Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hour 2 – Did Vikings make a mistake with Aaron Rodgers? Greg Cosell, Super Bowl Bubble Teams
Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd | Guests: Greg Cosell (NFL Films), J. Mac
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into NFL quarterback play, team strategies, and the ever-evolving Super Bowl contender “bubble.” Colin is joined by NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell for film-driven insights, and J. Mac offers lively counterpoints and co-host banter. The show mixes analytical deep-dives with candid, sometimes humorous takes on both upcoming NFL and college football storylines.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Aaron Rodgers’ Performance and PFF Rankings

• [03:06] - [05:25]

  • Colin assesses Aaron Rodgers’ disappointing PFF grade (second lowest among starting QBs, below even Spencer Rattler).
  • Both Colin and J. Mac push back on PFF’s eye test, noting Rodgers still flashes his signature throws.
  • Quote - Colin:
    “I’ve watched almost every snap this year, I would never guess he’s the second lowest graded quarterback. I would think middle of the pack now. He’s strictly a pocket quarterback right now.” [03:22]

• Colin compares current-day Rodgers to Carson Wentz: both are aging, injury-impacted, and strictly pocket-bound now.

2. Vikings’ Rumored Interest in Aaron Rodgers

• [05:25] - [06:13]

  • Rumors circled that the Vikings’ head coach Kevin O’Connell was interested in Rodgers. Rodgers clarifies their relationship is merely friendly—no serious talks.

  • Quote - Aaron Rodgers:
    “Things never progressed… farther than catch up conversations. I’ll just leave it at that.” [05:58]

3. Caleb Williams Evaluation

• [06:13] - [07:44]

  • Greg Cosell analyzes Caleb Williams’ play under Ben Johnson, emphasizing the importance of making intermediate, between-the-numbers throws—a key for development.

  • Cosell downplays the “bad opponent” argument (Dallas) and focuses on Williams’ visible progress in executing the scheme’s demanding throws.

  • Quote - Greg Cosell:
    “The litmus test in a Ben Johnson passing game are throws between the numbers at the intermediate level. If you start to see those kinds of throws with more consistency, that will tell you Caleb Williams is getting a better understanding…” [06:49]

4. Carson Wentz vs. J.J. McCarthy & Vikings Outlook

• [07:44] - [09:28]

  • Colin contends Wentz is currently a better option than rookie J.J. McCarthy.

  • Cosell says Wentz still shows his strengths (e.g., a tightly-fitted throw to Jefferson) but notes ongoing problems: shaky under pressure, wide base throwing, not as mobile.

  • The test for Vikings and Wentz will come in tighter games with higher passing volume.

  • Quote - Greg Cosell:
    “He’s essentially a pocket player… sometimes what that does is it makes some of his issues really come to the forefront.” [08:31]

5. Philadelphia Eagles’ Second Half Comeback

• [09:28] - [11:07]

  • Cosell details the Eagles’ turnaround: A.J. Brown is asserted as their most important player due to his dominance outside the numbers, opening up passing options for Jalen Hurts when the run game gets stifled.

  • Quote - Greg Cosell:
    “A.J. Brown... so strong, he’s so physical. That’s how their offense got started with a 38 yard fade route against the Rams in the third quarter.” [10:33]

6. Chargers’ Offensive Shift with Justin Herbert

• [11:07] - [12:29]

  • The Chargers, under new coaching, are throwing more, giving Herbert the freedom to use shorter passes to stay ahead of the chains, while still exploiting his big arm.

  • Comparison to Tom Brady’s philosophy: take what the defense gives, even if it’s a routine six-yard throw.

  • Quote - Greg Cosell:
    “If you’re gonna have your quarterback drop back that many times, then he’s gotta be more than willing... taking six yard throws if those are the throws that are there.” [11:34]

7. Ravens’ Defensive Deficiencies

• [12:29] - [13:56]
  • Discussion centers on Baltimore getting pushed around by Detroit, with key defensive injuries and surprising underperformance (e.g., Roquan Smith’s down game).
  • Cosell says sometimes good defensive players just have bad games.

8. Indianapolis Colts: Roster vs. Coaching

• [14:13] - [15:53]

  • Colin argues the Colts’ strong roster isn't a fluke, calling for a “ball distributor” at QB rather than a superstar talent.

  • Cosell agrees: Most QBs are managers; Jones’s “efficient execution” is maximized by a well-designed scheme and surrounding talent right now.

  • Quote - Greg Cosell:
    “Most quarterbacks are ball distributors and executors of an offense... Jones is efficiently executing a well-schemed, well-designed offense with a lot of talent.” [14:50]

9. C.J. Stroud’s Declining Play

• [15:53] - [17:34]

  • Both hosts and Cosell see Stroud’s O-line woes as sapping his confidence and muddying decision-making.

  • Cosell notes Stroud’s rookie-year timing has disappeared; he’s lost comfort and consistency under pressure.

  • Quote - Greg Cosell:
    “He just doesn’t look like the same confident thrower that seeing throws, window throws as viable throws the way he did his rookie season.” [17:32]

10. Packers’ Youth vs. Browns’ Defensive Strength

• [17:49] - [19:36]
  • Colin and Cosell praise Cleveland’s defensive rotation (especially D-Line and back-end), noting how Jim Schwartz’s subtle disguises create “just enough” confusion for QBs like Jordan Love.
  • Important mention of how quick, almost imperceptible hesitation (half a beat) can disrupt a QB.

