The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD - Hour 2 - Where Colin was right and wrong, Caleb Williams is looking like he's what the Bears needed at QB, Albert Breer
Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Albert Breer

Episode Overview

This episode dives into NFL Week 15 storylines, with Colin offering up his “Where Colin was right/wrong” takes, detailed discussion on quarterbacks (including Caleb Williams, Josh Allen, Bo Nix), and analysis of franchise directions for the Chiefs, Bills, and others. Albert Breer joins for deep-dive analysis on player development, coaching changes, and potential league-wide ramifications, all amid the push for the playoffs.

Key Segments & Analysis

Where Colin Was Right & Wrong

(03:29–08:22)

Colin’s Monday tradition—honestly breaking down his hits and misses from past NFL predictions.

Where Colin Was Right

• Chiefs Are Rebuilding (03:29)

  • Chiefs are $44M over the cap for next year.
  • “They got shut out in the second half… I don't think they're talented enough.” (03:43)
  • Positional weaknesses: O-line, D-line, RBs, and aging tight end room.

• Brian Schottenheimer Concerns (05:18)

  • Dallas offense struggles (2-for-12 on 3rd down, 18th in red zone).
  • “All the things we worried about, getting outcoached in big spots, situationally being mid. They've all surfaced.”

• Bo Nix Outplays Jordan Love (06:39)

  • “Four tutties, four different receivers, four-for-four in the red zone.”
  • Praises Nix’s athleticism and creativity despite limitations on deep throws.

• CJ Stroud’s Legitimate Growth (08:22)

  • “Dude throws one of the prettiest balls in the league. If you give him a little time, he's money... He's developed a really keen sense of the pocket.”

Where Colin Was Wrong

• Dan Campbell as Play Caller (04:46)

  • “Detroit’s #2 in total offense… He's done a great job. Dan Campbell is a much better coach calling plays than I would have imagined.”

• Pete Carroll’s Struggles with the Raiders (06:08)

  • “It’s been a disaster. He’s lost his fastball. 75 total yards against Philadelphia... They are the worst team in the NFL.”

• Jaguars’ Unexpected Consistency (07:11)

  • Five-game win streak, #1 run defense, Trevor Lawrence: 10 TD, 0 INT in last three games.
  • Admits he hadn’t trusted the franchise, but coaching and talent development have come together.

Bo Nix, Broncos’ Progress, and QB Development

(09:29–11:41)

Trust in Bo Nix

• Sean Payton’s Trust in Bo Nix
  • “Fourth and two, nine minutes left… Instead, Sean Payton drops Bo Nix back and takes a shot downfield to Courtland Sutton.” (Albert Breer, 10:07)
  • The moment shows organizational trust. AFC road may go through Denver.

Caleb Williams & Bears’ Process

• Learning Curve with Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams
  • Ben Johnson “overloaded [Caleb Williams] with information… then scaled it back to lean into what he's good at.” (Albert Breer, 11:41)
  • Chicago’s successful integration: run game, defensive focus, and now, a poised, field-reading Williams.

  “He sat back there, looked at his first read, looked at his second… delivered a dart. He wouldn't have made that throw two months ago.”

Kansas City Chiefs at a Crossroads

(13:39–16:54)

• Parallel to Patriots Post-Brady ACL

  • “This is going to give them an organic opportunity to look big picture at where they’re at.” (Albert Breer, 14:32)
  • Aging core (Kelce, Jones), need for new draft hits.
  • Mahomes’ injury could push organizational reset for ‘second dynasty.’

• Colin’s Comic Book Analogy

  • “Kansas City is like Marvel Comics... you gotta keep going back to Iron Man.” (14:01)

The Bills & Josh Allen: Superhero Narrative

(16:54–20:41; 45:29–50:38)

• Allen’s Brilliance—But What’s the Ceiling?
  • “He goes into the phone booth, comes out with a cape, saves the citizens of Buffalo.” (Colin, 16:54)
  • But: situational concern—can one man carry them through playoffs without support?
  • “I just look at him and I think to myself, this is not a conference championship team... You can only ask Josh Allen to be John Elway Plus Plus so many times.” (17:37)

Breer’s Perspective

• Allen Buys Buffalo Time

  • “He's the best player in the league right now... gives the coaches and players leeway to fix things on the fly.” (Albert Breer, 18:06)
  • Cites numerous comeback runs, growth without panic.
  • Potential returns: Ed Oliver, Terrell Bernard could boost postseason hopes.

