Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

THE HERD - Hour 3: Phil Simms Joins The Herd

Date: January 21, 2026
Host: Colin Cowherd
Guest: Phil Simms (Two-time Super Bowl Champion, former New York Giants QB, CBS analyst)

Episode Overview

This episode features Colin Cowherd in conversation with Phil Simms focused on NFL coaching culture shifts, quarterback dynamics, team building, and the challenges of the modern game. The discussion navigates between current NFL storylines—particularly the futures and fortunes of the Giants, Patriots, Seahawks, and standout quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Bo Nix. Authentically opinionated, the dialogue mixes first-hand experience with analysis, player evaluation, and light storytelling, all through the lens of two seasoned football minds.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New York Giants Outlook After Harbaugh’s Hiring

(00:02–05:41)

• Colin expresses strong optimism that the Giants, with the addition of coach John Harbaugh and the right personnel tweaks, are primed for a resurgence, predicting 11–12 wins:

  “I think they’re going to win 12 games, 11, 12 games...I think they can win the division next year.” (Colin, 00:18)

• Phil Simms agrees, underscoring that a transformative head coach absolutely changes team culture:

  “Not even a question. It’s easy to answer… He set the table every day, what he wanted, what he demanded.” (Phil, 02:24)

• Simms recounts Dan Reeves’ first meeting and the immediate impact of clear leadership:

  “He puts his notepad down...‘Sit up straight. Put your feet on the floor and take those damn hats off.’… I turned to Bart Oates and I went, ‘We’re going to win.’” (Phil, 02:43)

• Both point out that the Giants’ new quarterback, Jackson Dart, has positively surprised with his mobility, arm, and infectious leadership.

2. Quarterback Leadership & Building Trust

(05:03–05:41)

• Simms discusses how a young QB like Jackson Dart earns veteran respect:

  “For me, it was do your job and shut up...Jackson Dart...the players love him. He’s got a...personality you want in a professional quarterback.” (Phil, 05:03)

• Colin notes Dart’s “juice” and ability to elevate team morale, which Simms echoes as crucial intangible assets.

3. Surprise Moves: Coaching Changes & Team Culture

(07:27–10:29)

• On the firing of Buffalo’s Sean McDermott, both are shocked, with Simms emphasizing the value of playoff wins and suggesting a fresh voice can sometimes be the catalyst a good team needs.

• Turning to New England, Colin sees Mike Vrabel as the next “modern” Belichick:

  “Vrabel, to me, looks like a more current Belichick...super bright, no BS...that’s the obstacle [for Mahomes & Reid].” (Colin, 08:33)

• Simms relays an anecdote about Vrabel shifting from an “X’s and O’s” approach to prioritizing player relationships, praising both Payton and Vrabel as cultural builders.

4. Seattle Seahawks: Roster Building & Competitive Edge

(10:29–12:52)

• Colin marvels at Seattle’s rare combination: a team-friendly QB contract and several years of strong drafting, comparing it to the last Seahawks Super Bowl team.

• Phil Simms identifies their size, speed, depth, and coaching as significant hurdles for opponents:

  “They’re big, they look big, they’re fast, they got depth...this is a big hurdle for the Los Angeles Rams.” (Phil, 11:54)

5. Quarterback Legacies: Stafford, Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, and More

(12:52–18:20)

• On a hypothetical second Super Bowl win for Matt Stafford, Simms doubts he would retire, seeing too much enjoyment and arm talent left.

• Both discuss Caleb Williams’ uniqueness:

  “I’m Caleb Williams’ number one believer...He can make more spectacular throws than some quarterbacks will have in a whole year.” (Phil, 15:14)

• Simms dismisses concerns about completion percentage, emphasizing the special arm talent and aggressiveness that makes Williams different.

• On Bo Nix, Simms notes his coaching, mobility, and arm strength often go underrated.

