The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hour 3 - Drew Brees Stops By The Herd
Date: January 26, 2026
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts & The Volume)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd centers on the aftermath of the NFL Championship round, major storylines in the league, and a featured guest segment with legendary quarterback Drew Brees. The hour blends analysis of recent NFL games—including a deep dive on Matt Stafford’s playoff performance, the Rams’ roster questions, and the upcoming Super Bowl—alongside broader reflections on quarterback development, coaching, and leadership in football. The conversation is informed, lively, and peppered with personal anecdotes and insider perspectives, particularly from Brees.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Divisional Playoffs Fallout: Rams, Seahawks, and Devonte Adams’ Emotions

• Devonte Adams’ Postgame Emotions ([03:03])
  • Adams, now 0-5 in NFC championships, was emotional after the Rams’ loss to Seattle. His dedication to the team and heartbreak over coming up short were evident.
  • "I love this team. I love what this team is about and the fight that we had all year. It just sucks to come up short." —Devonte Adams ([03:26])
• Special Teams as the Rams’ Achilles Heel ([03:48])
  • J. Mac and Colin agree the Rams have a talented squad but were repeatedly let down by special teams.
  • Offseason needs identified: another receiver, at least one more cornerback, and a top-tier special teams coach—reflecting how close the team is to NFC dominance.

2. Eagles OC Vacancy and NFL Coaching Trends

• Struggles to Fill the Eagles OC Job ([05:20])
  • High expectations and unstable job security under head coach Nick Sirianni deter top candidates.
  • "The Eagles do a lot of things that poorly run teams do. It just works for them because they’re really well owned and smartly run by Howie Roseman." —Colin Cowherd ([06:23])
  • Some believe the job is still a launchpad (Shane Steichen, Kellen Moore as examples), but it’s generally seen as a stepping stone for up-and-comers, not established coaches.

3. Pro Bowl Critique and Player Selections

• Shadour Sanders Named Pro Bowler, Pro Bowl Devalued ([08:24])
  • Shadour Sanders, a fifth-round rookie, is named a Pro Bowler despite modest stats.
  • "It's over. The Pro Bowl officially is cooked…we will not do this again on the show. We will not say, 'He made three Pro Bowls.' Doesn't matter." —J. Mac ([08:53])
  • Colin admits he doesn’t watch the Pro Bowl, highlighting its entertainment-focused direction and waning prestige.

4. Matt Stafford’s Legendary Performance Despite Playoff Loss

• Stafford's Aging in Reverse ([12:37])
  • Matt Hasselbeck and Colin marvel at Stafford’s resilience and performance, with Hasselbeck even joking: "He’s aging in reverse, Colin. I'd sign him for five more years…he looked better and younger than he's ever looked in his life." ([12:37])
• Implications for Stafford and the Rams ([13:08]–[17:12])
  • Stafford’s career postseason numbers with the Rams: 21 TDs, 4 INTs, 104 passer rating in 10 games.
  • The Rams now must pay Stafford, who has new leverage in a poor quarterback draft year.
  • “If you’re Matt Stafford, you’re going to come back, say, guys, I took one for the team. I want a two year deal.” —Colin Cowherd ([15:29])
• Sean McVay on Stafford's Future:

  "If he wants to, he's still playing at a pretty damn good clip. I mean, he's the MVP of the league." —Sean McVay ([16:55])

Drew Brees Interview: Highlights and Key Insights

1. Redemption Stories and Quarterback Development ([24:08]–[25:56])

• Sam Darnold’s Journey as an NFL Parable
  • Brees defends Darnold, citing adversity as crucial to development.
  • "There’s not a person I’ve met who knows Sam who doesn’t love him…guys like Sam Darnold and the journey he’s had…the adversity, it’s what inspires you." —Drew Brees ([24:08])

2. Psychology of Losing Big Despite Playing Well ([26:18])

• The Lingering Impact of Tough Playoff Losses
  • Brees empathizes with Stafford, recalling his own Purdue days and NFL experience.
  • "Any great competitor is always going to think about some of the ones that got away…there’s maybe a play or two that just kind of lingers." —Drew Brees ([26:57])
  • Recognizes the Rams' narrow margin and hopes Stafford keeps playing: "I hope Stafford keeps playing for another three, four years. That team is built to win." ([27:53])

