The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hour 2 – Greg Cosell Explains Brock Purdy Magic, Maxx Crosby is Football Obsessed

Date: December 31, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts & The Volume)
Episode Focus: Analysis of NFL and college football storylines, with in-depth QB breakdowns (Brock Purdy Magic), team evaluations, and football culture commentary, featuring Greg Cosell.

Episode Overview

The second hour of The Herd features Colin Cowherd and NFL Film's Greg Cosell diving deep into NFL and college football analysis. Topics include the evolution and structure of college football, quarterback evaluations (highlighting Brock Purdy, Matthew Stafford, Caleb Williams, Aaron Rodgers, and others), personnel strengths and weaknesses, and a discussion on football obsession using Maxx Crosby as an example. The episode closes with broader quarterback debates, College Football Playoff predictions, and insight into the alignment between the college and pro games.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Transformation of College Football Playoff (00:34–07:00)

• Evolution and Modernization:

  • Colin argues the new playoff system marks a shift from tradition to a more professionally run, NFL-inspired format, approving of the "grownups" (media networks, administrators) stepping in to correct previous chaos.
  • Quote: “College football was an $8 billion industry with no CEO. You couldn't even get the schedules right. So it's always been a sport that's a great movie with a bad ending. At least now the ending's good.” — Colin Cowherd (03:59)

• New Dynamics:

  • Players get paid, transferring is easier, and the playoff format feels legitimized, despite nostalgia loss over bowl games and classic rivalries.
  • Highlights top matchups: Miami vs. Ohio State, Georgia vs. Ole Miss, Indiana vs. Alabama, Oregon vs. Texas Tech.

2. Greg Cosell Quarterback and Offense Breakdowns

Drake Maye & New England (07:00–08:14)

• Pocket Toughness & Structure:
  • “[Maye is] not a guy that is affected by bodies around him. He is really firm and tough in the pocket and he stays there and that allows plays to play out and develop… He allows that structure to play out to its fullest.” — Greg Cosell (07:00)

Matthew Stafford & Rams' Offense (08:14–10:15)

• Performance Lapses:

  • Stafford’s off-night called “not a statement as to what he is”—every QB has a few bad games.
  • Rams’ run game is solid yet lacks explosiveness.

• Quote: “You have one back that’s got about 1100 yards and another… close to 800… It’s been a very strong run game… If you can get consistent pressure on [Stafford], you will speed him up a little. That’s true of any quarterback.” — Greg Cosell (09:03)

Buffalo Bills First Half Troubles (10:15–12:11)

• Limitation in Passing Game:
  • Buffalo’s lack of outside receivers means a “highly schemed pass game by necessity.”
  • Quote: “The pass game… has to be highly schemed… they just can't win one on one on the outside.” — Cosell (10:43)
  • Overreliance on Josh Allen’s “Superman plays” can’t sustain weekly success.

Philadelphia Eagles Pre-Playoff Form (12:11–14:00)

• Running Team at Core:
  • Offensive line chemistry is down, limiting run game.
  • Hurts is efficient in key moments but overall, “not a true passing team.”
  • Quote: “Their O-line… has not been very good. I think Cam Jurgens has had a really difficult season at center.” — Cosell (12:39)

Caleb Williams’ NFL Progression (14:00–15:34)

• Natural Talent and Growth:
  • Cosell praises Williams’s difficult throws and predicts future greatness, noting improved accuracy is likely with experience.
  • Quote: “This guy’s going to be a great quarterback… He’s just so physically gifted and… such an easy, natural thrower of the football.” — Greg Cosell (14:34)

Steelers, Rodgers, & Offensive Struggles (15:34–17:54)

• Personnel Concerns:
  • Steelers lack true outside receivers, hampering Rodgers who prefers “one-on-ones.”
  • Run game hinges on Derrick Henry and FB Ricard—“that’s the way they're going to go no matter who plays quarterback.”

Seattle Seahawks Identity (17:54–20:02)

• Defensive Focus:
  • Offense inconsistent, overdependent on JSN.
  • Seattle's “big nickel” D and DL Byron Murphy receive unsung praise.