6. Playing in Harsh Conditions & College Roots

(18:20–20:03)

• Simms reflects on playing in windy Giant Stadium, the need to adapt as a QB, and recalls rivalry games at Morehead State, with mentions of now-famous coaches like Rex Ryan and possibly John Harbaugh.

7. Additional News & NFL Analysis Roundtable

(20:25–30:10, w/ Jay Mack)

• The segment shifts to NFL news hits on topics including:

  • Jarrett Stidham’s surprise playoff start for Denver.
  • Bo Nix’s value as evidenced by betting lines shifting up to 8 points with his absence.
  • The Patriots’ defense and why New England is favored.

• Baker Mayfield’s public back-and-forth with Kevin Stefanski and Joe Thomas about their Cleveland tenure, with Colin defending both as “very good—not elite—but not a dumpster fire.”

8. NBA Side-Story: Knicks’ Struggles & Karl-Anthony Towns

(27:53–30:10)

• Brief tangent to the NBA: Knicks’ slump after their in-season tournament triumph, Karl-Anthony Towns’ struggles, and the possible trade deadline shakeup.
• Colin offers macro perspective: “You can’t judge NBA teams in January...it takes time.”

9. Chicago Bears & Caleb Williams’ Growth

(31:43–36:44)

• Ben Johnson, new Bears head coach, talks resetting expectations and the importance of fundamentals:

  “There is no building off of this. We go back to square one...we got to start from scratch, we got to start from the fundamentals.” (Ben Johnson, 32:31)

• Johnson and Colin both heap praise on Caleb Williams’ improvement, particularly in footwork. Johnson claims, “I’m Caleb Williams’ number one believer.” (33:33)

• Colin draws the lesson: even superstars like Brady and Mahomes are hardest on themselves, and true progress means relentless work from ground zero each year.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On coaching culture:

  “These head coaches have a chance to really set the...culture and change everything.” (Phil Simms, 02:52)

• On Jackson Dart’s leadership:

  “He’s got an energy and a juice about him...the players like him and trust him. That’s a big deal.” (Colin, 04:24)

• On modern coaching:

  “Connecting with the players. And he changed...He was at Tennessee and he’s carried that over to New England.” (Phil Simms, on Mike Vrabel, 09:28)

• On evaluating quarterbacks:

  “Man, I couldn’t care two whatevers about his stupid completion percentage. When you’re a quarterback like him, everything looks open because of that arm…completion percentage...has nothing to do with the outcome...” (Phil, 15:14)

• On Baker Mayfield’s Cleveland tenure:

  “If you win a playoff game over the Steelers as a Browns quarterback, that is not a dumpster fire.” (Colin, 26:50)

• Ben Johnson on season resets:

  “We go back to square one...If you feel otherwise, you’re probably missing the big picture.” (Ben Johnson, 32:31)

Important Segment Timestamps

| Topic | Time | |---|---| | Giants & Harbaugh Culture Shift | 00:02–05:41 | | QB Trust & Leadership (Dart) | 05:03–05:41 | | Coaching Changes (Bills, Patriots, Vrabel) | 07:27–10:29 | | Seattle Seahawks Roster Success | 10:29–12:52 | | QB Legacies (Stafford, Caleb Williams, Bo Nix) | 12:52–18:20 | | Harsh Weather & College Stories | 18:20–20:03 | | NFL News Hits (with Jay Mack) | 20:25–30:10 | | NBA Knicks Update | 27:53–30:10 | | Chicago Bears, Caleb Williams | 31:43–36:44 |

Tone & Style

The conversation maintains Colin’s signature blend of sharp, impassioned takes and self-assured predictions, balanced by Phil Simms’ credibility, measured anecdotes, and lived NFL wisdom. Both amplify the importance of leadership, fit, and football’s relentless cycle of change.

For listeners seeking a deep, current, and behind-the-scenes look at NFL teams’ futures, leadership culture, and QB evaluation (sprinkled with a bit of NBA and team-building philosophy), this is a must-listen episode.