The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 2 (Jan 19, 2026)

Episode Theme:
This hour dives into Colin's signature "Where Colin Was Right & Wrong" NFL segment, mid- and post-season reflections, and a lengthy, insightful discussion with Matt Hasselbeck on head coach firings, QB evaluation, NFL playoff teams, and what the latest moves mean for key franchises. The hour is driven by sharp analysis, informed speculation, and real-talk coach/quarterback breakdowns, all in Cowherd’s energetic, opinionated style.

Where Colin Was Right & Wrong

Timestamps: 03:24–08:31

Right: Denver Broncos & Bo Nix

• Colin predicted the Broncos would upend the Chiefs and win the AFC West, crediting Bo Nix and Coach Sean Payton for sticking with him.
  • “Bo Nix was the leading rusher. He had a really bad month stretch in the season…But Sean Payton never doubted him.” (03:25)
  • Emphasizes Denver and Nix are “for real.”

Wrong: Josh Allen’s Turnovers

• Acknowledges Allen's talent but faults him for critical errors:
  • “You can't have four turnovers. He presses in key spots…he missed Dawson Knox late. That’s why you have a veteran star quarterback.” (04:08)
  • Notes key QB metric: whoever lost the turnover battle lost this weekend.

Right: Patriots’ Rise

• Believes in Patriots’ toughness and resilience despite national skepticism.
  • “People want their playoff teams to be spectacular and what they are is tough and resilient…they just make one or two wildly dramatic great plays.” (04:40)

Wrong: CJ Stroud’s Regression

• Even as a Stroud defender, Colin admits his backslide is clear:
  • “It’s not just mistakes—it’s the kind of mistake he’s making…In two playoff games he completed 52% of his throws and had seven giveaways.” (05:21)

Right: Seattle Seahawks

• Lauds Seattle’s management and young talent.
  • “Why I love their GM…I think Sam Darnold was a massive athletic upgrade over Geno Smith…they don’t miss on draft picks. This roster is stacked.” (06:03)

Right: Matt LaFleur Security

• Disregarded rumors about LaFleur’s job in Green Bay:
  • “He’s off to the second-best start in league history through the first seven years of being a head coach…Matt LaFleur cannot be fired.” (06:41)

Wrong: Bears Underrating

• Admits to underselling Chicago in his playoff power rankings:
  • “I was totally impressed with Dennis Allen’s defense…Chicago is in a great spot going forward and could have very easily won.” (07:22)

Right: Kevin Stefanski

• Called Stefanski the top coaching candidate before Harbaugh entered market.
  • “Two-time coach of the year in Cleveland. Say that out loud. It’s hard to do.” (07:58)

Right: Dante Moore Draft Projection

• Didn’t buy hype on Moore as a No. 1 pick and explains why he thinks Oregon keeps their QB.
  • “If you're smart, you look at the New York Jets situation…that is not a place any young 20-year-old quarterback would want to go.” (08:31)

Matt Hasselbeck Interview: Coach & QB Fallout

Timestamps: 09:26–25:35

1. Sean McDermott’s Dismissal (Buffalo Bills)

• Hasselbeck: "A big surprise…I could just say this as a player who’s been on teams where they fire the head coach, man, do you feel guilty." (09:26)
• He notes Allen will feel responsible, predicts a more “buttoned-up” version of him going forward.
• Cowherd: Sees the dismissal as a search for greatness, not just “really good,” when you have a star QB (09:26).

2. Denver Broncos—QB Situation

• Bo Nix’s mobility is a real loss to Denver with Jarrett Stidham stepping in:
  • Colin: “This is a big ask, is it not, for Denver?”
  • Hasselbeck: “Bo Nix is unbelievably underrated…Jared Stidham, he’s…not a statue back there.” (11:33)
• Illuminating metaphor: “Sometimes as a backup QB it’s like you study for a final, and every week you turn in the paper, but it gets thrown in the trash. Now, here it is.” (12:20)

3. Chicago Bears’ Growth & QB Development

• Cowherd: “Caleb looks so much more comfortable…”
• Hasselbeck: “Night and day from last year…one of the best things is quarterback development as you’re winning games.” (13:38)
  • Praises “the triad: the GM, the head coach, and the quarterback.”
  • Lavishes leader/playcaller Ben Johnson with respect, suggesting “everyone’s trying to find another Ben Johnson.”

4. Rams’ Efficiency in Adversity

• Rams played a “clean” game in harsh weather: no penalties, turnover-free, no dropped passes.
  • Hasselbeck: “There’s a phrase in QB rooms: ‘KYP – Know Your Personnel’…Matthew Stafford is as good as they come that way, he’s next level.” (15:32)

5. Seattle Seahawks’ Transformation

• Cowherd: “I look at Seattle and I’m not sure where…the weakness is.”
• Hasselbeck: “Two years ago they weren't good on defense. They were atrocious…The biggest difference…I was most impressed with in the 49er game: poise. They are singularly focused on one mission, and that’s getting the win… mob mentality.” (17:09)

6. Patriots Analogies & the ‘Triad’

• Cowherd: Compares current Patriots to old Belichick-Brady teams: “They just make enough splashy plays to beat you…”
  • Hasselbeck: “The magic is what they’ve done with Drake May…he’s been one of the top quarterbacks in the entire NFL.” (19:27)
  • Again extols the importance of “the triad”: GM, coach, QB.

