The Herd with Colin Cowherd: Hour 3 — Ryan Fitzpatrick Stops By

Date: February 5, 2026
Episode Focus: Super Bowl 60 analysis, insider NFL talk, and a candid conversation with former QB and Amazon TNF analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into top sports stories with a sharp focus on Super Bowl 60, specifically breaking down the New England Patriots’ matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Colin Cowherd hosts Ryan Fitzpatrick for a wide-ranging discussion, covering major NBA headlines, quarterback journeys, authentic leadership in the NFL, Super Bowl X-factors, and a playful “Take Your Pick” segment assessing both contending teams.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. NBA Trade Reactions: Lakers’ Roster & Playoff Prospects

[00:02–03:09]

• Lakers Trade for Luke Kennard: Labeled a great shooter but defensive liability.
  • Colin: "Luke Kennard… can hit threes, can't defend this microphone." [00:07]
  • Ryan: "They don't have shooters and they don't have defenders... So their thing is, let's just add another scorer." [00:44]
• Lakers’ Path Forward:
  • They must “score their way” through the playoffs due to lack of defense.
  • Colin: "It's all about the matchup... Denver doesn't look unbeatable... SGA now on the shelf." [01:15]
• Giannis Antetokounmpo Market:
  • Ryan: "No takers for Giannis? No. Serious." [01:31]
  • Health/injury concerns, ball-dominance, and fit with teams like the Knicks.

Key Quote

• Ryan (on NBA playoffs): "The regular season is open mic night for comedians... The playoffs is your Netflix or streaming special. All the jokes have to land, large audience." [01:52]

2. NFL Head Coach Super Bowl Success & Aaron Rodgers Updates

[03:12–05:07]

• Mike Vrabel’s Challenge:
  • Only four head coaches have won a Super Bowl in their first season with a new team.
  • Ryan: "Seattle has the more fortified roster, but it's a lift." [03:56]
• Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers:
  • Renewed appreciation between McCarthy and Rodgers; McCarthy empowered as coach.
  • Ryan: "If Mike’s in control here... this is not the Green Bay situation." [04:42]

3. The Quarterback Journey: Darnold and Fitzpatrick’s Perspective

[05:07–07:29]

• QB Trajectories:
  • Both Darnold and Fitzpatrick overcame adversity, shaped by coaching and supporting cast.
• Ryan Praises Darnold:
  • Ryan: "So much of it's a journey... Double it and add 30%, that's the journey of Ryan Fitzpatrick." [05:07]
  • Liam Cohen (guest analyst): "It's not easy to get picked that high and to fail... takes a special guy to overcome the adversity..." [06:37]
• San Francisco Stint Helped Darnold:
  • Importance of being within the right offensive system (Shanahan/McVay tree).

4. Coaching, Quarterbacks, and Authenticity in Leadership

[10:42–13:17]

• Managing Aggression at QB:
  • Liam Cohen: "You have to rely on your coach… Clint Kubiak and Sam Darnold have a relationship where the play-caller can manage Sam's aggression." [10:42]
• Authenticity of Mike Vrabel:
  • Praised as bright, confrontational but without grudges.
  • Colin: "You can't fake toughness... Players can sniff that crap out in a second." [12:20]
  • Liam Cohen: "I think the word we're looking for is authenticity... He's also very consistent in what he's demanding." [12:29]

5. Super Bowl 60 Breakdown: Patriots vs. Seahawks

[13:17–34:36]

Underdog Mentality, Game Scenarios, and X-Factors

• Importance of Early Momentum and Mindset:

  • Both teams could seize the game with early explosive plays.
  • Liam Cohen: "Seattle's that good... but I'm favoring New England... Josh McDaniels is the X factor... Drake May has a calmness..." [14:10]

• Quarterback Personalities & Command:

  • Debate around authenticity vs. trying to be a chameleon; embracing individuality is key.
  • Colin: "You have to be what you are... If people think Russell Wilson had a little bit of this where people didn’t always buy... authenticity.” [15:05]
  • Liam Cohen: "Are you the hardest working guy... can you command a huddle... that's what players are drawn to.” [16:30]
  • Comment on Fernando Mendoza’s optimism and authenticity.

6. Fitzpatrick’s Broadcasting & Personality

[17:25–19:07]

• Colin: “Your passion for what you do just jumps—it’s like a strong drink, it hits you right through the TV.” [18:44]
• Liam Cohen: Shares Aruba trip story and Harvard anecdotes, demonstrating the episode's light and personal tone.

