The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 – October 30, 2025

Main Theme:
In this episode, Colin Cowherd is joined by NFL analyst Greg Cosell to offer in-depth analysis of quarterback play across the NFL. The focus is on Patrick Mahomes’ unique greatness, struggles and progression of other key QBs like Caleb Williams and Jordan Love, evolving team dynamics, and the ever-changing NFL landscape. The episode features film breakdowns, QB rankings, and even a humorous segment comparing quarterbacks to Halloween candy.

Key Segments & Insights

1. State of the NFL: Trends, Ownership, and Quarterback Dependence

Time: 01:20–05:12, 22:45–24:32

• Colin discusses how NFL teams have become more “quarterback dependent” than ever, leading to increased disparity between top and bottom teams.
• Emphasizes how stability in ownership and front offices leads to continued on-field success, with teams like Kansas City, Detroit, the Rams, and Green Bay as examples.
• “The league has become so quarterback reliant. If you don’t have one, it’s ugly fast.” – Colin Cowherd [22:47]

2. Greg Cosell Film Room: Breaking Down Top QBs and Team Systems

Time: 05:15–20:54

Patrick Mahomes – The Complete QB

• Mahomes’ Unique “Fighter Pilot” Vision:
  “He may have the best spatial awareness and fighter pilot's vision that we’ve ever seen. It’s just remarkable.” – Greg Cosell [06:18]
• Chiefs’ offense thrives with versatile receivers, but Mahomes’ improvisation is key.
• Sometimes leaves throws on the field, but his ability to improvise is “arguably the best we’ve ever seen.”

Buffalo Bills – Offense vs. Chiefs’ Defense

• Buffalo’s offense has struggled: "Josh Allen has been leaving the pocket prematurely... making too many random improvisations, and when they don't work, you end up short circuiting your offense." – Greg Cosell [07:46]
• Allen needs to return to a calm, in-structure style to compete with the Chiefs’ defense.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Defensive Issues Exposed

• Steelers’ defense continues to give up the most passing yards:
  “They’re struggling with lack of pass rush and lack of quality corner play. When you have both, you’ve got an issue.” – Greg Cosell [09:27]
• Praises Jordan Love (Packers) for developing "controlled efficiency" in his play, showing new maturity.

Rookie Watch: Caleb Williams vs. Ravens Defense

• Caleb Williams shows progress, but “there'll still be uneven moments and ups and downs.”
  “It’s baby steps. I think there were some signs of positive plays this week.” – Greg Cosell [11:20]
• On interception, Cosell notes Williams was late, but the receiver also ran a poor route.

Baltimore Ravens’ Defensive Standouts

• Kyle Hamilton’s versatility as the key to the Ravens D:
  “They use him as a blitzer... on stunts... he’s such a unique player.” – Greg Cosell [12:31]

Eagles’ Offensive Identity

• Success without A.J. Brown attributed to return to the run game as the foundation:
  “They’re at their best when the run game is the foundation and Hurts drops back less than 30 times.” – Greg Cosell [14:06]

Colts’ Offense & O-line Dominance

• Colts’ O-line compared to Detroit/Philly:
  “When I watch Quentin Nelson get out and pull... how can people that big move like that?” – Greg Cosell [16:05]
• Daniel Jones excelling on first down due to defined schematics; Colts top NFL in first-down yards.

C.J. Stroud’s Big Step Forward

• “He doesn’t need to step into his throws... he looked like he did as a rookie, when all thought he was top five.” – Greg Cosell [17:35]
• Film breakdown of 30-yd TD to Xavier Hutchinson, showing Stroud’s anticipation, accuracy, and ability to operate under pressure.

3. Quarterback Rankings & Evolution

Time: 29:49–33:22

Jordan Love – MVP Dark Horse?

• Tom Brady calls Jordan Love a serious MVP threat for his “calm under pressure.”
• Colin: “Turn the sound down... watch Jordan Love. Movement, arm, accuracy, confidence—he’s just... it’s really weird... where do I even put Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Dak now? I think all below Love.”
• J. Mac: “If the Packers get the #1 seed, Love might win MVP. That’s just how it works.”
• Highlighting the Packers’ remarkable 30-year run of only three starting QBs—all from less-hyped colleges.

4. Young QB Development and Team Critiques

Time: 34:20–36:59

J.J. McCarthy & Vikings

• Colin roots for McCarthy: “O’Connell is too good of a coach to be scrambling... I’m rooting for McCarthy to flourish.” [34:43]
• J. Mac: Vikings’ O-line injuries are a concern; fan impatience growing with coach O’Connell.

