Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD – Hour 1 (JJ McCarthy getting praise, Ben Johnson admitting his mistakes, defending the Ravens)
Date: September 10, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd (with Joel Klatt)

Overview

In this hour, Colin Cowherd dives deep into the impact of coaching on young quarterbacks' success, the importance of organizational fit over draft order, and accountability among NFL coaches. The conversation then pivots to defending the Baltimore Ravens after criticism for blown leads and includes lively NFL analysis with co-host Joel Klatt. Memorable moments include praise for JJ McCarthy and Bo Nix, candid talk about Ben Johnson’s self-criticism, and spirited debates about NFL teams’ strengths and weaknesses, all delivered in Colin’s signature insightful, conversational style.

Main Themes & Discussion Points

1. Draft Position vs. Organizational Fit for Quarterbacks

(03:30–11:58)

• Colin argues that being drafted first overall is less important than ending up with the right organization.
• Examples:
  • JJ McCarthy (5th QB taken) and Bo Nix (6th QB), both in excellent organizational fits with great young offensive coaches (Kevin O’Connell, Sean Payton).
  • Historical references: Lamar Jackson (last in 1st round), Mahomes (10th overall), Dan Marino dropping in the draft.
• Insight: “Our society is obsessed with finishing number one...where you fit best is where you should go to college, if you’re going to be a success.” – Colin Cowherd (05:13)
• Talented QBs are often more successful long-term if their coach and team offer support and structure, regardless of draft order.

2. Coach Support and Player Development

• Colin underscores the immense impact that coaches have on a young quarterback’s trajectory.
• He praises Kevin O’Connell’s patience with JJ McCarthy, even after a poor performance:
  • Quote: “Through three quarters, JJ McCarthy was about as bad as you can be in the NFL. That pick six was Will Levis stuff. But his coach stayed with him, hung with him, supported him.” – Colin Cowherd (10:30)
  • Kevin O’Connell on JJ McCarthy: “All the credit in the world should go to JJ and his teammates. That explosion of energy and emotion…can be infectious for a while.” (11:25)

3. Accountability in Coaching: The Case of Ben Johnson

(14:57–18:01)

• Ben Johnson, new NFL head coach, openly criticizes his own debut performance.
  • Quote: “I didn’t think I called a particularly great game. I could have adjusted... I can do a better job there.” – Ben Johnson (15:55)
• Colin contrasts Johnson’s accountability with other coaches who deflect or minimize mistakes (e.g., Matt Eberflus after the Hail Mary loss).
• Insight: Great bosses and coaches hold themselves and their teams accountable, building trust and standards.
• Quote: “The best bosses I’ve ever had…hold themselves accountable. And Ben Johnson was talking about his debut as an NFL head coach.” – Colin Cowherd (15:20)

4. Defending the Baltimore Ravens on Blown Leads

(17:46–26:00)

• Colin pushes back on the media’s criticism of the Ravens for surrendering big leads:
  • Points out that only good teams regularly lead by 9–16 points in the fourth quarter (Ravens, Chiefs, Bills, etc.).
  • Ravens have 10 more such leads than Buffalo and the Chiefs in the past four seasons.
  • Quote: “All the teams listed blowing leads…they’re all the good teams.” – Colin Cowherd (19:40)
• Suggests complacency (versus incompetence) often explains blown leads versus bad teams.
• Compares Ravens’ situation to high-performing tech companies with high expectations.
• John Harbaugh comments: “Maybe part of it’s the fact that we’ve been ahead a lot…that’s too many [blown leads]. We need to be really thoughtful.” (22:00)
• Final note: Winning “most of those games” is still a luxury half the league would love to have.

5. NFL Rapid Fire: Coaching, Quarterbacks, and Team Trends

(25:55–33:31)

• Chargers’ Jim Harbaugh praises Justin Herbert’s resilience:
  Quote: “Huge hit on Justin. The kind of hit that would have killed a lesser man…he comes back the next play and just stands in there…” – Jim Harbaugh (26:11)
• Concerns about Chargers vs. Raiders matchup due to travel and tough coaching staff.
• Seahawks vs. Steelers discussion – skepticism about Steelers, praise for Justin Fields and the Seahawks’ defense.
• Bills' defensive coordinator Bobby Babich owns mistakes after a tough victory, echoes earlier accountability themes. Quote: “No one in the defensive room thinks anything of that nature was acceptable...” – Bobby Babich (31:13)

6. Changing Metrics & the Rise of College Football Viewership

(33:31–43:36)

• Colin discusses new, more accurate viewership metrics expanding reported audiences due to counting out-of-home viewers.
• College football is booming despite predictions that nil deals and the transfer portal would ruin the sport.
• “Content always wins…College football isn’t just better now, it’s significantly better.” – Colin Cowherd (35:50)

7. Kansas City Chiefs Dynasty: Signs of Decline

(43:36–52:30)

• Chiefs (0–1) face possible 0–2 start, which historically spells playoff trouble.
• Roster depth and fatigue are key issues; Mahomes is now carrying too much load without support.
• Key Statistic: “In the Mahomes era, Kansas City has played 1,500 more snaps than any other NFL team.” – Colin Cowherd (45:04)
• Chargers and Broncos may have better rosters than Chiefs now; offense feels thin, especially with injuries.
• Team Trends: The league is engineered for parity. Once you pay a star quarterback, holes appear elsewhere on the roster.

8. Chiefs Roster & Potential Moves

(52:30–53:40)

• Discussion about whether the Chiefs could or should try to reacquire Tyreek Hill if things implode in Miami.
• Also “Keep your eye on A.J. Brown,” suggesting the Eagles could consider a move.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Where you fit best is where you should go to college, if you’re going to be a success.”
  – Colin Cowherd (05:13)
• “Through three quarters, JJ McCarthy was about as bad as you can be in the NFL at quarterback...But his coach stayed with him, hung with him, supported him.”
  – Colin Cowherd (10:30)
• “All the credit in the world should go to JJ and his teammates...that explosion of energy and emotion...can be infectious for a while.”
  – Kevin O’Connell (11:25)
• "I didn’t think I called a particularly great game. I could have adjusted...I can do a better job there."
  – Ben Johnson (15:55)
• "All the teams listed blowing leads…they’re all the good teams."
  – Colin Cowherd (19:40)
• "No one in the defensive room thinks anything of that nature was acceptable..."
  – Bobby Babich (31:13)
• "Content always wins…College football isn’t just better now, it’s significantly better."
  – Colin Cowherd (35:50)
• "In the Mahomes era, Kansas City has played 1,500 more snaps than any other NFL team."
  – Colin Cowherd (45:04)

Key Segment Timestamps

• Draft order & fit for QBs: 03:30–11:58
• Coaching impact (JJ McCarthy, O’Connell): 10:30–11:50
• Ben Johnson on accountability: 14:57–18:01
• Defending Ravens on blown leads: 17:46–26:00
• NFL rapid analysis (Chargers, Steelers, Bills): 25:55–33:31
• College football ratings/metrics discussion: 33:31–43:36
• Chiefs dynasty discussion: 43:36–52:30
• Roster moves speculation (Tyreek Hill/AJ Brown): 52:30–53:40

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Herd spotlights how critical good coaching and supportive organizations are to NFL quarterback success, emphasizing accountability and fit over raw talent or draft position. Cowherd delivers nuanced defenses of often-criticized teams like the Ravens, punctuated by strong data and historical comparisons; he also candidly admits concerns about the current state of the Chiefs roster and the changing landscape of both college and professional football. As always, the hour is packed with passionate insights and lively back-and-forth with Joel Klatt.