The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Hour 1 (November 10, 2025)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd focuses on key NFL storylines, including the emergence of Caleb Williams as a bona fide franchise quarterback for the Chicago Bears, the continued struggles and questionable decisions by the Buffalo Bills and their head coach Sean McDermott, and the surprising midseason firing of New York Giants’ head coach Brian Daboll. Colin and his co-host J. Mac analyze the implications of these developments, drawing broader conclusions about modern NFL coaching and team philosophies. Other topics include analysis of contenders and pretenders in the NFL, standout player and team performances, and college football observations.

Main Themes & Discussion Points

1. Chicago Bears: Caleb Williams Arrives as The Answer at QB

• The episode opens with a reflection on Chicago’s “eternal question” at quarterback and Colin’s belief that Caleb Williams is finally the answer.
• Williams’ clutch performances—and specifically his fourth-quarter comebacks—are highlighted as evidence that the Bears have their first “great” quarterback in decades.
• Colin credits the pairing of head coach Ben Johnson with Williams as part of the Bears’ improvement, especially in operational discipline and red zone efficiency.
• Key Points
  • Williams’ durability and ball security: “Two things that have always been true about Caleb Williams. Really durable, doesn’t get hurt and he doesn’t throw picks. Let me add a third. He’s clutch... You just know it when you see it.” (09:26)
  • Comparing Williams’ arm talent to league elites such as John Elway and Patrick Mahomes.
  • Emphasis on improved game management, reduced penalties, and cleaned-up offensive execution.
  • Johnson’s praise: “‘This next guy, man, he’s got ice in his veins. And if you don’t believe it now, you just wait. Man, the best is yet to come. 18, here we go.’” (14:10, Ben Johnson postgame)

2. The Buffalo Bills’ In-Season Struggles and Sean McDermott Questioned

• Colin critiques the Bills’ inability to solve offensive issues during the season, referencing their poor record from the past five games and struggles despite having Josh Allen.
• Points to defensive-minded head coaches like McDermott being less equipped to address in-season offensive problems versus offensive-minded coaches.
• Key Quote: “They can’t solve offensive issues in season... You can’t have to solve every issue in the offseason. It doesn’t work that way. Not in this league.” (22:12)
• Colin questions whether the Bills are wasting Allen’s prime and draws comparisons to other teams (Chargers, Broncos, 49ers) overcoming adversity and injuries better.
• McDermott’s lack of answers: “So much of coaching is not having the answers, it’s finding them, it’s solving the problems in season, week to week, moving pieces...” (27:19, Colin referencing McDermott’s presser)

3. The Steelers: Aging Team in Crisis

• Discussing Pittsburgh’s inconsistent performances and confounding week-to-week results, Colin describes the Steelers as an “unsolvable” team.
• Analysis of their aging roster, struggles to run the football, fading effectiveness, and defensive coach Mike Tomlin’s inability to course-correct midseason.
• Quote: “They’re the second oldest team in the NFL, and they’re aging like milk, not wine.” (38:45)
• Aaron Rodgers’ regression and lack of receiving talent is touched upon, with Rodgers himself admitting poor play: “‘I expect to play great every single week, and this was not my best performance. I gotta play better than this for us to win.’” (40:05, Aaron Rodgers postgame)

4. Rams & Seahawks: Coaching, Adaptability, and Efficiency

• The efficacy of the LA Rams and Matt Stafford is dissected, with emphasis on coaching discipline, red zone prowess, and adaptability (use of three tight-end sets).
• Rams efficient, mistake-free football: “They don’t turn the ball over... you have to beat the Rams. The Rams do not beat themselves. To me, this is the best team in the league.” (48:22)
• J. Mac draws parallels to past Patriots’ adaptability under Belichick.
• The speed and youth of the Seattle Seahawks, offensive explosiveness, and JSN’s (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) breakout are highlighted.
• JSN’s culture quote: “‘Preparation, our culture in the building, the guys that we have in this locker room, you know, doing whatever it takes to win... we all feel like we have something special.’” (56:43)

5. College Football Highlights

• Praise for standout college QB performances: Indiana’s Mendoza and Oregon’s Dante Moore.
• Gus Johnson’s emphatic call: “Mendoza in trouble. It’s out. That’s the wow. Oh my cobra. Unbelievable. Give him the Heisman trophy now.” (1:01:25)
• Discussion about draft prospects, the importance of adaptability, and reflections on how college stars (notably from Michigan) transition differently to the pros compared to Alabama/Georgia products.

