The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Hour 2

Episode: Final Herd Hierarchy, Nick Wright Examines What is Next for Aaron Rodgers

Date: January 13, 2026

Overview

Hour 2 of this episode centers on Colin Cowherd’s final “Herd Hierarchy” NFL power rankings for the season, in-depth analysis of quarterback legacies (notably Aaron Rodgers), and robust debate on the most controversial NFL playoff storylines, featuring guest Nick Wright. The hour includes candid reflection on Rodgers’ career, futures for young QBs like Justin Herbert and Caleb Williams, intense scrutiny on coaching situations, and lively banter about college football’s shifting playoff landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Final Herd Hierarchy: Top 10 NFL Teams

[01:15–06:45]

• #8 Chicago Bears

  • Praised for clean play, strong fourth quarter performance, but loss of left tackle and LB TJ Edwards is “going to hurt against the Rams.”
    “Caleb was remarkable, but losing their starting left tackle and linebacker TJ Edwards is going to hurt... I worry about the Bears.” – Colin, [01:58]

• #7 San Francisco 49ers

  • Lack of George Kittle poses a big challenge. Brock Purdy’s playoff performance highlighted—four game-winning drives in six appearances.

• #6 Denver Broncos

  • Strong at home; leads league in sacks and least sacks allowed. Concerns raised about recent offensive production.

• #5 Buffalo Bills

  • Josh Allen’s playoff excellence highlighted (19 TDs, 1 INT, last 7 playoff games).
    “Josh Allen ... has a way of getting rid of the mistakes. They've got their tush push figured out.” – Colin, [04:06]

• #4 Houston Texans

  • Riding a 10-game win streak. Defense called “for real,” but offense without Nico Collins is a concern.
    “Their defense last night outscored the Steelers’ offense.” – Colin, [04:30]

• #3 Los Angeles Rams

  • Healthier than Chicago, but special teams and turnovers are weaknesses.

• #2 New England Patriots

  • Comparisons to “Brady/Belichick Patriots”—balanced but not dominant anywhere.
    “There's nothing to pick on with New England.” – Colin, [05:54]

• #1 Seattle Seahawks

  • Rest advantage; eight wins by 10+ points after a bye; 26 straight games without allowing a 100-yd rusher.
    "You have to throw the ball to beat Seattle and Brock Purdy ... that’s when you can get Brock Purdy in trouble.” – Colin, [06:10]

Nick Wright Reacts: Playoffs & Quarterback Pressure

[07:45–11:00]

• On the Bears

  • Remarkable comeback frequency—NFL is 3–159 down 10+ points in last five minutes, Bears are 3–3.
    “The stat of the year...for the Bears it's a 50% shot.” – Nick Wright, [08:15]
  • Defensive injuries make a deep run tricky.

• On Texans

  • Defense praised, but offense and Stroud not “trustworthy.” Suggests Houston is ranked too high.

• On Patriots & Drake Maye

  • Winning despite Maye’s worst half is “very, very impressive.”

Aaron Rodgers’ Complicated Legacy

[09:39–12:57]

• Rodgers’ career described as a paradox: incredible talent, four MVPs, but frequent playoff underachievement.
• “He wasn’t at his best in the biggest spots consistently...I look at his career as underachieving, given how great he was.” – Nick Wright, [11:20]
• Cowherd shares former Packers' comments on Rodgers’ moodiness but also his brilliance:
  “There are as many teammates that love him as are turned off by him, and that’s kind of the complexity of life.” – Colin, [12:57]

Debate: Most Talented QB in the NFL?

[13:00–18:10]

• Cowherd says Josh Allen is “the most talented football player, period.”
  "I think Josh is the most talented football player... I've ever seen. ...Not saying best quarterback, most talented." – Colin, [13:05]

• Nick Wright pushes back, advocates for Mahomes:

  • “If you lower the stakes, you lower the reward.” Expects Allen to deliver with “a clear path” in this postseason.
  • “He has been the second best player in the league for a half decade. The best player in the league is not there.” – Nick Wright, [16:45]
  • Predicts Rams–Bills Super Bowl, but doesn’t see Allen eclipsing Mahomes' legacy.

