The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 Summary
Episode Date: August 18, 2025
Key Segments: Where Colin Was Right and Wrong, Patriots Optimism, Matt Hasselbeck Joins
Episode Overview
This episode of The Herd is a classic Monday show structure: Colin Cowherd recaps where his predictions were right and wrong, analyzes early NFL preseason news (with a heavy focus on quarterbacks and team building), and hosts a lively, insightful discussion with former NFL QB Matt Hasselbeck. The prevailing themes are the importance of organizational culture, coaching for young QBs, how preseason results should be evaluated, and why the Patriots and Seahawks are primed to surprise in the upcoming season.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Colin Right / Colin Wrong: Hits and Misses
[04:24–09:00]
- Colin evaluates his prior takes, running through recent predictions and their outcomes.
- RIGHT: Seahawks and Sam Darnold "looked really, really good." Colin praises Seattle's last three drafts, noting their top-tier roster and the comfort Darnold is showing.
“When you watch the Seahawks, they are a top five or six roster.” (Colin Cowherd, 04:31)
- WRONG: On Jackson Dart – Colin underestimated his poise and comfort, admitting Dart looks significantly better than expected.
- RIGHT: Cincinnati Bengals’ owner continues to complicate things for franchise QB Joe Burrow by reportedly shopping pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, reinforcing Colin’s belief their ownership holds back the team.
“You can’t ask Joe Burrow to have to win a track meet every Sunday.” (Colin Cowherd, 05:36)
- WRONG: Joe Milton’s preseason struggles exposed Colin’s overestimation ("There’s two things in life I know aren’t good for me but I, I can’t help myself: cigars and Joe Milton… took a sack, took a safety.")
- RIGHT: Miami Dolphins under Mike McDaniel lack "meat in the culture"—Colin points to Jalen Ramsey’s comments as evidence of cultural softness.
“The Dolphins feel like a bowl of jello. Where’s the meat in the culture?” (Colin Cowherd, 06:44)
- WRONG: Underplayed seriousness of Matt Stafford's injury, now admitting, “They're crossing their fingers on this stuff. Like there's a reason they're keeping him out of practice…” (Colin Cowherd, 07:37)
- RIGHT: Taylor Swift’s positive effect on the NFL—female Chiefs fans up from 50% to 57%. Colin asserts Swift is "a stimulus package… great for every business."
- RIGHT: Patriots rookie RB TreVeon Henderson is the draft’s steal; Colin notes he's a better runner, receiver, and pass-protector than Judkins.
- RIGHT: Seahawks and Sam Darnold "looked really, really good." Colin praises Seattle's last three drafts, noting their top-tier roster and the comfort Darnold is showing.
2. QB Development, Coaching, and Preseason Takeaways
[10:20–13:52]
- Cowherd and Hasselbeck break down quarterback preseason performances, focusing particularly on Chicago rookie Caleb Williams.
- Colin finds relief in Williams’ discipline, noting, “My favorite play with Caleb… was the screen pass that he dirted. Just avoid negative plays, keep moving forward.”
- Hasselbeck praises Williams’ rhythm and quick releases, emphasizing that making people around you better is the prime QB litmus test.
“He looked great… I would just say it's preseason football, so I'm not going to criticize him… This is a great start.” (Matt Hasselbeck, 11:26)
- Both agree preseason has limited predictive value, but Hasselbeck recalls how starring in August didn’t guarantee regular season success.
3. The Patriots’ Roster Build & Optimism
[13:52–16:44, 41:17–51:26]
- Colin and Matt agree: New England has a shot at quickly doubling their win total from last season.
- Hasselbeck lauds the Patriot’s draft/offseason philosophy: offensive draft focus (supporting rookie Drake Maye), veteran signings on defense.
- Praise for RB Travion Henderson’s rare speed and immediate preseason impact (“…he took it to the house on a kickoff return. And everyone in New England… just, ‘yep, it’s what we thought we were seeing.’” – MH, 15:46)
- Will Campbell (LT) and Kyle Williams (WR) highlighted as additional home-run rookie hits.
- Colin: “This is the easiest team to see and look at and go, oh yeah, they're going to double their win total.”
- Patriots’ schedule discussed as favorable, AFC East landscape unsettled.
“That sounds like a team to me that thinks that they’re close and maybe even this year getting back to the playoffs.” (Matt Hasselbeck, 15:41)
4. Seahawks’ Draft Success and Identity
[16:44–17:50]
- New Seahawks persona: physical, run-first under new OC Clint Kubiak; Mike Macdonald finally has "identity."
- Losing flashy WRs (like Lockett, Metcalf) is seen as part of the plan—hammer on run game, play defense, and rely less on passing.
“The best the Seahawks have looked in the preseason in a long, long while.” (Matt Hasselbeck, 17:50)
- Losing flashy WRs (like Lockett, Metcalf) is seen as part of the plan—hammer on run game, play defense, and rely less on passing.
