The Herd with Colin Cowherd – What's Wright: Best Of

Episode Summary – September 14, 2025

Episode Overview

This “Best Of” episode of What's Wright with Nick Wright features Nick’s most compelling takes of the week, centered on NFL storylines following recent games. The main themes include Nick’s growing concerns about Caleb Williams’ rookie performance and development with the Chicago Bears, the Baltimore Ravens’ repeated collapses under John Harbaugh and Lamar Jackson, and anticipation for the Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl rematch. Nick, joined by Damon Amendolara, delivers sharp insights, highlights key coaching decisions, and previews the weekend's biggest games.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Caleb Williams’ Concerns after Bears’ Loss

• Nick’s Concerns: Nick Wright is “officially a little concerned” about Caleb Williams’ rookie year with the Bears, citing both on-field issues and troubling new reports.
• Tyler Dunn’s Reporting: Cites a Tyler Dunn Substack exposé that paints a negative picture of Bears GM Ryan Poles and points to concerning traits in Caleb — including a “shaky work ethic, not necessarily galvanizing leadership,” and an unconfirmed report about possible dyslexia within the organization kept secret from coaching staff ([03:30-06:00]).
• Pre-snap Struggles: Nick pinpoints Williams’ issues not as post-snap or decision-making, but “getting plays in, motioning guys with seconds on the play clock, and pre-snap operations.” He notes, “It's going to slow his development… Those things have not improved.” ([06:00-07:20])
• Accuracy Issues: While Williams’ decision-making may have improved, his accuracy remains “shaky” with missed throws to open receivers ([07:27-08:01]).
• Superstardom in Doubt: Nick tempers his early hype — “I still believe in Caleb Williams. I am less certain that superstardom is in his future… That is a tough pill to swallow.” ([08:40-09:06])

2. Ben Johnson’s Coaching Critique

• Timeout & Challenge Mistakes: Nick details how Bears coach Ben Johnson’s errors in managing timeouts, understanding challenge rules, and kickoff strategy cost the team key opportunities late in the game ([09:06-16:21]).
• C+ Grade: Nick gives Johnson a "C+" for the debut: “Blew a big lead, offense didn’t really get going after the opening script, those mistakes—C+.” ([16:26])
• Peyton Manning’s Observations: Notes how subtle coaching nuances were only picked up by Peyton Manning on the ManningCast, not regular broadcasters ([14:00]).

3. JJ McCarthy’s Debut

• McCarthy’s Resilience: Despite a pick-six, McCarthy leads a comeback. Nick says, “A guy whose rep coming in was just a winner, makes big plays, galvanizing force—just adds to it… In his first ever NFL game. Pretty good. That part is really good.” ([16:47-18:03])
• Not Sold… Yet: Nick isn’t declaring him a franchise QB, but sees “an awesome start” in context ([18:03]).

4. Parallels to Trevor Lawrence

• “Prince Treatment”: Damon asks if Caleb gets a Trevor Lawrence-like mulligan after a rocky situation. Nick says, "If Caleb does what Trevor did, we can just say, yeah, it was all on Eberflus and I think a lot of it was on Bears dysfunction," ([18:09-18:50]) but wants to see more improvement in specific areas.

5. Ravens vs. Bills: Another Collapse?

• Narrative Focus: Damon and Nick agree the story is the Ravens’ self-destruction, not the Bills’ comeback ([23:55-24:41]).
• Coaching Critique: Both criticize Harbaugh’s decision-making: “The penalties and just how we move when we need something … The Bills have the momentum … and we’re running end arounds with Zay Flowers. Just rather get a first down.” –Damon ([24:14-24:41])
• Nick doubles down: “That play…was insane. Like you need one first down to win the game. Derrick Henry is killing them...You cannot use one of your downs on Zay Flowers. You just can’t.” ([24:41-25:40])

Ravens' Record In Perspective

• Stats Breakdown: Since 2022, Ravens have the most 4th quarter double-digit leads (31) but a much worse conversion rate compared to peers ([27:00-28:22]):
  • Chiefs: 24-0
  • Eagles: 27-1
  • Ravens: 25-6
• “That's not nothing. And I don't know that the Harbaugh-Lamar combo is going to get over the hump, man. I just don't.” –Nick ([28:22])

Specific Plays and Decisions

• Fourth Down Decisions: Nick wanted more aggression from Harbaugh in key late-game moments ([30:03-31:14]).
• Lamar’s Third-Down Throw: Nick felt Lamar’s decision to throw short on 3rd and 9 only makes sense if you are definitely going for it on 4th ([31:12-31:22]).

