The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Hour 3 – November 12, 2025
Main Guest: Eric Mangini (Three-time Super Bowl Champion, NFL Head Coach)

Episode Overview

This hour tackles head coach vacancies and fits (particularly in New York), decision-making for young NFL quarterbacks, current turmoil on NFL teams, and the trajectories of notable players. Special attention is paid to the fit of established head coaches, development and payment of young quarterbacks, team-specific issues (like the Packers’ offense and Eagles’ receiver drama), and the unique journey of players like Sam Darnold and Rob Gronkowski.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Giants’ Coaching Search and Leadership Dilemma

• [01:50–06:48]
  • Colin Cowherd advocates for Mike McCarthy as Giants coach: experienced, used to big markets, has "won with Cooper Rush, Dak, Aaron."
  • Eric Mangini agrees experience is crucial in messy organizations: “For an organization that's had as many problems as the Giants to get an established head coach...is really attractive. But typically guys don't get three head coaching shots. That's not the norm.” [04:46]
    • Mentions Belichick as a possibly fascinating, though improbable, fit—but notes age/personnel troubles.
    • Pushes back on keeping GM Joe Shane: “Doesn't seem to make a lot of sense...the coach is fired mid season. Doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense.” [05:48]

2. On Young Quarterbacks and Big Contracts

• [06:48–09:15, 40:10–43:51]
  • Colin asks: Of 11 QBs aged 25 and under, who would Mangini pay $300M for today?
  • Mangini is skeptical of flavor-of-the-month QBs:
    “I wouldn't be signing a check for Drake May at this point. Drake May to me, is just this year's Jaden Daniels. And Jaden Daniels was last year's C.J. Stroud...You’ve got to be able to see these guys do it consistently.” [07:56]
    • Jayden Daniels is Mangini’s top young QB; sees C.J. Stroud’s career as streaky, not "the franchise guy" yet.
    • Explains the ripple effect of mega-contracts: “Those guys have to be force multipliers because you can't then go pay everybody else. The quarterback just makes too much money.” [40:10]
    • Mac Jones as bargain efficiency: “And now Mac Jones goes out there and he’s playing at a really high level for 3% of what Purdy’s making." [40:36]

3. Fixing the Packers’ Broken Offense

• [09:15–11:00]
  • Colin: Packers haven’t scored on an opening drive since week 4; is it LaFleur? Love? Injuries?
  • Mangini:
    “The Tucker Kraft injury was a really bad one. He was looking like a pretty big safety blanket for Jordan Love...he's typically either red hot or mid.” [09:46]
    • Jordan Love hasn’t elevated as expected post-contract.
    • Notes inconsistent performance: team effective on 3rd down/red zone, but “playing down to your level of comp.”
    • Green Bay’s young QB woes mirror wider league trends.

4. The Redemption Arc of Sam Darnold

• [16:51–21:54]
  • Colin praises Indiana’s Mendoza as NFL-ready; then transitions to Darnold’s journey.
  • Mangini’s film breakdown:
    • Darnold’s success started late in Carolina; first in completions, yards, TDs, and QB rating on deep balls for Seattle.
    • “He can hit you at any point with these home run balls that a lot of guys can’t do.” [18:12]
      • Describes play-action deep ball vs. Cardinals—accuracy and timing, even rolling left as a righty.
  • Colin credits Seahawks’ GM savvy: “He got Sam [Darnold] basically for less money than Geno [Smith]...When I watch him play, I see an elite quarterback. That’s what I see.” [20:56]
  • Mangini: Sam Darnold gives “every former first round draft pick who struggled hope...If you stay with these guys...everybody develops at different rates.” [21:26]

5. A.J. Brown Drama & Eagles Discord

• [22:08–25:26]
  • J. Mac (Jason McIntyre) details A.J. Brown publicly expressing frustration in a livestream:
    “It’s a poop show. Struggling, brother...If you’ve got me on fantasy, man, get rid of me.” [22:23]
  • Colin wonders if late-game play calls were message-sending: “Was that basically, A.J., shut the bleep up. We’re going to throw it deep to you...” [23:01]
  • Nick Sirianni is questioned about A.J. Brown and is visibly frustrated under the pressure:
    “I’m close to being done answering questions about this. He’s working hard...big part of the game plan.” [23:22]
  • Broad discussion: “Body language” and fit matter for receivers; hard to maintain happiness as situations change.
    “Everybody’s on their best behavior when you’re winning, and it’s early...temperamental wide receivers, they want the ball.” [24:37]

