The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2

Episode: Most Anticipated Week 3 Matchups

Date: September 17, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guests: Joel Klatt (Fox Sports analyst), J. Mac (news co-host)

Overview

This episode dives deep into Week 3's biggest NFL and college football storylines. Colin is joined by Joel Klatt for a candid and insightful discussion about quarterback traits, Jalen Hurts' evolution, Jim Harbaugh’s transformation, coaching philosophies, and pivotal matchups for the weekend. The second half of the hour transitions to “The Herdline News” with J. Mac, spotlighting league trends, injury updates, and betting angles for the most anticipated games.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Quarterbacks and Their Defining Traits

• "Wow" Traits and Quarterback Evaluation

  • Colin reflects on how successful quarterbacks each possess a unique, standout trait, referencing Jaden Daniels (mobility), Justin Herbert (size/brains), Josh Allen (arm), and Mahomes (arm talent).
  • He admits his skepticism around Jalen Hurts, initially doubting Hurts’ "wow" attribute.

    “My take was, well, what's the wow trait? It's been my knock on Purdy. Purdy...may be brain up.” – Colin (03:49)

  • Colin now recognizes Hurts’ pound-for-pound strength and remarkable maturity as exceptional quarterback traits especially fitting for the pressure-cooker environment of Philadelphia.

• Jalen Hurts’ Underappreciated Strengths

  • Colin asserts Hurts is “the strongest quarterback in league history” and lauds his leadership and ability to stay focused in a hectic market:

    “I think his ability to stay focused in a loud town...Jalen Hurts’ maturity is an amazing trait.” – Colin (05:51)

  • Hurts’ locker room quote:

    “You gotta come in with a sense of focus...as a team, we showed up when we needed to the most...” – Jalen Hurts (06:45, relayed by Colin)

Jim Harbaugh: Dual Personalities and Chargers Outlook

• Harbaugh’s Transformation

  • Colin and Joel discuss Jim Harbaugh’s prowess, suggesting he could be seen as the best football coach ever if college and pro were combined.

    “I could argue Jim Harbaugh is the best football coach the planet's ever had.” – Colin (07:09)

  • Joel Klatt shares personal experiences, describing "two Jim Harbaughs": a standoffish, rigid early version and a post-COVID transformation into a more authentic, player-focused leader.

    “Pre-COVID, he was very standoffish...After COVID...he was a totally different person – open and authentic.” – Joel Klatt (08:56, 09:44)

  • Joel details Harbaugh’s relationship with Biff Poggi, whose influence guided Harbaugh to emotionally connect and communicate with players, crediting this shift as crucial to his Michigan and Chargers success.

    “He became much more of a people person, even with all of his quirks.” – Joel Klatt (10:18)

• Chargers’ Future Under Harbaugh

  • Joel is bullish on the Chargers:

    “I think that they're ultimately going to win a Super Bowl because they've got the coach and the quarterback to do it.” – Joel Klatt (10:58)

USC's Reemergence and Quarterback Analysis

• Jaden Maiava and USC
  • Colin lauds USC’s shift under Lincoln Riley, noting improvement on both sides of the ball and identifying quarterback Jaden Maiava as surprisingly effective:

    “This quarterback...oh, that feels like a playoff team.” – Colin (12:22)

  • Joel calls USC “one of the more underrated teams in the country,” praising their balance and offensive improvement.

    “They are good on defense...Myava has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country.” – Joel Klatt (13:19)

Coaches’ Media Tactics and Locker Room Psychology

• Brian Kelly's Viral Rant
  • Colin plays a clip of Brian Kelly’s frustration with the media post-LSU game. Joel defends Kelly, suggesting college coaches’ media outbursts are often about speaking to their team, not reporters.

    “Brian Kelly’s not talking to the media...He's talking to his locker room.” – Joel Klatt (15:58)

  • Joel rebukes the media’s self-importance, crediting Kelly for culture building.

Young QB Growing Pains: Caleb Williams & Arch Manning

• Caleb Williams’ NFL Struggles

  • Colin expresses concern about Williams’ demeanor and fit as a pro.

