The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Hour 1)

Episode: The Most Underrated Team in the NFC, Optimism for Caleb Williams

Date: September 11, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: Danielle Fishel, Matt Jones, Chris Friedle, West West Prop, Diana Rossini

Overview

In this engaging hour, Colin Cowherd dives into the state of the NFC North, with a special focus on the Green Bay Packers as the league’s most consistently underrated powerhouse. He also examines quarterback situations around the NFL, discussing his optimism and concerns for Caleb Williams' development in Chicago. The episode is rich with insight into team-building philosophy, historical context on successful franchises, and the importance of drafting well. It also features a live appearance from Diana Rossini, who provides critical updates on quarterback injuries and potential wide receiver moves.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Green Bay Packers: NFL’s Constant Contender

Timestamps: 02:59–06:09

• Colin frames the Packers as possibly the most consistent franchise in the NFL over the last 30 years, thanks to quarterback continuity: Favre → Rodgers → Jordan Love.
• He notes the Packers’ nearly unparalleled drafting success, especially with offensive talent on rookie contracts, making them a perpetual NFC threat.
• Explains the NFC North cycle: Lions and Vikings occasionally surge, but Green Bay reasserts dominance.
• Quote: “No team in the NFL in 2025 has more tight end, wide receiver talent on rookie contracts that can all play, and you’ll see it tonight.” — Colin Cowherd (05:34)

2. NFC Team Evaluations — Depth vs. Brittleness

Timestamps: 06:09–09:13

• Colin defends his bold preseason take that San Francisco would finish third in their division, citing their lack of depth due to missed draft picks and current injury woes (Brock Purdy out 3–5 weeks).
• Contrasts San Francisco’s recent drafting struggles with Green Bay’s “can’t miss” approach, arguing that teams like the Packers, Rams, and Eagles are thriving because they’ve hit on draft picks at key positions.
• Quote: “In this league, you get old and brittle very fast when you start giving away picks, drafting quarterbacks that can’t work, draft kickers in the third round.” — Colin Cowherd (08:24)

3. Caleb Williams and Bears: Searching for Optimism

Timestamps: 14:11–16:27; 16:28–18:33

• Colin tries to put a positive spin on Caleb Williams despite poor early numbers: leads the league in overthrows, struggles operationally, and draws concerning comps to Mitch Trubisky rather than Justin Fields.
• Key stat: In first 18 career starts, Williams’ efficiency numbers nearly mirror Trubisky’s—except for a higher sack rate.
• Discussion around head coach Ben Johnson choosing Chicago largely for Caleb’s potential, but noting current "disconnect" and the challenge for both.
• Quote: “It’s not Justin Fields, it’s Mitch Trubisky.” — Colin Cowherd (16:13)

4. The Coaching and Quarterback Pairing: History’s Lesson

Timestamps: 26:33–28:26

• Colin emphasizes that the NFL has always been, and continues to be, a “quarterback and head coach league.”
• He points to historic pairings—Elway/Shanahan, Brady/Belichick, Mahomes/Reid—and argues that even great systems run aground without a competent QB/coach combo.

5. Kansas City Chiefs Wide Receiver Struggles Mirror Pats and Warriors

Timestamps: 28:26–32:04

• Colin draws parallels between the Chiefs’ failures to develop young WRs with New England’s similar struggles during the Brady era and Golden State’s issues with integrating young lottery picks into a veteran system.
• Veteran players (e.g., Tyreek Hill, A.J. Brown) are more likely to succeed with veteran QBs/coaches, as obsessiveness and precision are barriers for rookies.
• Suggests Chiefs might aggressively pursue a proven veteran receiver to stabilize the offense.
• Quote: “When you have these high-functioning, super smart veterans that the offense is built around… It’s not easy for young guys to break in. They need an obsessiveness, a maturity.” — Colin Cowherd (30:44)

6. Diana Rossini Interview: Injury Updates & WR Trade Chatter

Timestamps: 35:50–44:14

• Brock Purdy Injury: Diana confirms it’s a form of turf toe—expect 2+ games missed; Niners are prepping Mac Jones to start.
• 49ers' Injury Luck: Reiterates how San Francisco's string of injuries, especially to high-impact multi-positional players like Kittle and McCaffrey, is “swarming them again” early in the season.
• Chiefs' WR Situation: Skeptical that A.J. Brown or Tyreek Hill will be moved, at least prior to the trade deadline; affirms both their current teams “need them right now.”
• Giants’ QB Situation: Rossini expects to see rookie Jackson Dart get playing time if Russell Wilson struggles, but the timing is crucial given coaching/front office job security.
• Quote: “You have to count the fact that Brian Dabel is on the hot seat… It’s just going to be a matter of when [Jackson Dart plays].” — Diana Rossini (43:00)

7. Caleb Williams' Mechanics and Processing Under the Microscope

Timestamps: 44:34–48:52

• Colin and Chris Friedle discuss how Williams’ vast arm talent can’t yet mask his operational flaws.
• Parallels are drawn to Cam Newton: dazzling plays, but issues with mechanics and consistent processing limit ceiling.
• Worries about rookie QBs not mastering the "nuts and bolts"—play calling, timing, pre-snap reads—regardless of raw talent.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the Packers' sustained dominance (05:34):
  “No team in the NFL in 2025 has more tight end, wide receiver talent on rookie contracts that can all play, and you’ll see it tonight.” — Colin Cowherd

• On San Francisco’s brittle roster (08:24):
  “In this league, you get old and brittle very fast when you start giving away picks, drafting quarterbacks that can’t work, draft kickers in the third round.” — Colin Cowherd

• On Caleb Williams' concerning comps (16:13):
  “It’s not Justin Fields, it’s Mitch Trubisky.” — Colin Cowherd

• On why Ben Johnson took the Bears job (21:06):
  “He chose it for Caleb. So if you chose a job for a reason, … my takeaway is this is unsettling for Ben Johnson because the reason he came … is now in question.” — Colin Cowherd

• On young players not fitting with veteran-led teams (30:44):
  “When you have these high-functioning, super smart veterans that the offense is built around… It’s not easy for young guys to break in. They need an obsessiveness, a maturity.” — Colin Cowherd

• On Giants' QB room (43:00):
  “You have to count the fact that Brian Dabel is on the hot seat… It’s just going to be a matter of when [Jackson Dart plays].” — Diana Rossini

• Chris Friedle on Caleb Williams vs. Trubisky (46:43):
  “He never really won from the pocket. He's a run around guy. That was the answer when everybody wanted a running guy quarterback. And I think we got to look at like a guy like Cam Ward. Like, he is mobile, but man, he can win from the pocket. I like him a lot.”

Segment Timestamps

• Packers and NFC North dominance: 02:59–06:09
• NFC Team depth/brittleness (SF vs. GB): 06:09–09:13
• Caleb Williams deep-dive (Bears beyond the numbers): 14:11–16:27, 16:28–18:33, 44:34–48:52
• Coaching/QB league thesis: 26:33–28:26
• Chiefs’ WR issues/Young player fit: 28:26–32:04
• Diana Rossini injury/trade insights: 35:50–44:14

Conclusion

In this packed hour, Colin Cowherd delivers his trademark blend of narrative and data-based analysis, focusing on sustainable team building, the hidden fragility of hyped teams, and the sobering reality of young quarterback development. The Packers’ excellence is lauded as a model others haven’t matched, and the quarterback battle for Chicago comes under intense, numbers-driven scrutiny. Diana Rossini offers additional context on injury impact across the league and the dynamics behind possible blockbuster trades. A must-listen for fans interested in the deeper trends shaping the 2025 NFL landscape.