The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2: First Herd Hierarchy of 2025, Colts’ QB Decision, NFL Camp Updates w/ Albert Breer
Date: August 19, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Albert Breer (NFL Reporter)
Theme: In-depth look at the NFL heading into the 2025 season, including Cowherd’s first Herd Hierarchy rankings, critical quarterback decisions, preseason camp buzz, trades, rookie evaluations, and more.
Episode Overview
Hour 2 of "The Herd" dives into Colin Cowherd's first 2025 Herd Hierarchy (NFL team power rankings), analyses quarterback situations for several teams, and features NFL insider Albert Breer breaking down storylines from league camps. The tone is energetic, thoughtful, and unfiltered, offering candid assessments and behind-the-scenes context on key NFL narratives as the new season nears.
HERD HIERARCHY: NFL POWER RANKINGS FOR 2025
Timestamp: [03:18]–[10:59]
Colin unveils his pre-season top 10 NFL teams, explaining the rationale behind each ranking and which teams are on the bubble.
Top 10 Teams:
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Youngest, cheapest, #1 ranked defense last year; balanced, deep roster.
- “They GM well, they quarterback well, their line play’s incredible.” [10:00]
- Buffalo Bills
- Led by Josh Allen (“the world’s best football player”); division should be theirs.
- “I don’t think their overall roster is as good as Baltimore or Philly, but Allen elevates his teammates like nobody else.” [09:28]
- Baltimore Ravens
- Do everything well but lack postseason wins; top offense and top 10 defense.
- “Probably the best-run organization along with Kansas City and Philly.” [08:45]
- Denver Broncos
- “Didn’t just add players—they added elite players.” Strong O-line, improved defense.
- “All their good young players are a year older in Sean Payton’s system.” [08:25]
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Aging tight end group; injury concerns; “built for the postseason, but will get dinged in regular season.”
- Waiting for Rashee Rice suspension. [07:47]
- Seattle Seahawks
- Three strong drafts, run-heavy offense, upgraded O-line; Sam Darnold “a better version of Geno.”
- Washington Commanders
- Playoff potential, though concerns linger (“Don’t like the Terry McLaurin vibe”).
- Los Angeles Rams
- Would be ranked higher if not for Matt Stafford’s health. Played many rookies last year with minimal penalties.
- Green Bay Packers
- “Quiet camp”—Cowherd likes that. Improved interior O-line. Not concerned about Jordan Love’s left-hand injury. [04:59]
- Detroit Lions
- Lost both coordinators, “which is hard,” several O-line injuries, tougher division.
Just Missed:
- Chargers (No. 11): Worried about Rashawn Slater injury, WR depth.
- Bengals (No. 12): Concerns about defensive talent, especially if Hendrickson is traded.
Notable Quote:
"There is my Herd Hierarchy… Where are the Chargers? I think the Rashawn Slater injury is a real problem... And I still don't trust their receiving core outside of Lad Monkey." – Colin Cowherd [10:47]
NFL INSIDER ALBERT BREER: CAMP CONFIDENTIAL & QB BATTLES
Timestamp: [11:29]–[28:12]
Rams – Matt Stafford’s Injury Situation
- Rams being cautious, “not pushing him out there until 100%.”
- “There are only so many bullets left in the gun for Stafford… But Matt’s been through elbow and wrist injuries before—now it’s about management.” — Albert Breer [11:29–12:47]
Colts – Daniel Jones Named Starting QB (over Anthony Richardson)
- Framing: “It’s not a short-term move…feels like they surrendered on Richardson.” [12:47]
- Breer: “Richardson didn’t show enough awareness or ball protection…one play he got hurt on was a microcosm of his issues…They need more reliability—Daniel Jones is the better answer right now.” [13:08–14:51]
Bears Camp – Early Impressions of Caleb Williams
- “The day I was there, Caleb Williams looked terrible. The first ball he threw was a throwaway 5 yards inbounds... But the coaches wanted to feed him through a firehose, see what he could handle, take early lumps—so he becomes more resilient.” — Albert Breer [15:17]
- Progress: Preseason flashes of improvement, playing faster, on time, “maybe even going back to college.”
