26:13])

• Breakdown of Detroit’s Win Over Baltimore:
  • Lions’ rare success bottling up Lamar, with 7 sacks, containment, and clutch situational play.
    • “Every big time third down, they made a play. That's where I think they won at. They won in all big time situations.” – Slay ([24:24])
• Defending Modern Play-action Tricks:
  • The stress of defending motion-heavy, misdirection “insert” plays and how corners are taught to attack.
    • “That’s the worst plays. I hate. Because it’s so hard to see and adjust. Because quarterbacks are actually carrying out the fakes so long…” – Slay ([25:44])

Player Development: Learning Versus Opportunity ([26:47]–[31:43])

• Deion Sanders’ Take: Should Young QBs Sit?

  • Discussing LeBron’s comments on Bronny’s draft destination and the debate over sitting versus playing early in a career:
    • “If I had a chance to pick who I could go play behind…I’m gonna take advantage…my day go come.” – Slay ([27:03])
    • Sherman points out the unique challenges and learning opportunities of sitting behind a true superstar.
      • “That’s stuff you can’t just learn anywhere…there are details. If you want to just sit behind somebody and just be like, 'oh man…' Your development won’t be as great as it would be behind somebody like that.” ([29:10])

• Slay’s Admiration for Legends:

  • Shares excitement at learning from stars like Champ Bailey: “I've been... his biggest fan that he never just knew about. And I got a chance to watch him do a whole workout...” ([31:43])

Myles Garrett’s GOAT Case: Heated Debate ([36:05]–[39:27])

• Joe Thomas: Myles Garrett ‘Most Impactful Non-QB Ever’?
  • Sherman and Slay quickly push back, putting Aaron Donald at the top.
    • “Let’s not go crazy. It’s Aaron Donald. Let's not go crazy…” – Sherman ([36:20])
    • “He can say we could go Aaron. Him and Aaron Donald for sure. Like, that’s not even a question.” – Slay ([36:25])
  • Discussion of the critical importance of playoff and championship moments for legacy.
    • “You want to see Myles Garrett in those playoff moments, but he's just stuck in Cleveland...you can't just be a regular season monster.” – Sherman ([37:38])
  • Stories of Garrett’s jaw-dropping practice dominance.
    • “I ain’t never seen nobody shut the whole practice down.” – Slay ([38:15])
    • “I ain’t never heard nobody scream at the quarterback.” – Sherman ([38:54])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Exchanges

• “If I was doing any better, I’d be you.” — Richard Sherman to Darius Slay, capturing the duo’s easy, competitive camaraderie ([02:47])
• “That’s why I be telling people about the business, man. It’s what you do for me now.” — Big Play Slay ([19:17])
• “I was one of his biggest fans that he never just knew about.” — Slay on Champ Bailey ([31:43])
• “Let’s not go crazy. It’s Aaron Donald. Let’s not go crazy…” — Richard Sherman, shutting down the GOAT debate ([36:20])

Segment Timestamps

• Steelers D assessment / Fumble recovery: [02:58]–[04:56]
• Rodgers passes Favre: [04:56]–[05:36]
• Ireland trip insights: [05:36]–[09:16], [11:34]
• Vikings/Carson Wentz matchup: [09:16]–[11:22]
• NFL news (Giants/Texans): [16:50]–[21:50]
• Blocked field goals/Jordan Davis run: [21:50]–[23:53]
• Detroit contains Lamar: [23:53]–[26:13]
• Learning behind legends vs. playing early: [26:47]–[31:43]
• Myles Garrett GOAT debate: [36:05]–[39:27]
• Outro & closing camaraderie: [39:43]–[39:58]

Tone & Style

The episode is energetic, conversational, and candid—blending locker room storytelling with incisive football analysis and unfiltered NFL realities. Slay and Sherman’s rapport gives the episode an authentic, lighthearted but honest tone, often punctuated by laughter, insider anecdotes, and a mutual reverence for football greatness.

Takeaway

This week’s Richard Sherman Podcast, with guest Darius Slay, is a can’t-miss for fans who want smart, real-time perspectives on defense, culture, and locker-room dynamics as well as thoughtful debates about NFL greatness—sprinkled liberally with jokes and genuine player respect.