Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Hour 2)

Episode Date: November 10, 2025
Main Theme: NFL headlines and analysis, with a focus on the firing of Brian Daboll, “Where Colin Was Right/Wrong”, and in-depth discussions with Matt Hasselbeck.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the sudden firing of Giants head coach Brian Daboll, evaluates recent NFL developments, and features revealing insights from former NFL QB Matt Hasselbeck. Continuing the show’s signature balance of opinion and analysis, Colin walks listeners through his “Where Colin Was Right/Wrong” segment before hashing out the NFL’s biggest storylines, including franchise direction, coach-quarterback dynamics, and roster construction.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Where Colin Was Right & Where Colin Was Wrong

(04:35–09:53)

Colin’s Hits

• Matt Stafford vs. Aaron Rodgers
  • "[Stafford's] the MVP. Last two years, 45 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and Aaron looks really old. Matt Stafford with this coach finally has a reasonable chance every Sunday to succeed. There’s not a better guy from the pocket in the NFL right now than Matt Stafford." (04:36)
• San Francisco 49ers Prognosis
  • Predicted 49ers would finish behind Seattle and the Rams due to their aging, brittle roster.
• John Schneider’s Personnel Genius
  • Praised the Seahawks GM for building what might be the "fastest roster in the NFL" and maneuvering valuable trades and cap-friendly deals.
• Cale DeBoer at Alabama
  • Noted how DeBoer’s “not Saban” narrative was overblown, highlighting his impressive run against ranked teams in the NIL era.

Colin’s Misses

• Pete Carroll’s Departure
  • Expected better from Pete Carroll’s year off—was wrong about his renewed impact.
• Michael Penix Struggles
  • Penix’s NFL transition has been rocky: "He misses…and he misses badly. A lot. Last two weeks he’s also 1 for 18 on third down." (06:17)
• Dallas Mavericks Prediction
  • Picked them for the Western Conference Finals; team has fallen apart offensively.

Notable Quote

"You can go to Cooper Rush, Aaron Rodgers, you can go to Dak Prescott. I think [Mike McCarthy]'s a good B plus…Would an A coach want that job? No." – Colin Cowherd (03:14)

2. Brian Daboll Firing: Franchise Turmoil & Next Steps

(10:03–12:37, 22:50–24:14, 31:25–35:34, 49:59–53:08)

• Colin’s Stance:
  Hates firing "the best coach on the staff" midseason—worried about the “substitute teacher” effect.
• Matt Hasselbeck’s Perspective:
  Attributed Daboll’s ouster not just to losing but concussion protocol missteps and failure to protect the franchise QB:

  "Your star quarterback, your prized possession. He’s been in that blue tent way too much…You gotta have a little more care for the future of the franchise." (10:28 & 49:59)

• Quarterback Situation Influence:
  Daniel Jones’ revival in Indianapolis factored into Daboll's dismissal.
• Kafka as Interim:
  “This is like a little bit of an audition…Let’s see what this guy has before we go into our coaching search.” – Matt Hasselbeck (23:16)

Notable Quote

“I don’t like firing coaches midseason. If you’re going to fire a coach, get to the end of the season…I always worry about the substitute teacher law.” – Colin Cowherd (10:03)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers & The Aging Roster Puzzle

(12:37–14:22)

• Colin: Can't figure out "what I get" from Pittsburgh week-to-week, attributing inconsistency to team age and injuries.
• Hasselbeck:
  • Thinks the Steelers lack identity and cautions that "they gotta figure out an identity and do it quick—Cincinnati’s not far back."

4. Offensive vs. Defensive Coaches Problem Solving

(14:22–16:52)

• Colin observes: NFL offenses with offensive-minded head coaches tend to adapt and solve in-season issues faster than teams led by defensive coaches.
• Buffalo’s defense:
  Hasselbeck does not see “championship level defense coming out of there” for the Bills.

