The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Hour 2) — February 23, 2026

Theme:
Hour 2 of The Herd focuses on Colin’s signature “Where Colin Was Right, Where Colin Was Wrong” weekly segment, deep dives into the value and behind-the-scenes reality of the NFL Combine with guest Matt Hasselbeck, examines the U.S. vs. Canada Olympic hockey competitions, revisits prevailing NBA and NFL narratives, and ends with sharp takes on league trends and quarterback draft logic.

Where Colin Was Right / Where Colin Was Wrong

(Starts ~02:00)

“Where Colin Was Right/Where Colin Was Wrong” Segment

• Boston Celtics’ Resilience Without Tatum
  • Colin was right: Even with Jayson Tatum absent, the Celtics are thriving, especially defensively. Colin noted:

    “The Celtics are about coaching, collaborative intensity. Other guys step up... Jaylen Brown on many nights felt like the better player and he's having an MVP season.” (~03:00)

• Dallas Mavericks' Collapse and Kyrie Injury
  • Colin was wrong: Thought the Mavericks could contend, but injuries (Kyrie out, AD out of shape) and a disastrous Luka trade left them rudderless.

    “The Luka trade's been a disaster, and now it's just going to be a lot of Cooper flag highlights, which I'm good with.” (~04:00)

• Lakers Front Office Overhaul
  • Colin was right: Predicted the need for new leadership; Lon Rosen joins from the Dodgers bringing “no nonsense exec” energy.

    “As we predicted, the Lakers needed new...voices in the front office.” (~04:33)

• Giannis Staying with the Bucks
  • Colin was wrong: Expected Giannis to leave due to roster aging and injuries—but at the deadline, he’s still a Buck; muses on Giannis’s fit for other teams and worries about his “need for the ball.”

    “For three years I’ve been convinced Giannis would leave Milwaukee...But I’m wrong.” (~05:10)

• Dodgers' Dominance in MLB
  • Colin was right: Machado & Harper defend the Dodgers’ star-stacked approach, echoing Colin’s take that MLB’s diversity of champions shows the sport isn’t “lopsided.”

    “The Dodgers' dominance is not a weakness, it is a strength.” (~06:10)

• Adam Silver’s Anti-Tanking Measures
  • Colin was wrong: Didn’t believe NBA could curb tanking, but new league efforts, per Adam Silver.

    “Adam Silver is apparently implementing...a new headwind for anybody considering tanking.” (~06:50)

• Cowboys’ Roster Management (or Mismanagement)
  • Colin was right: Dallas overpays for average talent, contrasting with Seattle’s disciplined approach.

    “This is what the Cowboys do. They wait too long or they pay too early.” (~07:30)

• Mick Cronin’s Overreaction at UCLA
  • Colin was right: Criticized Cronin ejecting a player for an aggressive foul; predicted athletic-department pushback and forced apology.
    • Cronin’s own words:

      “First of all, I want you guys to know something. I already apologized to Steve, ok? I thought...he literally made a dirty play....Once I saw the film...to be honest...I don't even know if he deserved [a flagrant].” (~08:32)

NFL Combine Talk with Matt Hasselbeck

(Starts ~09:17)

Matt Hasselbeck on Colin’s Record & Combine Life

• Matt on Colin’s Track Record:

  • “When Colin was right. When Colin was wrong, bro, you’re...right more than half the time. Now it’s like 90%!” (09:23)

• Hasselbeck’s Combine Experience:
  • Uninvited from the 1998 Combine due to Ryan Leaf’s early declaration.
  • Only one team (Andy Reid’s QB coach) even attended his pro day; gives him a “different perspective” on the immense pressure placed on prospects.

  • “I got uninvited to the combine...It took years for me to get to the combine, but I was not there as a college player.” (10:01)

• What Really Happens at the Combine:
  • Behind-the-scenes: real business gets done; free agents, agents, and executives network and negotiate.

