The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD - Hour 1 - Josh Allen is the True MVP, Drama Inside the Eagles Organization
Date: November 20, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd dives deep into why he believes Josh Allen is the NFL’s true MVP—arguably the best player on the planet and possibly one of the top five he's ever seen. Colin explores Allen’s overwhelming role in Buffalo’s fortunes, contrasts other franchise quarterbacks, and discusses the near-total dependency the Bills have on their star. The show also analyzes dysfunction inside the Eagles organization, bringing in reputable local reporting and inside knowledge to question Jalen Hurts’ standing with coaches and in the locker room. Additional segments include critiques of the Steelers' offensive woes despite superstar talent, the struggles of the Chiefs, and quarterback drama around the league.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Josh Allen: “The Best Football Player on the Planet”

(begins at 02:13)

• Allen’s Value to Buffalo:

  • Keon Coleman, a 2nd-round WR, is being benched repeatedly, possibly a bust, but Josh Allen’s impact makes this irrelevant.
  • The Bills’ fortunes are tied directly to Allen’s performance. In the past five weeks, Buffalo is 5-0 when Allen has 3+ TDs, and 0-3 when he has fewer.
  • "No franchise I ever remember has been this quarterback-dependent." – Colin Cowherd [03:49]

• Contrasting Allen’s Situations with Other Teams:

  • Ravens have won with backups.
  • Chiefs/49ers/Eagles can win when their QB is average or injured thanks to top-to-bottom roster strength.
  • Bills couldn't win a playoff game in 25 years before Allen.
  • “They’re building a new stadium in Buffalo for one reason... Josh Allen.” [06:07]

• Allen’s Share of Offense:

  • 76% of Buffalo’s touchdowns have come through Allen.
  • “If he was a stock, your financial advisor would tell you to diversify. You've got too many eggs in one basket.” [07:27]

• Comparative MVP Candidates:

  • Chiefs and Ravens can survive dips in QB play; Buffalo cannot.
  • "The Chiefs, the Ravens, the Eagles—they've won Super Bowls with Nick Foles and Trent Dilfer. Buffalo couldn't win a playoff game for 25 years." [07:38]

• Sean McDermott (Bills HC) Soundbite:

  • “When he’s on his game, you look out. I mean, he's the best there is in the business.” [07:44]

2. Chronic Offensive Sickness: Pittsburgh Steelers’ Stagnation

(begins at 07:59)

• DK Metcalf’s Struggles:

  • "He's moody. He doesn't run a great route tree and Seattle knows that." [08:34]
  • DK Metcalf, George Pickens, Kevin Dotson—talented players leave Pittsburgh and thrive, while those who arrive shrink.

• Systemic Issue, Not Just Talent:

  • Steelers haven’t figured out offense for years, regardless of QB, coordinator, or skill players.
  • "Are the Steelers just a more stable version of the New York Jets?...Talented athletes enter and shrink." [09:58]

• Aaron Rodgers Not to Blame:

  • Receivers have fewest targets and receptions in the league.
  • "Trying to get the Steelers to understand offense is like trying to get your grandparents to understand 6G." [10:58]
  • Mike Tomlin’s approach, injuries, or system all fail to mitigate offensive decline, especially post-Thanksgiving.

3. Eagles Locker Room Drama: Jalen Hurts & Coaching Disconnect

(starts at 12:19; revisited at 20:23)

• Local Journalism Sheds Light:

  • Reputable Philadelphia journalist Derek Gunn reports fundamental frustration within the coaching staff over Hurts’ refusal or inability to operate the offense as coached.
  • “He plays his game, not the game the coaches want him to play.” – Derek Gunn [21:41]

• Cowherd’s Added Perspective:

  • "I was told this summer…Hurts wasn’t that popular with coaches or the locker room."
  • Hurts is tough, high IQ, but not a ‘one of the guys’ type. “He’s a little cliché, a little too polished.” [23:21]
  • “Never forget, Socrates was not popular in his locker room either.” [23:58]

• Unique Leadership Style:

  • Hurts’ philosophical press conference quotes cited as possibly too buttoned up for Philly.
  • “In Philadelphia, you either win…or you learn. That’s how I feel.” – Jalen Hurts [23:45]
  • Despite the disconnect, Cowherd defends Hurts: “I like him. I don’t think he’s great from the pocket, but he wins. He’s tough.” [24:13]

• Risks for the Team:

  • Hurts is on pace for under 200 yards passing per game—anemic for a top QB with elite weaponry.
  • Philadelphia’s history of sudden, dramatic moves with players and coaches highlighted (e.g., Carson Wentz).

• Reporting Risks:

  • Colin emphasizes the courage of local reporters exposing “unpleasant news,” noting the challenge of facing backlash from the team. [25:34]

4. NFL Headlines and Quick Takes (Herdline News with Domonique Foxworth)

(begins at 27:26)

• Caleb Williams & the Chicago Bears:

  • Williams emphasizes a “one at a time” approach: "I do know that you can go one for one, you know, each and every single time…just focusing on being 1 and 0 this week." – Caleb Williams [27:45]

• Chiefs’ Offensive Struggles:

  • Patrick Mahomes: "I’m just not making the throws is pretty much the biggest thing. Guys are getting open and give me chances to make the—plays down the field." [29:52]
  • Noted that Mahomes has been a “C quarterback” on the road this season.
  • Right tackle Juwan Taylor ranks 69th of 76 tackles; penalties and O-line problems are big issues. [31:02]

• NY Giants and Mike Kafka:

  • Benching of Abdul Carter for missing meetings. Mike Kafka wants to show accountability, contrasting with Brian Daboll’s prior approach.

