The Herd with Colin Cowherd (Guest Hosts: Jason McIntyre & Rachel Nichols)

Hour 3 – Greg Jennings Stops By The Herd

Date: January 16, 2026
Podcast: The Herd with Colin Cowherd (iHeartPodcasts & The Volume)

Overview

Hour 3 of The Herd focuses on NFL divisional round storylines, examining major coaching dynamics, young quarterback performances, and off-field NFL drama. Jason McIntyre and Rachel Nichols host in place of Colin Cowherd, welcoming former NFL receiver Greg Jennings for candid analysis on the Packers’ playoff exit, the surging Chicago Bears with rookie QB Caleb Williams, Ben Johnson’s “say it with your chest” coaching style, Seahawks vs. Niners playoff implications, and NFL off-field news. Chris Felica (“The Bear”) joins later for betting insights and a quick CFB national championship preview.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Packers’ Playoff Loss & Bears’ Ascent

[02:41-05:43]

• Jason McIntyre: Opens with Greg Jennings reflecting on the Packers’ tough wild-card loss to the Bears and the narrative that Chicago is living a “charmed” season.
• Greg Jennings:
  • Acknowledges disappointment as a Packers alum.
  • Praises Caleb Williams and the Bears’ resilience:

    “They got a quarterback that’s playing lights out… A coaching staff that truly supports and believes in what they’re… capable of.” ([03:39])

  • Pushes back on the “luck” narrative:

    “It’s luck when it happens once, twice, maybe even a third time. When you make a habit of doing this… it becomes who you are and you live for those moments.” ([04:44])

2. Caleb Williams’ Rookie Performance

[05:16-06:48]

• Jason McIntyre: Wonders if Williams is another “young Josh Allen” and questions his 50% completion rate.
• Greg Jennings:
  • Sees big second-year potential, particularly with Ben Johnson’s scheme:

    “I think we will see a huge jump in his completion percentage just because of the comfort he will have in his second year… with those guys around him…” ([06:15])

3. Ben Johnson’s Brash Coaching—Is It Too Much?

[06:48-11:53]

• Jason McIntyre: Raises concern about Bears’ coach Ben Johnson’s “peacocking” — animated sideline demeanor, harsh public comments about Green Bay, and visible trash talk.
• Greg Jennings:
  • Admits Johnson is “taking it a bit far.”
  • Emphasizes rivalry context:

    “He’s full blown vested in this idea of ‘I do not like the Green Bay Packers, I don’t like Matt LaFleur, anything across the state line that goes into Wisconsin.’… Just understand you must maintain these winning ways…” ([07:32])

  • Acknowledges potential consequences of his bravado:

    “When you do things and make comments like that, it has reverberation across the league. We’ll see what happens this weekend.” ([09:25])

• On Whether Johnson is ‘Leaning In’ or Personal with LaFleur:
  • Greg thinks it’s more about owning the rivalry and shifting the culture than something personal.
• Jason: Notes putting a target on his own back is “a dangerous game.”
• Greg: Not quite endorsing, but says players will rally behind a bold leader:

  “When you are in that locker room, you want a coach that is going to stand ten toes down… It’s worked out for them this year. I think this is a team… that is here to stay.” ([11:04])

4. Seahawks vs. 49ers: All Eyes on Sam Darnold

[11:53-16:23]

• Jason McIntyre:
  • Argues Sam Darnold faces the most playoff pressure, more so than even Josh Allen.
• Greg Jennings:
  • Downplays pressure, citing the Seahawks’ dominant defense:

    “All Sam Darnold has to do is not turn the ball over… Just what we can’t have is you throwing a pick six…” ([13:38])

  • Backs playing it safe, like a “Trent Dilfer” approach.
• Jason: Worries the “don’t screw it up” mindset is a recipe for disaster.
• Greg: Argues confidence and system support will help Darnold, and if he plays within the system, “everybody else can handle the rest.”
• QB Choice—for Next Five Years, Purdy or Darnold?
  • Greg: Picks Brock Purdy because of upside and calmness:

    “You don’t see the panic as much. He’s a younger quarterback. You can kind of continue to grow and develop…” ([15:29])

NFL Hot Topics & News Huddle

5. A.J. Brown vs. Eagles—Trade or Keep?

[19:23-21:36]

• Jason: References A.J. Brown’s sideline blowup; wonders if Philly should move on.
• Greg Jennings:
  • Urges caution:

    “Everybody makes it seem like it’s just easy to, you know what? We gotta get this guy out because he’s disrupting who we are… No, he’s the voice of the locker room… There are much more guys that feel the same way that A.J. Brown feels…” ([20:06])

  • Only trade him if the haul is significant; says “diva” is overblown.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Opening

[21:37-23:12]

• Jason: Questions Steelers job appeal (old roster, owner, no QB).
• Greg Jennings:
  • Thinks it’s a top opening:

    “If you don’t have a quarterback, the next best thing for an organization to offer you is time… They give a long runway.”

