The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD - Hour 2 – Greg Cosell breaks down Philip Rivers, Santa Colin hands out gifts
Date: December 24, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd and guest analyst Greg Cosell (NFL Films) take a deep dive into current NFL storylines, focusing on quarterback play around the league. They unpack breaking news about Lamar Jackson’s off-field issues, analyze the play styles of stars like Philip Rivers, Caleb Williams, Justin Herbert, and Brock Purdy, and examine key matchups for the upcoming week. Santa Colin also hands out humorous “stocking stuffers” for NFL figures. The hour is packed with sharp film analysis, pointed opinions, and a few memorable laughs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. BREAKING NEWS: Lamar Jackson’s Commitment Questioned

• Timestamps: [03:03]–[06:49], [45:30]–[53:44]
• Colin opens with a major report from Mike Preston on Lamar Jackson: falling asleep in meetings, late-night video games, and inconsistent attendance at mandatory camp.
  • Concern raised about Lamar’s physical decline and diminishing athletic edge as he approaches age 29, tying into the historical trajectory of “hyper-athletic” QBs like Cam Newton.
• Cap hit impacts: Next year, Jackson’s contract will eat up 24% of Baltimore’s salary cap.
• The Ravens may entertain trade calls; Colin argues Baltimore is not a “low self-esteem franchise,” meaning they could be pragmatic about moving on.
  • "I could absolutely see them taking a phone call from the Raiders or the Dolphins... Lamar was always untouchable. If this is true... he’s transitioned [to] I’ll take phone calls." – Colin, [05:51]

2. Greg Cosell on Philip Rivers: Timeless Pocket Mastery

• Timestamps: [06:49]–[09:19]
• Cosell is amazed by Rivers’ consistency and football IQ, even after years away from the game.
  • “If you want to reduce quarterbacking to its simplest terms... he throws it to the right receiver at the right time with the right kind of throw, and he just sees the field.” – Greg Cosell, [07:13]
  • Compares Rivers to Nikola Jokić for innate, non-athletic greatness.
• Jason and Colin echo that Rivers’ play proves that athleticism isn’t the only path to success at QB.

3. 49ers' Overreliance on Christian McCaffrey & QB Play Styles

• Timestamps: [08:50]–[10:49]
• Colin, Jason, and Greg examine McCaffrey’s workload with the Niners: the team is 0-4 in games after he gets 27+ touches.
  • Greg breaks down their offense’s sophisticated use of motion and personnel.
• Contrasts quarterbacking approaches: Rivers as pre-snap savant, Purdy as post-snap reactor.
  • “It was almost a masterclass in two different ways of playing quarterback.” – Greg Cosell, [10:20]

4. Caleb Williams & Incremental Growth

• Timestamps: [10:49]–[12:51], [33:40]–[34:05]
• Discussion of Caleb Williams’ late-game heroics and ability to make “ridiculous” throws.
  • “When you see a great throw or a great play, I don’t think you’re surprised because he’s got the physical traits to do it.” – Greg Cosell, [11:45]
  • Williams expresses his focus: “My goal isn’t to just get to the playoffs. My goal is to win and win big.” – Caleb Williams, [33:53]

5. Trevor Lawrence: Decisiveness Unlocked

• Timestamps: [13:17]–[15:14]
• Liam Cohen’s coaching credited for Lawrence’s recent jump in decisive QB play.
  • “What you see, number one, you’re seeing Lawrence play really decisively...It comes down to personnel, formations, motions, shift, receiver splits, how you set up routes so the quarterback can be decisive.” – Greg Cosell, [13:52]

6. Seattle Seahawks: Big Nickel Defense & Depth Stand Out

• Timestamps: [15:14]–[17:14]
• Greg points to Seattle’s “big nickel” personnel and the seamless play of backups as evidence of strong coaching and defensive depth.

7. Eagles and Bills: Running Games, No-Huddle & Personnel Issues

• Timestamps: [17:14]–[19:32]
• Barkley’s resurgence for Philly traced to improved O-line play and use of no-huddle/empty sets to counteract Bills’ tricky coverage disguises.
  • “It was the first game where I thought their O line really moved people the way they did a year ago.” – Colin, [17:29]
• Buffalo, meanwhile, is “clearly a tight end-based passing game” with WR injuries/uncertainties pushing them toward greater run balance.