    “He got really pouty and moody on the sidelines...that’s bad...Did you ever think it would look like this in the pros because it’s rough?” – Colin (17:36)

  • Joel counters that personality isn’t as crucial as mastering the foundational aspects of quarterback play:

    “He struggles with algebra 1 and wants to play calculus all the time.” – Joel Klatt (19:09) “The issue is...he’s not doing the prerequisites, the floor of what he needs...” – Joel Klatt (19:23)

• Arch Manning's Adversity is a Blessing

  • Colin and Joel agree turbulence is essential for growth:

    “I think Arch Manning actually, this is the greatest thing that's ever happened to him. It's real turbulence.” – Colin (22:23) “You don't develop in life without turbulence...A quarterback has to have belief and self-identity that isn’t impacted from the outside.” – Joel Klatt (23:11, 23:51)

  • Joel analyzes Arch’s mechanical and timing challenges within Texas’ west coast offense.

Rapid Fire Topics

• Bill Belichick at Carolina
  • Joel says Carolina has cleaned up their play under Belichick, with fundamental improvements each week.

    “They're not a good or great team yet. But they are clean. They're cleaner than what they played against TCU early.” – Joel Klatt (21:02)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Colin on Jalen Hurts' Traits:

  “Pound for pound, he's the strongest quarterback in league history.” (05:28)

• Joel Klatt on Jim Harbaugh:

  “I covered two different Jim Harbaughs almost completely...he was very standoffish...after COVID...he was open and authentic...” (08:56)

• Joel Klatt on Caleb Williams:

  “The issue with Caleb right now is that he struggles with algebra 1 and wants to play calculus all the time.” (19:09)

• Joel Klatt on Coaches Using Media for Locker Room Messages:

  “I also think it’s a stupid question...Brian Kelly doesn’t care what they want to hear. The answers are intended to build the locker room and protect the locker room.” (15:58)

The Herdline News (33:40)

Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns

• Betting Angle:
  • Packers are 2-0 and narrowly favored, but J. Mac and Colin expect a tough game in Cleveland, citing the Browns’ ability to pick up yards and capitalize on injuries to Packers’ offensive line and WR Jaden Reed.
  • Watch for a letdown as Green Bay may look ahead to the following week versus Dallas.

Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills

• Dolphins in Crisis:
  • Miami is 0-2 and J. Mac wonders if this is a make-or-break game for Mike McDaniel as head coach.
  • Tua on Josh Allen:

    “That dude can do literally anything he wants...I can't do half of what he does when it comes to running the ball.” – Tua Tagovailoa (37:03, played by Colin)

  • Colin admires Tua’s self-awareness and honesty.

Rams vs. Eagles – Key Matchup

• Rams as Home Underdog:
  • Rams are +3.5 at home vs. Eagles. Colin’s second-favorite bet of the week.
  • Both hosts note the Eagles' lack of offensive explosiveness so far.
  • J. Mac: “The Eagles through two games have the fewest plays in the league of 15 yards or more. They only have five.” (40:16)
  • Colin highlights how the Rams keep hitting on mid- and late-round offensive draft picks.

Additional Insights

• Colin on QB Personality:

  • Responds to Joel’s critique, reiterating that personality does matter, especially for quarterbacks expected to lead a locker room.

    “I do look at personality when I'm hiring people...I think personality matters for that position...Obsessed, mature, intense leaders; comfortable with discomfort.” (27:04)

• Draft and Development Trends:

  • The episode frequently circles back to the theme of player development and the significance of adversity in building greatness, be it at quarterback, coach, or franchise level.

Noteworthy Timestamps

• [03:03] Opening on QB traits; Hurts’ strength and maturity
• [08:56] Joel Klatt on the Two Harbaughs
• [12:22] Colin’s changing tune on USC and Jaden Maiava
• [14:39] Brian Kelly’s press conference explosion
• [17:36] Caleb Williams’ adjustment to the NFL
• [22:23] Arch Manning and the value of turbulence
• [33:40] Transition to The Herdline News; Packers-Browns preview
• [37:03] Tua compares himself and Josh Allen
• [40:16] Eagles' offensive struggles; Rams’ draft strategy highlight

Conclusion

This hour of The Herd is a masterclass in sports talk, blending analysis, storytelling, and personality. Colin and Joel Klatt’s rapport yields deep dives into what makes winning programs and players tick—on the field and off. The episode captures the anticipation for Week 3 while remaining grounded in the big-picture themes of leadership, growth, and adaptation in football.