5. Matt Stafford’s Injury – Real Risk for Rams’ Season
[17:50–18:10, 38:38–39:19]
- Both Colin and Matt Hasselbeck are now highly concerned. Hasselbeck draws from personal experience:
“...he’s ginger, he’s careful, he’s measured, he’s not cutting it loose…if the Rams are playing 7 on 7 this year I wouldn’t be worried…this is a huge concern for me.” (Matt Hasselbeck, 18:10 & 38:51)
6. The "Celebrity Quarterback" Problem
[19:01–20:09]
- Colin discusses risk of celebrity backup QBs (Shadour Sanders) and the distraction they pose.
- Matt Hasselbeck: If Sanders is a "guy’s guy" in locker room, outside noise doesn’t matter; but, “the distractions, that’s a real thing.”
7. Coaching’s Impact on Young QBs
[21:19–23:33]
- Colin and Matt examine how coaching paths fundamentally shape young quarterbacks.
- Colin compares Jackson Dart’s development with Lane Kiffin & Brian Daboll versus Justin Fields’ defensive coaches.
“I look at Jackson Dart…and I’m like, oh my God, he looks better…Justin Fields looks lost.” (Colin Cowherd, 21:19)
- Hasselbeck: coaching always matters, but especially for young players.
- Colin compares Jackson Dart’s development with Lane Kiffin & Brian Daboll versus Justin Fields’ defensive coaches.
8. Colin & Matt on Coaches (General NFL History)
[23:33–25:18]
- Storytelling: Coughlin's no-nonsense coaching style, his role in BC’s upset of Notre Dame, and his big personality in the NFL.
“Tom Coughlin, I still get a little bit intimidated when I hear his name even today.” (Matt Hasselbeck, 24:23)
9. The Herd Line News – John Middlekoff Joins
[03:25, 30:23–37:17]
- Middlekoff and Colin discuss:
- Boise State rookie Ashton Jensen: Toughness is impressive, but his violent running style might raise durability concerns.
- Trey Hendrickson trade chatter in Cincinnati highlights Bengals’ organizational issues: Colin laments the franchise’s lack of aggression in contrast to teams like the Eagles.
- Colts’ ongoing QB controversy, with doubts about both Anthony Richardson’s readiness and Daniel Jones’s upside. Colin reiterates confidence in coach Shane Steichen’s QB development track record.
- AFC South’s brutal competitive environment, laments Colts as only team without a clear franchise QB.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Taylor Swift's Impact:
“She is a stimulus package with a microphone. She is great for every business. She's likable, she's gifted… She seems to deeply want to learn and know a lot about football.” — Colin Cowherd [08:09]
On Caleb Williams’ Preseason Start:
"The best thing a quarterback does is he makes the people around him better… He looked great. This is a great start. It was a great outing." — Matt Hasselbeck [11:26]
On the Patriots’ Rebuild:
"In New England, a team that only won four games last year, I think there's a lot of excitement. What they're talking about right now is, hey, if someone were to offer us a great player, we'd give up a first round draft pick." — Matt Hasselbeck [15:41]
On Seattle’s New Identity:
"The plan is to be a physical, be-the-hammer-not-the-nail kind of run game and call more runs than passes and then play great defense." — Matt Hasselbeck [16:44]
On Stafford’s Health:
“He’s not cutting it loose… That’s a problem with tackle football… This is a huge concern for me.” — Matt Hasselbeck [38:51]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 04:29 – Colin Right/Wrong Segment begins
- 07:03 – Jalen Ramsey on Dolphins’ culture
- 10:20 – Matt Hasselbeck joins, breakdown of Caleb Williams
- 13:52 – Patriots’ offseason and rookie impact
- 16:44 – Seahawks’ physical makeover
- 17:50 – Stafford’s injury, Rams’ risk analysis
- 19:01 – Celebrity QB discussion (Shadour Sanders)
- 21:19 – Importance of coaching for young QBs
- 23:33 – Coughlin/Boston College stories
- 30:23 – The Herd Line News (Middlekoff, rookie RB, Bengals trades, Colts QBs)
- 38:47 – Matt Stafford injury update recap
- 41:17 – Patriots schedule breakdown and win projection
Final Takeaway
This hour showcased Colin’s signature blend of self-accountability, sharp-eyed preseason analysis, and optimism for well-managed franchises (Patriots, Seahawks). The conversation with Matt Hasselbeck offered both ex-player perspective and entertaining NFL stories, grounding bold predictions with hard-won wisdom. The biggest stories: coaching and culture can make or break teams—especially young QBs; the Patriots are positioned to rebound fast; and the situation in Cincinnati and LA (Rams) may get dire if leadership and injuries aren’t addressed.