The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Hour 1 – Perseverance for Pro Bowl QBs, Lamar Jackson in Baltimore coming to an end?
Date: December 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd digs into the stories of resilience and perseverance among the 2025 Pro Bowl quarterbacks, tackles the “snub” narrative around young Bears QB Caleb Williams, and breaks down a breaking story on Lamar Jackson’s reportedly souring relationship with the Baltimore Ravens. The discussion weaves in lessons about leadership, the impact of adversity, and how NFL organizations manage transitions with superstar talent.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Many Paths to QB Greatness: 2025 Pro Bowl QBs

[03:03–08:00]

• Opening Theme:
  Colin shares advice for young people in broadcasting and life: There isn’t just one way to succeed; persistence and resilience are essential.

  “There is no one way to succeed. Just be relentless and don’t get discouraged.” (Colin Cowherd, 03:30)

• Breakdown of Pro Bowl Quarterbacks:

  • Matt Stafford: Overcame years of mediocrity and injury in Detroit before excelling with a good coach in LA.
  • Dak Prescott: Productive without elite arm talent or athleticism, and no great coaching, but high football IQ and leadership.
  • Sam Darnold: Multiple teams, high athleticism, but turnover-prone; finding ways to keep starting and producing.
  • Josh Allen: Out of Wyoming; wasn’t highly recruited, Bills became winners with his relentless drive.
  • Justin Herbert: Made it with record adversity—worst O-line, most hits taken, worst run support.

    “Justin Herbert has been hit over 120 times. Very easy to say, ‘I don’t feel great. I’m going to take this Sunday off.’” (Colin Cowherd, 06:40)

  • Drake May: Youngest among them—winning, accurate, mature beyond his years.

• Key Commonality:
  No single path; success is about toughness, leadership, resilience, not circumstances or raw talent.

  “The one thing they have in common: leadership and toughness.” (Colin Cowherd, 07:35)

2. Pro Bowl Snubs: Caleb Williams and Understanding ‘Worth’

[08:15–14:15]

• Caleb Williams Not Making Pro Bowl:
  Media calls it a “snub” but Colin disagrees.

  “Snub is pretty strong… all six quarterbacks that made the Pro Bowl have better stats than Caleb.” (Colin Cowherd, 08:34)

• Who is the Real Snub?
  Jared Goff statistically stands out more than Williams as a true snub.

• Caleb’s Impressive Stats:

  • 11-4 record in Chicago, notorious for failing at quarterback.
  • Multiple late-game comebacks and highlight plays.
  • “His movie's been okay, but, man, there’s been some great scenes in it.” (Colin Cowherd, 09:28)

• Colin on Caleb’s Fit:
  Not a perfect fit with OC Ben Johnson, but they’re “making it work.”

  “Ben Johnson and Caleb are both smart. They're both incredibly determined and they're making it work.” (Colin Cowherd, 11:30)

• Caleb Williams’ Response:
  Williams shows composure and quiet confidence, addressing doubts about his fit and prospects in Chicago.

  “I get drafted here… told that I’m not a special player… can’t win here… I do take a little satisfaction in things like that. My goal is to win and win big.” (Caleb Williams, 12:10)

3. Young Quarterbacks: Smarts at the Podium & Handling Media

[12:35–14:15]

• Modern QBs Know How to Handle the Media:
  Colin praises how QBs like Caleb, Jalen Hurts, Dak, and Drake May project composure and intelligence in interviews.

  “These guys are not only schooled in football, they’re schooled at the podium, at the Cowherd school of podium.” (Colin Cowherd, 12:45)

• Jason McIntyre’s Skepticism:
  Wonders how Caleb and others respond long-term to true adversity.

4. Cooper Flagg: Next NBA Superstar Face?

[19:35–23:32]

• Highlighting Cooper Flagg’s Meteoric Rise:
  19 years old, outscoring established NBA stars, demonstrating rare aggression and poise.

  “This is a kid that if he wants to be, will be the face of the league.” (Colin Cowherd, 19:54)

  • Stats: October—13 PPG, November—18, December—24, FG% rising from 41% to 53%.
  • Likened to a “much better, more aggressive Jayson Tatum.”

• On Being Pro Ready:
  Flagg’s confidence, maturity, and ability to elevate his game in big moments set him apart.

5. BREAKING: Lamar Jackson–Ravens Rift, Possible End of an Era?

[23:32–31:22]

• Baltimore Sun Exposé:
  Reveals growing tension between Jackson and the Ravens, with reports of special rules for Lamar, withdrawal under criticism, and hints of coach John Harbaugh’s exhaustion.

  “There are team rules, and there are rules for Lamar Jackson. Once the Ravens become critical of Jackson, he becomes more withdrawn. It's clear that coach John Harbaugh has become tired of Jackson.” (Jason McIntyre, 24:20)

• Practice Absences & Cap Trouble:
  Jackson skipping practices interchangeably; massive cap hit looming ($74.5M in 2026).

