The Herd with Colin Cowherd – Hour 3 – Jerome Bettis Stops By

Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Jerome Bettis (Hall of Fame RB, former Pittsburgh Steeler), Emmanuel Sanders (Super Bowl champion WR)

Episode Overview

This hour of "The Herd" is anchored by an insightful, football-heavy conversation with Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis, focusing on the state of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the evolving NFL landscape, and the team’s future, including head coach and quarterback concerns. Emmanuel Sanders joins later with player perspectives on coaching impacts, the intimidation of tanking, and what makes coaches like Mike Tomlin and Kyle Shanahan special. Cowherd and his guests blend nostalgia, blunt analysis, and locker room candor throughout, providing rich insight into NFL franchises and personalities.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Steelers' Offensive Philosophy and Changing NFL (02:47 – 04:48)

• Colin opens by questioning whether the Steelers need to shift from their traditional defense-and-run model to a more offense-driven approach.
• Bettis fully agrees:

  "The philosophy ... you run the ball and play great defense, that is totally changed. Now you’ve got to put points on the board ... 15 years ago, it was different. Today's NFL, you gotta score." (Jerome Bettis, 03:26)

• Both acknowledge Mike Tomlin’s strengths but note the team’s offensive stagnation.

2. Rebuilding, Drafting, and the Tomlin Conundrum (04:05 – 06:02)

• Colin proposes the idea of the Steelers intentionally bottoming out to get a premium draft pick, as the Patriots and Bears have done for top QBs. He debates whether the Rooneys (Steelers owners) or fans could stomach a tanking season.
• Bettis is doubtful:

  "I don’t think you could sell that. ... Coach Tomlin created a situation where they see, well, we can rebuild and at least be 500. ... At some point you gotta fall apart ... go out and get the quarterback." (Jerome Bettis, 04:48)

• Steelers’ internal expectation is to remain competitive, making full rebuilds culturally difficult.

3. Coaching Changes and Potential Hires (06:02 – 08:02)

• Cowherd inquires about the odds of hiring division rivals' coaches (Harbaugh to Steelers, etc.), but Bettis rejects the idea:

  "It can’t be the last stop. You can’t come right from the Ravens right into Pittsburgh ... too much bad blood." (Jerome Bettis, 06:23)

• Colin asks whether Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame) would leave for the Steelers.
• Bettis says he wouldn’t recommend it unless the Steelers quarterback situation is resolved—calling Pittsburgh a “dangerous job” without one.

4. Tomlin’s Departure and Legacy (08:02 – 09:55)

• Colin asks if Bettis was surprised by Mike Tomlin stepping down.
• Bettis says he wasn’t; negative fan sentiment signals impending change:

  "When you start hearing the fans turn on you, the writing is on the wall ... it poisons the players ... Coach Tomlin did the right thing to secure his legacy." (Jerome Bettis, 08:07)

• Keeping his legacy intact by departing before things go “rock bottom.”

5. Where Could Tomlin Land Next? (09:13 – 10:50)

• Colin lists coaching vacancies (Giants, Titans, etc.), and Bettis highlights two:
  • The New York Giants: Solid ownership, patient, similar to Steelers.
  • The Tennessee Titans: Blue-collar, defense-minded, "good place to change culture".

6. Kevin Stefanski as a Steelers Candidate? (10:50 – 12:15)

• Cowherd floats the idea of ex-Browns coach Kevin Stefanski taking over in Pittsburgh.
• Bettis likes Stefanski’s offensive mindset and familiarity with strong defense:

  “I would look at [Stefanski] ... super talented and will be coach for the next organization ... That’s the concern in Pittsburgh. You gotta get a quarterback.” (Jerome Bettis, 11:07)

7. The Quarterback Dilemma (17:16 – 18:08, throughout)

• Discussion shifts to the difficulties of getting a franchise quarterback without bottoming out.
• Cowherd considers the Steelers might keep building defense, looking to get "cheaper, younger, faster" on that side and possibly reaching for a second-best option at QB.
• "This is not a great quarterback draft class ... I could see the Steelers just saying ... I would draft all defense." (Colin Cowherd, 17:16)

8. Emmanuel Sanders on Tomlin, Payton, and Shanahan (31:47 – 39:19)

Mike Tomlin’s Strengths

• Sanders recounts Tomlin’s mentorship, especially around financial awareness:

  "He pulled me over ... ‘Let me tell you something ... come back and talk to me when you get three or four contracts.’ ... that money is a lot better!" (Emmanuel Sanders, 32:23)

• Emphasizes Tomlin's no-nonsense, player-centric style.

