Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD - Hour 2 - Taking a look at Josh Allen, head coach openings, Nick Wright
Date: January 20, 2026
Hosts: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Nick Wright (First Things First)

Overview

This episode delivers Cowherd’s incisive analysis on the NFL’s shifting power dynamics, head coaching shakeups, top quarterback situations—including deep dives into Josh Allen and Mahomes—and the future of several franchises. Nick Wright joins for an opinion-packed segment on Buffalo’s firing of Sean McDermott, Patrick Mahomes’ sustained dominance, the emergence of Caleb Williams, and how the next generation of QBs and coaches are already shaping team fortunes for 2026 and beyond.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL’s Coaching Carousel and Owner Quality

(02:14 – 05:46)

• Main Point: Colin reacts to recent comments about a supposed increase in “bad owners” due to the spike in NFL head coach firings.
• He lists his “inarguably culture and game-changing” top 9 coaches, plus 5 more high-performing coaches (total: 14 of 32 franchises).
• Only Cleveland’s firing of Kevin Stefanski is called a clear mistake.
• Criticism of Aaron Glenn retaining his job with a “zero-interception” defense.

Notable quote:

“How many great coaches are there? …That’s 14 of 32. That’s all it is.” – Colin (03:44)

2. John Harbaugh’s Introduction in New York

(05:14 – 05:46)

• John Harbaugh is named best available coach and is introduced as the New York Giants’ new head man.
• Colin predicts the Giants will “double their win total” under Harbaugh and outlines key roster needs.

Notable moment:

“We're here with one mission: to earn the right to be called the world champions in New York.” – John Harbaugh (05:32)

3. Nick Wright Joins: Debating Josh Allen, McDermott’s Firing, and the Bills

(06:52 – 13:59)

• Sean McDermott’s firing:

  • Nick: Mixed feelings; credits McDermott for ending Buffalo’s playoff drought, says the press release firing him was “clunky.”
  • Notes stat: No coach/QB duo has ever won a Super Bowl together past year 5 (Josh Allen/McDermott were in year 8).
  • Suggests Buffalo should “roll the dice” and pursue Bill Belichick.

• Assigning blame for Buffalo’s playoff failures:

  • Nick points to Josh Allen’s turnovers in crucial games.
  • Contrasts Mahomes’ postseason efficiency with Allen’s mistakes.
  • Both agree Allen carries more of his team than Mahomes has needed to.

Notable quotes:

“If you traded Mahomes and Allen staffs, Mahomes is better… but Josh would have one [Super Bowl], too.” – Colin (10:56)
"It's not enough to call him [Mahomes] the best player in the league...he's graduated way past that, the most talented player in the history of the league." – Nick (09:44)
“Josh Allen in the divisional and championship round…is now 2–6 or 2–7, who can keep track?” – Nick (11:47)

4. The Mahomes Effect & Sports Culture of ‘Next Best Thing’

(12:38 – 13:59)

• Discussion about constant search for the NFL’s “next best” after Mahomes, Brady, Rodgers.
• Nick suggests Allen talk is overhyped without playoff wins.

"Is the reality of being the king is that a king gets old. We fatigue on it." – Colin (12:44)

5. Caleb Williams: From Chaos to Franchise QB

(13:59 – 16:59)

• Colin and Nick discuss Williams’ rapid improvement with the Bears, now a consensus top 10 QB in a tough division.
• Nick: Williams excels at the hardest-to-teach traits—athleticism, arm talent, creativity, cool under pressure—and is quickly fixing his weaknesses.

Notable quote:

“I would argue, Colin, the four quarterback traits that are super important…he’s a 10 out of 10 on all four of those.” – Nick (15:21)

6. Seattle, the Rams, and the Darnold Redemption Arc

(16:59 – 20:24)

• Seattle vs. Rams is billed as a de facto Super Bowl due to the NFC’s quality.
• Both Colin and Nick expect the Seahawks to be favorites, but Colin highlights Rams’ higher “cleanliness” (turnovers, penalties).
• Nick: Sam Darnold is close to shedding the “can’t perform in big spots” stigma and could be vindicated if he wins the NFC.

