The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Hour 2

Date: November 4, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host: Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts & The Volume)
Guests: Nick Wright (First Things First), J. Mac

Overview

This episode dives deep into the frantic NFL trade deadline, particularly the blockbuster deal sending star corner Sauce Gardner from the Jets to the Colts for two first-round picks and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Colin dissects the implications for both franchises, the state of the Colts’ defense, and the broader “cornerback crisis” around the NFL. The Herd Hierarchy (Colin’s weekly NFL power rankings) provides a snapshot of the league’s top teams, and Nick Wright joins to analyze the trades, debate Daniel Jones’ future, discuss the Bills vs. Chiefs, and reflect on the record-setting World Series. The show wraps with rapid-fire sports news (“Herd Line News”) and spirited debates about NFL rosters, coaching, and the Lakers’ young roster under coach J.J. Redick.

Key Discussion Points

1. Blockbuster Trade: Sauce Gardner to the Colts

Start ~00:56

• Details:

  • The Jets trade CB Sauce Gardner to the Colts for two first-round picks (2026, 2027) and WR Adonai Mitchell.
  • The Colts, with one of the league’s worst pass defenses, fill a glaring need at corner.

• Colin’s Take:

  • The trade is “a little rich,” but if you’re not drafting a QB or left tackle, you can live without first-rounders:

    “If you don’t need a left tackle or a quarterback, you can live without a first-round pick.” (03:05)

  • Sauce Gardner thrived under Robert Saleh, but has regressed without strong defensive coaching.
  • Compares Gardner’s temperament and talent to Jalen Ramsey—can check out when things go sideways.

• Rationale for Colts:

  • Upcoming schedule features multiple top-10 receivers; “you can’t have holes at corner with so many elite WRs and QBs in the league.”
  • Colts want to fix a single glaring roster issue and are betting on Daniel Jones at QB.

• Rationale for Jets:

  • They gear up for the future with two firsts—“The Jets are going to draft a quarterback. Period. End of story.” (07:11)
  • The move signals a necessary restart as the current operation (“the biggest circus”) is failing.

• Nick Wright’s Take (with timestamps):

  • “Colts trading two firsts and AD Mitchell for Sauce feels wildly risky and ambitious... it says they are just fully confident in Daniel Jones.” (29:49)
  • “Teams that trade two firsts for non-quarterbacks almost always have their quarterback in place—or else it’s a disaster.” (31:30)
  • Cites Bears’ Khalil Mack, Seahawks’ Jamal Adams trades as cautionary tales.
  • “I’d be super hesitant to trade multiple firsts if I’m not certain at quarterback... this to me is the Colts saying: ‘We believe in Daniel Jones, full stop.’” (33:16)
  • “Potentially excellent trade for the Jets, very risky for Indy.” (34:07)

• Locker Room Impact:

  • Colin: “Moves like this can instantly change a locker-room’s energy, especially when morale gets shaky.”

2. Herd Hierarchy: Top 10 NFL Teams (Week 9)

Start ~09:22

• Top 10 Overview:
  • 10. 49ers: “One of the great coaching jobs you’ll ever see... offense is Christian McCaffrey and cross your fingers.” (09:47)
  • 9. Lions: “Solid franchise, but not at the top of the NFC.” (11:11)
  • 8. Patriots: “6-0 when Christian Gonzalez plays. Needs better pass protection for Drake May.” (12:17)
  • 7. Bucs: “Living on borrowed time; four game-winning drives when beat up.” (13:17)
  • 6. Chiefs: “Pressure Mahomes, and they’re vulnerable; left tackle returning will help, don’t sell your stock yet.” (14:17)
  • 5. Broncos: “Best O-line protecting the QB and best at getting sacks. That travels in cold weather.” (15:19)
  • 4. Seahawks: “Darnold with best advance metrics in the league; defense is young but steadily improving.” (16:39)
  • 3. Bills: “Most run-heavy offense; elite pass D, but gashable vs. the run. Tight end-centric.” (17:41)
  • 2. Rams: “Most methodical team; top-3 in all metrics, least penalized.” (18:53)
  • 1. Eagles: “Very good in one-score games, undefeated when Barkley gets 15+ touches; only drama can stop them.” (20:34)

3. Other Major NFL Trades & Moves (Around 1:45:00+)

• Seahawks acquire WR Rasheed Shahid from Saints for 2026 4th and 5th round picks.
  • “He’s a burner—they needed an over-the-top threat to go with their young receiving core.” (1:46:41)
• Discussion on “reclamation project” QBs:
  • Sam Darnold in Seattle: Colin repeatedly states he never gave up on him:

    “Darnold is a star, it’s just hard to unsee the Jets years...” (2:04:59)

  • Daniel Jones as Colts’ franchise QB: Debate on whether the team is overcommitting.
• Locker Room Morale and Urgency:
  “Making a move like this, especially after an ugly loss, can energize a team and possibly stop a skid.” (2:10:44)

4. Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs Recap

Start: 36:40

• Colin’s Critique:
  • “Bills must add a downfield target; too reliant on tight ends and James Cook—not enough firepower.” (37:43)
• Nick Wright’s Recap:
  • “Buffalo outplayed Mahomes—perfect in red zone, dominated time of possession, hit Mahomes 15 times, yet... Mahomes still had a chance to tie it.”
  • “Josh Allen outscores Mahomes when it matters least—regular season, but never the postseason.” (39:57)
  • “Most impressive was the ability to get to Patrick... but by the end, 3 of Chiefs’ starting O-linemen were out, so no panic for KC.” (41:35)
  • “Let’s wait for the playoffs—the script never changes.” (42:03)

5. Rookie QBs: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jaden Daniels

Start: 44:07

• Colin on Caleb Williams:
  • “He’s a hit—he gives you big plays, excitement, even if he misses easy throws for three hours.” (44:31)
• Nick Wright’s Assessment:
  • “Late-game drive saved his season. He’ll never be a 68% completion guy, but you drafted him for the big moments.” (46:13)
  • “Jaden Daniels looked clearly better after rookie year, but injuries may have flipped that opinion among NFL GMs.” (48:08)
  • “If you ask GMs today, more would take Caleb over Jaden at #2.” (48:50)

6. World Series Reflection — Dodgers vs. Blue Jays

Start: 50:51

• Massive Ratings:
  • “This series got 26-27 million viewers—more than NBA Finals with two U.S. teams. That’s astonishing.” (51:09)
• International Players and Audience:
  • “Dodgers are MLB’s global team... their Japanese stars, and the international pull, drive ratings, unlike NBA’s international roster which doesn’t move the needle with U.S. fans.” (53:15)
• Legendary Players & Moments:
  • “Yamamoto’s epic pitching, Vladdy as a likable star, heartbreak for Blue Jays fans—'sick to my stomach for them.'” (53:58)
• Endorsement of MLB’s Direction:
  • “Rob Manfred has been aggressive, and the pitch clock, everything, has worked—baseball is better, faster, and more global.” (55:22)

7. Herd Line News (NFL, Packers, NBA/Lakers)

Start: 1:50:41

• Packers’ Challenge:
  • TE Tucker Kraft out; next-man-up mentality is emphasized by coach Matt LaFleur.
  • Argument about Packers’ legitimacy as a top-10 team; Colin slots them 11th, values merit over home-field advantage. (1:55:11)
• Lakers’ Young Core & J.J. Redick
  • Praise for Redick’s coaching—“He’s squeezing the juice out of all the young fruit, getting more out of everyone than Darvin Ham ever did.” (2:02:41)
  • Lakers 6–2 start, unbeaten in clutch games.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Gardner deal:

  "If you don’t need a left tackle or a quarterback, you can live without a first-round pick... the Colts have one glaring hole, and they solved it." — Colin (03:05)

• On aggressive trades:

  “Teams that trade multiple first round picks for non-quarterbacks almost always have their quarterback in place—or else it’s a disaster.” — Nick Wright (31:30)

• On the state of the Jets:

  “I think within the league, people think the jets are the biggest circus... nothing works in New York.” — Nick Wright (33:55)

• On the World Series:

  “Game 7 of the NBA Finals did 16-17 million and this [World Series] did 26-27 million... The theater of this baseball postseason and the World Series took your breath away.” — Nick Wright (52:46)

• On MLB’s transformation:

  “Rob Manfred has taken massive swings... the pitch clock, everything’s better, faster, more succinct. I watch more baseball.” — Colin (55:22)

• On Reclamation QBs:

  “Seattle and Indy are saying: ‘We got our quarterback, we don’t need to draft one. We’re good for three years.’” — Colin (2:06:17)

• On J.J. Redick’s coaching:

  “He is squeezing the juice out of all the young fruit... There’s value in great coaches getting every last bit out.” — Colin (2:02:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Gardner Trade Analysis: 00:56 – 08:43
• Herd Hierarchy: 09:22 – 21:25
• Nick Wright Joins – Trade Deadline Reactions: 29:49 – 36:23
• Bills vs. Chiefs, Playoff Woes for Buffalo: 36:40 – 42:03
• Rookie QB Draft Review: 44:07 – 48:50
• World Series Recap & MLB’s Global Surge: 50:51 – 58:10
• Herd Line News (NFL Trades, Packers, Lakers): 1:50:41 – 2:09:38
• Locker Room Impact & Reclamation QB Philosophies: 2:10:44 – 2:16:20

Tone & Style

Colin maintains his trademark opinionated and conversational style, blending stats with storytelling and big-picture “macro” NFL observations. Nick Wright injects wit and a slightly skeptical edge, especially in questioning team strategies. Banter around Daniel Jones, reclamation QBs, and the “circus” Jets plays up the show’s blend of seriousness and fun. The episode finishes with rapid, relatable discussions touching on both sports infrastructure and individual personalities across the leagues.

For listeners looking for in-depth NFL analysis, front office strategy, and big-picture trends—this hour delivers signature Cowherd: candid, fast-moving, and always ready to mix strong takes with a bit of humility and humor.