The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE HERD - Hour 3 - Eric Mangini Stops by The Herd
Date: January 9, 2026
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd features a guest appearance by former NFL head coach and analyst Eric Mangini. Colin Cowherd and Mangini take a deep dive into NFL playoff narratives, the evolution of quarterback development, the pressures facing elite franchises and coaches, and tactical nuances for key playoff teams. The hour is filled with candid insights, bold predictions, and strategic analysis, maintaining Cowherd’s engaging, quick-paced and highly opinionated tone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Evolution of Young Quarterbacks

• Colin Cowherd reflects on how high school and college football have changed, producing NFL-ready quarterbacks earlier than in past eras.

  • “It just feels like it’s a different experience gap. More games, more practices, more coaching, more tutoring, more film study now than 20 years ago.” (03:25)

• Eric Mangini discusses the learning curve for rookie quarterbacks and the expectations in year two.

  • “In year two, once they get over that learning curve, especially if you’re in the same system, you should take a significant jump... Where Drake May’s really benefited is the fact that he gets someone like Josh McDaniels and Mike Vrabel—two experienced guys.” (04:22)

Notable Quote:

“It’s really hard to be successful as a rookie quarterback in the NFL... once they get over that learning curve, you should take a significant jump if you’re of the talent level that they expected.” —Eric Mangini [04:22]

2. Superstar Quarterbacks and Franchise Standards

• Josh Allen and the Bills: Colin and Mangini discuss how elite QBs raise the bar for whole organizations—the focus moves from regular season to Super Bowl-or-bust expectations.

  • Cowherd: “The only downside to getting a superstar quarterback is the standard changes and the standard becomes January...” (05:45)
  • Mangini: “You’re absolutely right. When you’ve got a great quarterback, the expectation is you’re going to be competing for Super Bowls every single season.” (07:12)

• Mangini notes the context of facing other elite QBs (e.g., Mahomes for Allen; Tom Brady for Peyton Manning in the past), and how playoff exits are evaluated based on performance, not just results.

  • “If he goes in and plays a great game and walks off the field with the lead, and then the defense gives up a touchdown, it’s hard to say, hey, this guy is the problem...” (07:12)

3. Coaching Philosophy: Shanahan’s Play Sheet Flexibility

• Cowherd brings up Kyle Shanahan’s 12-44 record when trailing at halftime, proposing his inflexibility with his play sheet as the key flaw.

  • “My knock on Shanahan for years... he creates the first or second best play sheet in the league, but he’s not real flexible with it... If you’re trailing at half, he’s not going to say, out with the play sheet. That’s not who he is.” (08:04)

• Mangini agrees, sharing a story about Ron Erhardt’s “Fine 15” backup plays to counter inflexible game plans.

  • “In case of emergency, break glass, you’ve got the fine 15 that you can go to... something you know the guys can execute even without a lot of practice.” (09:08)

Notable Quote:

“If everything you thought was going to work isn’t, this is something you know the guys can go execute even without a lot of practice.” —Eric Mangini [09:08]

4. Playoff Preview: Bears-Packers & Coaching Pressure

• Discussion on the Bears-Packers matchup: Green Bay favored despite a four-game losing streak and adverse weather, with Cowherd leaning Chicago due to run game and line play.

  • “Green Bay is favored and they’re on a four-game losing streak... Better O-line and better run game is Chicago, and the weather’s lousy.” (14:19)

• Mangini’s historical perspective: Comparing past quarterback transitions and Power dynamics in Green Bay.

  • “This has played out in the past where the expectations become gigantic because you think you have the next great quarterback... Pressure ramps up significantly.” (15:13)

5. NFL Head Coach Openings: Harbaugh, Vrabel, Stefanski

• Hypothetical coaching carousel: Cowherd and Mangini debate which open jobs John Harbaugh should prioritize if he leaves Baltimore, referencing resource-rich spots like the Raiders.
  • “This may sound strange, but the Raiders could be very attractive... You’ve got the number one overall pick, a veteran quarterback in Geno... over $100 million in CAP money, possibly Tom Brady as a moderating influence.” (17:44)

6. Steelers vs. Texans: The Experience Factor

• Previewing Steelers playoff chances, with Cowherd praising Aaron Rodgers’ late-season form.

  • “I give the Steelers a fighting chance against Houston, a team that settles for a lot of field goals in the red zone.” (18:52)

• Mangini’s Breakdown: Detailed play analysis from a key third-down conversion shows why experience (Rodgers, Tomlin) could be Pittsburgh’s edge—despite statistical disadvantages.