7. Next AFC Dynasty: Colin’s Case for New England

(20:24 – 24:03)

• Colin sees New England as the top threat to Mahomes’ next six years—more than Buffalo, Baltimore, or Justin Herbert’s Chargers.
• Reasons: Athletic new QB (Drake May), a player-friendly modern coaching shift (Vrabel), impressive off-season roster revamp.
• Nick partially agrees but wants to see Buffalo’s coaching hire.

Notable quote:

“They’re potentially Brady-Belichick with a more athletic quarterback and player-friendly coach.” – Colin (20:56)

8. The Formula for NFL Success and Roster Building

(45:40 – 50:36)

• Colin reiterates that the “quarterback on a rookie deal plus cap space” is the blueprint for building a contender.
• Contrasts this with teams paying top QBs big money, which limits roster quality (e.g., Mahomes/Chiefs now have a weaker O-line; Allen/Bills lack Pro Bowl defenders).
• Tom Brady’s legacy enhanced by always taking less to help his roster.

Notable quote:

“Zero of the top 15 paid quarterbacks in the NFL today are left in the playoffs. Let me give you three really good rosters that don’t appear to have any holes: New England, Seattle, and Denver.” – Colin (46:46)

9. Lions OC Hire & NFC Predictions

(37:22 – 40:46)

• The Lions hire Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator is discussed. Colin downplays Arizona’s spotty record, emphasizing Detroit’s superior infrastructure and roster talent.
• Expectation: The Lions will be back in the playoffs, NFC is deep and frisky next season.
• Colin’s bold predictions: Giants will double their win total, Detroit’s over is a “best bet.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Josh Allen’s playoff woes:

  “I know he had four turnovers in about 45 game minutes on Saturday. And then everyone’s like, he needed more receivers. I’m simple. I think he’s a great player.” – Nick Wright (11:37)

• On Mahomes’ greatness and sports culture:

  “The reality of our very fluid, very instantaneous gratification society is when you are the goat and Mahomes is, we can’t wait to push you to the curb.” – Colin (12:53)

• On rookie contract advantage:

  “Do you want to win trophies? You can’t be the highest paid quarterback.” – Colin (47:55)

• On NFL’s next great AFC dynasty:

  “They are potentially Brady-Belichick with a more athletic quarterback and a very current player-friendly coach.” – Colin (20:56)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Top coaches, owner critique: 02:14–05:46
• John Harbaugh’s Giants intro: 05:14–05:46, 48:48–49:23
• Nick Wright on Bills, Allen, McDermott: 06:52–13:59
• The Mahomes Effect & sports culture: 12:38–13:59
• Caleb Williams as a franchise QB: 13:59–16:59
• NFC Championship (Seattle/Rams) breakdown & Darnold arc: 16:59–20:24, 31:27–36:45
• AFC landscape/New England’s rise: 20:24–24:03, 35:03–37:22
• Lions hiring Drew Petzing, NFC lookahead: 37:22–40:46
• Cowherd’s team projections: 40:14–40:46, 50:36–51:00
• NFL’s formula for roster building: 45:40–50:36

Tone and Style

Consistently bold and conversational, Cowherd shares impassioned opinions and analytical breakdowns, fielding Nick Wright’s sharp, data-driven takes and criticisms with equal conviction. The episode is banter-heavy and full of candid assessments—sometimes irreverent, but always focused on the underlying structures that make or break NFL teams.

Who Should Listen?

• NFL fans interested in nuanced quarterback and coaching debates
• Listeners seeking fresh, non-obvious predictions for next season
• Anyone fascinated by team-building, roster strategy, and how contracts shape championship windows

This episode will leave you with a clear sense of the season’s biggest NFL storylines and a head start on sorting through next year’s likely contenders. The conversation is frank, lively, and packed with next-level football insight.