The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Hour 1 – The Bears Have Their Guy in Ben Johnson, Bills' Latest Letdown

Date: October 14, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Overview

Colin Cowherd dives into a packed sports Tuesday, centering on the Chicago Bears’ resurgence under new head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams, as well as the Buffalo Bills’ ongoing struggles and lack of creativity under Sean McDermott. The episode ranges from NFL takeaways to MLB postseason reactions and betting chatter, all infused with Colin’s distinct blend of data-driven argument and lively banter with co-host J. Mac.

Main Topics and Key Discussion Points

1. Chicago Bears’ Transformation Under Ben Johnson

[01:50 – 12:00, 28:50–33:50]

• Statistical Leap:
  • Bears are a touchdown better per game than last year (from 18.2 to 25.2 points per game).
  • Seven of last year's losses were by one possession; the improvement bridges that gap.

    “Between the organizational structure, improvement, the play design and the play calling, the Chicago Bears have found their coach. And he's worth about a touchdown a game to Caleb Williams.” — Colin Cowherd [02:30]

• Leadership and Vibe:
  • Ben Johnson is credited with increased energy, improved first-quarter play, and a more decisive identity.
  • The team’s operational mistakes have been nearly eliminated.

    “He's just eliminated the ridiculous from the Bears.” — Colin [29:30]

  • Significant O-line rebuild showing tangible results, especially in run blocking for DeAndre Swift.
• Caleb Williams Development:
  • Williams improves incrementally and benefits from Johnson’s play calling.

    “What you have with Caleb Williams is all this firepower… and Ben Johnson is just pushing it in the right direction.” — Colin [03:42]

  • Williams is still raw compared to peers but is coachable and flashes elite talent.
  • Running game keeps pressure off the rookie, allowing the Bears to play with a lead.
• Turnover Margin and Discipline:
  • Bears now top of the league in takeaways/giveaways after years of self-inflicted losses.

    “So much of winning in the NFL is playing the cleaner game… Last year they did not.” — Colin [13:20]

• Ben Johnson and Locker Room Culture:

  “I think it says a lot about our locker room right now… Now they're starting to understand that, man, if this thing's close in the fourth quarter, then someone’s gonna step up and make a play for us.” — Ben Johnson [33:29] “That was a team win… Not for one second. Nice and steady, nice and calm the entire way through. And you know what? Whatever it took, whatever it took, we found a way.” — Ben Johnson, postgame locker room [33:54]

• Team Ceiling and Expectations:
  • Acknowledges Bears still have room to grow but have a legitimate shot at a winning streak with an upcoming favorable schedule.
  • Caution advised on trade rumors (i.e., DJ Moore), as the team shouldn’t “mess with momentum.”

    “When's the last time they start talking Bears winning streaks?... I don't want to mess with success.” — Colin [14:45]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “When your kid's gotten Fs and Ds, a B- feels pretty good.” — Colin [05:17]
• “Explosive. Last night, they were coming out of their uniforms. They were flying all over the field.” — Colin [05:40]
• J. Mac: “Caleb looks super comfortable in the pocket. I was pretty stunned.” [12:55]

2. Buffalo Bills: Stuck in the Mud

[09:50–12:55, 34:54–37:54]

• Comparisons to NBA’s Warriors Coaching Change:
  • Cowherd likens Sean McDermott to Mark Jackson and suggests the Bills need their “Steve Kerr” to unlock creativity.

    “Steph Curry needed Steve Kerr. Sean McDermott’s the Mark Jackson.” — Colin [09:55]

• Offensive Stagnation:
  • Bills lack creative play design and seem dependent on Josh Allen’s heroics.

    “When’s the last time you watched the Bills and went, man, they are super creative?” — Colin [09:56]

• Defensive Woes:
  • Personnel losses have eroded a once stout defense; the team is now “bad against the run.”
• Discouraging Trends & Urgency:
  • The Bills have beaten only bottom-tier teams (opponents' combined record: 3-21).
  • “This may be a moment” for seismic change, especially with rivals faltering.
  • Questions whether McDermott is the right leader as Allen enters his prime.

    “How many years can you waste? … You better not waste these years.” — Colin [11:10]

• Sean McDermott, Postgame (after latest loss):

  “We gotta start from ground zero and work our way back up.” — Sean McDermott [12:14]

• Colin’s Conclusion:
  • Bills don’t belong in the Herd Hierarchy’s Top 10.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “Buffalo just feels like... they rely on one product. They're Crocs. Kansas City's got an Apple desktop, laptop, iPhone, Apple TV... there's a lot of different ways Kansas City can beat you.” — Colin [37:10]
• “Buffalo was all about Josh Allen. That's what they're about.” — Colin [37:47]

3. Bears and Bills Roster/Strategy Debate

[14:12–14:45]

• J. Mac questions whether the Bears should flip DJ Moore to a WR-needy team like Buffalo.
  • Colin encourages the Bears to “not get greedy," warning against disrupting momentum.

4. MLB Playoff Insights & Mariners Praise

[21:03–28:46]

• Colin raves about Blake Snell’s postseason dominance for the Dodgers.
  • “That was an all-timer… You’re not going to see too many performances like that certainly in the postseason.” — Dave Roberts [21:40]
• Discussion of Yankees and Mariners’ divergent fortunes and roster construction philosophies.
  • “The Mariners and the Brewers have spent their money well, considering the money they have… Seattle is just a smartly constructed team.” — Colin [27:10]
• Lighthearted banter about Seattle's "Trident” home run prop.

5. NFL Quick Hits, Betting Angles & Herd Hierarchy Teases

[43:07–45:34]

• Debates about upcoming NFL upsets and betting lines:
  • Arizona vs. Green Bay, Tennessee at New England.
  • Colin’s “play of the week” is Detroit over Tampa.
• Teases for Nick Wright and Herd Hierarchy upcoming in Hour 2.

Memorable Quotes & Segments With Timestamps

• On Ben Johnson’s Impact:

  “Organizational structure, improvement, play design — the Bears have found their coach. He’s worth about a touchdown a game to Caleb Williams.” — Colin [02:30]

• On Culture Shift:

  “He’s just eliminated the ridiculous from the Bears.” — Colin [29:30]

• On the Bills’ Stagnation:

  “When’s the last time you watched the Bills and went, man, they are super creative?” — Colin [09:56]

• On Winning Clean:

  “So much of winning in the NFL is playing the cleaner game… Last year they did not.” — Colin [13:20]

• Player Energy:

  “Explosive. Last night, they were coming out of their uniforms. They were flying all over the field.” — Colin [05:40]

• Fan Sentiment:

  “When your kid’s gotten Fs and Ds, a B- feels pretty good.” — Colin [05:17]

• On Locker Room Growth:

  “They’re not just believing, but now they’re starting to understand that, man, if this thing’s close in the fourth quarter, then someone’s gonna step up and make a play.” — Ben Johnson [33:29]

Additional Notes

• Tone and Style: Colin is upbeat, irreverent, and analytical — mixing statistical evidence with storytelling and a dash of sarcasm.
• Listener Takeaways:
  • Chicago’s coaching/roster decisions are finally paying dividends, with legitimate hope for the future but measured present expectations.
  • The Bills are hitting a wall, and unless something changes, they risk wasting the prime years of their franchise QB.
  • MLB playoff discussion highlights the value of smart roster building, not just high payrolls.
  • NFL analysis includes actionable betting advice and musings on league trends.

For further analysis and Top 10 Power Rankings, stay tuned for Hour 2 featuring Nick Wright and the Herd Hierarchy.