The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2

Date: November 3, 2025
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts & The Volume)
Episode focus: Where Colin was right and wrong, in-depth NFL discussion (Caleb Williams and the Bears, Aaron Rodgers revitalizing the Steelers, Green Bay’s struggles, playoff picture), plus guest Matt Hasselbeck’s insights.

Main Theme & Purpose

This hour delivers Colin Cowherd's signature “Where Colin Was Right, Where Colin Was Wrong” segment, offering self-reflection on sports takes (mostly NFL), before welcoming former NFL quarterback and analyst Matt Hasselbeck for a wide-ranging football conversation. Topics span QB performance, coach qualities, franchise identities, the impact of major trades, and playoff outlooks, with an eye toward trends in quarterback play and team building.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Where Colin Was Right & Wrong (04:54–10:13)

Colin’s NFL Takes:

• Sam Darnold’s Resurgence (Right, 04:57):

  • Cowherd reiterates Darnold is "80-85% of Andrew Luck: tough, athletic, big arm."

  • Notes Darnold’s "16 for 16 in the first half" and attributes Jets’ failures to dysfunction, not Darnold.

    “He's just too damn talented to not make it in this league.” – Colin Cowherd (05:28)

• Kansas City Chiefs Overrated? (Wrong, 05:38):

  • Overestimated the Chiefs, points to recent struggles against Buffalo.
  • "They gave up 400 yards, could not protect Mahomes..." and Buffalo had "better energy, better focus, and a better gameplan." (06:03)

• Aaron Rodgers Carries Pittsburgh (Right, 06:05):

  • De-emphasizes the Steelers’ defense: "This team's going as far as Aaron Rodgers is going to take them."
  • Notes Aaron hasn’t played this well since his MVP season—top 10 quarterback by Cowherd’s view.

• Green Bay’s Missing Identity (Wrong, 06:48):

  • Criticizes Matt LaFleur: "No identity and that’s on the coach."
  • Packers want to run, but are "fifth in rushing attempts, 24th in yards per carry"—the compass is off.

• Yoshi Earns His Dodgers Deal (Right, 07:31):

  • Dodgers ace’s high salary is justified: "You go 4-0 in a World Series and win back-to-back, he has mostly paid for himself."

• Eagles’ Aggressive Moves (Right, 08:15):

  • Praises GM Howie Roseman after acquiring Jalen Phillips before the deadline, arguing “aggressive wins in sports.”

• Commanders Disappointment (Wrong, 09:02):

  • Misjudged Washington as a playoff team. “They don’t have juice… They’re much more in a rebuild than they wanted to admit.”

• Miami Hurricanes Not a National Brand (Right, 09:34):

  • On Mario Cristobal’s underperformance and the program’s lack of fan base or home field.

• 76ers Built Around Maxey, Not Embiid (Right, 10:13):

  • Predicts success around Tyrese Maxey rather than the often-injured Joel Embiid.
  • “He can be a great player. He can’t be the centerpiece of a championship team.”

2. NFL Deep Dive with Matt Hasselbeck (10:13–25:24)

Bills–Chiefs Rivalry Dynamics (11:25):

• Buffalo Regular Season Dominance/Kansas City Playoff Edge:

  • Hasselbeck details how teams develop “post-game action plans” to evolve, giving the Chiefs a repeat advantage in playoff rematches.

    "[The Chiefs are] always, always different second time around." – Matt Hasselbeck (12:34)

Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson, and the Bears’ Trajectory (12:34–14:42):

• Cowherd cites improvements: Caleb’s reduced sacks and INTs, but wants more speed from the offense.
• Hasselbeck praises Ben Johnson's play-calling and development, noting Chicago’s improved physicality and creativity, “dangerous” approach, and leadership.
• "The future is bright for Chicago," Hasselbeck concludes (14:42).

Coordinators vs. Head Coaches: The “It” Factor (14:42–16:02):

• Not all great coordinators make great head coaches; Hasselbeck credits Ben Johnson's patience, confidence, and presence.
• Good coordinators who become good head coaches “command the room,” not just devise schemes.

Seattle Seahawks’ Contention (16:02–17:33):

• Seahawks can match up with anyone, including Philadelphia; their toughness on the road is highlighted.
• Hasselbeck notes their offense must run reliably against stacked boxes if they want a title.

Young Quarterback Grows: J.J. McCarthy & Vikings (17:33–19:42):

• Both hosts see McCarthy as raw, “training wheels on.” Hasselbeck expects the workload to grow gradually—eventually, he’ll have to “put the team on your back in a Justin Herbert kind of way.”
• Marked contrast with other QBs in his draft class.

Green Bay Packers’ Lost Identity (19:42–21:32):

• Packers are “good, just young.” Hasselbeck calls recent loss a classic “trap game”—insists mistakes are expected, but it’s vital not to repeat them.

Aaron Rodgers’ Bounce-Back Season in Pittsburgh (21:32–23:38):

• Cowherd: “There is something to be said about loving your job, loving the environment, and playing a little bit with joy.”
• Hasselbeck likes the Rodgers-Tomlin pairing and the Steelers’ upside, but wants more from their run game and consistency on defense.

