Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: The Herd – Hour 1 – Drake Maye continues to impress, getting ready for an AFC West showdown
Date: November 14, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts and The Volume)
Focus: NFL quarterback performance, coaching credit, AFC West dynamics, and the upcoming week's critical storylines

Episode Overview

Colin Cowherd’s first hour of The Herd is packed with thoughtful analysis of the top NFL stories entering the weekend. The central focus is on the ascension of rookie quarterback Drake Maye, the ongoing debate about credit between coaching and quarterback talent, and an in-depth discussion of the shifting power dynamics in the AFC West. Cowherd also explores the challenges facing key franchises (Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, New York Jets) and previews important matchups while weaving in commentary on player development, organizational priorities, and league trends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Drake Maye vs. Mike Vrabel: Who Gets the Credit?

[03:00 – 15:00]

• Debate Origin: Cowherd addresses the perennial debate following a young quarterback’s breakout: “Is it the coach or is it the quarterback?” He zeroes in on Drake Maye’s performance with Mike Vrabel and uses their recent win to illustrate the NFL ratio of credit.
• Cowherd’s Take:
  • NFL vs. College: In college (70/30), coach holds more sway; in the NFL, it’s reversed (65–70% quarterback).
  • Example: “Why are the Washington Commanders so bad this year? Not because Dan Quinn and Cliff Kingsbury forgot how to coach. Jaden Daniels got hurt. The team stinks.” – Colin, [03:50].
  • Coaches like Mike Tomlin and Andy Reid are elevated or diminished by the quality and health of their quarterbacks.
  • Vrabel is lauded as a culture-builder but ultimately reliant on Maye’s high-level decisions and throws.
• Maye’s Unique Skill: Notably exceptional on first down (“completes 78% of his throws on first down … That is the highest completion percentage on first down since they’ve tracked it” – [10:00]).
• On Culture Building: “Vrabel’s absolutely a huge part of this. But in the NFL, it’s always felt like to me, it’s 65/35, 70/30. You gotta have the guy that can execute at a high level, intellectually, physically, emotionally, and that is a potential MVP. Drake Maye.” – Colin, [12:00].

Notable Quote:

“Mike Vrabel’s not winning that game last night with Justin Fields as his quarterback … Drake Maye made six or seven decisions and throws that are incredibly high level. That kid is so good on first down, it’s amazing.” – Colin Cowherd [06:50]

Drake Maye’s Perspective:

“Our fans have been great with me since I got here. ... I think just appreciate them for embracing me, trying to embrace this city and ... just leave it all out there and give them everything I got.” – Drake Maye [13:00] (on MVP chants)

2. AFC West Showdown & the End of a Dynasty

[15:00 – 31:00]

• Kansas City Chiefs Outlook: Cowherd revisits his bold prediction that the Chiefs’ “dynasty” is over—not that they won’t win, but that AFC dominance is finished due to increased divisional competition and a maturing roster.
  • “Andy Reid and Mahomes may win another Super Bowl, but this, going to the AFC Championship every year, going to the Super Bowl every year—that’s done.” – [18:00]
  • Chiefs face the Broncos, with real playoff seeding at risk; the importance of divisional games is elevated “with Harbaugh and Payton now in the division.”
• Historical Parallels: Brady and the Patriots benefited from weaker divisional competition and home seeding—no longer an option for KC.
• Challenges for the Chiefs:
  • Mahomes’ contract taking cap space.
  • Veterans getting older (Chris Jones, Travis Kelce).
  • Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh as new elite coaches in the division.

Patrick Mahomes Quote:

“It’s a divisional game and they’re always important. But with them having the lead and us needing to win ... if you lose this game ... it’d be tough to go back and get that one.” [21:30]

3. Coaching Impacts & Team Identity:

[31:00 – 44:00]

• Seattle Seahawks: John Schneider finds his “Sean McVay”—but on the defensive side—in Mike Macdonald. Seattle’s transformation to a physical, aggressive, identity-rich team mirrors what McVay did offensively in LA.
• Coaching Trees: The importance and breadth of coaching pedigrees, with references to Washington’s historic staff (LaFleur, McVay, Shanahan) and Harbaugh’s Raven/Michigan cross-pollination.
• Defining Identity: Not just about W-L record, but immediate tactical and cultural shifts (Seattle: “physical team … hyper aggressive … special teams”).

