The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3

Date: November 21, 2025
Main Theme:
Colin Cowherd and Jason McIntyre break down the week’s biggest NFL stories, focusing on coaching candidates, quarterback evaluations, tension within high-profile locker rooms, and predictions for the upcoming games (“Tomorrow’s Headlines Today”). Senior NFL reporter Albert Breer from The MMQB joins Colin to lend his insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lane Kiffin’s NFL Prospects & College-NFL Coaching Pipeline

[04:12–06:25]

• Colin kicks off by speculating about Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin’s potential transition to the NFL, suggesting it’s a cleaner exit than moving within the SEC.
• Albert Breer confirms Kiffin has longstanding NFL interest. NFL once considered him for assistant roles post-Alabama stint, especially during the surge of college-influenced offenses in the league’s “Chip Kelly Philadelphia era.”
  • Breer: “There was a point where the NFL was interested in him as an assistant… if word got out he wanted to go pro again, teams would absolutely show interest.” (05:04)

2. Sam Darnold’s Standing in Seattle

[06:25–09:38]

• Colin analyzes whether Seattle, with a “stacked roster,” should take a big draft swing at QB, given John Schneider’s reputation for bold moves and scouting quarterbacks even during Russell Wilson’s prime.
• Albert Breer sees Darnold as entrenched, affordable, and highly productive—“seventh in NFL passer rating, first in yards per attempt.”
  • Breer: “He’s elevated Jackson Smith-Njigba… He’s everything they wanted and he’s relatively affordable… They have him under contract for the next couple years… I just don’t think they’re going to do it right now.” (07:50)
• Bottom line: Seattle isn’t likely to upend a good thing at QB just yet.

3. Shedeur Sanders’ Make-or-Break Start for the Browns

[09:38–12:07]

• Topic: Speculation about Shedeur Sanders’ NFL readiness and whether an ugly start against the Raiders would end his chances to start again soon.
• Albert Breer outlines the challenge:
  • “This is an audition, but I think there’s a relatively high bar. He’s got to play well; it can’t just be so-so.”
  • Points out recurring flaws: “Doesn’t have great sense, bails out of the pocket, habits that scouts flagged all showed up…”
  • “If he breaks those habits and plays well, maybe they consider starting him beyond this week. If not, back to being a developmental player.” (10:18)

4. Buffalo Bills Under Pressure after Latest Loss

[12:07–15:24]

• Colin calls out Bills’ stagnant offense: “Josh Allen got hit 12 times. No deep threat. Drafted only defense. You can’t keep losing to C-level quarterbacks.”
• Albert Breer draws a Tony Dungy/Tampa comparison—Bucs kept knocking on the door until ownership was forced to make a bold change.
  • “Josh Allen is the Bills’ version of what Tampa had in defense. You keep knocking on the door and he’s getting older. The pressure is on to maximize him.”
  • He attributes issues to coaching, lack of playmakers—the urgency is mounting for both Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott. (13:07)

5. Philadelphia Eagles’ Locker Room Dynamics & Nick Sirianni’s Real Value

[15:24–17:56]

• Topic: Recent aggressive Philly media questioning of A.J. Brown, whispers about locker room tension (Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, Jalen Carter).
• Albert Breer:
  • “The fissures are there, but they’ve always been there. That locker room’s got a lot of big egos… This is where Sirianni is valuable. He manages people.”
  • “His value isn’t as a schemer or play-caller, but in managing egos and dealing with brushfires.”
  • Compares Sirianni to Mike Tomlin in this regard.
  • “Eagles will manage it for now and revisit A.J. Brown’s future after the season.” (16:06)

6. Jalen Hurts—Not “One of the Guys”?

[24:17–25:21]

• Jason McIntyre asks about locker room chemistry.
• Colin Cowherd: “I was told by someone close to the executive suite, Jalen [Hurts] is not hang out with the guys. He can be a little robotic, very mature for his age. Not Russell Wilson, but ‘prepared lines’—he’s not the most well-loved guy.”
• Tone: Emphasizes “not disliked,” but Hurts is distant, not one of the core locker room social group.