• Potential Landing Spots:
  Miami and Las Vegas are discussed as possible trade destinations, with speculation Jacksonville and Vegas would dangle high draft picks.

• Colin on Baltimore’s Options:
  Given declining athleticism and huge salary implications, Cowherd says he would defend Baltimore if they chose to move Jackson now.

  “If Baltimore said, ‘We’ve done it, the window for greatness is closed’ … I would defend that if this is true.” (Colin Cowherd, 26:01)

• Aging Mobile QBs:
  Compares to Cam Newton—greatness window closes fast for ultra-mobile QBs.

  “Super athletic NBA guys… they age fast. Cam Newton aged fast.” (Colin Cowherd, 26:51)

• Where Does Jackson Rank Now?
  Colin posits Jackson has shifted from “untouchable” to “listen to offers” category of franchise QBs.

  “Lamar has gone from that first group… he’s gone to the second six, which is: I’ll take the call and listen.” (Colin Cowherd, 31:07)

6. Other NFL Stories

[31:22–36:33]

• Travis Kelce’s Final Game at Arrowhead?
  Andy Reid: “I don’t know if it is or not… (He's) been great for the community… phenomenal person.” (Andy Reid, 31:40)

• Broncos vs. Chiefs Christmas Game Subplot:
  Colin sees this as an opportunity for Denver to make a statement.

• Cleveland’s Myles Garrett—Chasing NFL Sack History:

  • Discussion of Garrett as possibly joining the all-time pass rusher Mount Rushmore alongside Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, Aaron Donald.

  “I think what Myles is doing is amazing… especially when you consider he's doing it on a team that's not very good.” (Rob Gronkowski, 33:37) “I think there’s an argument Myles Garrett… you’re in, like, okay, can we do the Mount Rushmore thing?” (Colin Cowherd, 34:20)

• Will Aaron Rodgers Gift a Sack for the Record?
  Parallels drawn with Brett Favre laying down for Michael Strahan.

7. Debate: Talent vs. Foundational Players in NFL Roster Building

[41:56–51:24]

• “Justin Herbert is Overrated” is the Worst Take of the Year:

  • Despite no playoff wins, Herbert is carrying a broken roster: most hits, worst O-line, still 11–4.

  “You can have any sports opinion you want… but you can’t say Justin Herbert’s overrated after this year.” (Colin Cowherd, 42:24)

• GM Lessons: Foundational Player vs. Talent:

  • Most NFL players—even some Pro Bowlers—aren’t foundational.
  • Example: George Pickens of the Cowboys—talented, but not a foundational piece.

    “Don’t get greedy. He’s not a foundational piece.” (Colin Cowherd, 46:48)

  • Contrasted with true foundational players: Tim Duncan, Max Crosby, Myles Garrett.

• Trade and Contract Decisions:

  • Key to front office success: Recognize and retain foundational pieces only; be ready to trade merely talented players, even if they’re excellent.
  • “Pigs get fed, hogs get slaughtered… Maybe now’s the sell time.” (Colin Cowherd, 47:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Perseverance:

  “Just be relentless and don’t get discouraged.” (Colin Cowherd, 03:30)

• On QB Leadership:

  “The one thing they have in common: leadership and toughness.” (Colin Cowherd, 07:35)

• On Caleb Williams:

  “He didn’t get snubbed… Jared Goff got snubbed.” (Colin Cowherd, 10:24)
  “My goal isn’t to just get to the playoffs. My goal is to win and win big.” (Caleb Williams, 12:10)

• On Justin Herbert:

  “You can’t say Justin Herbert’s overrated after this year.” (Colin Cowherd, 42:24)

• On Lamar Jackson's Future:

  “He’s gone from the six you don’t even pick up the phone, to the next six or seven where you’ll listen.” (Colin Cowherd, 31:09)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Pro Bowl QB Lessons: 03:03–08:00
• Caleb Williams, “Snubs,” and Chicago: 08:15–14:15
• Cooper Flagg’s NBA emergence: 19:35–23:32
• Lamar Jackson speculation: 23:32–31:22
• NFL opinions, QB categories, and GM lessons: 41:56–51:24

Tone & Style

Colin Cowherd maintains a conversational, analytical, and occasionally playful tone throughout the episode. He combines NFL analysis with broader life advice, often drawing parallels between athletic careers and general paths to success.

In Summary

Colin’s Hour 1 covers lessons of perseverance and grit from this year’s Pro Bowl quarterbacks, offers perspective on what a true Pro Bowl “snub” is, and addresses the looming end of the Lamar Jackson era in Baltimore. The episode delivers brisk, informed takes on NFL team-building and player valuation, peppered with memorable analogies and a keen sense for the subplots that keep fans and front offices guessing.