  • Adds that high-priced players (e.g., T.J. Watt) are assets, not burdens.

Statistical Nuggets & Weather Segment

[23:32-26:14]

• Chris Felica:
  • “Eight come from behind wins for Chicago this season, seven when trailing with two minutes to go.” ([23:32])
  • Discusses extreme cold’s real impact on playoff games.
  • Rams are “1-6 in ultra-cold games since 1964.”
• Rachel Nichols:
  • Explains scientifically how cold slows reaction times, firms up balls, and leads to more injuries.

NBA: Lakers in Trouble?

[26:25-29:11]

• Luka Doncic & LaMelo Ball:
  • Brief audio from Luka after Mavs’ loss to Hornets.
• Jason & Chris:
  • Lakers’ defense is “the problem.” Trade speculation: Herb Jones, Grant Williams, Trey Murphy, Jonathan Kuminga, Rui Hachimura.
  • Kuminga’s status with Warriors:

    “He knows he’s getting dealt and he doesn’t want to get hurt beforehand...” ([28:38])

CFB and NFL Bets with Chris Felica (The Bear)

[33:31-39:53]

• CFB Natty:
  • Takes Miami Hurricanes +8.5 vs. Indiana:

    “I think Miami matches up very well with Indiana… The Canes are very, very live to pull the outright.” ([33:52])

  • Discussion of Mendoza (qb) vs. Beck.
  • Rachel: Sees Mendoza as #1 NFL pick over Dante Moore.
  • Surprise: Tom Brady could see himself in Mendoza; calls for a “QB camp” show.
• Best Divisional Weekend Side:
  • Felica likes the Seahawks due to Niners’ injuries and lack of red zone punch:

    “I love the Niners… but it just feels like at some point this is going to ultimately run out. If the Niners had anything saved in the tank… They couldn’t do anything offensively.” ([38:49])

  • Picks Seahawks to win outright: “I think Seattle wins like a 24-10 type of game.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Bears’ “luck” debate:
  • Greg Jennings: “It’s luck when it happens once, twice… When you make a habit of doing this and do it better than almost anybody else… it becomes who you are.” [04:44]
• Ben Johnson’s attitude:
  • “He’s full blown vested in this idea of ‘I do not like the Green Bay Packers, I don’t like Matt LaFleur, I don’t like anything across the state line that goes into Wisconsin.’” —Greg Jennings [07:32]
• On the price of bravado:
  • Jason McIntyre: “He has the target squarely on his back… Next year, if that flips and they miss the playoffs—who’s the genius now, Ben?” [10:34]
• On A.J. Brown’s value:
  • “He’s the voice of the locker room… There are much more guys that feel the same way that A.J. Brown feels in that locker room that are unwilling to speak up…” —Greg Jennings [20:06]
• On the Steelers job:
  • “If you don’t have a quarterback, the next best thing… is time… They give a long runway.” —Greg Jennings [22:09]

Important Timestamps

• [02:41] – Greg Jennings joins, Packers/Bears playoff talk.
• [04:44] – Jennings on Bears’ “not luck” and clutch identity.
• [06:15] – Jennings on Caleb Williams’ development.
• [07:32] – Jennings’ view on Ben Johnson’s attitude.
• [09:25] – Impact of Ben Johnson’s bravado league-wide.
• [11:04] – Locker room dynamics of “us against the world” leadership.
• [13:38] – Strategy for Sam Darnold vs. 49ers.
• [15:29] – Purdy vs. Darnold for the next five years.
• [20:06] – Locker room realities of A.J. Brown’s “diva” label.
• [22:09] – Why the Steelers job is uniquely appealing.
• [23:32] – Felica: Chicago’s record-setting late win habits.
• [26:14] – Cold weather impacts on NFL playoff games.
• [33:52] – Felica’s breakdown of Miami vs. Indiana in CFB.
• [38:49] – Felica’s best bet: Seahawks over Niners prediction.

Summary Tone & Style Notes

• Conversational, heavy on direct experience and sharp opinions.
• Greg Jennings offers honest ex-player insights, unafraid to critique or support front-and-center personalities.
• Jason McIntyre pushes for hot takes, quick pivots, and pointed hypotheticals.
• Rachel Nichols and Chris Felica provide context, stats, and broader league perspective.
• Flow is energetic, driven by sports radio-style punch, with moments of humor (see: National Championship mascot banter, QB “hot seat” speculation, and hot sauce running jokes.)

This episode is a must-listen for fans interested in NFL team culture shifts, coaching bravado, playoff QB psychology, and incisive coverage of league drama—plus betting takes for the divisional round.