The Herd with Colin Cowherd — “What’s Wright: Best Of” (December 20, 2025)

Episode Focus:
A dramatic recap of an NFL week upended by Patrick Mahomes’ catastrophic injury and the Kansas City Chiefs’ playoff elimination, an exploration of Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ ongoing issues, big-picture AFC power shifts, and an in-depth look at the crucial Jaguars-Broncos matchup.

Main Theme & Purpose

This “Best Of” episode of What’s Wright with Nick Wright (a segment on The Herd) is dominated by the shocking end to the Kansas City Chiefs’ season after Patrick Mahomes suffers a major knee injury. Nick discusses the short- and long-term ramifications for Mahomes, the franchise, and the nature of NFL dynasties. The show then pivots to examine the up-and-down Ravens, Lamar Jackson’s persistent absences, and whether the AFC is seeing a genuine “changing of the guard.” The episode closes with the rising stakes of the Jaguars-Broncos matchup and what it means for playoff seeding.

1. Chiefs Eliminated: Mahomes’ Season-Ending Injury

Setting the Scene

• After losing to the Chargers, the Chiefs are eliminated, and Mahomes suffers a torn ACL and LCL, ending his season in what Nick calls “one of the weirdest, saddest reads I've had to do for this show...” (03:34)

Nick Wright's Initial Reaction

• Nick is open about his personal connection to the team and Mahomes, but tries to keep perspective on the nature of NFL fate:

  • “This is pro football... The devastation of the moment is real... But this happens. It was the Chiefs’ turn to have the year from hell and it was, sadly, Patrick’s turn.” (03:51)

• He outlines the relentless toll of long seasons, O-line injuries, Mahomes playing through pain, and the risk of not sitting out:

  • “There is a cost to the 20-game seasons... to Patrick’s refusal to sit out a game when his knee was obviously bothering him...” (04:34)

Context: NFL History & Dynasties

• Nick likens Mahomes’ fate to injuries that sidelined other legends (Brady, Manning, Rodgers, Lamar, Burrow):
  • “This is pro sports and this sport in particular...” (05:40)
  • “We now have a line of demarcation in Patrick's career: before and after the ACL. We'll see how he recovers, how he attacks it, how it changes, for good or bad, the player he is.” (06:05)

Perspective on the Chiefs’ Dynasty

• Nick refuses excessive self-pity, celebrating the seven-year run:
  • “This has been as good of a seven-year run as any football fanbase has ever gotten... Seven years of conference championships... matches any seven years the Patriots had.” (07:00)
• He acknowledges this year was simply not their year:
  • “I was wrong about this team. They didn’t have it this year... Had they looked like a championship-level team, this would sting even more. But it was clear where this Chiefs team was—about an hour and a half before Mahomes’ injury.” (11:04)

Chiefs’ Structural Issues Exposed

• O-line injuries, lack of running game, and receiver development all pointed to problems masked by Mahomes:
  • “I think you're about to see what actual bad quarterback play looks like, with the team right now, with its issues.” (14:24)
  • “One of the bigger disappointments is the lack of development from the wide receivers.” (14:38)

Notable Quote

• “There needs to be some real... personal accountability by everyone involved in the team. How do we make sure next time Patrick takes the field, this team doesn’t have as many glaring weaknesses?” (16:51)

2. Looking Forward: Rebuilding & Mahomes’ Recovery

Roster Advice for Brett Veach (GM)

• Damanze asks Nick about Chiefs’ priorities:

  • “Biggest weakness right now is not being able to get a pass rush outside of Chris Jones.” (19:34)
  • Issues at D-line, no effective running game (Pacheco’s injury), and looming need to plan for life after Travis Kelce.

• On Travis Kelce’s possible retirement:

  • “Is he a dominant player anymore? No. Is he still one of the five best tight ends in football? Yes... The question is if he wants to keep doing it.” (21:45)

Recovery Outlook for Mahomes

• Nick’s confidence:
  • “I would put all my money on him being back for week one next year... There’s a very good chance he comes back as a better player.” (18:50)

Chiefs’ Next Chapter & Coaching

• “As long as you have Patrick Mahomes and Andy’s not going anywhere... I believe Andy Reid... is one of the greatest coaches.” (23:10)
• Acknowledge need to address drop-off post-Eric Bieniemy (offensive coordinator) but no panic on coaching front.

Notable Moment

• Nick’s optimism despite adversity:
  • “I am not worried at all that the Chiefs aren’t going to get back to being the scariest team in football... Having the most talented player in the history of the sport at the most important position who now has something to go prove, is a good position to start from.” (25:15)

3. AFC Turmoil: Ravens, Lamar Jackson & Power Reshuffling

Lamar Jackson Concerns

• Persistent health issues—sick again and missing practice:

  • “It’s every year the guy is sick... I know this sounds bad... But you just can’t get sick every year and miss work. Not at quarterback.” (36:48)

• Nick is unfiltered about recurring absence:

  • “He got Covid a dozen times and then since then every year has the seasonal flu, can’t have it.” (36:48)

AFC Power Structure: “Changing of the Guard”?

