The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hour 2 – Greg Cosell Breaks Down Chiefs Issues and Eagles Moves
Date: September 11, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts, The Volume)
Guest: Greg Cosell (NFL Films)

Episode Overview

This episode features a deep-dive conversation between Colin Cowherd and Greg Cosell, focusing on crucial NFL Week 1 performances, quarterback evaluations, and the latest trends affecting teams like the Chiefs, Packers, Eagles, and more. Cosell provides expert film analysis, exploring why the Chiefs’ offense looks stagnant, what’s working for Green Bay and Jordan Love, and how quarterback development is being influenced by improved offensive coaching throughout the league. The two also discuss rumors and roster moves affecting the Eagles, as well as what various teams need from their stars to contend.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterback Film Reviews: Williams, McCarthy, Love, and More

Caleb Williams’ NFL Start

• Assessment: Williams’ debut showed both promise and concern.
  • “Williams at this point in his development is not a refined or advanced anticipation thrower.” – Greg Cosell (04:52)
  • He struggled with clarity in the pocket and timing, missed layups, and sometimes created pressure by climbing the pocket unnecessarily.
  • Despite those issues, he avoided risky throws, played within the structure, but missed out on available, easy completions.

J.J. McCarthy’s Fourth Quarter Evolution

• McCarthy’s showing after the early pick-six demonstrated his potential growth.
  • “It was a far hash, deep sideline throw, sitting on his back foot and driving the ball.” – Greg Cosell (07:04)
  • McCarthy is compared to Baker Mayfield for emotional play.
  • Cosell credits offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell for schemed plays (“connection between the play caller and the quarterback”) that boost McCarthy’s confidence and effectiveness.

2. Kansas City Chiefs’ Offensive Issues

• Main Problem: The Chiefs lack a structured, intermediate passing attack.
  • “There has not really been a structured intermediate passing game… a lot of quick rhythm, short throws, and it’s Mahomes making Mahomes plays where he gets out of the pocket.” – Greg Cosell (08:44)
  • KC relies on Mahomes’ improvisational ability and running; offense has averaged only 22–23 points per game, with defense outperforming offense the past 2 years.

3. Green Bay Packers’ Strengths

Young Talent and Jordan Love’s Progress

• The Packers looked like the most impressive Week 1 team to Cowherd.
  • “Their wide receiver and tight end talent is exemplary.” – Colin Cowherd (03:12)
  • Packers draft well and have a deep youth movement.
• Jordan Love Evaluation:
  • “In terms of physical traits now, top 6, 7, 8 in the league for sure.” – Greg Cosell (10:39)
  • Love avoids mistakes, has a strong arm and legs, and is poised for further growth.
  • Cosell also praised new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley for late coverage rotations and generating pressure without blitzing (11:00).

Stat Snapshot

• Love’s last eight starts: 11 TDs, 0 INTs.
  • “That’s not a small sample size… Mahomes was one of those guys. Aaron Rodgers in his prime…” – Colin Cowherd (26:09)

4. Other Key Quarterback Notes

Aaron Rodgers’ Performance

• Rodgers’ opener was hard to judge due to Jets’ coverage breakdowns and “pitch and catch” plays. He “made a couple of really good throws,” but not much could be gleaned (12:24).

Matthew Stafford Against Texans

• Stafford played well under pressure, and McVay’s use of motion and formations created openings.
  • “If Stafford’s protected because he’s such an elite thrower, he can just make really big-time throws… back-shoulder to Davante Adams versus Stingley was as good as you’re going to see.” – Greg Cosell (14:17)

Cam Ward’s Development

• Ward faced immense pass rush in Denver, made some impressive reads but needs to improve “mental tempo” and understanding of what constitutes real NFL pressure (15:19).
  • “You can’t retreat backwards… he’ll for sure learn…” – Greg Cosell (16:25)

Josh Allen’s New Role

• Bills are more balanced, less reliant on Allen as a superhero except when game dictates.
  • “Fourth quarter alone… 16 for 21 for 251 yards… but last year, they made a conscious decision to be more balanced.” – Greg Cosell (17:24)

Justin Herbert Under Harbaugh

• Heavy on play-action, more motions, and clearer defined reads.
  • Cosell highlights a “chess match” TD play to Quentin Johnston versus Spagnuolo’s Chiefs defense: “Beautiful design, a great example of the chess match at work.” (19:07)

5. Eagles’ Offensive Identity & A.J. Brown Trade Speculation

• Trend Analysis:
  • “Since last year’s bye week, nobody has thrown the ball less than the Philadelphia Eagles.” – Colin Cowherd (47:13)
  • Recent move to trade for RB Tank Bigsby signals even further commitment to the run game.
• A.J. Brown’s Role & Rumors:
  • Debate over Brown’s true impact; Danielle Fishel argues he’s indispensable, Cowherd questions whether he’s top five in team importance.
  • “If I said five most important Eagles, I would say Saquon 1, Hurts 2, Jalen Carter 3, the two tackles 4 and 5… I’m not even considering [Brown].” – Colin Cowherd (51:08)
  • Suggests the Eagles could move Brown, reiterates GM Howie Roseman’s proactivity in the trade market.

