The Herd with Colin Cowherd — Hour 2

Episode Date: January 8, 2026
Main Guests: Tom Brady
Main Topics: Tom Brady joins to preview the NFL playoffs, discuss quarterback drafting trends, the Eagles vs. 49ers matchup, and playoff pressures. Additional NFL coaching carousel updates and team analysis.

Episode Overview

Hour 2 of The Herd features a deep dive into the NFL playoffs, quarterback evaluation, and team construction, with Tom Brady joining Colin Cowherd. The pair discuss what makes championship teams, the psychology of playoff football, and preview major games—including Bears vs. Packers and Eagles vs. 49ers. The segment also touches on coaching rumors, playoff advantages, and the importance of offensive design in today's NFL.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterback Draft Trends & Myths

[01:14–07:03] Colin Cowherd

• Colin dispels the myth that franchise QBs can be found “anywhere,” using Tom Brady and Brock Purdy as outlier exceptions.
  • “Twelve of the 14 quarterbacks in the playoffs were first-round picks and Jalen Hurts was top of the second. Even those who just missed—Detroit, Tampa Bay, Baltimore—had first-rounders.”
    (Colin Cowherd, 01:38)
• Performance and Team Support: Brock Purdy’s success is largely due to the 49ers’ generational talent and coaching, not just his own play.
• Talent Identification: The scouting process is more refined today—Brady’s college stats would make him a first or early second rounder now.
• Outliers: Acknowledges rare cases like Kurt Warner, but emphasizes most great QBs and top tackles are early picks.

Notable Quote:
"Tom Brady would not be drafted in the sixth round if he came out today … He led the Big Ten in completion percentage." —Colin Cowherd [05:33]

2. Tom Brady Joins: First Playoff Start & Eagles–49ers Preview

[07:03–10:39] Tom Brady Interview

Brady on His First NFL Playoff Start

• Vividly recalls his snowy first playoff start; describes it as a career highlight.
  • “There’s only a few games in your career with that type of weather. … For so many reasons, I still can remember the way the snow was falling in pregame.”
    (Tom Brady, 07:10)
• Adds playful banter about the “tuck rule” and Charles Woodson.

Eagles–49ers Matchup

• Comparisons between the Patriots’ stoic stability and Eagles’ drama.
• Philly’s “Drama”: Brady notes that drama often comes with success in big markets.
  • “Famously, New England isn’t known for drama. I think we had more gates than Logan International Airport for twenty years.”
    (Tom Brady, 08:54)
• Eagles Resiliency: Despite drama/media scrutiny, the Eagles’ roster and culture make them dangerous in the playoffs.

3. Playoff Adjustments & Kyle Shanahan’s Coaching Style

[10:43–14:05]

• Kyle Shanahan & In-game Adjustments:

  • Colin: Shanahan rarely wins after trailing at halftime (by 7+ points); questions play sheet adherence.
  • Brady: Playoff comebacks are harder for run/play-action teams like the 49ers. Their offensive scheme is designed to play with a lead.
    • “The important part … is every team is built a specific way. The 49ers have always been built to run the football, play good defense, and use a lot of play-action pass.”
      (Tom Brady, [12:22])

• Contrast with Patriots: Brady notes his Patriots offenses were built for dropback adaptability, which enabled better comebacks.

4. Buffalo Bills Playoff Pressure

[14:05–16:15]

• Psychological Impact: Colin notes Buffalo’s road playoff struggles (Josh Allen 0-5).
• Brady’s View:
  • Playoffs are psychological; a team’s past failures can create pressure.
  • “Some weeks [Buffalo] looked great… But the playoffs aren’t about who or where you play, it’s how you play. Turnovers and line play decide it.”
    (Tom Brady, 15:21)

5. Bears vs. Packers: Familiarity in the Playoffs

[16:15–17:49]

• Brady on Rival Matchups: Familiarity raises game intensity and limits “surprise” tactics.
  • “These two teams know each other so well… now it really does come down to the fundamentals and possession of the football.”
    (Tom Brady, 17:23)

6. Is a Playoff Bye an Advantage?

[17:49–19:43]

• Colin:
  • Is rest overrated for young, hot teams?
• Brady:
  • A bye is more about preparation and self-inventory than rest.
    • “It is not a week of rest … It’s a week of preparation for the most difficult game of the season.”
      (Tom Brady, 18:23)
  • Cites Seattle’s defense as a major x-factor this postseason.

