The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD - Hour 1 - Belichick gets destroyed, Parsons getting traded to the Packers, Ryan Day
Date: September 2, 2025

Episode Overview

In this hour of "The Herd," Colin Cowherd delivers his signature sharp takes on major football stories, headlining the episode with a critique of Bill Belichick's declining coaching approach, the Dallas Cowboys’ high-profile trade of Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, and an in-depth interview with Ohio State coach Ryan Day on the Buckeyes’ opening victory. Colin also breaks down quarterback performances around the NFL and college football and discusses the changing landscape of both games, focusing on coaching staff choices, team culture, and player development.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bill Belichick’s Outdated Coaching and Recent Defeat

[03:02–08:28]

• Colin dissects Belichick’s latest embarrassing loss with Carolina, drawing comparisons to his late-Patriots era and identifying a familiar pattern: hiring family and friends over top coaching talent.

• He critiques Belichick for clinging to comfort instead of evolving, in contrast to Nick Saban’s willingness to hire offensive minds like Lane Kiffin.

• The offense looked uninspired post-scripted first drive, especially under Freddy Kitchens, who was promoted internally rather than being the best OC candidate.

• Memorable Quote:

  “Young Bill Belichick would have fired this Bill Belichick. He’s seeking comfort. You can’t coach in a gated community.” (Colin Cowherd, 04:52)

• Colin likens the transfer portal’s heavy use to “bitcoin”—all hype, little substance—echoing his skepticism over quick fixes.

• Belichick’s own words after the loss:

  “They out coached us. They just did a lot more things right than we did...We’re better than what we were tonight. But we have to go out there and show that, and prove it. So nobody's going to do it for us. We'll have to do it ourselves.” (Belichick via Ryan Day, 08:27)

2. Micah Parsons Trade: Cowboys vs. Packers

[08:28–14:16; 35:34–38:33]

• Colin examines the Cowboys’ blockbuster trade sending Micah Parsons to Green Bay, noting the flurry of “leaks” aimed at justifying Dallas’ move by smearing Parsons’ character and locker-room presence.

• He defends the trade from both sides:

  • Dallas gets future flexibility (multiple first-round picks, cap relief) necessary for a soft reboot and potential coaching change.
  • Green Bay gets a “game-wrecker,” perfect for their Super Bowl window.

• Highlights that not every star needs to be universally beloved, comparing Parsons to personalities like Peyton Manning and Jalen Hurts.

• On franchise philosophy:

  “This insistence that Dallas got hosed... I’ve seen Dak, CeeDee Lamb and Micah in the playoffs. Yeah, I saw those guys get housed by the Green Bay Packers in Dallas, and that was the youngest playoff team since 1970.” (Colin, 12:57)

• Suggests Dallas should consider drafting a quarterback and leverage their draft capital for a new foundation.

• On Packers’ side, Parsons is a luxury icing on an already strong cake, supported by a proven developmental culture.

• Parsons quote after trade:

  "Winning is everything to me... I haven't been [to the Super Bowl] and I don't know what it takes. But I got a funny feeling that, you know, this program does." (Micah Parsons, 13:44)

3. Quarterback Storylines: Arch Manning, Jalen Hurts, NFL Previews

Arch Manning’s Struggles at Texas [21:37–24:54; 51:31–52:38]

• Colin critiques Arch Manning's poor opening performance against Ohio State, noting mechanical issues, inability to handle pressure, and lack of sharpness despite being three years in Steve Sarkisian’s system.
• He points out the difference between “just jitters” and true readiness, and notes the pressure of being football royalty.
• Empathizes by recalling rocky starts of legends (Joe Burrow, Nick Saban, Matt Stafford).
• Arch Manning after the loss:

  “Yeah, ultimately not good enough. Obviously you don’t want to start off the season 0-1. They’re a good team, but I thought we beat ourselves a lot and that starts with me...” (Arch Manning via Ryan Day, 24:35)

• Panel discusses how the loss of key receivers and a new offensive line may have impacted Arch's performance.

Jalen Hurts and the Eagles Outlook [30:06–33:36]

• Colin and Ben Johnson discuss why Jalen Hurts is uniquely suited to handle expectations and noise, emphasizing his inner calm and self-confidence.