  • “If you think this is just the underwear Olympics and that’s all that’s going on...No, every decision maker...they’re having drinks together. Deals get done.” (11:15)

The Interview Process & Talent Evaluation

• The 15-minute “speed interviews”:
  • Many teams (like the Rams, Jaguars) use the combine but are wary of being swayed by workouts alone.
• Authenticity, Vibe, and “Gamesmanship”:
  • Matt stresses the importance of prospects being authentic, with teams assessing leadership, fit, and even testing by “playing hard to get”—i.e., hiding their real interest to steal a player in later rounds.

    “There’s a lot of...gamesmanship that goes into this thing...I talked to scouts...‘I really love this receiver, but I hope he runs the worst 40 yard dash of his life so we can get him in the third round.’” (12:29)

• Window of Contention Is Narrow:
  • Colin observes: even dynastic teams like Seattle’s Legion of Boom lasted only a couple years—Super Bowl windows are fleeting.

    “I thought that thing was going to last five years and all of a sudden it’s three, and you get one Super Bowl, a second visit, and it’s over.” (13:52)

Seahawks Roster Philosophy (JSN Example)

• Matt on Roster Building:
  • Holistic input: “Who you are as a person...in the community...when did we grab you, did you change for the better or worse.” Stats aren’t everything; character matters.

    “I think JSN is a no brainer...When everyone is unselfish...that’s when the [Super Bowl] window stays open. When people are worried about who’s getting the credit, that’s when those windows shut way sooner.” (14:53)

Locker Room Culture & Combine Personalities

(Starts ~16:07)

• Matt on What Works in a NFL Locker Room:
  • Three key attributes: “Excellence at your job, work ethic, and authenticity.”

    “If you’re able to be the best in the world at what you do, we respect that. ...Just be authentic.” (16:28)

  • Advice to Fernando Mendoza: Lean in to who he is; “The locker room will love you.”

Olympics & U.S. / Canada Hockey, American Sporting Psychology

(Starts ~17:50)

• Boston & College Hockey Pride
  • Colin and Matt celebrate Team USA’s win over Canada; highlight the long-standing pride of Boston/New England in hockey culture.
• Why Canadian Teams Struggle to Win NHL Titles:
  • Colin postulates: weather, taxes, star culture—U.S. teams are simply a more attractive destination for top NHL talent.

    “A lot of them want to come down to the States. They want to live in warmer weather, better tax rate, a lot of beautiful young people. ...They can hide.”

• Different National Reactions to Olympic Losses:
  • The U.S. goes “Navy SEAL” after Olympic losses (“Redeem Team”); Canada’s response to defeat is pride in silver.

    “Maybe we’re overly relentless and obnoxious and hyper competitive. ...Sometimes losing creates anger and is kind of the jet fuel you need.” (23:08)

  • Coach John Cooper (Canada) postgame on OT:

    "You take four players off the ice. Now hockey is not hockey anymore. ...It’s all TV driven...To end games..." (23:17)

NFL & NBA Roundup

(Starts ~25:00)

Chiefs’ Roster Needs & RB Market

• Chris Broussard and Colin on Kansas City/ETN rumors:
  • This is a weak rookie running back class, so veterans like ETN and Kenneth Walker will get offers.

    "Running backs have some leverage this offseason. ...If you need a running back, you've got leverage." (26:41)

Detroit Lions & NFC North Landscape

• Lions hire Drew Petzing as OC; Ben Johnson leaves:
  • Colin sees it as one of the coordinator hires of the cycle. However, the Super Bowl window closes fast, and the Bears look poised with Caleb Williams on a rookie contract.

    "The window for Detroit...you're going to have to start paying a lot of these guys...Here's their window. And a year later you're like, yeah, I think the Bears are the best team in division. Like that's the NFL." (29:18)

Lakers, Luka, and Defensive Culture

• Chris and Colin debate the Lakers' loss to Boston:
  • James Worthy postgame: “No heart, weak. No heart. ...No respect for the uniform.” (~31:11)
• Colin’s take on Luka-led teams:
  • Luka’s lack of defense and focus on officiating spreads through the locker room and limits the team’s grit.

