The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2, October 23, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: Greg Cosell, J. Mac
Episode: “Cooper Flagg will be fine, Aaron Rodgers is the Ideal Steelers QB & more details from the NBA Gambling Scandal”
Overview
In this episode, Colin Cowherd and his guests Greg Cosell and J. Mac tackle the day’s big sports stories, centering on emerging NBA star Cooper Flagg’s debut, an in-depth breakdown of various NFL quarterback performances, the Aaron Rodgers effect on the Steelers, and updated details on the NBA gambling scandal. The discussion is marked by insightful analysis, measured optimism for young talent, and candid takes on coaching and player dynamics within the NFL.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Cooper Flagg's NBA Debut – Patience is Key
[00:59–05:28]
- Cooper Flagg made his NBA debut, but it was overshadowed by Victor Wembanyama’s sensational performance.
- Flagg posted a 10-10 line (points and rebounds) but struggled as a makeshift point guard against elite defense.
- Flagg’s ‘slow start’ paralleled to TV shows like "Succession" needing time to become great.
- Colin’s stance: It’s too early to judge – “Some things need to bake. Give the restaurant a couple of weeks to work out the kinks. He’s going to be fine.” [05:28]
Memorable Quote:
“Sorry he wasn’t Shohei Ohtani last night hitting three bombs and striking out 10… He’s going to be a great player.”
— Colin Cowherd [04:47]
Coach's Perspective:
Jason Kidd defended Flagg:
“He played well... No one in this room is sitting in his shoes. ... He's going to be one of the best players to play this game.”
— Jason Kidd [04:59]
2. NFL Quarterback Analysis with Greg Cosell
[05:28–19:14]
- Bo Nix (Denver Broncos)
- Season has been inconsistent and Denver’s offense is condensed compared to last year.
- Nix’s downfield throwing and intermediate ‘juice’ not showing up this season.
“It’s been an up and down season for Nix... We’re just not seeing the same kind of throws that we saw a year ago.”
— Greg Cosell [06:09]
- Jackson Dart (New York Giants)
- Confident but frenetic; he benefits from play calling that gives him structure on first downs.
- Needs to learn sustainability in playing style, compared to Drake May’s calculated approach.
- Drake May (New England Patriots)
- Notable improvement in ball placement vs. college tape.
- Pocket movement and keeping eyes up are standout traits.
“I think his ball placement this year has been really good... He’s done [pocket movement] really, really well.”
— Greg Cosell [08:35]
- Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs)
- Offense has become “very rhythmic” — Mahomes leads the league in quick release from snap to throw.
- Rashee Rice complements the system, working short-to-intermediate areas.
“All of a sudden, this pass game is very rhythmic... Patrick … has really played at a super efficient level.”
— Greg Cosell [10:14]
- San Francisco 49ers’ Resourcefulness
- Despite injuries (Kittle, McCaffrey, Aiyuk, Deebo), offense excels by tailoring to strengths and opponent’s weaknesses.
- George Kittle’s blocking (even backside) is crucial.
- McCaffrey offering 10+ yard runs and significant receiving yards.
“Do not discount the impact that George Kittle makes as a blocker...”
— Greg Cosell [11:53]
- George Pickens/CD Lamb Boosting Run Games
- Their presence stretches defenses, opening up rushing lanes for otherwise average offensive lines.
“You have two receivers now who are really, really good at what they do. And Dak’s playing at a really high level.”
— Greg Cosell [13:48]
- Justin Herbert’s Struggles (L.A. Chargers)
- Overburdened by frequent dropbacks, exacerbated by a poor OL and no real run game.
- “There’s a disconnect there... You can’t ask Justin Herbert to drop back this many times behind that offensive line.”
— Greg Cosell [15:35]
- Joe Flacco’s Old-School Simplicity
- Flacco “doesn’t overcomplicate it,” always throws to one-on-ones, sees the field cleanly.
“He looks at the position—I don’t want to say like it’s easy—but he doesn’t overcomplicate it.”
— Greg Cosell [17:10]
3. Knicks vs. Cavs & NBA East/West Divide
[25:20–27:19]
- Colin watched the full Knicks-Cavs game, calling the Knicks a “good, not great” team—well-coached, passionate, with multiple scoring threats.
- The Knicks remind him of a dominant Big 12 football team; fun and skilled but perhaps not elite by West/SEC standards.