Coaching Talent vs. QB Situations

• Colin: “I can love a coach, but not his current quarterback or situation. Kevin O’Connell’s great, Stefanski’s great—they just don’t have their guy yet.” [36:59]

5. The Future: Rookie QBs and Star Potential

Time: 36:59–38:45

Drake May – East Coast Herbert?

• Falcons’ DC Jeff Ulbricht: “He feels like a mini Josh Allen... arm strength, mobility, way he can take over a game.” [37:30]
• Colin agrees: “I think Drake May is going to be a multiple-time Pro Bowler. He’s Justin Herbert, East Coast version.”
• J. Mac calls May “legit,” notes he’s having as good a season now as Jaden Daniels had last year.

6. Fun Segment: Quarterback Halloween Candy Comparisons

Time: 43:45–47:46

• Colin and J. Mac compare QBs to Halloween candies for comedic effect but with apt analogies:
  • Patrick Mahomes: “Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup. Most popular, best in the game right now.” [44:06]
  • Bo Nix: “Dark chocolate. Acquired taste. Love him, not sure if anyone else does.” [44:29]
  • Baker Mayfield: “Warhead. Very intense, but you learn to love it.” [44:53]
  • Aaron Rodgers: “Tootsie Roll Pop. Hard exterior, totally different inside. Very complex.” [45:16]
  • Jalen Hurts: “Candy corn. Some love, others think it’s overrated—but always dependable.” [45:52]
  • Matthew Stafford: “Hershey bar. Old reliable. Never bad, goes with anything.” [46:17]
  • Caleb Williams: “Butterfinger. Sounds good, but is it? Weird aftertaste, not sure what you’re getting.” [46:44]
  • Trevor Lawrence: “Mystery Airhead. You’re never quite sure what you just experienced.” [47:14]

7. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Mahomes’ Instincts:
  “Uncanny ability that is arguably the best we’ve ever seen.” – Greg Cosell [06:14]

• On NFL’s QB-Driven Nature:
  “The league has become so quarterback reliant. If you don’t have one, it is ugly fast.” – Colin Cowherd [22:47]

• On Caleb Williams’ Growth:
  “It’s going to be baby steps... you almost have to accept that Caleb Williams is really in his rookie season, not his second season.” – Greg Cosell [11:20]

• On Jordan Love’s Skill:
  “Movement, arm, accuracy, confidence. He’s just—there’s so many good quarterbacks now, I don’t even know where to put Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Dak Prescott.” – Colin Cowherd [31:44]

8. Other Notable Discussion Points

• Injury updates and concerns on Vikings’ O-line (J. Mac [35:37])
• The impact of coaching and GM stability in the NFL
• How young QBs (Drake May, J.J. McCarthy) are being developed and assessed
• Speculation on next week’s matchups and possible upsets

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• Greg Cosell on Mahomes:
  “He may have the best spatial awareness and fighter pilot's vision that we’ve ever seen.” [06:18]

• Colin Cowherd on Jordan Love:
  “Turn the sound down and watch Jordan Love. Movement, arm, accuracy, confidence—he’s just, I mean, it’s really weird... I think all of them are below Jordan Love.” [31:44]

• Greg Cosell on Caleb Williams:
  “It’s baby steps. I think there were some signs of positive plays this week.” [11:20]

• Colin on the NFL’s evolution:
  “Last year was the first time that I remember that the bottom of the NFL felt like the bottom of the NBA... There’s so much noise around the Eagles.” [22:45]

• Jeff Ulbricht (Falcons DC) on Drake May:
  “He feels like a mini Josh Allen... the way he can take a game over with both facets of the game.” [37:30]

• Colin Cowherd on Trevor Lawrence:
  “Mystery Airhead. You’re never quite sure what you just experienced.” [47:14]

Conclusion

This episode of The Herd is a must-listen for any NFL fan seeking deep quarterback analysis, team breakdowns, and entertaining commentary. Colin and Greg Cosell dissect current QB narratives—highlighting Mahomes’ singular talents, Caleb Williams’ developmental journey, the under-appreciated rise of Jordan Love, and the nuances of offensive evolution. The show balances film-study rigor with humor (the candy segment) and provides listeners with actionable insights for understanding this season’s most pivotal NFL stories.