The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Hour 2) – Dec 18, 2025

Main Focus:
Hour 2 dives deep into NFL team trends, especially the state of the Eagles' offense, Rams and Seahawks analysis, potential impacts of injuries, front-office speculation (Joe Burrow's future), and frank assessments of quarterbacks across the league. Guest expert Greg Cosell (NFL Films) joins for high-level film breakdowns.

Episode Overview

This episode is a classic football X-and-O clinic featuring Colin Cowherd and NFL analyst Greg Cosell. The pair dissect several teams’ offenses and defenses, debate QB play, highlight the latest league storylines, and muse on big-picture team building and coaching trends. Additionally, the cast discusses the future of QBs like Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa, coaching legacies, and rounds out with humorous, self-effacing "apology letters" from Cowherd.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rams’ Innovative Offense and Three-Tight-End Usage

[05:24]

• Greg Cosell: The Rams dramatically shifted offensive personnel this season. From weeks 1–6, they did not use three tight ends for a single snap. Starting week 7, they’ve run 41% of all plays with three tight ends—the highest in the NFL.
• This isn’t just for smashmouth running; LA’s offense has racked up nearly 700 yards and 8 TDs from three-TE sets in just the last two games (vs. Dallas & Detroit).
  • Quote: “They have been so good out of three tight end personnel, not just running the ball as one might expect, but passing the ball.” – Greg Cosell ([05:31])
• The Rams force defenses into base looks, making them more predictable and exploitable.

2. Seattle Seahawks’ Running Game Issues

[06:51]

• The Seahawks can’t establish a consistent run game. Cosell describes their O-line as struggling, while RB Kenneth Walker is more of a “jazz musician than a classical pianist”—meaning he improvises too much, failing to take what’s blocked.
  • Quote: “He’s more jazz musician than classical pianist... looking to improvise. He’s not someone who hits it up and gets the hard yards.” – Greg Cosell ([07:11])
• Zach Charbonnet is seeing more time because he runs downhill and doesn’t dance around.

3. Bears’ Run Game – An Overlooked Asset

[08:12]

• The Bears’ O-line additions (Dolman, Tuney, Jonah Jackson) have made their run game pop, creating substantial holes.
• The offense leverages tight ends and pre-snap movement reminiscent of old Washington coach Joe Gibbs, disrupting defenses’ run fits and “angles and leverage.”
  • Quote: “They’re the second best running team in the National Football League. Only two teams average over 150 yards rushing: the Bills and the Bears.” – Greg Cosell ([08:16])

4. Packers without Micah Parsons

[09:08]

• Micah Parsons (injured) is a massive loss. Packers DC Jeff Hafley usually relies on a four-man rush but may have to blitz (“rush five”) more sans Parsons.
  • Quote: “Now he has to rely on guys... to be able to win one on one matchups. I think they’ll stunt a lot.” – Greg Cosell ([09:44])

5. Buffalo Bills: Are They Too Josh Allen-Dependent?

[10:13]

• Despite appearances, the Bills aren’t entirely Allen-dependent. Greg Cosell pushes back on this narrative; RB James Cook leads the league in second-half carries.
  • Quote: “It’s not a team that just relies on Josh Allen. They’ve got probably a top three offensive line in the league. They run the ball exceptionally well.” – Greg Cosell ([11:17])

6. Jacksonville Jaguars – Can We Trust Trevor Lawrence?

[12:16]

• Lawrence leads all QBs in TDs over the last five weeks, with clear improvement in decisiveness and comfort within Liam Cohen’s system.
• Throws outside the numbers stand out, and Jacksonville’s schedule has been softer than Denver’s.
  • Quote: “There is a clear comfort level in the way in which he is playing.” – Greg Cosell ([13:18])

7. The “Small QB” Debate: Tua Tagovailoa & NFL Read Adjustments

[14:05]

• Colin prefers physically imposing QBs for durability; Tua, he observes, seems increasingly apprehensive.
• Cosell describes Tua as a “pre-snap quarterback,” reliant on rhythm/timing. Defenses now neutralize his strengths.
  • Quote: “He has limitations in the kinds of throws that he can make. There’s not much more in his toolbox...” – Greg Cosell ([15:07])

8. Shanahan’s Offense: The Illusion of Complexity

[15:43]

• Despite league-wide adoption, the 49ers’ offense remains potent. Innovations in formations and motion create “illusion of complexity” that’s difficult for defenses but “relatively simple” in actual structure.
  • Quote: “There’s an illusion of complexity to their offense... which makes it difficult for the defense.” – Greg Cosell ([17:01])

