The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: Hour 2 – Nick Wright Debates if the Chiefs Should Be in Colin's Top-10
Date: September 16, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd Hour 2 revolves around Colin Cowherd unveiling his weekly NFL "Herd Hierarchy" Top 10, a pointed debate with Nick Wright about whether the Kansas City Chiefs belong in the rankings, and broader talk on quarterback play, team fits, and evolving storylines across the NFL. The hour is packed with sharp opinions, coaching insights, and candid conversations about rising teams, embattled QBs, and pivotal moments so far in the season.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Colin's Herd Hierarchy: The NFL Top-10 (03:11–10:24)

• Teams Ranked:
  1. Green Bay Packers – "I don't think Green Bay has a flaw. Coach, quarterback, run game... they're stacked." (09:00)
  2. Philadelphia Eagles – Noted struggles in the passing game but consistent winners.
  3. Los Angeles Rams – "Their pass rush is insane... highest graded offense... least penalized..." (08:30)
  4. Buffalo Bills – Points galore, but "the back end of their defense... looks slow." (07:54)
  5. Baltimore Ravens – "Best offense in the league," but pass defense worries. (07:26)
  6. Los Angeles Chargers – Solid, but offense hasn't fully clicked.
  7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – "When you can win and you don't have some of your best players... you're making the herd hierarchy." (06:11)
  8. San Francisco 49ers – Winning despite injuries.
  9. Washington Commanders – "Oldest team in the league. Veteran leadership." (04:09)
  10. Indianapolis Colts – "I think the Colts have a much better roster than people want to admit." (04:16)
  • Chiefs left at 11th, "last time the Chiefs weren’t in our Herd hierarchy, I couldn’t say..." (09:00)

2. The Chiefs Controversy and Nick Wright’s Perspective (10:24–11:09, 51:04–51:23)

• Nick Wright supports leaving the Chiefs out:
  • “[Right now], they don't deserve [to be in the Top-10]. ...If this were a team's most likely to win the Super Bowl ranking, they would be firmly in the Top-10. But it's where they are right now.” (11:09 & 51:04)
• Both agree KC’s Super Bowl potential is obvious, but based on early season play, the exclusion is justified.

3. 49ers, Quarterback Play, and the Shanahan Factor (11:09–13:45)

Nick Wright on the 49ers SB Window and Quarterbacks:

• "For you and I, it's been a fun last 15 months watching the Niners. Jimmy Garoppolo was fine... Brock Purdy comes in and... he’s not really the lead actor of the movie... But this year, what if you replace Brock Purdy with a guy everyone agrees can't play? How would that guy look? And that guy is having the best game he’s played in three years.” (11:09)
• He gives significant credit to coach Kyle Shanahan for consistently winning despite rotating QBs and injuries.

4. Quarterback Protection: Chiefs, Chargers, and Risky Play (13:16–13:45)

• Nick Wright's concern:

  • “The thing I liked the least about the Chiefs’ start... is how much Patrick [Mahomes] is running. ...He saves that for the playoffs. ...They're putting Herbert [Chargers] in jeopardy early and often... I don't love them spending a first round pick on a running back and Justin Herbert's leading them in rushing.” (13:17)

• Colin’s Take:

  • The Chargers need better depth at receiver, and Keenan Allen can't shoulder the load for 17 games.

5. Baker Mayfield's Resurgence and the Importance of Fit (14:49–16:36)

• Colin argues Tampa is a perfect fit:
  • "Baker is perfect in Tampa... In Cleveland, it was all Hugh Jackson, Greg Williams, the bitter media... He goes to sleepy Tampa, and right now, there is no argument—he’s a top seven, eight, nine quarterback in the league." (14:17)
• Nick adds:
  • "Over the last two years... he is top three or four in the NFL in everything—yards, touchdowns, rating, completion percentage... If you did an MVP list, [Baker], Herbert, Lamar, in some order, are the top three.” (15:22)
  • “The Browns drafted him #1 overall, he wins playoff games... then are done with him after Odell’s dad put out a mixtape? One of the biggest missteps at the most important position.” (16:36)

6. Quarterback/Coach Fit: Ben Johnson & Caleb in Chicago (17:24–19:52)

• Colin says Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson might not fit:
  • “It’s not the coaching... On script, [the Bears'] two opening drives have been remarkable. But Caleb is too talented...too much horsepower to put him in a box. I don’t think Ben and Caleb works.” (17:56)
• Nick’s Counterpoint:
  • “Even by your expedited process, we’re not there yet with Caleb and Ben, just two games together... Ben Johnson picked the Bears because of Caleb. He must think he can make it work. ...Work in progress is correct.” (18:38)
  • “Dissecting Caleb Williams [while] the Bears allowed 52... was probably the bigger problem.” (19:52)