6. Minnesota Vikings and J.J. McCarthy’s Struggles

• Colin uses J.J. McCarthy as an example of flawed first-round QB picks that don’t pan out, emphasizing post-script struggles and a lack of “NFL traits.”
• “You gotta be able to drive the car. Once the driver’s ed teacher goes back to class and you drive home, right? At some point, it’s your car, you’re the driver.” (1:16:07)
• Cites the importance of off-script playmaking and leadership, comparing to past Minnesota QB situations.

7. Giants Fire Brian Daboll: A Premature & Reactionary Move

• BREAKING NEWS: The New York Giants have fired head coach Brian Daboll midseason.

• Colin strongly criticizes the decision, calling it “idiotic” and likening it to the Jets’ mismanagement the previous year.

• Main Points:

  • Daboll was the only one in the building who believed in Jackson Dart as the franchise quarterback.
  • Firing a coach who works well with your most important player is a classic franchise mistake.
  • The timing—during adversity with key injuries—shows lack of organizational stability and patience.

• Quote: “Never fire the best coach on your staff. And if you have to do it, do it at the end of a season. In the middle of a season to fire... the Jets went sideways in 15 minutes.” (1:21:12)

• J. Mac agrees, lamenting the trend of New York teams overreacting to short-term results.

• Daboll’s future as an in-demand coordinator or potential head coach elsewhere is discussed, with Miami named as a likely suitor.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “If you start looking at Caleb Williams’ fourth quarter numbers in the four game-winning drives, his passer rating is like 145. He’s a better quarterback under duress, trailing.” (10:43, Colin)
• “So much about quarterback isn’t what you do, it’s what you don’t do.” (13:39, Colin)
• “Offensive coaches can solve problems with their unit, their young quarterback, and they can do it in a week or two.” (25:18, Colin)
• “They’re the second oldest team in the NFL, and they’re aging like milk, not wine.” (38:45, Colin)
• “So much of coaching is not having the answers, it’s finding them, it’s solving the problems in season, week to week, moving pieces.” (27:19, Colin)
• “You gotta be a fix-it guy, that’s what Shanahan could do and Dan Reeves couldn’t.” (23:00, Colin)
• “They have a running back. They drafted Roman Wilson, by the way. ...We thought they were stars in college. No, the coach was.” (35:35, Colin on Steelers’ offense and Harbaugh at Michigan)
• “If I was the New York Giants... I’d hire Mike McCarthy. Mike McCarthy’s quarterbacks win and perform very well.” (1:28:32, Colin)

Key Timestamps

• 09:26 – Colin on Caleb Williams’ clutch gene and physical traits.
• 14:10 – Ben Johnson’s locker-room praise for Caleb Williams.
• 22:12 – Critique of Sean McDermott and defensive coaches' in-season struggles.
• 27:19 – On coaching being about finding answers, not having them.
• 38:45 – Steelers’ aging roster and weekly unpredictability.
• 40:05 – Aaron Rodgers postgame accountability.
• 48:22 – Rams’ mistake-free style and red zone dominance.
• 56:43 – JSN on Seattle’s culture and success.
• 1:01:25 – Gus Johnson’s call of the Indiana game-winning TD.
• 1:16:07 – Colin’s driver’s ed analogy for J.J. McCarthy’s NFL struggles.
• 1:21:12 – Colin’s reaction to Giants firing Brian Daboll.
• 1:28:32 – Colin’s recommendation for the Giants' next coach.

Tone and Style

Colin’s tone throughout is assertive, candid, and at times incredulous—especially when discussing franchise mismanagement and coaching philosophies. The discussion is fast-paced, full of analogies and pointed criticism, balanced by J. Mac’s back-and-forth commentary, and occasionally punctuated by memorable postgame quotes and jovial banter.

Summary

For listeners who missed the episode, Colin opens with optimism for Bears fans, providing detailed, experience-based arguments for why Caleb Williams is finally Chicago’s franchise QB. The show then pivots to chronic problems in Buffalo, the ongoing Steelers saga, and top-tier teams demonstrating what modern NFL success looks like. The news of Brian Daboll’s firing is dissected as a cautionary tale of franchise impatience, revealing Colin and J. Mac’s broader concerns with how short-term thinking often undermines team building. College football observations round out the hour, blending pro and amateur narratives in Colin’s typically passionate, opinionated style.