Justin Herbert, Playoff Struggles, and the “Andy Dalton” Comp

[18:10–22:00]

• Cowherd on Herbert:

  • PFF says no QB has won a playoff game with a bottom-tier O-line, likens it to Herbert’s current situation.

• Nick Wright’s response:

  • Cites Herbert’s poor playoff stats (second-lowest all-time passer rating in playoffs, after Andy Dalton).
  • Defense generated 10 turnovers in three playoff losses—no results.
  • “...For all his talent and ability and measurables has simply played his worst in his biggest spots and has played 10 consecutive F minus quarters of playoff football.” – Nick Wright, [21:35]

Coaching Culture & Locker Room Leadership

[22:00–25:50]

• Cowherd on QB maturity and optics: prefers “buttoned up” Jalen Hurts/Dak Prescott types to “Sirianni jawing at A.J. Brown” [22:00].

• Nick Wright on Nick Sirianni:

  • Questions his tangible role in Philly’s success; noncommittal on his longterm head coaching prospects.
  • “He’s obviously not designing sick offensive plays. He doesn’t call the plays. So...what does he do?” – Nick Wright, [23:05]

• Herbert scapegoats?

  • As Chargers fire another OC, Wright notes: “Another pig to the slaughter at the service of Justin Herbert’s arm talent.” [24:58]

News Segment Highlights

[28:39–35:41]

• Aaron Rodgers future in doubt:

  • Last NFL throw a pick-six; hasn't won a playoff game since 2020.
    "I just think Aaron's going to disappear and we're not going to have an answer for a long time." – Colin, [30:22]
  • Vikings floated as a "Brett Favre" style landing spot if not retirement.

• Matt LaFleur’s job security:

  • Players (ex: Micah Parsons) support him. Cowherd insists firing LaFleur is "just dumb" and shouldn't be a topic:
    “That's like Packer cheesehead guy. Don't. It's just dumb. It shouldn't even be a topic.” – Colin, [33:32]

College Football Playoff & NIL Money Trends

[38:02–44:12]

• Miami vs. Indiana National Title preview:
  • Discussion on NIL money shaping "next 10 years"—Big Ten and Texas schools projected to dominate future playoffs.
  • “Texas, A&M, Texas Tech ... Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Indiana ... Miami, USC, Oregon.”* – Colin, [43:28]
• NIL agent anecdotes: Seven-figure bidding for top transfer receivers, changing recruiting power dynamics.
• Praise for Indiana's business network, Miami's NIL muscle.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Bears’ comeback ability:

  “For everyone else it’s a 5% shot ... for the Bears it’s a 50% shot.” — Nick Wright, [08:15]

• On Aaron Rodgers’ career:

  “He wasn’t at his best in the biggest spots consistently. ... I look at his career as underachieving given how great he was.” — Nick Wright, [11:20]

• On Justin Herbert's legacy:

  “He has a hell of a lot more in common with the career of Andy Dalton than the career of those legendary players.” — Nick Wright, [19:24]

• On coaching firings for Herbert’s struggles:

  “Another pig to the slaughter at the service of Justin Herbert’s arm talent.” — Nick Wright, [24:58]

• On what’s next for Rodgers:

  “Retirement, Vikings. Okay, two things. Retire or Vikings.” — Colin, [30:41]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Start of Herd Hierarchy rankings: [01:15]
• Nick Wright joins, Bears/Texans debate: [07:45]
• Aaron Rodgers career legacy discussion: [09:39]
• Is Josh Allen the most talented? Mahomes vs. Allen: [13:00]
• Justin Herbert playoff critique: [18:10]
• Coach culture: Sirianni, LaFleur, head coaching prospects: [22:00]
• Breaking news: Chargers fire OC Greg Roman: [24:48]
• News: Aaron Rodgers/Vikings speculation: [28:39]
• Cowherd’s “next 10 years” college football powers: [38:02]
• Indiana/Miami National Championship, NIL economics: [41:08]

Tone and Language

The hour is fast-paced, irreverent, and deeply opinionated, featuring Cowherd’s trademark bluntness and Nick Wright’s sharp, contrarian wit. Discussions are candid and sometimes confrontational, but always insightful and data-driven.

Summary prepared for listeners who missed the episode, capturing all essential debates, stats, and moments that defined this lively hour of “The Herd.”