Coaches Making Players

• Sanders revises his long-held belief that “players make coaches”.

  "Coaches make players! ... It’s about the system ... that allows you to flourish." (Emmanuel Sanders, 34:02)

• Highlights Sean Payton and Kyle Shanahan as "chess players" who empower their talent.

Josh Allen's Superstar Trajectory

• Sanders describes Allen as one of the best teammates, with natural leadership and relentless drive for a Super Bowl:

  “…just a machine and just a rocket of an arm ... you root for guys like him … Truly enjoyed being around him.” (Emmanuel Sanders, 35:46)

Shanahan as Future Hall of Fame Coach

• Sanders says Shanahan is, “one of the greatest offensive minds in the history of the National Football League,” commending his creativity and constant adjustments:

  “As long as Purdy’s in there and McCaffrey ... Kyle still has this confidence that I can call whatever I want ... utmost respect.” (Emmanuel Sanders, 37:13)

Tanking Isn’t in the Steelers’ DNA

• Steelers would never accept tanking; players wouldn't buy in:

  "No way ... as a player I couldn’t do that ... I got way too much pride for that." (Emmanuel Sanders, 39:19)

• Asserts that neither ownership nor players are wired for anything less than maximum effort and competitiveness.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jerome Bettis on Steelers culture:

  "At some point you gotta fall apart and you gotta go out and get the quarterback." (04:48)

• Bettis on internal rivalry hiring:

  "It can’t be the last stop ... it just doesn’t work … too much bad blood." (06:23)

• Bettis on Tomlin’s resignation:

  "When you start hearing the fans turn on you the writing is on the wall ... he did the right thing to do to secure his legacy." (08:07)

• Emmanuel Sanders on Tomlin as a mentor:

  "He was like a father figure to me ... He just changed my whole mindset in the way that I was thinking about going about my business." (32:23)

• Sanders on the myth of “players making coaches”:

  "Coaches make players ... it's all about the system that you’re in." (34:02)

• Sanders on Shanahan’s brilliance:

  "You guys have one of the greatest offensive minds in the history of the National Football League, in my opinion." (37:16)

• Sanders on tanking:

  "…I’m out here, you know, putting my life on the line … why would I ever go out there with that mindset? I just can’t do it." (39:19)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:47 – 04:48 | Bettis on shifting Steelers’ offensive philosophy | | 04:48 – 06:02 | Bettis on why the Steelers can't stomach tanking for a QB | | 06:02 – 08:02 | On potential coaches: Harbaugh, Marcus Freeman, and the “dangerous job” | | 08:02 – 09:55 | Bettis on Tomlin’s resignation and preserving legacy | | 09:55 – 10:50 | Best landing spots for Mike Tomlin | | 10:50 – 12:15 | Kevin Stefanski as a coaching option, need for a QB | | 17:16 – 18:08 | Cowherd on Steelers draft/roster philosophy | | 31:47 – 35:46 | Emmanuel Sanders on Tomlin’s strengths and mentorship | | 34:02 | Sanders: "Coaches make players" | | 35:46 | Sanders on Josh Allen and QB leadership in Buffalo | | 37:13 – 38:35 | Sanders: Shanahan as Hall of Fame coach, offensive creativity | | 39:19 | Sanders: Why Steelers' players/ownership won’t tank |

Flow and Tone

The tone is candid, nostalgic, and pragmatic, blending deep NFL insider perspective with big-picture analysis. Both Bettis and Sanders are direct, forthright, and respectful—Bettis as a team legend, Sanders with the lens of a player who’s lived through multiple legendary coaches and schemes. Colin drives the dialogue toward uncomfortable truths about NFL rebuilding, organizational culture, and the evolving importance of offense. The episode is football-nerd heaven, mixing x’s and o’s with stories about team culture and leadership.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode delivers frank insights into the state of the Pittsburgh Steelers and NFL coaching carousel. Jerome Bettis, “The Bus,” explains why the Steelers resist full-rebuild, why offense is now king, and why no true Pittsburgher could accept tanking for a draft pick. Emmanuel Sanders brings the player’s view: coaches, not just talent, define success, and the Steelers’ culture is relentlessly competitive. Mike Tomlin’s legacy, potential replacements, and the crucial quest for a franchise quarterback dominate the discussion, making this a must-hear for anyone invested in the future of iconic NFL teams or the realities facing modern coaches.