5. Young Quarterbacks, New England & Seattle’s Bright Futures

(17:32–21:55, 45:32–48:43)

• Drake May (Patriots):
  • "The future is really bright. I just don’t think people thought it was going to be this soon." (17:32)
  • Praised for handling adversity against top defenses.
• Caleb Williams (Bears):
  • “I think you probably like Caleb more than me…I, I, I, he’s a young player…He’s done a great job of improving…if Caleb buys in…he’ll have a long future.” – Matt Hasselbeck (19:20)
• Seattle Seahawks:
  • Both Cowherd and Hasselbeck marvel at their off-the-charts team speed, deft roster building, and improved player buy-in.
• Team Culture:
  • “Good teams, the coaches care more than the players. Great teams, the players care more than the coaches. I think that’s what you find in Seattle.” – Matt Hasselbeck (21:55)

6. UCLA’s Stadium Move & Program Health

(24:08–25:57)

• Discussed potential move to SoFi Stadium as a bid for relevance and financial stability.
• “UCLA football is broken, so they have to do something to unbreak it... they’re striving for relevance.” – Colin Cowherd (25:14)

7. Daboll’s Future: Miami or Elsewhere?

(34:22–35:34, 49:59–53:08)

• Discussed potential landing spots for Daboll post-firing – Miami floated as possible destination, perhaps pairing with Tua again.
• “I think Dable in Miami, I think Lane Kiffin and Brian Dable, stronger personalities, more alpha than McDaniel feel like the fits to me.” – Colin Cowherd (52:18)

8. Colts, Daniel Jones, and AFC South Outlook

(37:15–40:29)

• Daniel Jones in Indy:
  Early promise overshadowed by resurgent fumble issues.
• Jonathan Taylor’s performance bailed out the team, but concerns linger about offensive line protection.
• “They [Colts] have the best roster in that division…they’re going to win that division. I think there’s a ceiling.” – Colin Cowherd (38:50)

Memorable Quotes

• On Seattle’s Revamp:
  “If I turn the sound down, that’s the fastest team in the league. They have athletes everywhere…I’m not sure what the hole is.” – Colin Cowherd (21:05)

• On Giants’ Problems:
  "Daniel Jones is not chaos. He’s not a top 10, but he’s somewhere between 12 and 16, maybe this season." – Colin Cowherd (39:30)

• On Young QBs:
  “My rule is if you got the right coach or at least a super strong coordinator, hopefully both, you’ll be able to see by the second year if [the] guy’s going to be a legend. That looks like Drake May in New England.” – Colin Cowherd (45:32)

Important Timestamps

• Brian Daboll firing and implications: 03:14, 10:03, 22:50, 31:25, 49:59
• Colin Right/Wrong segment: 04:35–09:53
• Matt Hasselbeck segment: 09:53–24:36 (with returns throughout)
• Seahawks and John Schneider discussion: 06:58, 21:05–22:50, 45:32–48:43
• UCLA stadium move talk: 24:08
• Colts/Daniel Jones/AFC South: 37:15–40:29
• Daboll’s Miami ties: 52:18–53:08

Tone & Language

• Colin’s signature blend of witty, conversational, and data-driven (“I said…”, “here we go”, “I think…”).
• Hasselbeck: Insightful, frank, coach/QB-focused, a touch of dry humor.
• J. Mac (Jason McIntyre): Analytical, occasionally sarcastic, bringing stats and betting angles.

Summary

This episode encapsulates a whirlwind NFL news cycle with the Brian Daboll firing as a central drama, deeply analyzed for its immediate and longer-term ramifications. Colin and Matt Hasselbeck dissect the Giants’ mismanagement, the ripple effect on quarterbacks, and parallel stories of teams successfully rebuilding around young talent.

Layered with Colin’s trademark “right/wrong” self-audits and lively banter—especially regarding team direction, coaching hires, and franchise identities—the episode is compelling listening (or reading) for any sports fan seeking context and insight behind the NFL’s biggest moves.