8. Texans-Chargers Matchup Film Breakdown

• Timestamps: [19:32]–[24:12]
• Cosell highlights the mismatch between the Chargers’ O-line and Texans’ pass rush, and notes L.A.’s diverse skill group despite O-line woes.
• On Justin Herbert: Greg can’t identify a real weakness.
  • “I don’t really think he does... He can make any throw.” – Greg Cosell, [21:18 & 24:00]
  • Enthusiastic praise for a deep shot Herbert completed: “This is a ridiculous throw... he sees this as a viable throw.” – Greg Cosell, [23:34]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On aging and value in QB play:
  “Hyper athletic athletes in any sport age faster than a guy like Philip Rivers who can do it from the pocket. … There’s about six quarterbacks in the league… I would not even pick up the phone, no matter the offer. Lamar, to me, was always in the first group. Now he’s transitioned.”
  – Colin Cowherd, [04:30–05:50]

• Comparing QB IQs:
  “He throws it to the right receiver at the right time with the right kind of throw… it’s remarkable to me. I watch him, and I’m totally in awe.”
  – Greg Cosell on Philip Rivers, [07:13]

• On Justin Herbert’s arm talent:
  “Normally when people say... only a few quarterbacks can make that throw, it’s a bunch of garbage. But... this was a wow throw.”
  – Greg Cosell, [21:18–24:12]

• Caleb Williams on his mindset:
  “My goal isn’t to just get to the playoffs. My goal is to win and win big. ... for the city to be able to be proud and happy to be fans and supporters of Chicago Bears.”
  – Caleb Williams, [33:53–34:05]

• On Luck vs. Preparedness:
  “I do believe luck exists. I just think everybody gets the same amount over the course of their life... Some people aren’t good at taking advantage of the luck they get.”
  – Colin Cowherd, [34:04]

Santa Colin’s NFL “Stocking Stuffers”

[42:19–45:38] A lighthearted segment in true holiday spirit, as Colin doles out gifts to NFL personalities:

• Josh Allen: Theragun massage gun (“He’s scored 37 of Buffalo’s 52 touchdowns.”)
• Drake Maye: “MVP-worthy but all I got was this lousy T-shirt.”
• Philip Rivers: His own NFL franchise (with his 10 kids!)
• Travis Kelce: “Joint custody agreement for the future Mr. Taylor Swift.”
• Caleb Williams: “Las Vegas residency... may be the new king of Chicago, but he puts on a Bruno Mars-level show every week.”
• Brock Purdy: “Gift certificate to Mastros” – so J. Mac and Brock can discuss their shared admiration of Colin.
• Etc.

Deep Dive: Lamar Jackson’s Report & Its Fallout

[45:30–53:44]

• Colin and Nick Wright revisit the fallout from the breaking news on Lamar, underlining the ripple effect of massive QB cap hits and the pressure it places on a roster.
• Noted that newly leaked stories “get out when somebody wants it out.”
• Teams like the Dolphins or Raiders might be ready to make serious offers, and the narrative around “touchable/untouchable” QBs is actively shifting with new info.
• Nick Wright: “Baltimore essentially... bet on a 2022 fourth rounder and a 2023 seventh rounder on their offensive line because they could not afford [veterans]... those young guys didn’t pan out.”

Additional News & Commentary

• Pro Bowl debates ([29:36]–[33:09]): Lively discussion about Sam Darnold’s Pro Bowl selection, Howie Roseman’s knack for drafting corners, and proposals to revamp the voting process.
• Luck and “one-score game” fortune ([34:04]–[36:43]): A debate on whether lucky breaks (e.g., Bears onside kick vs. Packers) are sustainable. Nick Wright: “Keep an eye on another very fortunate team in the AFC... that stuff evens out.”

Segment Timestamps

• [03:03] – Lamar Jackson story breaks
• [06:49] – Cosell on Philip Rivers
• [08:50] – Niners' use of McCaffrey and offensive complexity
• [10:49] – Caleb Williams’ growth
• [13:17] – Trevor Lawrence’s development
• [15:14] – Seahawks’ defense
• [17:14] – Eagles’ run game revival
• [18:36] – Buffalo’s offensive shift
• [19:32] – Texans vs. Chargers film matchups (Herbert praise)
• [24:12] – Wrapping film segment
• [29:36] – Pro Bowl selection debate
• [33:40] – Caleb Williams on comebacks, luck discussion
• [42:19] – Santa Colin’s NFL “stocking stuffers”
• [45:30] – Deep dive: Lamar Jackson trade possibility & roster management

Tone and Style

• Colin is direct, occasionally playful, and unafraid of controversial takes.
• Greg Cosell brings a detailed and clinical football-film perspective.
• Jason McIntyre and Nick Wright provide support and banter, keeping the vibe light but focused.

This summary gives you a play-by-play of the hour's football insight, film analysis, quarterback narratives, and more, capturing the personality and insight that makes The Herd a must-listen for NFL fans.