Baltimore Fan Antics

• Lamar’s Shove: Both Nick and Damon defend Lamar after a fan shoves him — “Fan shoved him first. I have no problem at all.” –Nick ([34:09])
• Bills Fan Behavior: Nick jokes, “I have to listen every year to how Buffalo's got the greatest fans in the world… Stop throwing stuff on the field!” ([34:21-34:41])

6. Derrick Henry Defies Age

• Still Unstoppable: Damon notes Henry’s 169 yards and two TDs; Nick admits, “Sure doesn't seem like Cliff's coming. Holy moly. That guy is unbelievable.” ([33:50-34:11])

7. Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Preview

• High Stakes?: Damon and Nick preview the upcoming game with both teams coming off “underwhelming divisional performances.” ([39:08-39:28])
• Nick’s Pick: “Spoiler alert, I don’t think Kansas City is going to lose. And I think the Chiefs being home dogs with Patrick being healthy is a slap in the face.” ([39:28])
• Chiefs WR Issues: With Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy out, Nick expects “a lot of ball control, a lot of short, intermediate stuff, and a lot of, you know, Mahomes makes some magic.” ([39:55])
• Philly’s Questions: Nick is concerned about the Chiefs’ pass defense and whether Jalen Hurts will have “four seconds to throw.”* ([40:30])
• Don’t Panic Yet: Nick cautions not to overreact early in the season. He references previous Chiefs’ slow starts (e.g., 2021: started 3–4 but recovered). “It is just flatly inaccurate to say they haven’t faced any regular season adversity…” ([44:00])
• Impact of a KC Win/Loss: Says a KC win “without Rice and Worthy is a shot in the arm,” but an 0–2 start isn’t panic time ([48:56-49:28]).
• No Cross-Conference Rivalries: Nick doesn’t buy the idea that Eagles-Chiefs is a “true rivalry” with Super Bowl implications—those matchups are rare outside the playoffs ([49:28-51:32]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Caleb Williams’ Development:
  “His deficit on the pre-snap parts of being an NFL quarterback…are going to slow his development. And you saw that left and right last night.” –Nick Wright ([06:00])
• On GM/Front Office Secrecy:
  “…there is a belief within the front office that was kept from the coaching staff that Caleb might have the learning disability dyslexia… The reporting is that the front office kept it from his coaches last year.” –Nick ([05:10])
• On Ben Johnson’s Coaching Grade:
  “Blew a big lead. Offense didn’t really get going after the opening script. Those mistakes…giving him a C plus.” –Nick ([16:26])
• On Ravens Collapses:
  “The story is Baltimore once again inventing a way to lose because this is what they do.” –Nick ([27:00])
• On KC’s Super Bowl Rematch:
  “If Kansas City gets blown out, I will be concerned. I also, spoiler alert, don't think Kansas City is going to lose…The Chiefs being home dogs with Patrick being healthy is a slap in the face.” –Nick ([39:28])
• On Panic Over Chiefs Losses:
  “It is just flatly inaccurate to say they haven't faced any regular season adversity or downswings during this time.” –Nick ([44:00])
• On Derrick Henry’s Longevity:
  “Sure doesn’t seem like Cliff’s coming. Holy moly. That guy is unbelievable.” –Nick ([34:05])

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment | |------|---------| | 02:34 | Caleb Williams/Chicago Bears Concern Begins | | 05:10 | Caleb Williams Dyslexia & Front Office Report | | 06:00 | Pre-Snap Deficits; Williams Development | | 08:40 | Williams' Future, Hype Adjustment | | 09:06–16:21 | Detailed Ben Johnson Coaching/Timeout Critique | | 16:26 | Ben Johnson C+ Grade | | 16:47 | JJ McCarthy NFL Debut Discussion | | 23:55 | Ravens vs. Bills – Collapse Analysis | | 27:00–28:22 | Ravens’ 4th Quarter Leads – Stats Perspective | | 30:03 | Critique of Ravens 4th Down/Punting Decision | | 33:50 | Derrick Henry Praise | | 34:09 | Defense of Lamar’s Shove at Fan | | 39:08 | Eagles-Chiefs Rematch: Preview Begins | | 44:00 | Chiefs Past Adversity/Don’t Panic Message |

Tone & Style Notes

• Nick is analytical, passionate, and candid. He uses sharp, colorful language but grounds his arguments in stats and detailed observation.
• Damon acts as a knowledgeable sounding board, often teeing up Nick’s deeper dives.
• The tone is humorous and energetic, yet critical—especially regarding coaching and management failures.

Conclusion

This episode distills the week's most insightful sports analysis from Nick Wright, with a focus on quarterback development, coaching pitfalls, and the ever-compelling storylines circling perennial contenders. Whether critiquing a rookie QB or previewing a potential Super Bowl repeat, Nick blends statistical rigor with sharp-edged opinion, giving fans much to chew on heading into a big football weekend.