7. Wide Receiver Frustrations: A.J. Brown’s Situation (20:00–23:38)

• Colin supports WRs asking for trades:
  • "If A.J. Brown just said, 'I love you, but five catches for 30 yards—this is a terrible fit'... I would totally support it." (21:02)
• Nick agrees and elaborates:
  • “He posted after the Super Bowl... The satisfaction lasted two days. ...Where I get my love for the game is demoralizing a defensive back, showing my excellence. ...AJ Brown told us who he is.” (21:02)
  • “Right now... he’s getting less targets and opportunity than any point in his career. ...If they play this style and lose, it’s at a full boil.” (22:53)

8. Joe Burrow, Quarterback Durability, and Victim-Blame Balance (23:38–27:26)

• Colin's warning:
  • "Joe Burrow... puts himself in harm’s way. ...I watched Big Ben and Cam Newton—huge men—age overnight. Why? They took shots. ...Eli Manning would literally drop, throw it away, pre-snap reads, get out of hits." (23:38)
• Nick agrees with nuance:
  • "It's tricky... Burrow is so intent and so excellent at big game hunting... He could have checked it down ...He’s trying to hit the big play. ...But sometimes you have to protect yourself in different ways. ...Playing like Big Ben, but Burrow isn’t Big Ben." (24:23)
  • “He is likely going to hold a record that no one wants: the NFL’s first ever three-time Comeback Player of the Year winner. And you don’t want that.” (26:57)

9. QB Injuries: Impact on the Season (40:21–41:43)

• Five starting QBs already hurt: Joe Burrow, Jaden Daniels, Justin Fields, J.J. McCarthy, Brock Purdy.
• Colin: "This is bad news for the league... Are you watching Marcus Mariota vs. Geno Smith?" (41:02)

10. College Football Quarterbacks: Disappointments and Surprises (41:43–44:08)

• Arch Manning struggles:
  • "For the season, Arch Manning is completing 55% of his passes. Two of those opponents have been absolute jokers..." (42:57)
  • Colin: “He’s not a thing. It’s over. We’re not talking about Arch anymore.” (43:16)
• USC’s Jaden Mayov and other standouts briefly discussed.

Notable Quotes

• Nick Wright: "If this were a team’s most likely to win the Super Bowl ranking, [the Chiefs] would be firmly in the Top 10. But it’s where they are right now, so I’m fine with that." (11:09, 51:04)
• Colin Cowherd on team fits: "Fit is important... Ben Johnson is a timing structure coach and Caleb is terrific in opening drives, but then he starts freelancing—doesn’t look like it fits." (17:56)
• Nick on the Niners and QBs: "It’s been a fun last 15 months watching the Niners... Shanahan deserves a lot of credit for what he’s done this season." (11:09)
• Colin on Baker Mayfield: "Right now, there is no argument—he’s a top seven, eight, nine quarterback in the league... Tampa is the perfect marriage." (14:49)
• Nick on Bears’ decision with Baker: "One of the biggest missteps any team has made at the most important position in decades." (16:36)
• Nick on Burrow: "Burrow is so intent... at what I called yesterday, big game hunting... he was getting the snot kicked out of him." (25:02)

Important Timestamps

• 03:11–10:24: Colin's Herd Hierarchy breakdown
• 10:24–13:45: Chiefs, Niners, and Nick Wright’s quarterback takes
• 14:49–16:36: Baker Mayfield in Tampa discussion
• 17:24–19:52: Chicago Bears, Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams
• 20:00–23:38: A.J. Brown’s role and wide receiver frustrations
• 23:38–27:26: Joe Burrow’s durability, QB injuries
• 40:21–41:43: Discussion on league impact of QB injuries
• 41:43–44:08: College football QB performances—focus on Arch Manning

Tone and Style

The conversation is fast-paced, highly opinionated, and full of witty banter. Both Colin and Nick deliver bold takes, often referencing recent games, league history, and coaching philosophy. Throughout, there’s a blend of critical insight and humor, especially when discussing underperforming players or teams in the midst of turmoil.

For New Listeners

This episode will catch you up on Colin’s latest view of the NFL power structure, open your eyes to the sometimes harsh realities facing young quarterbacks and highlight the importance of fit—between both coaches and players, as well as between talent and organizational culture. Expect confident, sometimes controversial opinions, and a heavy emphasis on quarterback play as the linchpin to NFL success.