7. MVP Debates: Stafford vs. Drake May

[19:43–21:10]

• Colin: Favors Matt Stafford for MVP, citing his tough schedule vs. Drake May’s weaker opponents.
• Brady: Both had great years, but sees Stafford as playing at Hall of Fame level.
  • “He’s done it against any conditions; 46 touchdown passes. What a career.”
    (Tom Brady, 20:37)

8. Handling Playoff Pressure & Coaching Young QBs

[21:10–23:25]

• Belichick–Brady Dynamics: Brady laughs about the famous “settle down, Tommy” sideline clip.
• Preparation for Playoff Moments:
  • “The pressure to succeed on a daily basis … prepares you for the biggest moments. The only way to be at your best is to think about it over the offseason—every day matters.”
    (Tom Brady, 22:11)

9. The Evolution of Trevor Lawrence & Offensive Design

[23:25–25:41]

• Colin: Asks how OC Liam Cohen has unlocked Trevor Lawrence and cut interceptions.
• Brady: Good OCs create “layups” for QBs; scheme matters more than forcing greatness on every play.
  • “A good coordinator is giving their quarterback sand wedge shots instead of 3-irons … The more layups you get, the more successful you’ll be.”
    (Tom Brady, 24:24)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On late-round quarterback myths:
  • “Tom Brady would not be drafted in the sixth round if he came out today.”
    —Colin Cowherd [05:33]
• On media and team drama:
  • “Famously, New England isn’t known for drama. I think we had more gates than Logan International Airport for twenty years.”
    —Tom Brady [08:54]
• On playoff comebacks:
  • “The 49ers have always been built to run the football, to play good defense, and use a lot of play-action pass … it’s difficult for those systems to come back.”
    —Tom Brady [12:22]
• On the pressure of playoffs:
  • “The pressure to succeed on a daily basis … prepares you for the biggest moments.”
    —Tom Brady [22:11]
• On coaching quarterbacks:
  • “A good coordinator gets their quarterback layups. The more pitching wedges you hit, the better your chances.”
    —Tom Brady [24:24]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Quarterback Draft Debates & Outliers: 01:14–07:03
• Brady on First Playoff Start: 07:03–08:08
• Eagles Drama vs. Patriots Consistency: 08:08–10:43
• Shanahan, Playoff Adjustments: 10:43–14:05
• Buffalo Bills Playoff Pressure: 14:05–16:15
• Bears vs Packers Familiarity: 16:15–17:49
• Value of a Playoff Bye: 17:49–19:43
• MVP Debate – Stafford vs. May: 19:43–21:10
• Coaching Young QBs for Playoff Pressure: 21:10–23:25
• Offensive Coordinators & Trevor Lawrence: 23:25–25:41

Tone & Style

• Conversational but insightful, mixing humor and deep football analysis.
• Brady’s responses are reflective, peppered with anecdotes; Cowherd pushes for opinions with pointed questions.
• Focuses on big-picture football philosophy—team-building, quarterback psychology, coaching tweaks, and media narratives.

Summary Takeaway

This episode’s heart is the conversation between Colin Cowherd and Tom Brady. They unpack what makes a Super Bowl team—elite preparation, quarterback play, and coaching adaptability. Myths about finding star QBs late in the draft are debunked; playoff success is linked to both talent and careful team construction. The Eagles’ emotional, dramatic season is contrasted with the Patriots’ steely consistency. With game previews, MVP debates, and reflections on leadership, the show is must-listen content for serious fans prepping for playoff weekend.