Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode Title: THE HERD - Hour 3 - Buffalo Bills coaching situation, Josh Allen's window, Albert Breer
Date: November 13, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest/Contributor: Albert Breer (Monday Morning Quarterback)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd dives deeply into the current state of the NFL, focusing on key franchises at coaching crossroads, quarterback windows, and evolving front office priorities. Colin Cowherd and Albert Breer analyze the Buffalo Bills' Sean McDermott "hot seat" scenario, Josh Allen's window for playoff success, the ongoing situation with the Green Bay Packers and Matt LaFleur, and the Giants' coaching audition for Mike Kafka. They discuss the NFL’s evolving quarterback carousel, trade possibilities, and provide lively debate around NBA player comparisons (specifically Austin Reaves' status). The episode is a fast-moving blend of insider information, opinion, and NFL speculation heading into a decisive football weekend.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Buffalo Bills: McDermott's Future & the Josh Allen Window

• Coaching Reputation vs. Playoff Success

  • Sean McDermott compared to coaches like Chuck Knox, Marty Schottenheimer, and Tony Dungy—excellent in regular seasons, but lacking post-season breakthroughs (08:00–11:07).
  • Quote:
    • "Not all coaches that get fired are bad coaches. ...The two examples I have used to comp Sean McDermott are Chuck Knox and Marty Schottenheimer."
      —Colin Cowherd (08:01)
  • Breer feels there is not an imminent "hot seat" in Buffalo, but the expectations are mounting due to Allen's exceptional talent and the Bills’ recent performance plateau.

• Tony Dungy Analogy

  • Breer points out, “It didn’t mean Tony Dungy couldn’t coach, but...they trade for Jon Gruden, they win a Super Bowl the next year. ...That’s the one that I think of when I’m thinking of this situation.” (10:09)

2. QB Market & Mac Jones as a “Reclamation Project”

• With few top QBs expected in the coming draft, expect trade interest in "known quantities" like Mac Jones (06:34–08:00, 22:33).

• “I think Mac Jones is our next reclamation project. What do you think the Niners do?” —Colin Cowherd (05:56)

• A list of teams (Minnesota, Indianapolis, possibly others) may look for a Sam Darnold/Baker Mayfield/Daniel Jones-type mid-career quarterback reset.

• Breer: “You look at these reclamation projects… I think the Niners would look at moving [Mac Jones] to get some draft capital because they have to get younger…” (06:42)

3. Giants’ Coaching Situation: Kafka's Audition

• Interim Coach “Bump”
  • Colin: “It’s my substitute teacher, the interim coach. Everybody always loves him. And then 75% chance, the Giants are like, you know what? He’s our guy.” (19:39)
• Wide Hiring Net & Joe Shane’s Miami Experience
  • Breer: “...I would pay attention to the general manager’s history. Okay? Joe Shane was in Miami in 2015. ...The interim coach there was Dan Campbell … and then they wind up saying, nah, you know what, we’re going to go with Adam Gase. So look, I think that they’re going to cast a very wide net here.” (20:39–21:57)

4. Packers, LaFleur, and New Front Office Energy

• “Is it absurd to question Matt LaFleur?” (16:18)
• Breer: “Number one is a changing of the guard at the top of the organization…they don’t extend LaFleur or the general manager, Brian Gutekunst, which naturally raises the question...does he want to bring in his own people?” (17:12)
• On trading for Micah Parsons and betting big on Jordan Love: “This is your 'all in' year...If you’re not performing to the standard, then … those questions naturally are going to come up…” (17:55)
• But Breer doubts LaFleur is on the verge of being let go, credits him with managing the “Aaron Rodgers mess” and developing Love.