• Colin on Playoff Expectations

  • “If they lost their first game, you would say time for a coaching change. That's why you have to strike when the iron's hot and take advantage of those windows.” (48:34)

Dolphins, Mike McDaniel, and the Value of Patience

(23:02–26:38; 33:12–34:33)

• Discussing Mike McDaniel’s Job Security
  • Miami adapted after firing GM Chris Greer; McDaniel leaned in, shifted to a more physical and run-centric style.
  • “He takes a step back and says, ‘you know what, we gotta be a little bit more physical. We can't rely on Tua.’ The weather is now lousy and they look like a different team.” (Colin, 26:09)
  • Breer: “Giving him that opportunity has given him new life… my guess is new GM, McDaniel goes into 2026 under evaluation.” (Albert, 23:35)

Around the NFL: Bengals, Bears, and Brown’s Dilemmas

(34:33–39:44)

• Joe Burrow’s Frustration & Bears Comparison

  • Talks of possible (wild) trades: “Bears and Ben Johnson say, ‘can we get Joe Burrow for Caleb Williams and a couple draft picks?’ No way.” (36:42)
  • Colin: “Joe Burrow is essentially trapped… you want a guy that's had three surgeries and is super expensive or a guy on the cheap for the next four years?” (35:50; 36:51)

• Shadur Sanders vs. Caleb Williams

  • Stark gap in NFL readiness: “When you see Shadur and Caleb on the field at the same time… there's the A+ prospect and the B prospects. They don't look the same.” (38:42)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Denver’s Growth:

  “The Broncos are up by a point… Sean Payton drops Bo Nix back and takes a shot downfield… that gives them the separation they need. To me, Sean Payton’s confidence… tells you a lot.”
  (Albert Breer, 10:07)

• On Caleb Williams Development:

  “Buy Caleb Williams time to develop. And now you’re seeing the approach… started to pay off, and that Caleb has seen a lot now, both in practice and games, and is benefiting from it.”
  (Albert Breer, 13:13)

• On the Bills and Allen:

  “They aren’t panicking when they’re down 21 to nothing because they have the best player on the planet.”
  (Albert Breer, 18:43 & 48:03)

Segment Timestamps

• 03:29 – Show opens; playoff picture overview; “Where Colin was right/wrong”
• 09:29 – Discussion with Albert Breer begins; Broncos, Bo Nix, Bears, QB development
• 13:39 – Chiefs’ future, parallels to Patriots, Marvel Comics dynasty analogy
• 16:54 – Bills-Josh Allen narrative, organizational challenges, Allen’s heroics
• 20:41 – The Philip Rivers story; late-career QBs, comeback nostalgia
• 23:02 – Dolphins, Mike McDaniel’s job security, organizational philosophy
• 30:59 – New York football’s woes, city-by-city comparisons
• 33:12 – Steelers-Dolphins preview, Mike Tomlin’s consistency
• 34:33 – Bengals’ struggles, Burrow’s future, Bears QB hypothetical
• 37:29 – Shadur Sanders’ performance, comparing QB prospects
• 39:49 – NBA aside: OKC & dynasties in basketball
• 45:29 – Colin wraps back to Buffalo, AFC picture, Josh Allen’s December dominance

Tone & Style Notes

• Colin is candid and humorous, using analogies (“Marvel Comics” for Chiefs, “Superman” for Josh Allen) and direct language (“New York football is an absolute hazmat spill”).
• Albert Breer delivers nuanced, process-focused insights on team strategy and roster building.
• The pace is lively, with quick transitions between football analysis and bigger-picture league talk.

Summary Takeaways

• Quarterback Play Drives NFL Narratives: Allen’s heroics and Caleb Williams’ ascendance for the Bears are considered pivotal for their franchises.
• Franchise Management Matters: Chiefs face crucial rebuilding decisions, Dolphins and Bills' futures rest on organizational patience and adaptability.
• Changing of the Guard: Some teams (Bears, Broncos) are ascending with promising young QBs, while others (Chiefs, Bengals) face crossroads.
• Coaching Flexibility is Valued: Mike McDaniel’s willingness to adapt is praised as a model for struggling teams and rigid coaching personalities.
• Playoff Picture in Flux: AFC is wide open with several flawed teams—opportunity for a surprise run if the pieces come together in time.

Recommended for listeners interested in:

• NFL midseason analysis and playoff outlook
• Franchise/organizational strategy discussions
• Honest, self-aware sports talk with humor and insight