Brock Purdy's Magic – Deep Dive (20:02–24:16)

• Purdy excels in “pure progression” offense, perfectly executing reads and showing rare anticipation and timing.
• Quote & Breakdown:
  • “Purdy just has such an innate feel of seeing it right away… Two things that he does so well that were tough to know in college: timing and anticipation and just innately seeing it right away.” — Cosell (21:01, 24:16)
  • Detailed breakdown of Jennings’ TD: Purdy’s anticipation, motion mechanics, and ability to “throw before the guy is where he is.”
• Cosell references Bill Walsh and Steve Young on anticipation: “You’ve got to trust it. And Purdy does that exceptionally well.” — Greg Cosell (23:30)

3. NFL & College Football Alignment (24:24–25:43)

• Closer Than Ever:
  • Colin reflects that NFL and college schemes are more aligned than ever, making QB evaluation more seamless.
  • Quote: “I was talking to an NFL coach… [he said] Fernando Mendoza is an easy guy to scout because so much of what Indiana does has NFL guys and NFL schemes.” — Colin (24:24)

4. News Discussion and Debates: Jason McIntyre Joins (30:07–41:39)

Aaron Rodgers’ Future & Steelers' Situation (30:34–36:27)

• Retirement & Legacy:
  • Mike Tomlin praises Rodgers’ “professionalism and love for teammates” (30:52).
  • Colin believes Rodgers has “overachieved” this year, especially given offensive limitations and poor defense.
  • Quote: “Without DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh does not have a receiver in the top 90 according to PFF… And he somehow kept this team above water.” — Colin Cowherd (34:04)

LeBron vs. Aaron Rodgers in Their 40s (36:27–36:56)

• Colin: “Aaron’s yards and completions are elevating an average team to wins… LeBron, his plus-minus is one of the worst on the Lakers.”

Chicago Bears’ Quest for a 4,000-Yard Passer (36:56–38:15)

• Remark that Bears may finally break the drought with Caleb Williams.
• Jason & Colin note Rome Odunze’s absence has allowed a new connection between DJ Moore and Caleb.

College Playoff Betting Insights + Indiana Hype (38:08–41:27)

• Colin’s Best Bet: “Indiana is going to blow Alabama out.” (40:50)
• Jason: “Mendoza is no consolation prize. That guy’s an awesome talent… When I watch him, I see a young Joe Flacco in Baltimore—not fleet of foot, but faster...” (39:25)

Administrative Shifts in College Football (41:27–42:03)

• Colin: “The old guys can coach college football now because it’s so administrative and transactional. You can buy players now. I mean, everybody used to buy players. It was called the SEC. Now everybody gets to.”

5. Football Obsession: Maxx Crosby Example (45:53–49:39)

• Football Focus and Work Ethic:
  • Colin muses on how being “obsessed” with football is not a problem if you want to be elite.
  • Maxx Crosby admits “this is my whole life…I know I’m never going to look in the mirror and say, damn I wish I would have worked a little harder.” (47:25 paraphrase)
  • Colin: “The great ones, the Mannings, the Mahomes, they're all a little obsessed. I'm okay with it.” (48:30)

6. Brock Purdy: Clutch Performance vs. Environment (49:39–50:26)

• Colin compares Purdy to Bo Nix, noting Purdy’s clutch numbers are less impressive, but Cosell re-emphasizes Purdy’s special vision and anticipation.
• Quote: “Purdy just has such an innate feel of seeing it right away.” — Greg Cosell (49:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “College football was an $8 billion industry with no CEO… At least now the ending’s good.” — Colin Cowherd (03:59)
• “He [Drake Maye] is not a guy that is affected by bodies around him. He is really firm and tough in the pocket…” — Greg Cosell (07:00)
• “I think Stafford just did not have a good game. But I would not use this game as a statement as to what Matthew Stafford is.” — Greg Cosell (09:03)
• “The pass game has to be highly schemed by necessity because they just can't win one on one on the outside.” — Greg Cosell (10:43)
• “Purdy just has such an innate feel of seeing it right away… timing and anticipation… it’s essential in a Mike Shanahan offense.” — Greg Cosell (21:01–24:16)
• “Without DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh does not have a receiver in the top 90… This place is quicksand and [Rodgers] somehow kept this team above water.” — Colin Cowherd (34:04)
• “Indiana is going to blow Alabama out.” — Colin Cowherd (40:50)
• “This is my whole life… I know I’m never going to look in the mirror and say, damn I wish I would have worked a little harder.” — Maxx Crosby segment (47:25 paraphrase)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• College Football Playoff Discussion: 00:34–07:00
• Greg Cosell Joins: QB Evaluations: 07:00–24:16
• NFL & College Football Alignment: 24:24–25:43
• Jason McIntyre Joins: News/Debates: 30:07–41:39
• Football Obsession (Maxx Crosby): 45:53–49:39
• Brock Purdy Clutch Discussion: 49:39–50:26

Conclusion

This episode delivers a masterclass in football analysis, blending Greg Cosell’s technical expertise with Colin Cowherd’s sharp, narrative-driven voice. Whether discussing the inner workings of a Shanahan offense, the changing face of college football, or the mindset required for greatness, the hour is packed with actionable insight and memorable, honest conversation about the game's past, present, and future.