5. NBA Detour: Austin Reaves as a Star?

• Colin starts a side debate on whether Austin Reaves qualifies as a “top-6 domestic player” — ultimately, both agree he doesn’t crack the NBA superstar tier (35:02–43:52).
• Quote:
  • “Are you a one on a championship team? ... I don’t think Austin Reaves is that.” —Albert Breer (38:21)
  • “Austin’s a team guy. Austin’s one of those guys that could be the third or fourth scoring option and be content with it.” —Albert Breer (43:01)
• J. Mac concedes, “Okay, I got excited. Top six, in hindsight...you can tell I’m a fan. I like underdogs.” (41:51)

6. Rapid Fire: Other Notable NFL Storylines

• AJ Brown’s Future in Philadelphia
  • Eagles chose not to trade him; might revisit in the offseason due to his value and knee concerns (04:42).
• Jets-Patriots/Drake Maye Thoughts
  • QB Drake Maye gets compared to Justin Herbert; possible MVP dark horse (23:34–24:31).
• Bo Nix Struggles
  • Podcast discusses his dip in completion percentage and the concern about his current ceiling (25:57–26:48).
• Jameis Winston’s New Role
  • “He is starting for the New York Giants. ...He’s a little wacky. He’s a little silly. ...He’ll be a smash hit on one of these shows.” —Colin Cowherd (28:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mid-tier QB Market:

  • “Some teams have looked at the idea, could Kyler Murray be available after the year? Could Tua Tungavaloa be available after the year?...You are going to have teams...looking to see if they can find their own version of Daniel Jones, Baker Mayfield or Sam Darnold.”
    —Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Albert Breer or co-host) (07:30)

• On the Giants' last-decade carousel:

  • “They replaced Tom Coughlin with the young, young offensive assistant. Ben McAdoo. That doesn’t work. They bring in the retread, Pat Shermer. That doesn’t work. They bring in the CEO type, Joe Judge. That doesn’t work. Then they go back to the offensive assistant now, Brian Daboll. That doesn’t work.”
    —Fox Sports Radio Host (possibly Albert Breer or co-host) (21:27)

• On the star/role player debate:

  • “I look at you, are you a one on a championship team? ... There's not many of those. ... We don't think Ant [Edwards] is. Jokic is. I think Wemby will be.”
    —Albert Breer (38:21)
  • “Austin’s a team guy. Austin's one of those guys that could be the third or fourth scoring option and be content with it. ...He already said I don't need a lot of money. So there are things about his psychology I do like.”
    —Albert Breer (43:01)

• Smashburger as a metaphor:

  • “Speaking of surgical execution, I’ve just made an executive decision. I’m having a Smashburger today. ...Today I’m going Smashburger.”
    —Albert Breer (29:06)

Important Segment Timestamps

• AJ Brown/Philly WR Dilemma: 04:42–05:56
• Mac Jones as Trade Candidate/Reclamation Project: 05:56–08:00, 22:33–23:04
• Bills' McDermott Hot Seat Analysis: 08:00–11:07
• Giants: Mike Kafka Audition and Franchise Trends: 19:05–22:24
• Packers/LaFleur and Front Office Changes: 16:18–19:05
• NBA Austin Reaves Discussion: 35:02–43:52
• Jets/Drake Maye Segment: 23:06–24:31
• Bo Nix Discussion: 25:35–26:48
• Jameis Winston as Giants Starter: 28:02–28:55

Episode Tone & Style

Colin Cowherd and Albert Breer maintain an opinionated, conversational, and sometimes playful tone, mixing sharp NFL analysis with inside references, analogies, and humorous asides (such as the Smashburger metaphor and zingers about veganism). The show moves quickly between big-picture strategy and granular player/team takes, frequently dropping in memorable one-liners and direct challenges to each other’s opinions.

Conclusion

This episode provides sharp insight into several of the NFL's most pressing storylines as the season turns into its decisive stretch: coaching hot seats (Buffalo, Green Bay, New York), the scarcity of elite quarterback prospects for 2026, and how these realities force teams to make tough and sometimes creative decisions. Peppered with strong NBA banter, this hour demonstrates why Cowherd and Breer remain among the sport’s most engaging and informed commentators.