6. Other Notable Moments & Quotes

• Comparing rookie QBs to Mahomes:

  • “In my lifetime, I have never seen a quarterback this good this early… Not John Elway, not Andrew Luck, not Trevor Lawrence. This is the best quarterback through 20 games I have seen in my entire life… Jaden Daniels.” – Colin Cowherd (32:13)

• Importance of Offensive Tackles:

  • On Jets’ O-line: “The Jets now have foundational tackles if they want to re-sign them for the next 10 years. There’s not seven teams in the league that can say that.” – Colin Cowherd (37:56)

• Advice & Prop Bets:

  • “Why don’t you go look at the over/under on CeeDee Lamb catches this week?... Dak Prescott is going to go heavy—12 targets to CeeDee Lamb.” – Colin Cowherd (38:51)

Memorable Quotes With Timestamps

• Williams’ developmental needs:
  “Williams at this point in his development is not a refined or advanced anticipation thrower.” – Greg Cosell (04:52)

• Chiefs lacking an intermediate game:
  “There has not really been a structured intermediate passing game.” – Greg Cosell (08:44)

• Jordan Love’s upside:
  “Top 6, 7, 8 in the league for sure… In terms of traits.” – Greg Cosell (10:39)

• Mahomes vs. Herbert in traits:
  “Every scout will tell you that Justin is still a bit mechanical. Mahomes is the opposite of mechanical.” – Colin Cowherd (23:55)

• Jaden Daniels’ emergence:
  “This is the best quarterback through 20 games I have seen in my entire life.” – Colin Cowherd (32:13)

• Howie Roseman’s strategy:
  “Does Howie Roseman believe… Because I’m going to get a fifth and a sixth back if I move AJ Brown or more?” – Colin Cowherd (48:09)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |---------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:01 | Packers’ impressive Week 1, intro to Greg Cosell | | 04:40 | Caleb Williams detailed film breakdown (Cosell) | | 07:00 | McCarthy’s 4th quarter performance and schematic advantage (Cosell) | | 08:39 | What’s wrong with the Chiefs’ offense? (Cosell) | | 10:36 | Jordan Love’s traits and GB defense (Cosell) | | 12:24 | Rodgers recap—too many coverage busts to judge (Cosell) | | 13:47 | Stafford vs. Texans: McVay’s offensive structure (Cosell) | | 15:19 | Cam Ward assessment—needs to adapt to NFL pressures (Cosell) | | 17:24 | Josh Allen’s evolution as more balanced QB (Cosell) | | 19:07 | Justin Herbert’s improved environment under Harbaugh (Cosell) | | 21:48 | Wrap up with Greg Cosell | | 23:08 | Discussion: QB “hit rates” and improved offensive coaching (Cowherd) | | 32:02 | Preview: Jaden Daniels at Lambeau, QB through 20 games discussion | | 34:53 | Jets’ draft: O-line, long-term advantages (Cowherd) | | 38:50 | CD Lamb prop bet and “reclamation” game predicted (Cowherd) | | 47:13 | Eagles’ drastic drop in passing, A.J. Brown speculation (Cowherd & Fishel) | | 51:08 | Eagles’ core contributors, Cowherd ranks top five (Cowherd & Fishel) |

Episode Summary & Flow

• The hour centers on granular quarterback evaluations and how scheme and coaching now elevate young signal callers, leading to a higher early “hit rate.”
• Through expert film breakdowns, Cosell offers unique context on what differentiates functional offenses (Packers, Rams) from those whose elite talents mask their schematic voids (Chiefs).
• The second half shifts to wide-ranging debates: the value of traits vs. production in quarterbacks, the impact of A.J. Brown on the Eagles’ identity, and how GMs like Howie Roseman position their teams for midseason flexibility.
• Listeners get actionable football analysis, prop bet tips, and several “inside football” discussions on the coordinator-QB connection.

Takeaways for Listeners

• Quarterback success is increasingly a product of both natural talent and aligned, creative offensive coaching.
• Patrick Mahomes’ magic has masked deeper schematic issues in Kansas City’s offense for over a season.
• The Packers’ future appears bright, with Jordan Love’s rare blend of tools and discipline—and a cutting-edge defense under Jeff Hafley.
• The Eagles have become one of the NFL’s most run-oriented teams, and their commitment to the run game could put receivers like A.J. Brown in play for trades.
• Teams like the Jets stockpiling young O-line talent make them more attractive destinations for future QB free agency.
• Watch surprise “reclamation” performances from stars after rough openers—CD Lamb is a prime candidate.

This summary delivers the key insights and context from Hour 2 of The Herd on September 11, 2025, aiming to keep non-listeners fully up to speed with football’s latest x’s and o’s and NFL drama.