Guest Analysis – Greg Cosell:

“Seattle and the Rams ... are the two defenses that stunt the most of any team in the league. They don’t necessarily blitz a high percentage, but they’re very aggressive with their multiple stunt concepts … they generate pressure and they’re very aggressive.” [38:30]

4. News Updates & NFL Trends

[44:00 – 70:00]

A. Eagles A.J. Brown “Saga”

• Discussion if the offense should “force-feed” Brown. Consensus: stick to the plan, don’t appease every wide receiver ego, but expect a big week versus Detroit’s so-so secondary.

B. Buffalo Bills’ Offensive Identity Crisis

• Ongoing offensive struggles lead to speculation on Sean McDermott’s future.
  • “If Buffalo lost (to Tampa), that’s your lead on Monday: Buffalo can’t get right on track.” – Colin, [55:10]

C. Chicago Bears & Caleb Williams’ Progress

• Dramatic reduction in sacks taken by Caleb Williams (from 38 last season to 14 over 10 games). Offensive line investment lauded as the catalyst.
  • “First thing offensive coaches do when they take over a place? Fix the O-line.” – [60:00]
• Potential advantages in the upcoming matchup against Brian Flores’ Vikings.

D. Coaching Accountability & Defensive Identity (Jets Segment)

• Cowherd is critical of Aaron Glenn for failing to imprint a defensive identity in New York, contrasting with coaches like Lincoln Riley (offense at USC) and Mike Macdonald (defense at Seattle).
  • “The Jets defense has no identity. It’s bad. They don’t take the ball away ... the pressure’s inconsistent.” – [70:00]
• Discussion on the quick hook for NFL coaches and the necessity for a head coach to always at least “get their side of the ball right.”

5. NFL Quarterback Market & Draft Outlook

[90:00 – 105:00]

• Several NFL teams (estimated nine) need a quarterback; this upcoming draft is seen as weak by executives.
• Fernando Mendoza from Cal is emerging as the only likely first-round pick; Dante Moore and Lenora Sellers are promising but may stay in school or are too raw.
• The San Francisco 49ers have “massive leverage” with Mac Jones as a capable trade chip.
• Debate if any team will trade up for Mendoza; Cleveland Browns suggested as a “double win total” candidate if they secure a competent QB.

Albert Breer Quote:

“There are some teams ... already looking at the idea of, ‘Could there be another Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Daniel Jones, Geno Smith type of story out there?’ Especially … with the draft class maybe not looking like what people had hoped.” [98:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “A lot of times just give it to the coordinator and the quarterback. It’s a little harder to do when Drake Maye’s young, but ... Vrabel, like Belichick, understands that.” – Colin [07:45]
• “We always had second-and-five, second-and-four, second-and-six. … With Drake Maye, you’re ahead of the chains. That opens the playbook.” – Colin [11:50]
• “If you can hire an offensive coach, do it. But [John] Schneider would argue he did find Sean McVay—the defensive version—in Mike Macdonald.” – Colin [35:10]
• “You’ve got to judge you on your expertise because I know building culture is hard. I know the other side of the ball is hard. ... That defense—there’s nothing to it.” – Colin [77:00]
• “I’ve hit it four years in a row: if Mac Jones went to Cleveland ... or if they got Mendoza, because I think Mendoza is a day-one starter, I would take Cleveland as my double win total team next year.” – Colin [104:00]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Time (MM:SS) | |--------------------------------------------------|----------------| | Drake Maye or Vrabel: Who Deserves the Credit? | 03:00 – 15:00 | | Maye’s MVP Caliber & First-Down Efficiency | 10:00 – 13:00 | | AFC West Showdown & Chiefs’ “Dynasty” | 15:00 – 31:00 | | Mahomes on Facing Broncos | 21:30 | | Seattle’s Mike Macdonald: Culture Changer | 31:00 – 44:00 | | Greg Cosell on Defensive Aggression | 38:30 | | News Segment (Eagles, Bills, Bears updates) | 44:00 – 70:00 | | Jets Coaching and Defensive Accountability | 70:00 – 81:00 | | NFL QB Draft Class Discussion | 90:00 – 105:00 | | Albert Breer on QB Market | 98:00 |

Conclusion

Colin Cowherd’s first hour provides an incisive blend of opinion and analysis, with special emphasis on the quarterback–coach dynamic, the evolving challenges for established NFL powers, and the urgent questions facing struggling franchises. The standout theme: high-level quarterback play is indispensable, but sharp coaching and clear identity can transform a team’s trajectory—just don’t get the credit split confused.