The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Hour 2

Episode Date: September 29, 2025
Main Theme: Where Colin was right and wrong, NFL trends, team breakdowns (Packers, Steelers, Rams), young QBs, and a conversation with Matt Hasselbeck.

Overview

In this episode, Colin Cowherd dives into his recurring “Where Colin was Right, Where Colin was Wrong” segment, giving candid self-assessments on his recent takes about teams and players in the NFL and college football. Key conversations with guest Matt Hasselbeck and co-host Jason McIntyre further analyze quarterback performances, the NFL’s youth movement, struggles of veteran teams to close out games, and the state of standout QBs like Matt Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, and Sam Darnold. College QB prospects get attention as well, alongside breakdowns of recent notable games.

Key Segments & Discussion Highlights

1. Where Colin Was Right/Wrong

Timestamps: 03:40–10:03

Right:

• Baltimore Ravens Defensive Woes:
  • “I said last week with Baltimore, I don't want to hear its injuries... I think it's time to panic.” (04:00)
  • Kansas City’s offense, despite injuries and O-line issues, had “seven yards a play” against Baltimore.
• Matt Stafford's Arm Talent:
  • “He put on a clinic yesterday... He is the best pocket quarterback we've had in a long time.” (08:24)
• Sam Darnold’s Fit with Seattle:
  • “He’s the winningest quarterback in the league since the beginning of last year…completing 70% of his throws, 106 passer rating.” (09:15)
• Dante Moore as a Top QB Draft Prospect:
  • “If I had a number one pick in the draft, I would pick Dante Moore the quarterback for Oregon. This kid…the poise, the stoicism…he is phenomenal.” (09:35)

Wrong:

• Cowboys' Offense Under Brian Schottenheimer:
  • “They’re a pretty fun team to watch. And Dak is playing out of his mind.” (05:25)
• Brock Purdy's Regression:
  • “Four TDs, four picks…He did not play well.” (06:00)
• Steelers Offense Looks Modern:
  • “That is the best game offensively I have seen the Steelers play in maybe six years.” (07:00)
• USC Defense Disappoints:
  • “First real challenge…got pushed around by Illinois… the longer d' Anton Lin is at USC, the softer the defense gets.” (08:40)

2. Matt Hasselbeck Joins the Show

Timestamps: 10:03–22:05

Matt Stafford’s Resurgence

• Colin: “If you just said okay, you can't move out of the pocket…I'm not sure there's three guys that have ever been better throwing from the pocket. What do you see with Stafford?” (10:03)
• Hasselbeck: “He looks amazing like moving in the pocket... Look out, NFC. This is a team and a quarterback that does not fear the Philadelphia Eagles.” (10:35)

Packers’ Youth & Late-Game Flaws

• Colin: “Green Bay's a bunch of kids. I said, Matt LaFleur isn't a coach, he's a chaperone…they're just trying to figure out how to close these games.” (11:19)
• Hasselbeck: “The two minute operation has changed everything because of the new K ball rule... you're going to see more exciting late game teams out of it.” (12:01)

Lamar Jackson & the Chiefs

• Colin: “I look at Lamar Jackson and I honestly think Kansas City's a bit in his head ... what is wrong with Lamar and the Chiefs?” (12:47)
• Hasselbeck: “Steve Spagnolo and the Chiefs, I don't think they fear him like the rest of the league does ... [Lamar] just needs to play his normal game from the pocket.” (13:36)

Aaron Rodgers Revitalizes Steelers

• Colin: “Does Aaron deserve credit for that? Because Pittsburgh can't get the O line or the run game right for seven years. And Aaron arrives...” (14:54)
• Hasselbeck: “Elite quarterbacks doing it into their 40s…You’ve got to not get bored. Getting DK Metcalf involved unlocks this offense... this looks like a playoff team.” (15:30)

Assessing Young QBs: Drake May & Jackson Dart

• Colin: “[Drake May] looks like a franchise quarterback to me. What say you?” (16:33)
• Hasselbeck: “Definitely. Still learning, though... I think people are excited about them. This is a team to watch.” (16:58)
• On Jackson Dart: “Designed runs are the way to do it... but everyone's seen it now. They should copy Jayden Daniels’ run game for Dart.” (17:56)

Sam Darnold and the Seahawks Fit

• Colin: “Are you surprised it's been this smooth for Sam?” (19:08)
• Hasselbeck: “When you have play caller and quarterback really loving each other…that's when it clicks... this is a team that said, let's take a 27-year-old quarterback with some scars and use them to be battle-tested.” (19:46)
• Colin: “Sam is fun to watch... he's got just enough reckless that you gotta put some structure in for him.” (20:57)
• Hasselbeck: “He'll go 1,2,3,4,5 in his progression and then run. That’s elite-level NFL quarterbacking.” (21:22)

3. Jason McIntyre Joins: Quarterbacks, Giants, and College Recap

Timestamps: 22:11–24:42

Jackson Dart’s First NFL Start - Measured Optimism

• McIntyre: “For a first time starter, 13 of 20 for 111 yards passing, 54 yards rushing…need to see way more. They had one drive that went over 50 yards, the scripted drive.” (22:42)
• Colin: “First start against Jesse Minter... I'll just take the scripted drive and no turnovers. I'll be totally happy.” (23:20)
• The pair debate whether Dart showed a “guy” potential or just a promising first try, agreeing there’s more to prove but some reason for hope.

4. NFL Quarterback Depth & Trends

Timestamps: 29:01–30:51

• Colin: “If you give most quarterbacks time to throw, they’re going to eat you alive ... I don't remember a time where there were this many good young quarterbacks.” (29:01)
• “Sam Darnold, still 27, and you guys mocked me for years on it... I always said he's got elite traits, coachable, tough, a little reckless.” (29:34)
• Noting even supposed “busts” like Jared Goff and Kyler Murray still have real talent.

