The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hour 2 – Where Colin Was Right & Wrong, Sam Darnold, Seahawks-Patriots, Matt Hasselbeck Interview
Date: January 26, 2026

Episode Overview

Colin Cowherd hosts a lively and in-depth discussion on the fallout from the NFL Conference Championships, with a particular focus on the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl run led by Sam Darnold and the implications of team roster-building and quarterback value. Key analyst and former Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck joins the show, breaking down the Seahawks’ victory over the Rams, the unique culture in Seattle, and what to expect headed into the Super Bowl matchup against the New England Patriots. The episode features Colin’s signature “Where Colin Was Right & Wrong,” analysis of coaching hires (notably Mike McCarthy to the Steelers), memorable player performances, and deep dives into the quarterback salary cap conundrum.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Where Colin Was Right & Wrong

Segment begins: [03:00]

• Right:

  • Colin’s preseason “surprise” NFL playoff teams picks were Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, both of whom made the Super Bowl.

    “My two surprise teams in the NFL... were New England would be a playoff team... and my second surprise playoff team was Seattle. I didn't know they'd be in the Super Bowl but I feel pretty good about it.” (04:16)

  • Rams’ special teams as a season-long weak spot, which proved decisive in the playoff loss.

• Wrong:

  • Left Rams WR Devante Adams out of his Top 10 for the matchup—Adams delivered a standout performance.
  • Did not anticipate two defensive coaches making the Super Bowl (Seattle and New England), breaking a recent trend of offensive-led finalists.

• Additional insights:

  • Colin believes Bill Belichick is not a fit for Buffalo "because he's not a good evaluator of college personnel," and speculation around his coaching future persists.
  • On college football, Colin’s right that the championship between Indiana and Miami would hinge on quarterback play, specifically Miami’s Fernando Mendoza.

2. Sam Darnold and the Seahawks’ Super Bowl Run

Segment begins: [07:54]

Darnold on proving doubters wrong:

“That doesn't matter to me. I just come to work every single day with these guys in this locker room. That's what it's about to me, man… And we're here and we did it.” – Sam Darnold (08:34)

• Colin’s Longstanding Faith in Darnold:
  • Colin celebrates being vindicated on Darnold, emphasizing traits like resilience, athleticism, and professionalism that led to his late-career surge.

    “I never quit on Sam Darnold. I always felt he was too strong, too athletic, too coachable, too tough, too resilient, too good of an arm not to be a winning quarterback in this league.” (07:56)

  • Darnold's winning streak since returning as starter in Carolina, and his resurgence in Seattle.

Matt Hasselbeck on Darnold:

“You have been beating the Sam Darnold drum for a long time... Both quarterbacks were outstanding. Both guys threw for like 350, no turnovers... Ultimately this came down to home field advantage and special teams.” – Matt Hasselbeck (09:25)

• Decision-making and poise:
  • Sam was “at his best” in situational football—3rd down conversions, two-minute drives, and critical moments.

    “He threw for 19 first downs in that game… it’s situational football, the stuff that quarterbacks, you know, get paid to do.” – Matt Hasselbeck (11:08, 47:39)

3. Inside the Seahawks’ Unique Culture

Segment begins: [12:02]

• Seattle’s energy:
  • Compared to a “collegiate” atmosphere; overwhelming energy/mob mentality.

    “They play with an energy that's almost collegiate... When you play Seattle, you have to match their energy. It's like Mike Tyson in his early 20s....” – Colin Cowherd (12:02) “I just think the fan base has a chip on their shoulder... It is this college atmosphere... Everyone leans into it... There’s a lot of pride in this community...” – Matt Hasselbeck (12:30)

• Ownership and authenticity:
  • Mike Macdonald is credited for fostering a “mission-first” mentality and an authentic, player-driven identity.

4. Super Bowl Preview: Seahawks vs. Patriots

Segment begins: [13:53]

• Potential letdown for Seattle?:
  • Colin warns of complacency after an emotional win, with New England being underdogs but already used to that role all playoffs.

    “Everybody’s going to tell the New England Patriots they have no chance for two weeks… Do you worry about a letdown for Seattle?” – Colin (13:53)

  • Hasselbeck recalls his own Super Bowl experience with the Seahawks, reminding that the regular season means little now—focus is everything.

5. Coach’s Aggressiveness & Fourth-Down Decisions

Segment begins: [15:50]

• Sean Payton and Sean McVay’s 4th down gambles:
  • Colin and Hasselbeck debate merits of offensive coaches’ aggressiveness vs. defensive coaches’ conservatism.
  • Hasselbeck surprised at both decisions but points out that “players love when their OC is aggressive” but notes predictability hurts (Patriots knowing the exact play).

6. Rams’ Future & Matthew Stafford’s Resurgence

Segment begins: [17:09] & [33:27]

• Stafford’s likely return:

  • Both hosts agree Matthew Stafford will be back in LA, with Hasselbeck saying he’s “aging in reverse” and should sign up for five more years.

    “He looked like he was constipated coming out to practice his first day back. And now he looks better and younger than he's ever looked... He was the MVP of the league. He had an amazing year.” – Matt Hasselbeck (17:42) “If he still wants to play… this guy played at a level that's just different. That drive by Stafford... he had to go completely into his tool bag.” – Colin (33:27)

• Colin and J. Mac argue that Rams, if healthy, may well be “Super Bowl favorites” next year, citing the near parity between the Seahawks and Rams in their three matchups this season.