• Coaching Futures:

  • Both Cowherd and Foxworth believe Brian Daboll will be a head coach in the NFL next year, perhaps Robert Salah (SF) too.

5. Lane Kiffin Contract Drama at Ole Miss

(starts at 34:34)

• Media Accusations:

  • Critique of Pat Forde’s narrative that Lane Kiffin’s contract standoff is sabotaging Ole Miss’ playoff dreams.
  • Colin disagrees: "Lane Kiffin is under contract until 2031. He has no obligation to publicly sign an extension on Ole Miss's terms." [34:49]

• Job Market Leverage:

  • Only reason this is news: Florida and LSU have fired coaches, creating mobility rumors. Kiffin is “the reason Ole Miss is relevant.”
  • "In any profession, if you have five years left on a contract, you’re under no obligation to announce publicly, 'Hey, I'm staying forever.'" [36:22]

• Joel Klatt’s Take:

  • Klatt suggests Kiffin’s refusal to commit signals a likely departure to Florida.
  • Cowherd: “You’re lucky to have him.” [37:49]

6. Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns, and the “Streisand Effect”

(begins at 44:47)

• Conspiracy Theories Debunked:

  • Some fans believe the Browns are sabotaging Sanders; Cowherd lampoons this, listing a string of conspiracies about draft slide, practice reps, etc.
  • “Dear Shedeur Truthers, ask yourself: what does Cleveland or the NFL have to benefit by sabotaging Shedeur Sanders?…He’s got some charisma. His dad was a superstar. The NFL has made it—they want 32 interesting teams.” [44:56]

• Sanders’ Potential:

  • Cowherd expects him to look flashy but inconsistent, citing mobility, arm strength, but also bad habits (holding the ball too long, running backwards).
  • “My guess is: he looks very good on some plays…he’s going to throw some really bad picks.” [45:58]

7. J.J. McCarthy and Quarterback Maturity

(begins at 50:53)

• Diana Russini Report:

  • JJ McCarthy’s season plagued by low stats, unanswered questions about his readiness, and injury management.
  • “But more than that, it’s the vibes around him all season have been weird.” – Diana Russini [51:18]

• Cowherd’s Assessment:

  • "Quarterback’s different—maturity matters. Starting quickly matters. Durability matters. It just all matters more." [53:10]
  • Positions other than QB can withstand slow development or injuries—quarterback cannot.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Josh Allen’s Value:

  • “No franchise I ever remember has been this quarterback dependent.” – Colin Cowherd [03:49]
  • “They’re building a new stadium in Buffalo for one reason, not because it just got chilly…They’re building it because of Josh Allen.” – Colin Cowherd [06:09]
  • “If he was a stock, your financial advisor would tell you to diversify. You’ve got too many eggs in one basket.” – Colin Cowherd [07:27]

• On the Steelers’ Dysfunction:

  • “Are the Steelers just a more stable version of the New York Jets? Where great players leave and get better, coaches leave and are better. They enter, everybody shrinks.” – Colin Cowherd [09:58]
  • “Trying to get the Steelers to understand offense is like trying to get your grandparents to understand 6G.” – Colin Cowherd [10:58]

• On Jalen Hurts & the Eagles Locker Room:

  • “He is not a go, he’s not a rah-rah, let’s go out and get beers guy. He’s very much his own man, his own beat.” – Colin Cowherd [22:34]
  • “Never forget, Socrates was not popular in his locker room either.” – Colin Cowherd [23:58]
  • “I appreciate anytime a local reporter can deliver really unpleasant news. I think it’s hard. Much harder than it is for me here, sitting thousands of miles away.” – Colin Cowherd [25:34]

• On Lane Kiffin’s Job Security:

  • “You’re lucky to have him…Lane Kiffin can go pro or college. He’s the reason Ole Miss is relevant today.” – Colin Cowherd [34:59]

• On Shedeur Sanders Mania:

  • “The ‘truth’ is he’s immature. That’s indisputable. And he’s not that good. I’m rooting for him because I don’t root against young people.” – Colin Cowherd [46:40]

• On Quarterback Uniqueness:

  • “Quarterback is the one position that everybody relies on, including the coach, to eat…Quarterbacks have to be more mature, faster.” – Colin Cowherd [52:20]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:13 — Josh Allen and Buffalo’s quarterback dependency
• 07:59 — Steelers' offensive woes and systemic problems
• 12:19 & 20:23 — Eagles/Jalen Hurts locker room drama and Derek Gunn’s report
• 27:26 — NFL Quick Hits: Caleb Williams, Mahomes/Chiefs, Kafka/Giants
• 34:34 — Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss contract situation
• 44:47 — Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns, and conspiracy theories
• 50:53 — JJ McCarthy, Diana Russini’s report, and quarterback maturity

This episode provides a thought-provoking, opinionated look at the biggest quarterback and organizational stories in the NFL, in Colin Cowherd's signature candid and analytical style, supported by sharp local journalism and lively co-host banter.