9. What’s Up with the Eagles & Jalen Hurts?

[17:32]

• Cosell notes a recent positive shift: Philly has expanded pass concepts in the last two weeks (even in losing).
• Detailed breakdown: Hurts’ high-level execution on a seam route for a TD exemplifies “nuance and subtlety” at the QB position.
  • Quote: “It’s a detail, it’s a nuance, it’s a subtlety. But you know, that’s what playing the quarterback position is. When I saw this on tape, I said, that’s just a really good play.” – Greg Cosell ([20:32])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Greg Cosell on Kenneth Walker:
  “He’s more jazz musician than classical pianist… looking to improvise. He’s not someone who hits it up and gets the hard yards.” ([07:11])

• On Rams’ three-TE offense:
  “They have been so good out of three tight end personnel, not just running the ball as one might expect, but passing the ball.” – Cosell ([05:31])

• On Bears’ O-line and scheme:
  “…reminds me… of Joe Gibbs with the Washington Redskins with the use of motion in the run game. Because what it does is it changes run support. So it changes angles, it changes leverage…” – Cosell ([08:24])

• On Micah Parsons’ absence:
  “Does he rush five… because he doesn’t have that one guy in Parsons who can win from multiple locations in the defensive front?” – Cosell ([09:32])

• On Buffalo’s O-line & run game:
  “They’ve got probably a top three offensive line in the league. They run the ball exceptionally well…” – Cosell ([11:17])

• Eagles’ Hurts seam route TD analysis:
  “He bends Brown in a little bit further. Instead of throwing the straight seam, he bends him in just a little bit further to make sure that that corner cannot overlap that route. This is high level quarterbacking here by Hurts…” ([20:00])

Additional Segments: Front Office & Quarterback Drama

Joe Burrow’s Future Speculation & Franchise Fits

[29:04]

• Joe Burrow says he expects to be Bengals QB next year, but “a lot of crazy things happen every year.”
• Cowherd & the cast play “Where Could Burrow Fit?”: Philly, Rams, Jets, Vikings are pitched as possible landing spots.
  • Quote: “I have some sympathy for Joe. I know he’s made a lot of money. But…these guys get drafted by lousy franchises and Cincinnati’s cheap and they won’t protect him…” – Colin ([32:30])

Tua Benched, NFL Rookie QBs, and the “Tanking Memo”

[33:16]

• Tua graciously responds to being benched: “I’m disappointed… but I got to do my part, to help whoever the quarterback is going to be…” ([33:32])
• Six rookie QBs starting this week—a sign, Cowherd suggests, that teams have gotten the “tanking memo.”

Colin’s “Apology Letters” Segment

[38:57]

• Humorous, self-aware letters to coaches, players he previously doubted or criticized—including Aaron Rodgers, Dak Prescott, Jerry Jones, Jackson Dart, and Sam Darnold.
• Notably, Cowherd jokes about never apologizing for being “early and right” on Sam Darnold and pokes fun at himself and co-host J. Mack.
  • “Dear Sambo, I’d like to apologize to absolutely nobody. You got the Hawks at 11 and 3… I was early, I was loud, I was right.” – Colin ([42:20])

Closing Thoughts: Quarterback Class Critique & Arch Manning

[43:28]

• Colin is skeptical of Arch Manning’s “number one pick” potential, arguing true generational QBs pop as freshmen and questioning slow development tracks.
  • “When you’re a number one pick…generational talent…first snaps, whoa.” – Colin ([45:40])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Rams three-TE offense starts: [05:24]
• Seattle run game problems: [06:51]
• Bears’ O-line and run game: [07:50]
• Packers sans Micah Parsons: [09:08]
• Bills offense/Josh Allen debate: [10:13]
• Trevor Lawrence/Jaguars trends: [12:16]
• Tua, QB size, and defense adaptations: [14:05]
• Shanahan’s offensive “illusion”: [15:43]
• Eagles/Hurts analysis: [17:32, deep play breakdown at 19:00–20:32]
• Joe Burrow speculation: [29:04]
• Rookie QBs & tanking: [33:16]
• Colin’s apology letters: [38:57]
• Arch Manning/NFL draft critique: [43:28]

Tone & Style:
As always, Colin is candid, wry, informative, and unafraid to mix in humor with analytics. Greg Cosell is clinical and insightful, focusing on tactical details for true football nerds.

Recommended Listen for:
NFL fans interested in deep film study, coaching trends, team-building philosophy, and candid, unfiltered takes on QBs and NFL front offices. The expert-level breakdowns and passionate, colorful commentary make it both insightful and entertaining—even if you missed the show live.