Trade-Deadline Chemistry Talk (23:38–25:24):

• Cowherd asks if adding a WR might disrupt Buffalo's locker room.
• Hasselbeck says going all-in (adding talent) rallies the locker room: “As a player, I don’t mind the mindset at all.... It sends a message and I think it’s a really good message.” (24:32)

3. Game and Team Analysis, NFL News (25:35–41:10)

Kansas City Chiefs & AFC Playoff Picture (31:43–36:39):

• Chiefs look “a little wobbly”—Cowherd points to tough divisional races (Denver surging).
• J. Mack: Denver benefited from Stroud injury; keep an eye on Lamar Jackson and Baltimore.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Defensive Revival or QB Mirage? (32:28–36:39):

• J. Mack and Colin debate if the Steelers’ recent success is sustainable, given offensive struggles and reliance on turnovers.
• Mike Tomlin’s quote:

  “Fine line between drinking wine and squashing grapes... We're still the same group that stunk it up last week.” (32:53)

• Consensus: Steelers’ ceiling is limited. “They’ll go as far as Aaron’s going to get them.” – Cowherd (36:13)

49ers’ Identity and Christian McCaffrey Dependency (37:00–39:09):

• Cowherd: Niners’ offense is “all about McCaffrey; I don’t care who starts at quarterback.”
• Discussion around injuries (Purdy, Aiyuk, Williams) and team transparency.

Kyler Murray’s Future – Cardinals Uncertainty (39:11–43:01):

• J. Mack: Reports of Marvin Harrison Sr. criticizing Cardinals’ offense emerge; Murray’s future is up in the air.
• Cowherd: Market for Kyler is shrinking. “Your resume in life matters and his resume is not great.”
• Hidden reputational issues—"Kyler Murray's reputation that doesn't make the airwaves is not good." (41:49)

4. Baseball Interlude: Dodgers’ Championship Culture (48:06–54:24)

• Cowherd explains why Dodgers’ success is more than just money—“They spend their money wisely. They defer payments. The Dodgers chose to defer payments. My favorite part of this team though is Miguel Rojas, old guy, never been an all-star. Will Smith, most innings caught in a World Series...” (48:06)
• Praises team unity, R&D approach, and willingness to move on from stars (“They let Corey Seager go. They didn’t sign Manny Machado...”)
• Japanese stars are “ready for the moment” due to hype in their home leagues.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Darnold:
  “He’s just too damn talented to not make it in this league.” – Colin Cowherd (05:28)

• On the Chiefs-Bills Rivalry:
  “The Chiefs are always, always different second time around.” – Matt Hasselbeck (12:34)

• On the Steelers:
  “This team is Aaron Rodgers. It’s not Tomlin, it’s not the defense, it’s Aaron.” – Colin Cowherd (06:16)

• On Adding Talent at the Trade Deadline:
  “If we ever bring somebody in, it’s because we are trying to hoist a Lombardi. As a player... it just felt like, hey, this organization is all the way in.” – Matt Hasselbeck (24:34)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• "Where Colin Was Right/Wrong” starts: 04:54
• Darnold/Luck Comp & Jets Problems: 04:57–05:36
• Chiefs’ Issues vs. Buffalo: 05:38–06:03
• Aaron Rodgers’ Impact in Pittsburgh: 06:05–06:46
• Green Bay’s Identity Crisis: 06:48–07:28, 19:42–21:32
• Bills-Chiefs, Team Adjustments w/ Hasselbeck: 11:25–12:34
• Caleb Williams & Bears Discussion: 12:34–14:42
• Coordinator vs. Head Coach Traits: 14:42–16:02
• Seahawks’ Playoff Potential: 16:02–17:33
• J.J. McCarthy’s Development: 17:33–19:42
• Aaron Rodgers Joy in Pittsburgh: 21:32–23:38
• Deadline Moves, Locker Room Chemistry: 23:38–25:24
• Steelers-Whether Success is Sustainable: 32:28–36:39
• 49ers’ Identity and Injuries: 37:00–39:09
• Kyler Murray, Cardinals Dysfunction: 39:11–43:01
• Dodgers Culture/Roster Building: 48:06–54:24

Tone and Style

Throughout, the tone is conversational, insightful, and sprinkled with Cowherd’s trademark analogies ("drinking wine and squashing grapes," "energy vampires"). Hasselbeck matches this style, integrating anecdotes from his playing days, emphasizing leadership, nuance in coaching, and careful optimism for young QBs and building teams.

Summary for the Non-Listener

Colin Cowherd’s second hour is an engaging breakdown of the week’s NFL storylines, blending accountability with sharp analysis and bringing in Matt Hasselbeck for expert commentary. The focus is on quarterback play (Darnold, Rodgers, Williams, McCarthy), what makes teams and coaches special (leadership, adaptability, identity), and the real impact of off-field and mid-season moves. There’s a skepticism toward flash-in-the-pan narratives, a premium on long-term organization-building, and a recognition of how culture and chemistry—the “it” factor—matter at every level, from the locker room to the front office.

End of summary.