7. Seattle’s JSN and Elite Receiver Play

Segment begins: [19:42]

• JSN’s unique skills:
  • Colin compares JSN’s ability to maintain speed through breaks to Jerry Rice.
  • Hasselbeck breaks down JSN’s skillset as “smooth, patient, confident” and praises Seattle’s ability to spread the ball around, making it hard for defenses to key on one target.

    “I think for JSN, he's just so smooth and patient and confident. You know, he's not always in fifth gear...” – Matt Hasselbeck (20:25) “The ball will just find you. If you're that good, the ball will just find you.” – Matt Hasselbeck (21:25)

8. Steelers’ Coaching Hire: Mike McCarthy

Segment begins: [21:38]

• Safe but solid choice:

  “Mike McCarthy was my position coach my second year... That was one of the biggest jumps I made as a young quarterback... This hire, to me, makes it feel like the Pittsburgh Steelers want to win right away...” – Matt Hasselbeck (21:56)

  • Colin compares McCarthy’s resume to John Harbaugh’s and acknowledges the stability he brings.

9. The Quarterback Cap Conundrum

Segment begins: [29:20]

• The value of QB contracts:
  • Colin highlights Sam Darnold (5% of Seahawks’ cap) and Drake Maye (3% of Patriots’ cap) as key drivers for their teams’ deep playoff runs, compared to salary-cap-strained squads with expensive quarterbacks (e.g., Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen).

    “You want to know what Lamar Jackson is next year to the Ravens? 24% of their cap... Darnold's salary in Seattle is 5%... Drake Maye's is 3%... when Josh Allen was on the rookie deal, that's when you gotta win Super Bowls.” (29:20)

  • Asserts that having a productive starter on a rookie or team-friendly deal is the new cheat code in building a championship roster.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:16 | Colin Cowherd | “My two surprise teams in the NFL... were New England would be a playoff team… and my second surprise playoff team was Seattle.” | | 07:56 | Colin Cowherd | “I never quit on Sam Darnold. I always felt he was... too tough, too resilient, too good of an arm not to be a winning quarterback in this league.” | | 08:34 | Sam Darnold | “That doesn't matter to me. I just come to work every single day with these guys in this locker room. That's what it's about to me, man.” | | 11:08 | Matt Hasselbeck | “He threw for 19 first downs in that game… situational football… that's where I thought he was at his best yesterday.” | | 12:30 | Matt Hasselbeck | “The fan base has a chip on their shoulder… It is this college atmosphere… there’s a lot of pride in this community.” | | 13:53 | Colin Cowherd | “Everybody’s going to tell the New England Patriots they have no chance for two weeks... Do you worry about a letdown for Seattle?” | | 17:42 | Matt Hasselbeck | “He looked like he was constipated coming out to practice his first day back. And now he looks better and younger than he's ever looked... He was the MVP of the league.” | | 20:25 | Matt Hasselbeck | “For JSN, he's just so smooth and patient and confident... sometimes he's in third gear, then fourth, then he gets to fifth gear.” | | 29:20 | Colin Cowherd | “Darnold's salary in Seattle is 5% of the Seahawks’ cap... Drake Maye's salary is 3% of New England's. You want to know what Lamar Jackson is next year to the Ravens? 24% of their cap.” | | 47:39 | Matt Hasselbeck | "People will doubt Sam Darnold. He's not as super fiery... I think he's got a quiet confidence... he threw for 19 first downs in that game..." | | 17:09 | Colin Cowherd | "If you were Matt Stafford, would you not sign up for a couple more years of this?" |

Additional Insights

• Officiating and Weather:

  • Colin defends NFL officials, citing the challenge of real-time, high-speed decisions, especially in playoff atmospheres and bad weather.
  • Expresses a strong dislike for “lousy weather games,” arguing for better stadium design to maximize performance, particularly for strong-offense teams like Buffalo.

• Future Watch:

  • Ramifications of QB contract structure underscore next three years as New England’s and Seattle’s championship window.
  • Ongoing intrigue around league coaching hirings (Buffalo’s head coach search, Philip Rivers interview rumors).

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:00 – Where Colin was Right & Wrong
• 07:54 – Darnold’s mindset & Super Bowl path
• 09:25 – Matt Hasselbeck breaks down NFC Championship
• 12:02 – Seattle’s unique energy and culture
• 13:53 – Super Bowl dangers for Seattle
• 15:50 – Coaches and 4th Down Decisions
• 17:09 – Rams’ stability and Stafford’s future
• 19:42 – JSN and elite receiver play
• 21:38 – Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy
• 29:20 – QB contract and the salary cap
• 33:27 – Rams' season review and Cooper Kupp rumors
• 47:39 – Hasselbeck on Darnold’s quiet confidence

Tone & Language

The discussion is lively, reverent to the stakes and personalities involved, and dotted with both measured praise (especially for Darnold, Stafford, Seattle’s culture) and classic Cowherd bluntness when critiquing league trends, coaches, and team strategies. Hasselbeck’s guest analysis is generous, collegiate, and full of personal, player-level insights. There’s a sense of celebratory vindication for Colin on his picks and his defense of overlooked QBs and franchises.

This summary captures the major themes, insightful moments, and lively sports banter that defined this episode of The Herd—offering NFL fans a thorough sense of the drama, personalities, and deep structural factors at play heading into the Super Bowl.