The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Hour 2 – Colin's Blazin' 5, Chicago Bears Issues, Dave Wannstedt
Date: September 12, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd dives deep into the major weekly NFL storylines, with Colin Cowherd delivering his Blazin’ 5 picks, an in-depth discussion of the Chicago Bears' developmental priorities and issues, and a guest spot with former coach Dave Wannstedt. The hour features insights on the Green Bay Packers’ defensive turnaround, the Miami Dolphins’ culture, and college football’s evolving landscape, especially Oregon’s rise. Listeners are taken inside the NFL’s chess match between youth and experience, roster construction, and the unique pressures of high-profile markets like Chicago.

Key Discussion Points

1. Blazin' 5 NFL Predictions (05:22–13:37)

Colin’s Picks and Rationale:

• Rams at Titans: Titans +5.5
  • Expecting a close, low-scoring game; Titans' week one mistakes are fixable.
• Seahawks at Steelers: Under 40.5 Points
  • Emphasizing both teams’ defensive strengths and lack of explosive offense.
• Broncos at Colts: Denver -2.5
  • Denver's defense will limit Daniel Jones; Bo Nix’s steady play on the road.
• Eagles at Chiefs: Eagles to win and cover
  • Eagles' superior depth, third- and fourth-down efficiency; Chiefs’ lack of reliable receivers.
• Giants at Cowboys: CeeDee Lamb Over 6.5 Receptions (Prop Bet)
  • Expecting Dallas’ offense to rebuild trust and focus targets on Lamb after a tough week.

“You can tell when a fighter has confidence because they’re aggressive. Look at the aggressiveness Green Bay’s defense plays with.”
— Colin Cowherd (03:40)

2. Green Bay Packers Defense & Team-Building (02:25–06:30, 18:11–21:36)

• Defensive Renovation:
  Colin lauds Green Bay’s hire of Jeff Hafley, a college head coach, to coordinate the defense—a rare move that’s immediately paid off, making the Packers aggressive, speedy, and hard to run on.
• Team Age and Super Bowl Readiness:
  Dave Wannstedt rebuffs concerns that Green Bay’s youth is a liability. He references his Super Bowl-winning experience in Dallas:

  “The younger you are, the less you think about the Super Bowl... Their focus is on, ‘I’m trying to establish myself in the NFL...’”—Dave Wannstedt (20:45)

• Rookie Impact & Coaching Tree:
  Wannstedt shares a humorous anecdote about hiring Jeff Hafley straight from Pitt’s open practices.

3. Chicago Bears: The Caleb Williams Conundrum (21:36–23:41, 30:39–32:57)

• Quarterback Development Priorities:
  Given Chicago’s track record, Colin suggests they must invest fully in developing Caleb Williams, allowing for three years of ups and downs.
• Offensive Balance:
  Wannstedt critiques the Bears’ game plan (35 passes, 20 runs) and stresses the need for a stronger running attack to support a young QB, referencing Ben Johnson’s admission post-game:

  “How do you help a young quarterback? Everybody knows that—you take some pressure off by running the ball…” — Dave Wannstedt (22:14)

• Chicago's Unique Sports Culture:
  The hosts compare Chicago’s intense, sports-obsessed, pressure-filled environment to the more insulated, patient atmosphere in Green Bay.

4. Miami Dolphins: Culture and Patience (23:41–25:54)

• Patient Team-Building vs. Quick Fixes:
  Colin and Wannstedt discuss Miami’s attempt to mirror Green Bay’s speed but lack defensive patience and cultural coherence.
• Significance of Player Meetings:
  Wannstedt interprets Miami’s players-only meeting as a sign of internal frustration:

  “You get those player meetings... what usually happens is, ‘Hey, come on, we got to pick it up.’ But it’s really: ‘Colin, you gotta play better defense or offense.’ It’s always somebody else.” — Dave Wannstedt (24:10)

5. Dallas Cowboys' Coaching Structure and Discipline (26:31–28:26)

• Brian Schottenheimer’s Influence:
  Colin praises Schottenheimer’s “buttoned-up” approach, noting fewer penalties and better clock management than the McCarthy era.

6. NFL Organizational Trends: Media Pressure, Roster Turnover (28:26–36:46)

• Patriots' Rough Start Explained:
  New England’s roster churn and preseason inexperience explain slow early performances; patience is advised.
• Market Differences:
  Chicago’s media and fan pressure contrast with the developmental patience in markets like Green Bay, underscoring how owners now act quickly.

7. College Football: Oregon’s Meteoric Rise (33:01–37:59)

• Oregon as a Case Study in Culture-Building:
  Colin and Wannstedt detail how Oregon’s lack of tradition allowed outside-the-box innovation, attracting national recruits despite no in-state pipeline.
• Big Ten Transition:
  Oregon is now a top-five national program, lauded for both speed and new-found physicality.
• Player Development:
  The Ducks persuade top QB prospects to sit and learn, fostering a “culture” comparable to elite programs.

  “If you told me top five programs in the country, I’d probably put Oregon four or five at the low. … I might put them higher than that.” — Colin Cowherd & Dave Wannstedt (36:23)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Green Bay’s Defense:
  “Look at the aggressiveness Green Bay’s defense plays with. … That is a confident boxer, somebody that leaves their chin open because they have so much confidence.”
  — Colin Cowherd (05:01)
• On the Bears’ Developmental Urgency:
  “Chicago’s about getting Caleb Williams right… I think they know this is about development more than wins.”
  — Colin Cowherd (12:40)
• On Coaching in Chicago vs. Miami:
  “My second year… we didn’t sell out our stadium for a playoff game [in Miami]. The first person who bought a ticket was some lady from Detroit.”
  — Dave Wannstedt (31:56)
• On Oregon’s Flexibility:
  “Oregon had no tradition. So Oregon could say, we’re going have 20 helmets, 50 uniforms… hire a guy from New Hampshire who doesn’t believe in huddles.”
  — Colin Cowherd (34:00)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Blazin’ 5 Segment & Analysis: 05:22–13:37
• Packers/Defensive Culture/Jeff Hafley Story: 18:11–21:36
• Chicago Bears Development Discussion: 21:36–23:41
• Miami Dolphins Culture Talk: 23:41–25:54
• Cowboys/Coaching Discussion: 26:31–28:26
• Patriots & Roster Turnover: 28:26–30:39
• Chicago’s Market Pressure: 30:39–32:57
• College Football—Oregon Evolution: 33:01–37:59

Summary & Takeaways

This episode blends forward-looking NFL analysis (through the Blazin’ 5) with inside perspectives from both Colin and coach Dave Wannstedt, offering listeners a layered understanding of organizational culture, coaching trends, the balance of youth and experience, and how market dynamics affect both teams and player development. Major storylines include Green Bay’s innovative defensive approach, Chicago’s struggle to nurture a franchise quarterback amid local pressure, Miami’s internal discord, and Oregon’s rise as a model for college football transformation.

Listeners come away with an appreciation for how context—be it roster structure, market, tradition, or coaching philosophy—shapes both the short- and long-term trajectories of top teams.