THE HERD with Colin Cowherd

Episode Summary: Hour 3 - Albert Breer Joins The Herd, NFL Playoffs
Air Date: January 7, 2026
Guests: Albert Breer (Senior NFL Reporter, Monday Morning Quarterback)
Main Theme:
This episode dives deep into the seismic coaching changes across the NFL, specifically surrounding John Harbaugh’s firing by the Baltimore Ravens. Colin and Albert dissect the ramifications for the organization, the role of Lamar Jackson, implications for head coaching candidates, and the wider ripple effect on team philosophies, playoff pressure, and league-wide trends. They also explore job openings and fit, Josh Allen/Bills’ playoff window, and possible movement for coaches like Matt LaFleur.

1. John Harbaugh’s Firing in Baltimore & Fallout

[00:35 – 04:23]

• Context & Colin’s Take:
  Colin sets the stage discussing how shocking Harbaugh’s firing was, raising the question of whether the growing focus on Lamar Jackson contributed. He theorizes the franchise faced a tough cap situation with Lamar, and wonders aloud if the relationship was sustainable:

  “...John Harbaugh may have just, I'll throw a scenario. During a two hour meeting he said, ...‘I was 8 and 4 pre-Lamar in the playoffs. I'm 3 and 6. The cap hit’s huge. ...I could like Lamar as John Harbaugh, but push back on this. Lamar is everything. He is the base of everything.’”
  <span style="color:gray">— Colin Cowherd [01:02]</span>

• Albert’s Insight:
  Albert Breer emphasizes that the firing was not solely about Lamar. He notes Harbaugh had a strong relationship with Jackson, but the culture within the Ravens’ building shifted:

  “I just think the dynamic in the building had changed a little bit...John was a player's coach, but it was a tough, demanding place. ...It takes a certain type of player...there may have been a little bit of a disconnect there over the last couple of years that festered...”
  <span style="color:gray">— Albert Breer [02:16]</span>

• Ownership felt this year’s roster could have been the best in decades, making an 8-9 finish evidence of deeper issues.

2. Baltimore’s Coaching Search and Lamar’s Role

[04:23 – 07:00]

• Colin’s View:
  He argues Baltimore has a top-down strong culture and needs an offensive-minded coach, unlike the Giants who need a “culture builder.”

• Candidates for Ravens:
  Breer suggests Baltimore will cast a wide net, as they did before hiring Harbaugh. Names include:

  • Kevin Stefanski (Browns HC):
    “...you could look at Kevin Stefanski as somebody who could do that.” [05:46]
  • Clint Kubiak (Seattle Seahawks, OC):
    Cites Kubiak’s family legacy with the Ravens.
  • Brian Flores (Vikings DC):
    “...That guy looks like a Ravens coach. ...He carries himself as like a Ravens coach.”

• The new coach will be tasked with “moving the Raven identity forward.” Lamar will be a factor, but not making the final decision.

3. Coach Openings & Best Fits: Harbaugh, Giants, Raiders, Falcons

[08:23 – 11:13]

• Premium Jobs:
  Colin ranks the Baltimore opening as “Packers/Eagles level,” rarely available and very attractive. He also sees Giants, Raiders, Falcons as promising.

• Harbaugh’s Best Fit:
  Both agree the Giants feel like the strongest fit for John Harbaugh:

  “To me, John Harbaugh ... screams New York Giants. ...Buttoned up...strong idea of what he wants to build for in a culture.”
  <span style="color:gray">— Albert Breer [09:17]</span>

• Quarterback Assessment Crucial:
  The attractiveness of openings hinges on the current and future QB:

  “There’s nothing better in the NFL than having a rookie quarterback who can really play on his rookie contract. ...But there’s nothing worse than being invested in the wrong guy.”
  <span style="color:gray">— Albert Breer [10:03]</span>

• Coaches—Harbaugh included—will weigh the QB evaluation in considering these spots.

4. Playoff Pressure: Buffalo Bills and Coaching Futures

[11:13 – 13:50]

• Bills’ Crunch Time:
  Colin describes Buffalo as under immense pressure:

  “Everybody can lose this weekend except Buffalo, and boy, did they get a rough draw... They can’t defend the run, and the Jags run it...”
  <span style="color:gray">— Colin Cowherd [11:13]</span>

• A playoff loss to Jacksonville would put GM and coaching staff under review.
• Harbaugh to Buffalo?
  Breer floats the idea that a sudden opening in Buffalo (if they lose ugly and make changes) could lure John Harbaugh, given the allure of working with Josh Allen.

5. Matt LaFleur’s Security in Green Bay and Rumors

[13:50 – 17:24]

• Notable Quote:
  Colin reflects on the reputations of LaFleur, McVay, Shanahan from their days in Washington:

  “Shanahan was best schematically, McVay was the best culturally ... and LaFleur was the nicest guy—pretty good schemes, pretty good culture, but he wasn’t great at either. ...hard worker, bright guy.”
  <span style="color:gray">— Colin Cowherd [14:28]</span>

• Contract and President Change:
  Breer outlines that LaFleur is due a contract extension and there’s a new team president in place, raising the possibility—however slim—of change.