• They note that, surprisingly, Hurts isn’t the most popular in the Eagles locker room but is the most respected.

• Reflect on the relative lack of chatter about the Eagles repeating and credit the team's construction and leadership.

• Notable Jalen Hurts take:

  “He’s got a real strong sense of self. Jalen Hurts is one of those unique athletes—the heartbeat doesn’t change. Win or lose, you get the same guy... It’s the opposite of a guy... like Baker Mayfield; Jalen hears nothing.” (Colin, 31:15, 32:22)

NFL Previews: Vikings-Bears, Rams Week One [26:50–29:59; 33:36–35:34]

• Chicago vs. Minnesota: Spotlight on Caleb Williams’ debut against Brian Flores’ aggressive Vikings defense, with both hosts intrigued by the ‘mystery’ of the new QB matchups and the offensive weapons on display.
• Quick takes on Rams’ injury concerns (Stafford, left tackle) and a potentially low-scoring opener.

4. Interview: Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day

[42:51–50:43]

• Colin hosts Ryan Day following the Buckeyes’ win over Texas, praising Day’s bold hiring of Matt Patricia, whose defensive schemes rattled Arch Manning.
• Day discusses adapting the offensive approach to game flow (conservative play calls due to bad field position), building the team’s physical identity, and evolving tactics as young quarterback Julian Sayin matures.
• On NFL coaches now thriving in college, Day notes the shrinking gap between the two games (rules, tempo, coaching/player communications, NIL and staff expansion).
• Day reveals the team’s challenge—16 new starters, much less returning experience than last year—yet credits a strong physical foundation and notes it’s all about building toward championships, not early flash.
• Colin compliments Julian Sayin’s poised debut and asks about his development.
  • Day emphasizes Sayin’s strong fundamentals and mental sharpness.
• Ryan Day insights:

  “You always have to build an identity with every team that you have, and we wanted to build that identity early on, is that we were going to play physical... finish around the ball.” (Ryan Day, 46:41)
  “[Julian Sayin] was accurate with the ball. He made a couple off-schedule plays and then he threw the ball away and took care of it when he needed to. All good starts, long way to go, but we could work with that.” (Ryan Day, 50:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The transfer portal feels a little like bitcoin. Everybody thinks they're gonna get rich, and it's a lot of nonsense and hope and hype." — Colin Cowherd (06:31)
• "Young Bill Belichick would have fired this Bill Belichick. He's seeking comfort." — Colin Cowherd (04:52)
• "I've never understood this... this idea that you just can't let go of stars. I don't get it. Everybody's got different windows. Dallas is in a reboot." — Colin Cowherd (14:16)
• "[Jalen Hurts]—the heartbeat doesn't change. Win or lose, you get the same guy and he's not really concerned... what the media thinks of him." — Colin Cowherd (31:15)
• "You always have to build an identity. We want to be physical. We want to win championships down the road, not just win the first game." — Ryan Day (46:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Belichick Critique & “Comfort” Coaching: 03:02–08:28
• Cowboys-Packers Trade Analysis: 08:28–14:16, 35:34–38:33
• Arch Manning Debut and Quarterback Discourse: 21:37–24:54, 51:31–52:38
• Jalen Hurts, Eagles, and NFL Previews: 30:06–33:36
• Ryan Day Interview (Ohio State Insight): 42:51–50:43

Episode Takeaways

• Bill Belichick’s decline is tied to an unwillingness to evolve, both in coaching hires and football philosophy. Young Belichick thrived on discomfort and new ideas; today’s version favors familiar faces and conventional approaches, to his team’s detriment.
• Micah Parsons’ trade symbolizes the Cowboys’ need for a cultural reset and flexibility, even as the Packers hope he’s the “missing piece” in a contending core.
• Quarterbacks young and old are under the spotlight—from Arch Manning’s generational expectations to Jalen Hurts’ stoic excellence and the NFL’s fresh debutants.
• The line between college and pro football continues to blur, with coaching styles, roster structures, and even game tempo coalescing; success increasingly hinges on adaptability, culture, and leadership, not pedigree or tradition.

For listeners who missed the episode, this hour offers a sharp, context-driven breakdown of football’s shifting landscape, with pointed analysis and behind-the-scenes insight from both the studio and the sideline.