7. Ben Johnson & Caleb Williams—Not a Perfect Fit?

[25:23–27:44]

• Colin and Jason discuss reports of friction between Bears’ coach Ben Johnson and rookie QB Caleb Williams.
• ESPN’s Diana Russini and others report GMs worried Caleb won’t play on time within scheme.
• Colin: “If you’re asking what Ben Johnson would like, it’s play in structure, 67% completions, [but] enough mobility. That’s not really Caleb. Chicago’s so starved for offense, any progress is popular, but this has never been a perfect fit.” (27:09)

8. Giants’ QB Health, Interim Coaching Dynamics

[27:44–29:26]

• Jackson Dart (NYG QB) ruled out—Jameis Winston to start.
• Colin: “Dayball needed to play Dart; Kafka will do the opposite as interim, protecting the young QB.”
• Jason: “Kafka’s forced to play Dart if he wants to keep his job, but you’re not winning with Jameis. No choice.”
• Vegas line jumps with Dart ruled out—Lions now heavy favorites.

9. J.J. McCarthy’s Growing Pains & Vikings’ QB Woes

[29:26–31:34]

• Colin and Jason debate the Vikings’ situation with J.J. McCarthy—low completion percentages, high picks, public criticism from a Vikings legend (Chris Carter).
• Jason: “McCarthy stock is down bad. Once GMs and coaches get defensive, someone got too close to the truth.”

Tomorrow’s Headlines Today: Week 12 NFL Predictions

[37:03–45:19] JMAC (Jason McIntyre) and Colin run through this week’s NFL matchups:

• Lions vs. Giants:

  • “Goff the Top Rope: Lions claw back. 13 straight wins and covers after a loss, Sam LaPorta injured but Giants defense is terrible. Lions in a blowout.” (37:25)

• Seahawks at Titans:

  • “Jabigsaw Puzzle: Seahawks solve Titans. Sam Darnold and co. will roll, Tennessee is quitting on the season.” (38:39)

• Patriots at Bengals:

  • “Drink it Till You Make It: Patriots cover big, Drake Maye is thriving, Bengals D is terrible.” (40:00)

• Falcons at Saints:

  • “Dunkirk: Saints go to war on Falcons, Kirk Cousins struggles, Saints load the box, win with margin.” (41:15)

• Bucs at Rams:

  • “Stafford Ability Crisis: Rams will handle Tampa, Stafford eats up defensive pressure, Rams a quiet Super Bowl contender.” (42:43)

• Colin observes that backup QBs are playing better than ever, contributing to more coverable spreads and more points—“It used to be your backup was kind of Tyrod Taylor, now even Mac Jones can win a shootout.” (43:53)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Albert Breer on Lane Kiffin’s NFL prospects [05:04]:
  “If word got out there that he was really interested in going to the NFL...I do think NFL teams would show an interest in him.”

• Colin on Jalen Hurts’ locker room fit [24:30]:
  “He’s not the most well-loved guy. Doesn’t mean he’s disliked. But he’s not one of the guys.”

• Albert Breer on Sirianni’s management skills [16:06]:
  “His value isn’t as a quarterback developer… it’s his ability to manage people and deal with brush fires… Like Mike Tomlin.”

• Breer’s note on Josh Allen and Bills’ window [13:07]:
  “When you’ve got a talent like this...you keep knocking on the door and he’s getting older. The pressure is on everyone to continue to put the best team around him.”

• Cowherd on the QB crisis league-wide [45:19]:
  “There are 10 teams...where you have three to four maybe unwatchable teams. It’s 10 now… If you don’t have one (a QB), you can’t compete.”

Timestamps of Major Segments

• [04:12] Lane Kiffin NFL speculation with Albert Breer
• [06:25] Sam Darnold’s status with Seahawks
• [09:38] Shedeur Sanders’ make-or-break moment
• [12:07] Bills’ mounting pressure and Josh Allen’s timeline
• [15:24] Eagles’ locker room tension and Sirianni’s people skills
• [24:30] Jalen Hurts is “not one of the guys”
• [25:23] Ben Johnson-Caleb Williams Bears fit
• [27:44] Giants QB situation and coaching philosophies
• [29:26] J.J. McCarthy & Vikings analysis
• [37:03] Tomorrow’s Headlines Today NFL picks and predictions
• [43:53] The rise of backup QBs, changing NFL points landscape

Summary

This episode expertly weaves high-level NFL strategy (coaching moves, draft evaluations, and team-building philosophy) with on-the-ground realities of NFL locker rooms, all served with Colin Cowherd’s trademark bluntness and Jason McIntyre’s sharp analysis. Albert Breer’s inside reporting elevates the conversation, especially on sensitive locker room topics and the evolving nature of key NFL franchises. Essential listening for anyone wanting to keep a strategic finger on the pulse of the league and an eye on what’s coming next.