• Wild Card: Atlanta Connection:
  Albert suggests, if Atlanta’s new President of Football Ops is Matt Ryan (who played for LaFleur), and if Green Bay is slow to extend LaFleur, an Atlanta move isn’t impossible:

  “If Green Bay were to get eliminated and Atlanta senses, could there be an issue here? ...Could we work a trade?...Something to think about.”
  <span style="color:gray">— Albert Breer [16:02]</span>

• Colin says LaFleur would land on his feet “in 45 minutes” if he hit the market.

6. The Modern NFL Coaching Carousel

[30:46 – 33:13]

• Ownership Wealth & Impatience:
  Colin points to a new impulsiveness from modern billionaire owners: they’re less patient, leading to surprising firings and market competition for proven coaches.
• Surprising available candidates: Harbaugh, Stefanski, LaFleur, Vrabel.

  “Good coaches ... are being let go. … The global net worth, the global wealth—you're seeing it in the NFL where you get surprising hires.”
  <span style="color:gray">— Colin Cowherd [31:09]</span>

7. Lamar Jackson’s Reaction and Ravens’ Cap Situation

[23:13 – 25:48]

• Lamar’s Social Media Silence:
  Brendan points out Lamar's muted response to Harbaugh’s firing—no thanks or tribute, just a “year 8” post—fueling speculation on the state of their relationship.
• Cap Concerns:
  Brendan and Colin debate whether the Giants or Ravens offer a better future; Colin insists the Ravens’ talent and Pro Bowlers keep them ahead, but cap consequences loom.

8. Quick Takes on Coaching, Ownership, and Playoff Matchups

Jerry Jones and Dallas Cowboys

[21:01 – 22:57]

• Jones proclaims his goal to retire as the NFL owner with the most Super Bowls:

  “My goal in life is to retire as the owner that won the most Super Bowls...Got work to do.”
  <span style="color:gray">— Jerry Jones [21:18]</span>

• Colin and crew assert that Jones is no longer a top-10 owner—too public, doesn’t empower strong-willed coaches, is increasingly conservative.

Panthers vs. Rams Wild Card (Saturday)

[25:48 – 28:34]

• Rams are massive road favorites; Colin likes their firepower but says Panthers’ margins are thin and Carolina’s QB Bryce Young is “a bridge, not a franchise guy.”
• Panthers’ only shot is to run the ball heavily and hope for mistakes.

  “If you put the ten best players in this game, eight or nine are the Rams.”
  <span style="color:gray">— Colin Cowherd [27:23]</span>

Bears-Packers NFC North Tilt

[29:07 – 34:10]

• Injuries and inconsistency in Green Bay; Chicago's run-heavy approach could thrive in poor weather.

  “I think I lean Chicago. Windy weather favors the run game. … Packers haven’t won a game in a month.”
  <span style="color:gray">— Colin Cowherd [33:14]</span>

9. Notable Quotes & Dynamics

• “There's nothing more powerful...than having a rookie, young quarterback who can really play on his rookie contract. But there's also nothing worse than being invested in the wrong guy.”
  <span style="color:gray">— Albert Breer [10:03]</span>
• “The best owners...Jeffrey Lurie’s really good, Steve Bisciotti...They’re behind the scenes grinding. ...Jerry needs to do what they do.”
  <span style="color:gray">— Colin Cowherd & Brendan [22:50 – 23:13]</span>
• “If Matt LaFleur didn’t sign a deal, Matt LaFleur would be unemployed for about 45 minutes.”
  <span style="color:gray">— Colin Cowherd [32:43]</span>

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Harbaugh Out / Ravens’ Future: 00:35–07:00
• Coaching Carousel: Giants, Raiders, Falcons: 08:23–11:13
• Bills/Jaguars Pressure & Coaching Implications: 11:13–13:50
• Packers, LaFleur, Atlanta Connections: 13:50–17:24; 29:07–34:10
• Cowboys Ownership, Jerry Jones: 21:01–22:57
• Lamar & Ravens Cap Future: 23:13–25:48
• Panthers v. Rams Preview: 25:48–28:34

Overall Tone & Style

• Colin Cowherd: Opinionated, speculative, occasionally contrarian—poses big-picture questions about organizational philosophy amidst rapid league changes.
• Albert Breer: Analytical, willing to “connect the dots,” draws on reporting, focuses on nuanced factors underpinning key decisions.
• Panel (Brendan, Jonas): Add color, social media angles, cast speculation, fuel debate.

Conclusion

This episode, focused on the high drama of NFL coaching changes and playoff pressure, provides unique insider perspectives, candid speculation, and vivid analysis as the league enters a period of rapid transition and ruthless competitiveness. Through Cowherd’s probing and Breer’s expertise, listeners glean a frontline view of how organizations manage personnel, evaluate leadership, and navigate the modern, impatient NFL ecosystem.