Memorable Quote:
“They’re Villanova of the NBA. I see passion. They play hard. ... But I don’t think they match up with the NBA’s best.”
— Colin Cowherd [26:53]
4. NFL Headlines & QB Drama
[28:10–34:10]
- Discussion of Bucs-Saints injury report, implications for upcoming games.
- Justin Jefferson’s record pace for receiving yards despite playing with several QBs.
- The “war of words” between Sean Payton and Russell Wilson demonstrates how personality mismatches complicate coach-QB relationships.
- Colin draws parallels to LeBron Westbrook, emphasizing accountability in front office decisions.
“They're just different personalities. And that's okay. ... The mistake is by the front office...”
— Colin Cowherd [33:05]
5. Aaron Rodgers Is What the Steelers Needed (Not Just ‘Leadership’)
[41:46–45:44]
- Colin rebuffs the narrative that Pittsburgh simply needed Rodgers’ leadership—they needed basic quarterback competence.
- Rodgers’ impact: much-improved red zone and third-down offense, utilizing top targets, highest Steelers QB rating ever.
- Mike Tomlin and Rodgers both praise his steadiness and love of the process.
“It’s not about leadership. Aaron makes good decisions. He still moves okay. ... And he loves football.”
— Colin Cowherd [44:10]
“He loves it. It's who he is... He loves the process. He loves to talk ball. He loves to educate his teammates to get on the same page.”
— Mike Tomlin, via Colin [45:22]
- Rodgers, joking about being ‘precious cargo’ at 41:
“Hey man, I love your energy ... but also, I'm 41, okay? You can't be out there tackling me.”
— Aaron Rodgers [45:44]
6. NBA Gambling Scandal – Transparency and Freedom
[41:46–52:25]
- Detailed update: Accusations (not yet findings) link NBA personnel to prop betting and organized crime poker games; Chauncey Billups and Terry Rozier sidelined.
- Colin philosophizes that a free society comes with the risk of poor personal choices. Transparency over ‘stop sign’ governance.
- J. Mac notes distinctions: Billups’ poker incident is separate from NBA gambling; Rozier’s suspicious video cleared by NBA after investigation.
“I don't want to live in a society with perpetual stop signs... If you can't monitor your eating and your alcohol and your cannabis and your gambling, many of us can.”
— Colin Cowherd [41:46]
Notable Quotes
- “Some things need to bake. ... Give the restaurant a couple of weeks to work out the kinks.” (Colin Cowherd, [05:28])
- “It’s been an up and down season for Nix... We're just not seeing the same kind of throws that we saw a year ago.” (Greg Cosell, [06:09])
- “You have two receivers now...who are really good at what they do. And Dak’s playing at a really high level.” (Greg Cosell, [13:48])
- “They're just different personalities. And that's okay... The mistake is by the front office...” (Colin Cowherd, [33:05])
- “It’s not about leadership. Aaron makes good decisions. ... He loves football.” (Colin Cowherd, [44:10])
Segment Timestamps
| Segment | Timestamps | |-----------------------------------------------|----------------| | Cooper Flagg’s NBA debut | 00:59–05:28 | | Bo Nix, Dart, Drake May, QB analysis | 05:28–11:17 | | Mahomes’ new rhythm & Chiefs offense | 11:17–12:55 | | 49ers offensive resourcefulness | 12:55–13:48 | | WR impact on run games (Pickens/Lamb) | 13:48–15:14 | | Justin Herbert’s Chargers struggles | 15:14–16:43 | | Joe Flacco—“fun and easy to watch” | 16:43–19:14 | | Knicks-Cavs, Knicks’ ceiling | 25:20–27:19 | | NFL news, Bucs/Saints, Jefferson, TNF | 28:10–34:10 | | Rodgers’ Steelers fit, Tomlin insight | 41:46–45:44 | | NBA Gambling/FBI, Chauncey Billups, Rozier | 41:46–52:25 |
Summary
This episode blends optimism for rising stars like Cooper Flagg, analytical breakdowns of emerging and established NFL quarterbacks, and candid conversation about team construction and leadership. Cowherd’s style stays sharp and humorous, with Greg Cosell adding film-based credibility to NFL evaluations. The emerging NBA gambling scandal is approached with a mix of journalistic caution (emphasizing accusations, not proven facts) and philosophical realism about the risks of freedom. Throughout, memorable quotes and strong opinions make the episode accessible and insightful for listeners, whether or not they watched the games themselves.