6. The Hall of Fame, Russell Wilson, & Quarterback Legacies

• [26:56–28:36]
  • J. Mac: Mike Kafka names Jameis Winston Giants starter, Russell Wilson slips behind.
  • Colin: “How many quarterbacks have played their way out of the Hall of Fame?” [26:56]
    • Considers Russell Wilson’s trajectory post-Seattle as damaging (“Denver, Steelers, Giants. It doesn’t help.” [27:17])
    • Debates Philip Rivers vs. Wilson as borderline Hall candidates.

7. Rob Gronkowski’s One-Day Retirement as a Patriot

• [28:53–30:28]
  • Gronk signs a ceremonial one-day contract to retire as a Patriot.
    “This means a lot to me, big time. Because I'm a...I'm a New England Patriot...all because of you guys, was all because of the fans here in New England.” [28:53 – Gronk]
  • Colin on Gronk: “He was dominant. It was just hard to defend him in his prime. He would hurt people...some of his sound bites after games where he knew he was going to get in trouble...” [29:25]
  • J. Mac: Gronk’s TV persona is authentic and a natural extension of his football persona. “He’s doing a great job after his NFL career here at Fox.” [30:28]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Giants’ head coaching search:
  “For an organization that's had as many problems as the Giants to get an established head coach...who's not going to go through that learning curve is really attractive.” – Eric Mangini [04:46]
• On contract risk and young QBs:
  “Drake May to me, is just this year's Jaden Daniels. And Jaden Daniels was last year's C.J. Stroud...You’ve got to be able to see these guys do it consistently.” – Eric Mangini [07:56]
• On Jordan Love:
  “...over the course of his career, he’s typically either red hot or mid.” – Eric Mangini [09:46]
• On Sam Darnold’s resurgence:
  “He can hit you at any point with these home run balls that a lot of guys can’t do.” – Eric Mangini [18:12] “He’s given every former first round draft pick who struggled hope.” – Eric Mangini [21:26]
• On A.J. Brown drama:
  “It’s a poop show. Struggling, brother...If you’ve got me on fantasy man, get rid of me.” – A.J. Brown (per J. Mac) [22:23] “Everybody’s on their best behavior when you’re winning, and it’s early...temperamental wide receivers, they want the ball.” – Colin Cowherd [24:37]
• On Gronkowski’s retirement:
  “This means a lot to me, big time. Because I'm a...I'm a New England Patriot.” – Rob Gronkowski [28:53]
• On blending traits and experience for QBs:
  “When I look at those two [Mendoza vs. Ty Simpson], Mendoza just jumps off the TV screen...that final drive against Penn State was, wow, that is Sunday stuff.” – Colin Cowherd [36:07]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Giants/Coaching Search (Mike McCarthy, Belichick): 01:50–06:48
• Young QBs & Big Contracts: 06:48–09:15, 40:10–43:51
• Packers’ Offense Woes: 09:15–11:00
• Sam Darnold’s NFL Journey: 16:51–21:54
• A.J. Brown/Eagles Drama: 22:08–25:26
• Russell Wilson/Hall of Fame Debate: 26:56–28:36
• Rob Gronkowski’s Retirement Moment: 28:53–30:28
• QB Traits & Final Word on Mendoza vs. Ty Simpson: 36:07–40:43

Episode Takeaways

• Experience matters more than upside for leadership-starved NFL franchises, but head coaching opportunities rarely come three times.
• The NFL remains “what have you done for me lately”—especially with quarterbacks. Caution reigns for big deals; durability is invaluable.
• Locker room fits and changing offensive environments (see: A.J. Brown, Packers) are every bit as pivotal as talent.
• NFL careers can be resurrected with patience, right system, and support—Sam Darnold’s journey is the new Geno Smith.
• Rob Gronkowski’s legacy is cemented as a “Patriot for life,” with authentic charisma that ensures post-football stardom.

For New Listeners

This episode is a masterclass in how front office decisions, player temperament, and ever-shifting league economics combine to make or break both individual careers and team trajectories. It’s candid, often irreverent, filled with smart breakdowns—and offers plenty of “wait, did they really just say that?” moments, especially for fans obsessed with the NFL’s quarterback carousel.