• Reviewing last year’s 12+-win teams:

  • Nearly all are in turmoil or regressed. Only Philly and Buffalo have maintained form; “massive upheaval” in the conference. (33:00–34:20)

• Nick offers historical precedent (2008 Patriots lose Brady; chaos year, then order returns):

  • “This reminds me of ‘08... Feels like a lot of upheaval which led to one of the weirdest Super Bowls ever. But the next year, things kind of went back to normal.” (34:40)

• “You do have to take more seriously the young gun quarterback-led teams... but I don’t think it’s a full-blown changing of the guard.” (35:24)

Ravens & Patriots Playoff Picture

• Damanze: Should Patriots fans worry if they lose again?

  • Nick: Yes, because the Ravens “aren’t that good”—if the Pats lose back-to-back playoff-caliber games, “you fall in the awesome season, something to build on, not real contender” category. (39:17)
  • “Even your two playoff dress rehearsals, you play playoff caliber teams and you lose both. Do I then think you’re going to win three straight playoff games to make the Super Bowl? I don’t.” (40:38)

• Ravens’ upside, but concerns about Lamar and a lackluster offense:

  • “They scored 17 offensive points against Cincinnati... not a game that afterwards you’re like, man, we are rolling.” (41:50)

John Harbaugh’s Future

• If the Ravens miss the playoffs, “I think Harbaugh’s out.” (42:18)
• Playful ribbing about Lamar’s health and weather preferences.

Notable Quote

• “Have Lamar put a coat on. I don’t know... I have a theory as to why Lamar gets sick so often, but I’m not sharing it.” (42:29)

4. Jaguars-Broncos: The Monster Matchup

Jaguars’ Hot Streak, Stakes for Playoff Seeding

• Damanze: “My Jags have been humming... offense looking great, defense holding up. But they’ve got Denver this week.”

• Nick highlights the playoff implications:

  • “If they win this game, they are super alive... to be the 1 seed.” (48:39)
  • Next two are against Colts and Titans (“ship them those wins”). If Denver slips, Jags could claim the AFC’s top spot.

• Importance of staying home in Florida (elements matter!):

  • “I don’t think Trevor and this Jags offense want to go to New England or Buffalo in round 2—they want it in Florida.” (49:41)

• Nick admits he grossly misjudged Denver:

  • “I am staring in the face, potentially being as wrong about Denver as I’ve been about any team... That’s the most embarrassing type of wrong.” (50:34)

Jaguars’ Resume & Missed Opportunities

• Noting their “best losses” (only to quality teams), but a brutal blown lead vs. Texans costs key leverage:
  • “They’d be playing this weekend to be the 1 seed... that loss is brutal.” (53:28)
• Since then, Jags have blown out several teams and beaten other contenders (Chargers, Niners, Chiefs).

Broncos’ Excellence

• Nick simply puts it:
  • “They’ve just been excellent all year. I gotta call it like it is.” (55:00)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

On Mahomes’ Injury:

• “We now have a line of demarcation in Patrick’s career: before and after the ACL. We’re going to see how he recovers…” (06:05 – Nick Wright)

On the Chiefs’ Dynasty:

• “This has been as good of a seven-year run as any football fan base has ever gotten… Put it up against anything.” (07:00 – Nick Wright)

On Lamar Jackson:

• “You just can’t get sick every year and miss work… Not at quarterback.” (36:48 – Nick Wright)

On Dynastic Challenges:

• “There’s a reason only one team ever has gone to four straight Super Bowls… only three other teams ever had gone to three straight Super Bowls…” (15:30 – Nick Wright)

On Admitting Mistakes:

• “I am staring in the face, potentially being as wrong about Denver as I’ve been about any team…” (50:34 – Nick Wright)

Key Timestamps for Reference

• [03:34] — Chiefs lose, Mahomes’ injury, and emotional fallout
• [07:00] — Chiefs’ seven-year dynasty in perspective
• [11:04] — Conceding this Chiefs team “didn’t have it” this year
• [14:24] — Chiefs’ roster weaknesses and what’s next
• [19:34] — Advice for re-tooling the Chiefs’ roster
• [21:45] — Travis Kelce’s football future discussed
• [23:10] — Andy Reid and the future coaching staff
• [25:15] — Nick’s optimism about Mahomes’ return
• [32:45] — AFC upheaval, last year’s top teams regress
• [36:48] — Rant on Lamar’s recurring illnesses
• [39:17–41:50] — Patriots-Ravens matchup implications
• [42:18] — John Harbaugh’s job security if Ravens miss playoffs
• [48:39] — Jaguars-Broncos stakes for the AFC’s 1 seed
• [53:28] — Jags’ blown lead vs. Texans discussed
• [55:00] — Praise for Denver’s consistently strong season

Tone & Language

Nick Wright is emotionally candid, at times wry and self-deprecating, blending sharp analysis with personal investment (notably regarding the Chiefs) and blunt, occasionally controversial commentary (especially on Lamar Jackson). He openly revisits predictions (right and wrong), keeps a conversational flow with co-host Damanze, and makes allusions to NFL history and larger trends, tying the week’s chaos back to those themes.

Summary

This episode delivers a comprehensive, honest postmortem on the Chiefs’ dynasty run, sets up vital questions about their future, and surveys the shifting sands of the AFC. Nick Wright’s tone is both raw and retrospective, pulling no punches whether talking about Mahomes’ resilience, Kansas City’s front office decisions, or Lamar Jackson’s frustrating absences. The Jaguars-Broncos clash is presented as a pivotal, tier-setting game for the next generation of conference powers. The show is a must-listen for Chiefs faithful, dynastic NFL followers, and anyone invested in the drama and unpredictability of pro football.