3. Super Bowl Mindset and Team Identity ([28:06]–[31:18])

• New England and Seattle: Road Warriors with Strong Leadership
  • Brees lavishes praise on Mike Vrabel’s leadership for New England and Seattle's acquisitions, especially unsung contributors.
  • "Vrabel…uses the term 'protect our identity every time we step on the field.' That’s what they’ve done going on the road." —Drew Brees ([28:48])
  • Highlights Rashid Shaheed’s impact for Seattle and admires the team’s physical, relentless defensive style.

4. Managing Super Bowl Pressure and Preparation

• Navigating Super Bowl Hysteria
  • Brees recalls the Saints’ underdog mentality: “We truly felt like we were the better team. We were going to go out there and play aggressive and pull out all the stops…part of it is creating this us against the world mentality.” ([36:14])
  • Advises teams to maintain focus, embrace their identity, and channel external doubt as competitive fuel.

5. Defensive Head Coaches and Modern NFL Leadership ([37:10]–[40:17])

• Praise for Vrabel and McDonald as CEOs, Not Just Scheme Guys
  • Brees: Modern coaches must be CEOs, set standards, hold everyone accountable, and delegate to trusted coordinators.
  • “More so than ever with head coaches, it's about being a great CEO…It's about the mindset that it takes to win and adhering to a standard.” —Drew Brees ([39:10])

6. Analytics, Fourth Downs, and Game Management

• On Risky Coaching Decisions in Big Spots
  • Brees leans toward taking the points, particularly in high-stakes games against defense-centric opponents.
  • “In those types of games, you take points. You take the points.” —Drew Brees ([41:20])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• J. Mac on the Pro Bowl:
  “It's over. The Pro bowl officially is cooked…I don't want to hear anyone say, hey, he made three Pro Bowls.” ([08:53])

• Colin on Eagles Coordinator Turnover:
  “The Eagles do a lot of things that poorly run teams do. It just works for them because they're really well owned and smartly run by Howie Roseman.” ([06:23])

• Matt Hasselbeck on Matt Stafford:
  “He’s aging in reverse, Colin. I'd sign him for five more years.” ([12:37])

• Drew Brees on Sam Darnold:
  “Guys like Sam Darnold…wouldn't be the player or person he is right now if it wasn't for going through the adversity…It was that way for me with the San Diego Chargers. I got benched three times in 2003.” ([25:56])

• Drew Brees on Super Bowl Preparation:
  “We truly felt like we were the better team. Now we were going to go out there and play aggressive and pull out all the stops, hence the onside kick…creating this us against the world mentality.” ([36:14])

Key Timestamps

• [03:03] Devonte Adams reacts to NFC Championship loss
• [05:20] Eagles’ offensive coordinator job discussed
• [08:24] Shadour Sanders named Pro Bowler, show debates Pro Bowl's value
• [12:37] Matt Hasselbeck praises Stafford’s performance (“aging in reverse”)
• [16:55] Sean McVay on Stafford’s future
• [24:08] Drew Brees on Sam Darnold’s redemption arc
• [26:57] Brees on lingering effects of tough playoff losses
• [28:48] Brees on New England and Seattle as elite road teams and Vrabel’s culture
• [36:14] Brees on Super Bowl mentality, Saints-Colts underdog story
• [39:10] Brees on what makes a great modern NFL head coach
• [41:20] Brees on trusting points over risky fourth-down attempts

Tone and Style

Colin Cowherd leads with his trademark blend of insight, candor, and narrative. The conversation is rich with football strategy and psychology, featuring respectful debates (especially on analytics), playful banter (on the Pro Bowl), and personal reflections (Brees on adversity and competition). Brees brings a measured, relatable wisdom, staying humble about his own journey while offering encouragement and respect for today’s players and coaches.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode offers an in-depth look at the shifting fortunes of NFL stars and franchises in 2026, layering spirited analysis with personal stories from Drew Brees. If you want to understand the nuances behind the NFC contenders, see how leadership and adversity shape the NFL’s best, or simply enjoy sharp, relatable sports talk, this hour delivers.