11. Sam Darnold’s Success in Seattle

• [19:36] - [23:19]

  • Colin finally feels vindicated as a Sam Darnold believer—notes how structure and play-action offense (Clint Kubiak's system) are maximizing Darnold’s skill set while minimizing his liabilities.

  • Cosell breaks down a red-zone play: great play call, defined reads, exploiting just one defender’s hesitation as the key to a successful sequence.

  • Quote - Greg Cosell (play analysis):
    “When you do run action and you throw it… very often you’re putting one defender in conflict. That’s all it takes… Darnold’s in a really good situation. And by the way, they have a very good defense that’s only going to get better in Seattle.” [20:58]

12. Seattle Seahawks’ Roster Build

• [23:19] - [23:56]

  • Colin and Cosell marvel at John Schneider’s front office acumen and Seattle’s ability to unearth talent deep in the draft; the team is “fast” and “very good,” especially on D.

  • Quote - Colin Cowherd:
    “Seattle’s done a really good job to get 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th round guys who can play… The guys upstairs have a huge influence in this league.” [24:06]

College Football Segment

Loudest Stadiums & Big Weekend Preview

• [29:01] - [32:13]
  • Colin and J. Mac debate America’s loudest college stadiums and preview a “bonkers” Saturday slate, with Colin making picks against the spread.
  • Colin stands by Husky Stadium, Gainesville, and Austin as his top stadiums, citing “the structure” for why noise is trapped inside.

James Franklin’s Big Game Record & Coaching Stability

• [38:41] - [41:41]
  • J. Mac criticizes Penn State’s James Franklin for his mediocre record in top-10 matchups.
  • Colin defends Franklin against “irrational boosters,” adding context: most of Franklin’s losses are to all-time great coaches/programs (Harbaugh, Urban Meyer, Ryan Day). Still, J. Mac argues that the lack of big wins builds legitimate pressure.
  • Quote - Colin Cowherd:
    "Penn State's a top six program right now in America. Undeniable under James Franklin." [41:41]

Super Bowl Bubble: Colin’s Contenders

• [46:20] - [50:25]
• Colin unveils his current “Super Bowl Bubble”—the set of teams he claims are truly capable of making a Super Bowl run at this time.
  • In the bubble: Rams, Chargers, Eagles, Bills, Packers, Seattle
  • Tier below (multiple playoff win potential): Baltimore, Detroit, Tampa, (Mac Jones-led) 49ers
  • Notably, Colin is bullish on Seattle despite Vegas skepticism.
• J. Mac fires back, questioning Seattle’s and Darnold’s viability and referencing their long Super Bowl odds.
• Colin defends Seattle: “Their defense is great… special teams are great… JSN is a number one receiver. Their running game is great. Our only question was: do they have a number one receiver?”

Additional Notable Quotes

• Greg Cosell (on A.J. Brown and the Eagles):
  “A lot of coaches believe he’s really the key to that offense because you get so many one-on-ones outside because of the run game and he's a really difficult cover.” [10:40]

• Colin Cowherd (on Fred Warner, 49ers):
  “You watch a football player, you can tell how smart they are by their instincts… Fred Warner is an unbelievable talent.” [36:20]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• [03:06] - Aaron Rodgers’ PFF grade, pocket QB era
• [05:45] - Rodgers on Vikings interest
• [06:49] - Cosell on Caleb Williams’ progress
• [08:31] - Cosell details Carson Wentz’s fit and flaws for Vikings
• [10:00] - A.J. Brown as Eagles’ offensive engine
• [11:30] - Chargers’ shift to a pass-heavy Herbert offense
• [12:29] - Ravens’ defensive personnel problems
• [14:50] - Colts’ “ball distributor” QB philosophy
• [17:32] - Stroud’s confidence and regression
• [20:58] - Cosell breaks down Darnold boot-action TD in Seattle
• [29:01] - College stadium atmosphere discussion
• [38:41] - Penn State / James Franklin “big win” debate
• [46:20] - Colin’s Super Bowl Bubble unveils
• [50:25] - Colin’s bullish take on Seattle’s complete roster

Memorable Moments

• Colin and Greg Cosell’s in-depth play breakdown, walking the audience through how Sam Darnold's success tracks directly to play design and defined reads—“putting just one defender in conflict” as the essence of modern offensive scheming. [20:58]
• The running banter about how much to trust PFF and the limits of analytics versus “the eye test” in evaluating quarterbacks. [03:06]
• A spirited college football stadium debate, with colorful asides about “rowdy, lubricated” crowds and structural acoustics. [30:58]
• J. Mac and Colin’s classic back-and-forth on James Franklin’s job security, with J. Mac playing the skeptical booster voice and Colin defending coaching stability. [39:44]

Tone & Language

• Candid, analytical, often humorous.
• Frequent football “insider” terminology from Greg Cosell, bridged with Colin’s more fan-oriented, metaphorical commentary.
• J. Mac serves as the “devil’s advocate,” keeping debates lively and accessible.

Summary

On this episode, Colin Cowherd and Greg Cosell dissect quarterback play across the NFL—from Rodgers and Wentz’s twilight years to Caleb Williams’ key developmental moments. They explore what makes elite teams and players stand apart, both schematically and in terms of organizational structure. The conversation blends high-level Xs-and-Os with broader debates about team building, coaching security, and even college football atmospheres, culminating in Colin’s trademark “Super Bowl Bubble” hierarchy—and some hearty pushback from his co-host. Essential listening for fans seeking intelligent, film-driven football talk with a side of personality and wit.