    “Luka spends so much energy and time on officiating, none on defense. ...If you’re a defensive first organization...those teams play.” (32:00)

  • Chris counters: Luka’s still young in LA, and organizational uncertainty is the issue.
• Austin Reaves Debate:
  • Colin: "He's the fourth best starter on a championship team or the third best starter on a team that can win a playoff series."

    "You think he's second best player on a championship team? ...The really good teams are going to hunt him down and abuse him defensively. That's what they're going to do.” (34:54)

Raiders Draft Logic & Franchise Perspective

(~36:20)

• Raiders’ QB Situation
  • Stat: No #1 overall QB pick has won a Super Bowl with his original team since Peyton Manning.
• Colin: Raiders don’t need a Super Bowl, they need stability.

  • “Raiders haven't won a playoff game in 23 years... If you can't even be above .500 on an average of once a decade, it's not about Super Bowls. Raise the floor.” (36:20)

  • Wouldn't trade out of the #1 pick. Take Mendoza, set a steady floor: “If I could sign up right now...8-9, 9-8, and 10-7, you should take it now.”
  • Tom Telesco (ex-GM): Build around the rookie, use cap room & picks.

    “Allocate your resources...to put around Mendoza.” (39:19)

• Chris applies legal logic—what is the alternative to taking Mendoza?
  • Colin: There is some trade market, but “he is a slam dunk. ...I don't worry about him. I worry about the Raiders messing it up. ...He is by far and away the most accurate thrower in this draft.” (41:16)

Notable Quotes

• Matt Hasselbeck on authenticity in the NFL:

  “Excellence at your job. ...We respect that. ...If you don’t have those things, then...get out of here. We’ve got enough of that.” (16:28)

• Colin on Super Bowl windows:

  “That Super Bowl window stays open when everyone is unselfish and they don’t change. ...When people are worried about who's getting the credit, that’s when those windows shut way sooner than they're supposed to.” (15:35)

• Colin on American vs. Canadian sporting psychology:

  “We lose to Argentina, we create the redeem team and the average margin of victory in the next Olympics was 28 points. ...Sometimes losing creates anger and is kind of the jet fuel you need.” (23:08)

• James Worthy postgame (via Chris):

  “No heart, weak. No heart. ...No respect for the uniform.” (31:11)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:00 – Where Colin Was Right/Where Colin Was Wrong
• 09:17 – Matt Hasselbeck joins, Combine talk
• 16:07 – Locker room culture & authenticity, advice for rookie QBs
• 17:50 – U.S./Canada hockey, Olympic culture clash
• 25:00 – Chiefs’ offseason leverage, NFL running back market
• 29:18 – Changing fortunes in the NFC North, Lions/Bears/Packers debate
• 31:11 – Lakers loss to Celtics, Worthy’s criticism, Luka debate
• 36:20 – Raiders' draft philosophy, Mendoza as a stabilizer
• 41:16 – Chris and Colin debate alternatives to Mendoza at #1

Style & Tone

• Discussion is fast-paced, opinionated, and interwoven with personal anecdotes (especially from Matt Hasselbeck).
• Colin’s delivery is sharp and confident; debates with Chris Broussard add lively counterpoints.
• Plenty of humor, especially around North American sports culture and draft anxiety.

Summary Takeaway

This hour is a classic blend of Colin Cowherd’s strongest segments: self-audit, big league narratives, and a rare behind-the-scenes look at the NFL Combine from Matt Hasselbeck. The episode is loaded with inside process, sharp takes on roster-building, a look at the fleeting nature of “windows” in sports, and insight into both team cultures and the personalities who shape them. The discourse on American versus Canadian responses to sports disappointment wraps the episode with thought-provoking social commentary wrapped in classic Herd wit.