“They know he can put on the cape and be Superman. The idea is, how do you balance that with running an actual NFL offense?” — Albert Breer [17:08, 41:51]
Giants – Russell Wilson vs. Jackson Dart
- Cowherd: “By Thanksgiving, I want to know if Jackson Dart can handle cold weather.” [17:08]
- Breer: “Dart checked every box… If we’re 0-3, 1-4, the leash is shorter on Wilson because Dart’s more ready to play than expected.” [18:13]
Bengals – Trey Hendrickson Trade Rumors
- Cowherd: “Burrow says deals happen right before the season. Is some team lurking for Hendrickson?” [19:30]
- Breer: Trade unlikely: “The Bengals want a premium pick and a good defensive player—they want to contend, not just stockpile picks.” [20:07]
Browns – Joe Flacco as Starter (“Four QB Room” Drama)
- Cowherd and Breer skeptical of celebrity backup QBs.
- Breer: “Coaches want their backup QBs to blend in—not be celebrities. But with a brutal first six games, Stefanski has to play Flacco; Pickett is the only real challenger, but Flacco gives them the best chance to compete now.” [22:41–25:00]
CAMP & SEASON OUTLOOKS
Bears Season Expectations
- Cowherd: “I went through their schedule optimistically and got to 9-8... If that’s with Caleb Williams showing promise and Ben Johnson scheming, you take it." [25:00]
- Breer: “Division could cannibalize itself—Bears don’t need to make playoffs, but need to see progress (O-line, D, Caleb ascending)." [26:19]
Titans Camp – Cam Ward Shows Edge
- On field fight involving rookie QB Cam Ward; team sees his attitude as positive.
- “When it does happen with our quarterback, it just shows you the level of dog he got in him.” — Team observer [33:59]
AFC South & Houston Texans
- Dan Beyer: Houston “biggest divisional lock in the league”, but division remains a wild card with Colts (now Daniel Jones), Jags, and Titans potential spoilers. [35:29]
NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS
- “I think he (Caleb Williams) might be Brett Favre—sometimes at his best in chaos. But you just can’t live that way in the NFL.” — Colin Cowherd [41:27]
- “Joe Flacco gives them the best answer right now… at the beginning of the year you can’t put a question mark rookie out there—locker room won’t buy in.” — Albert Breer [23:30, about Browns]
- “We like what we like. You’d think there’d be LeBron fatigue, but if he plays Steph, it’ll get a huge number.” — Colin on NBA TV schedule, comfort vs. novelty [47:51]
- On Arch Manning’s maturity by staying at Texas: “That is all I need to know about the maturity needed. Because he’s going to go to a bad team and… this kid’s got it.” — Colin Cowherd [38:49]
TIMESTAMPS FOR KEY SEGMENTS
- [03:18] Herd Hierarchy: Colin’s 2025 NFL Power Rankings
- [11:29] Breer on Matt Stafford/Rams injury risk and management
- [12:47] Colts QB move: Daniel Jones over Anthony Richardson, rationale & outlook
- [15:17] Breer’s first-person scouting on Caleb Williams at Bears camp
- [18:01] Giants QB strategy: Russell Wilson’s leash, Jackson Dart readiness
- [19:30] Trey Hendrickson trade scenarios, teams' perspectives
- [22:41] Browns QB drama: Joe Flacco, Pickett, and the problem of celebrity backups
- [25:00] Bears’ 2025 win projection; what progress looks like
- [33:21] Titans camp fight: What Cam Ward’s attitude means for the team
- [37:25] Arch Manning buzz and comparisons to Joe Burrow
- [41:51] Breer on Caleb Williams’ NFL transition
- [47:51] Colin on NBA schedule, comfort food, and the pull of familiar stars
CONCLUSION
Hour 2 offers a sweeping, journalistically rich review of the NFL’s burning preseason questions. Cowherd’s rankings spark debate, while Albert Breer brings first-hand camp observations and thoughtful analysis to the league’s most intriguing quarterback battles and team dynamics. The segment’s honest tone, vivid detail, and sharp commentary make it essential listening for fans eager for real insight as kickoff approaches.