  • “The experience is going to have to carry the day here... This is going to be won by Pittsburgh. It’s going to be the experience of Aaron Rodgers... and even the experience of coaching the playoffs with Mike Tomlin.” (19:34)

Memorable Moment:

Mangini’s chalk-talk style breakdown of the Steelers’ change-up against the Ravens defense on third-and-eight – highlighting Rodgers’ ability to diagnose and exploit coverages. [19:34–22:46]

7. Coaching Power: Should Harbaugh Get Total Control?

• Report that John Harbaugh wants $20M salary, $10M for his staff, total roster control, and a handpicked GM if he takes the Browns job.
  • Cowherd: “That’s too much power for a coach... I would be willing to give my coach a lot of money. $20 million is not ridiculous... but I’m not going to let him handpick the GM. I want him to have a say, but not ultimate authority.” (24:18)

8. Playoff Picks and QB Narratives

• J Mac and Cowherd run down key playoff matchups, fading first-time playoff QBs in favor of experience (e.g., Packers over Bears, Rams over Panthers).

  • “There is a theme... I’m going to be fading first time playoff quarterbacks... 19-37-1, they do not do well.” (36:49)

• Detailed logic for each pick (Rams, Packers, Eagles, Chargers, Texans), blending stats, recent form, and coaching angles.

  • “Everything about this matchup for the Chargers screams success. The Patriots don’t get to the quarterback... If they can matriculate the ball down the field with Vidal Sassoon and Mr. Hampton, I think they’re going to be fine.” (38:26)

9. Notable Statistical Nuggets

• Mike Tomlin’s tough playoff record: “Last six playoff games — 0–6 straight up, 0–6 against the spread. They’re not competitive.” (40:04)
• Rematch theory in college football: “Teams are 1–6 in the rematch after winning the first game; the one win was Ole Miss over Tulane.” (29:21)
• Shanahan trailing stat: “1–32 when trailing by a touchdown or more since he’s been in San Francisco.” (08:04)

Selected Notable Quotes

• “When you’ve got a great quarterback, the expectation is you’re going to be competing for Super Bowls every single season. And this year, Colin, is so different. He’s the only superhero left in the AFC. Burrow’s home. Lamar’s home. Mahomes is home. He’s it. All these other guys, they’re vying for it. He’s it.” —Eric Mangini [07:55]

• “In case of emergency, break glass, you’ve got the fine 15 that you can go to.” —Eric Mangini, explaining flexibility in play-calling [09:08]

• “You get to play your brother twice. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. But from a pure resource standpoint and the ability to answer the quarterback question right now... you could be competitive pretty quickly in Las Vegas.” —Eric Mangini on Raiders head coach appeal [18:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |------------------------------------------------------|-----------| | Evolution of Quarterbacks & Year 2 Expectations | 03:25–05:45 | | Josh Allen/Bills and Superstar QB Standards | 05:45–07:55 | | Shanahan’s Inflexibility Discussion | 08:04–10:21 | | Bears-Packers Playoff Stakes and Coaching Pressure | 14:19–16:47 | | Harbaugh Head Coach Openings Discussion | 17:44–18:52 | | Steelers-Texans Matchup Breakdown (Mangini Analysis) | 19:34–22:46 | | Harbaugh’s Demands & Coaching Power Debate | 24:18–25:55 | | Playoff Picks: J Mac & Colin’s Analysis | 34:03–43:10 |

Recurring Themes & Tone

• Candid, sharp analysis of NFL trends, especially the shifting expectations for young quarterbacks.
• Persistent focus on experience vs. hype: Are “next generation” QBs and coaches really ahead of schedule?
• Blunt evaluation of coaching authority—cautionary tales for too much power in one job.
• Betting angle: fading first-time playoff QBs; using recent trends and franchise history to inform picks.
• The tone is brisk, irreverent, and fact-filled, with both Colin and Mangini providing personal anecdotes and league stories.

For Listeners: Key Takeaways

• The leap from rookie to year two is massive for QBs—Drake May is a case study.
• Playoff expectations are higher than ever in today’s NFL for teams with star quarterbacks.
• Coaches like Shanahan may need more “break glass” flexibility, especially when trailing.
• Leadership and roster control in NFL front offices must be balanced to avoid pitfalls seen elsewhere.
• First-time playoff quarterbacks often underperform—betting against them is historically profitable.
• Experience, especially at QB and head coach, can be a playoff X-factor—see Pittsburgh, Green Bay, Rams.

Recommended for listeners who want expert Xs and Os, predictive insights for this year’s NFL playoffs, and thoughtful discussion of coaching strategy and league trends—all delivered with Colin Cowherd's trademark candor.