5. Herbert’s O-Line Woes & Chargers’ Outlook

Timestamps: 30:51–33:57

• McIntyre: “Justin Herbert…was beat up brutal this week…felt like more than the 12 times he was hit.” (30:51)
• Colin: “He’s been hit 26 times in the last two weeks…this is starting to remind me a little bit of Big Ben and Cam…” (31:25)
• Both hosts agree the O-line is a big concern, but next week against Washington may be a “get right” spot for Herbert.

6. Eagles’ Young Defensive Talent

Timestamps: 33:57–35:25

• McIntyre: “Cooper DeJean is…probably one of the best young defensive backs in the league...a ball hawk…an Ed Reed-ish type player.” (34:31)
• Colin: “Their issue is offensively they have horrible halves. They're trying to get A.J. Brown the ball and they can't.” (35:13)

7. USC Defensive Collapse, Maiva Impresses

Timestamps: 35:25–37:48

• Colin: “USC’s defense let down...They got pushed around…Illinois does not have the kind of offense that should have 500 yards against any team in the Big Ten.” (35:49)
• McIntyre: “Jade Maiva…I think he’s better than Arch Manning. I’m not even kidding…he looks like a pro.” (36:56–37:39)
• Both hosts are impressed by Maiva’s prowess and question the quality of some more hyped QBs.

8. Steelers Take Center Stage Again

Timestamps: 42:10–47:56

• Colin: “I thought yesterday blew me away. 130 rushing yards. Aaron had only four balls hit the ground. He and DK Metcalf clearly work…So their offense has been struggling for seven years and it was certainly the best offensive performance.” (44:06)
• “It’s the first time I have watched the Steelers offense…in years. And I was like, oh, they could win a playoff game.” (44:44)
• McIntyre: “Vikings offensive line killed them in that game...A lot of poor decisions in the pocket.” (47:01)

9. Bears, Raiders, and Caleb Williams' Growth

Timestamps: 48:12–51:29

• Colin: “The Bears Raiders was interesting. It was really ugly...The most impressive thing to me was that Caleb [Williams] was making hard throws over the middle of the field, which a lot of smaller quarterbacks can't.” (48:15)
• "I do feel like Roma Dunze and Caleb have a connection. Cole Kmet, who was with him last year, they have a connection...Sometimes I feel like they have too many players that Caleb has to get the ball to and clearly he and Roma Dunze fit." (50:41)

Notable Quotes

• On Matt Stafford:
  • “Look out, NFC. This is a team and a quarterback that does not fear the Philadelphia Eagles.” — Matt Hasselbeck (10:35)
• On Lamar Jackson vs. Chiefs:
  • “For whatever reason, Steve Spagnolo and the Chiefs, I don't think they fear him like the rest of the league does.” — Matt Hasselbeck (13:36)
• On Sam Darnold’s Journey:
  • “This is a team that said, hey, let's take a 27-year-old quarterback with some scars from Carolina, from the Jets and let's use those scars to be a battle-tested quarterback when it matters.” — Matt Hasselbeck (19:46)
• On Steelers’ New-Look Offense:
  • “It’s the first time I have watched the Steelers offense...in years. And I was like, oh, they could win a playoff game.” — Colin Cowherd (44:44)
• On the Rise of Young QBs:
  • “I don't remember a time where there were this many good young quarterbacks.” — Colin Cowherd (29:20)
• On USC’s Defense:
  • “The longer d’Anton Lin is at USC, the softer the defense gets.” — Colin Cowherd (08:40)
• On Cooper DeJean:
  • “He’s an Ed Reed-ish type player…a superior athlete.” — Jason McIntyre (34:31)

Key Timestamps

• 03:40 – Where Colin Was Right/Wrong begins
• 10:03 – Matt Hasselbeck joins: Matt Stafford, Packers youth
• 13:36 – Lamar Jackson/Chiefs struggles
• 15:30 – Steelers offense breakthrough discussion
• 16:33 – Drake May’s rise as a QB
• 17:56 – Giants’ surprise with Jackson Dart
• 19:08 – Sam Darnold’s fit in Seattle
• 22:11 – McIntyre on Jackson Dart and Giants’ optimism
• 29:01 – Quarterbacks: Young talent across the league
• 30:51 – Justin Herbert’s O-line woes
• 33:57 – Eagles: Cooper DeJean analysis
• 35:49 – USC defense, Maiva stands out
• 42:10 – Steelers resurgence detailed
• 48:15 – Bears, Raiders, and Caleb Williams

Episode Tone & Style

Opinionated, conversational, and analytical—Colin balances hot takes and self-critique, welcoming debate and humor (noting, for instance, the show’s “espresso and croissants”). The interplay between Colin, Jason McIntyre, and Matt Hasselbeck keeps segments fast-paced and pointed.

Summary

Hour 2 of The Herd features Colin’s signature accountability segment (“Right/Wrong”), dissects NFL trends—especially among emerging quarterbacks and struggling veteran franchises—and provides rapid-fire, nuanced breakdowns of current NFL and college football narratives. Matt Hasselbeck brings QB perspective, especially on the Rams, Steelers, and Seahawks. Colin and Jason debate the progression of rookies and cast a skeptical but hopeful eye on teams like the Packers and Giants. Standouts like Matt Stafford and Sam Darnold are lauded for career rejuvenations, while the episode ends with pointed concern for the offensive lines, defensive lapses (USC), and the bright future of several new NFL QBs.