7. Buffalo Head Coach Candidates & the Allen Connection

• Cowherd: Favors Brian Daboll for Buffalo: “That feels like [Daboll] is built for that kind of intensity…”
  • Hasselbeck: “Day Ball plus Josh Allen has proven to be a successful thing…In fact, I would say he’s the leader in the clubhouse.” (21:37)

8. Playoff Picture & Rams-Seahawks Showdown

• Hasselbeck: “If you say what do you most likely expect to happen? I think [Seahawks vs. Patriots Super Bowl] is the most likely outcome.” (22:38)
• Notes Seahawks’ special teams as a differentiator in a razor-thin matchup with the Rams; “special teams has been a huge factor.” (23:19)
• Hasselbeck (on Seattle’s Rashid Shaheed): “We just can't have you wreck the game…he’s been that kind of player for Seattle.” (25:13)

Notable Quotes

• On team-building: “When you get the GM right, the head coach right, and the quarterback right—one heartbeat, one vision…that’s what Chicago has right now.” – Matt Hasselbeck (13:59)
• On backup QBs: “Sometimes as a backup quarterback, the feeling is, you study for a final… and you never get your opportunity…Now here it is.” – Matt Hasselbeck (12:20)
• On Patriots’ culture: “The magic is what they’ve done with Drake May…he’s been one of the top quarterbacks in the entire NFL. And there’s still a lot of room for improvement…” – Matt Hasselbeck (20:00)

NFL Takeaways: Coaching, Turnarounds, and the League of Hope

Timestamps: 27:07–30:28

• Colin criticizes the NFL’s culture of patience and long-term plans: “Patience is a virtue. Virtues don't win playoff games…there is no such thing as a five year plan in the NFL.” (27:07)
  • Cites recent quick turnarounds: Chicago, New England, Denver, Houston.
  • “If you find the right coach, upgrade, and pivot…eight months later, you can be a number one seed. It is the league of hope.” (29:41)

Quarterback & Franchise Discussion

Timestamps: 30:32–39:51

1. C.J. Stroud’s Regression & Uncertain Future

• J. Mac/Colin: Four interceptions vs Patriots—Colin faults Stroud’s “careless” play. (30:32)
• Stroud (audio): “I just feel like I let people down…I gotta get that fixed…” (30:59)
• Colin: Suggests Stroud’s lack of growth may delay his extension and that his “ecosystem” in Houston isn’t optimal.
  • “C.J. Stroud with time throws a beautiful ball…but he has regressed.” (34:19)
• Speculation about Stroud’s long-term Houston future and agent influence; rumors of potential move to the Rams for a ‘California native’ return.

2. Eagles’ Locker Room & Jalen Hurts

• Colin: Asserts inside source paints Hurts as not beloved in the Eagles locker room, likening his situation to Russell Wilson’s in Seattle.
  • “I had a great source…who said, keep your eye on Hurts. If they struggle, there’s a lot of pushback in that locker room.” (35:11)
• Discusses Brian Daboll as a candidate for both Buffalo (head coach) and Philadelphia (offensive coordinator).

The Rams’ Resourcefulness

Timestamps: 40:40–43:02

• Colin singles out the LA Rams as the most resourceful playoff team—citing their enormous production from late-round and undrafted players.
  • “This is buying a lot of $7 stocks. You look up and they’re $24 a share.” (41:15)
  • Praises Sean McVay's coaching and organizational acumen.
• Sean McVay (audio): “There’s no style points. It’s about being able to survive and advance…we were able to do that in a tough, hostile environment.” (42:35)
• Observes that health is defining playoff teams now; Seahawks, Patriots, and Rams are notably healthy.

Chicago Bears: Bright Future

Timestamps: 43:02–45:25

• Colin hails the Bears’ clarity and readiness:
  • “They could move one of their wide receivers and get more picks. Chicago’s vision now is very clear. This draft: edge rusher, another corner, a linebacker that moves well. Chicago set.” (44:35)
• Bears fans can be uniquely optimistic, both about leadership and roster.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On NFL turnaround speed:

  • "There are five year contracts. That doesn't mean there's five year plans." — Colin (27:07)

• On the “triad” of franchise building:

  • "When you get the GM right, the head coach right, and the quarterback right—one heartbeat, one vision… that's what Chicago has right now." — Matt Hasselbeck (13:59)

• On patience in the NFL:

  • "Patience is a virtue. Virtues don't win playoff games." — Colin (27:07)

• On C.J. Stroud’s decline:

  • "He has regressed." — Colin (34:19)

• On the Rams:

  • "They just squeeze every ounce of talent." — Colin (42:00)

Key Segment Timestamps

• Where Colin Was Right & Wrong: 03:24–08:31
• Matt Hasselbeck Interview: 09:26–25:35
• League Turnarounds/Coaching Changes: 27:07–30:28
• C.J. Stroud, Hurts, and QBs: 30:32–39:51
• Rams’ Draft/Resourcefulness: 40:40–43:02
• Chicago Bears’ Future: 43:02–45:25

Tone & Style

• Colin’s tone is energetic, declarative, wryly humorous, and self-reflective—he celebrates his hits and owns his misses.
• Matt Hasselbeck brings a player’s empathy and a coach’s clarity: detailed, honest, emphasizing locker room dynamics and leadership structures.
• The hour is fact-packed, lively, and driven by fresh, inside-the-league observations, making it accessible and insightful for fans who missed the live show.

Summary prepared for listeners seeking an in-depth and engaging recap without filler.