The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hour 1 – More Drama Coming Out of Pittsburgh, Defending Fernando Mendoza
February 12, 2026 – iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd focuses on recent drama within the Pittsburgh Steelers, the evolving landscape of NFL quarterback development, and the NFL and NBA’s changing team-building philosophies. He pushes back against long-held football traditions in Pittsburgh, defends the virtues displayed by young quarterbacks like Arch Manning, critiques the prevailing quarterback scouting consensus on Fernando Mendoza, and engages in a broader discussion on the importance of adaptability in professional sports, including NBA team construction.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pittsburgh Steelers’ Drama and "The Brotherhood"

(Starts ~04:00)

• Background: Steelers icons Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison have critiqued the franchise and Mike Tomlin on their respective podcasts. Joey Porter Sr., father of current Steeler Joey Porter Jr., lashed out, saying they "broke the brotherhood" by speaking out publicly.
• Colin’s Take: Cowherd sympathizes with Ben and Harrison, arguing that the Steelers' code of silence is the real problem, not the criticism.
  • He highlights that under Tomlin, Pittsburgh has prioritized "talent and toughness (and brotherhood)" but have become less relevant in an era requiring innovative schemes and adaptation.
  • Quote:

    "If James Harrison and Big Ben don't buy into the brotherhood, maybe the brotherhood's not that important." (~05:30)

• Analytical Point: Colin traces Pittsburgh’s playoff struggles (1-10 against playoff teams in last 11, poor defense) to their stubborn clinging to tradition:
  • "You don't discuss real problems. You don't take criticism well. You get stubborn and rigid." (~07:30)
• Comparison: Colin contrasts the Steelers’ approach with franchises that have embraced intelligence, discipline, and modern schemes (Chiefs, Seahawks, 49ers).
  • "That Steeler Brotherhood has not beaten a top 10 quarterback in the playoffs in 15 years." (~08:45)

2. Quarterback Resilience: Lessons from Drew Brees, Sam Darnold, and Arch Manning

(Begins ~12:00)

• Segment Setup: Colin recaps his interview with Drew Brees, who drew parallels between his career journey and that of Sam Darnold.
• Brees’ Wisdom:

  "You will face adversity, you will face failure and disappointment, and it's how you react to it that matters." – Drew Brees (~13:30)

• Colin’s Reflection: Shifts the focus to college QBs’ tendency to transfer at the first sign of adversity, using Arch Manning as a counterexample:
  • Manning stayed at Texas despite sitting for two years and early struggles, showing grit and improvement later in the season:
    "Five and one, 20 touchdowns, two picks, 320 yards a game. He overcame, he endured, he had to sit." (~14:45)
• Broader Point: Colin warns that the "transfer at the first sign of adversity" mentality doesn’t equip young QBs for the reality of the NFL.
  • "Too many young quarterbacks see adversity and they scramble. They're just running and they don't know where they're running. They're just running." (~16:30)
  • Predicts Arch Manning will have a better pro future than many "get me out of here" QBs.

3. Tanking for Quarterbacks & the Ongoing Jets/Raiders Debate

(~18:45)

• J. Mack’s Take (co-host): Suggests the Jets should "tank the right way" to draft Arch Manning or someone like Fernando Mendoza.
  • "If the Jets want a quarterback and a future in this league, they gotta tank the right way." (~19:10)
• Colin’s Response: Lightheartedly, isn’t convinced tanking is intentional given how poor the Jets' situation is, also relays buzz about the Raiders’ uncertainty about Mendoza.

4. Defending Fernando Mendoza – The Quarterback Prospect Debate

(Begins ~26:20, after commercial break)

• Colin’s Stance: States he’s higher on Mendoza than most of his scouting contacts, who have Mendoza as a "middle of the pack" prospect relative to recent first-rounders.
  • Quote:

    "I like Fernando Mendoza a lot. Everybody else just kind of likes him." (~27:00)

• Comparisons:
  • Sees Mendoza as a "bigger, stronger, more athletic version of Matt Ryan."
  • Defends the perceived lack of "super athleticism" in Mendoza, noting that many athletic QBs (Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen) have not won Super Bowls, while steady passers like Matt Ryan and Jared Goff have led teams deep.
    • "Matt Ryan… was a really good quarterback… I see a better version of Matt Ryan." (~28:30)

5. NBA Team Building: Patience, Drafting, and the Decline of Super Teams

(Begins ~31:40)