Take Your Pick: Position-by-Position Super Bowl Comparison

[21:24–27:17]
Colin & Ryan go unit-by-unit, debating who has the edge. Key points and quotes:

• Head Coach
  • Ryan: "I'd go Mike Vrabel. Super Bowl experience at various times in this game does matter." [21:28]
• Quarterback
  • Ryan: "Highest graded quarterback... Sam Darnold." [21:54]
• Running Back
  • Ryan: "Seattle, though they don't have a lot of depth. Kenneth Walker led all running backs in the playoffs." [22:21]
• Pass Catchers
  • Ryan: "In the Super Bowl, I think that's New England. Mix of young and old, fewest drops in NFL this year." [23:04]
• O-Line
  • Ryan: "Seattle... run-blocking O-line is pretty good, all homegrown." [23:53]
• Front Seven
  • Ryan: "Seattle has seven. Four different players with seven-plus sacks. Seattle's depth is crazy." [24:21]
• Secondary
  • Ryan: "Coin flip... Devin Witherspoon's the best corner. But I love Christian Gonzalez. Seattle was great defensively on third down." [24:51]
• Special Teams
  • Ryan: "I think everybody says Seattle... largely due to Rashid Shaheed." [25:45]
• Play Calling
  • Ryan: "New England. I think Josh McDaniels is the best play caller in the league." [26:19]

Notable Game Theory:

• Ryan: "If there’s going to be an avalanche one way or the other, it'll be the Seahawks... The longer it's close, advantage New England." [20:34]

Super Bowl Outcome Theories and Betting Lean

[27:17–34:36]

• Coaching and Play Calling Are Big for Pats:
  • Colin: "You can make up so much ground in coaching... The dynasty for New England started when they were 14-point underdogs and they coached their west before Brady was dominant." [27:17]
• On Game Flow:
  • If Seattle leads big at half, they likely win. If it's close, New England is favored due to coaching and experience.
  • Colin: "If you told me it's 24-23, I'm probably 60/40 New England." [28:47]
• Defensive Dominance Scenarios:
  • Citing the Patriots-Rams Super Bowl, Colin suggests a low-scoring, defensively dominated game is plausible if Seattle's defense is on point.
• Underdogs’ Media Motivation:
  • Ryan: "Media is larger than ever... underdogs sit in hotel rooms and just hear all week about, 'Seattle's gonna bury you.' ...You get more focused, you get more driven, you get angrier." [33:19]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Nature of QB Success & Aggression:
  • Ryan Fitzpatrick: "Sometimes, that aggressiveness got me in a little trouble. But... you had a very short memory. Teammates really liked you." [05:07]
• On Mike Vrabel's Authenticity:
  • Liam Cohen: "He’s played in the league... He knows what you’re going through... He has a clear vision, he's authentic, and he's consistent in what he’s demanding." [12:29]
• On The Underdog Mindset:
  • Ryan Fitzpatrick: "In the last 15 years, why are underdogs doing well? The explosion of media, your ability to watch media in your hotel room. Coaches can feed you and then it can be verified. I think human beings... are largely driven by 'you can't do this, and you're going to get humiliated.'" [33:19]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:02] NBA Talk — Lakers’ trade, Giannis market
• [03:12] NFL Coaches and Rodgers/McCarthy relationship
• [05:07] QB Journeys (Darnold & Fitzpatrick)
• [10:42] Managing Aggression as a QB
• [12:20] On Mike Vrabel’s Leadership
• [13:17] Super Bowl 60 Preview, Underdog Mentality
• [21:24] Take Your Pick: Unit-by-Unit Super Bowl Breakdown
• [27:17] Betting and Game Theory, Coaching Edge
• [33:19] The Modern Underdog, Media Impact

Conclusion: Tone & Takeaways

Colin and Ryan’s conversation is opinionated, humorous, and highly knowledgeable, combining deep football insight with playful banter and storytelling. The tone is energetic and candid, with memorable moments of self-reflection and some casual swearing. The closing segment underscores nuanced Super Bowl predictions—Seattle has greater raw talent, yet New England's coaching and resilience keep them in the discussion.

This episode is essential listening for fans wanting expert breakdowns, inside stories, and practical knowledge ahead of Super Bowl 60.