• Context: Spurs and Thunder are thriving through drafting and development rather than quick-fix superstar trades.
  • "Great GM-ing. Keep your draft capital, have ascending players… Wemby is now in the best-player-in-league discussion." (~33:20)
• Cowherd’s Analysis:
  • Contrasts this with the Lakers’ transactional approach; questions whether LA will have the patience for a slow rebuild.
  • Discusses Adam Silver’s push for parity and the end of dynasties, arguing it goes against the sport’s natural tendencies:

    "Basketball's always lent itself to dynasties. The top ten AAU teams... you get two great players together, you can have ten great players in the NFL, but in basketball, dynasties are organic." (~35:45)

6. NFL Coaching: The Fallacy of Results-Based Analysis

(~44:00)

• Topic: Packers head coach Matt LaFleur is listed on a "coaching hot seat" list, along with Nick Sirianni (Eagles). Colin pushes back:
  • "The market is the truth… Kevin Stefanski immediately interviewed with top jobs when fired. If Sirianni were fired, who’s interviewing him?" (~45:15)
• Points:
  • Warns against judging coaches solely by results, comparing boom years in real estate to low-interest-rate markets:
    "Anybody can sell a home when the interest rates are three and a half percent … A good coach raises the floor when things are difficult." (~47:00)
  • Affirms Green Bay’s stability and LaFleur’s success, especially since the Packers rarely land free agents.

7. Seattle Seahawks and the Danger of "Settling" at Quarterback

(Begins ~52:00)

• Colin’s Core Argument: Cites the Seahawks’ bold moves (Russell Wilson’s trade, moving off Geno Smith, acquiring Sam Darnold) as a model for not settling at quarterback, similar to the Niners (Garoppolo), Rams (Goff), Chiefs (Alex Smith), Eagles (Wentz).
  • "That's what you copy from Seattle and the Rams and Kansas City and the Niners: Don't settle." (~54:20)
• Darnold’s Parade Speech:

  "A lot of people didn’t believe in me, but it didn’t matter, because the ones that are close believed in me." – Sam Darnold (~57:20)

• Colin's Rebuttal to Critics:
  • Pushes for updated opinions as more evidence emerges, stating, "New information, new opinion… Sam Darnold, Jets didn’t work, but in Seattle, he’s a new player. He’s really, really good." (~59:20)
  • Notes Darnold’s Super Bowl run, elite supporting cast, and strong, mistake-free play.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joey Porter Sr.:

  "His ass is foul of all foul. He’s not a good teammate … but we protected him." (Paraphrasing Porter’s critique of Ben Roethlisberger; ~05:00)

• Colin on the Steelers:

  "The brotherhood couldn’t beat Blake Bortles at home in the playoffs or Baker Mayfield. That brotherhood, the last 11 games against playoff teams, 1-10." (~07:00)

• J. Mack on Jets’ Tanking:

  "If the Jets want a quarterback and a future in this league, they got to tank the right way." (~19:10)

• Colin (on QB adversity):

  "You do understand the NFL is adversity. I mean, God, Belichick and Brady never had dinner for 20 years." (~15:50)

• Colin on draft philosophy (NBA/NFL):

  "The NBA draft gives you 19-year-olds—they’re not even ready to go to the hotel bar." (~36:20)

• Colin, summing up his QB perspective:

  "New information, new opinion… Sam Darnold, Jets didn't work, but in Seattle, he's a new player. He's really, really good." (~59:20)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Steelers Internal Drama & Brotherhood: 04:00 – 11:OO
• QB Resilience: Drew Brees, Arch Manning: 12:00 – 18:00
• Jets Tanking & Mendoza/Raiders: 18:45 – 26:00
• Defending Fernando Mendoza: 26:20 – 31:00
• NBA Team Building & Patience: 31:40 – 44:00
• NFL Coaching Hot Seat Fallacies: 44:00 – 52:00
• Seahawks, Darnold, and Not Settling at QB: 52:00 – End of Hour

Tone & Approach

• Colin is characteristically opinionated, blending stats and history with wry observation.
• He repeatedly challenges traditional thinking and advocates for adaptability, patience (in the NBA), and a more sober, less results-based approach to NFL evaluations.
• The hour features lively back-and-forths with J. Mack, mixing analysis with humor and fan-centric reality checks.

This hour sets up a critical look at how teams can—and should—build for sustained relevance by embracing change, both in culture and personnel, while challenging sports traditionalists to keep up with evolving paradigms.