Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: What's Wright – NFL Playoff Reactions: Aaron Rodgers' Legacy, Eagles Extinguished, Bears Unbelievable Comeback | Nick Wright

Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Nick Wright, with co-host Damanze
Network: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume

Overview

This episode is a rapid-fire, passionate recap of what Nick Wright calls “inarguably the greatest wild card weekend in NFL history.” Nick and Damanze break down all the major storylines from the weekend’s NFL playoff games, including Aaron Rodgers’ possible finale, the Eagles’ flame out, the Bears’ historic comeback, and stunning performances across the board. The episode delves into QB legacies, coaching futures, and what’s next for the NFL’s most dramatic franchises. Peppered with humor, blunt opinions, and technical football analysis, this episode is a must-listen for NFL fans who want depth with personality.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Wild Card Weekend Recap

[00:35–03:08]

• Nick sets the energy: “Fresh off inarguably the greatest wild card weekend in NFL history… We were on a run of football games.”
• Games touched on: Ravens-Steelers, Ole Miss-Miami (CFB), Indiana-Oregon (CFB), Panthers-Rams, Packers-Bears (“an instant all-time classic”), Jags-Bills (fourth-quarter craziness), Eagles-Niners.
• Key themes: Epic comebacks, lead changes, defending champions’ struggles.

2. Aaron Rodgers' Legacy & Steelers Elimination

[07:24–22:29]

• Rodgers’ potential retirement looms after the Steelers’ offensive collapse to the Texans.

• Nick on TV cues indicating a Rodgers farewell:

  “The way Buck and Aikman talked at the end of that game... it felt to me like they got a heads up that he's planning on retiring.”
  [08:06]

• Leadership critique:

  “There was no less than half a dozen times last night where... Aaron made it clear that [failure] was someone else’s fault. A lot of pointing, a lot of gesticulation, a lot of making it clear to the whole world—he screwed up, not me.”
  [09:05]

• Rodgers’ underachievement:

  “His career is so interesting because it would have seemed impossible... in 2010, that Rodgers would never get back to another Super Bowl.”
  [11:56]

• Comprehensive breakdown of Rodgers’ playoff history—what was and wasn’t his fault (extensive stats, specific games called out).

• On legacy:

  “He has the talent of a no doubt top five guy, but he can’t... If this is the end for Rodgers, one of the greatest players ever who underachieved. There is an element of Wilt Chamberlain to Rodgers.”
  [22:29]

3. Is Mike Tomlin on the Hot Seat?

[23:22–29:51]

• Discussion shifts to Steelers coaching.

• Nick reluctantly acknowledges Tomlin’s run has gotten stale (“I would understand if Steelers fans are like, I’ve had my fill here. But I still think he is a really good coach... I’d be scared of getting on that coaching carousel again”).
  [27:23]

• Critique on Steelers’ playoff competitiveness: many games not close, often big early deficits.

4. Texans’ Victory & Concerns for Nico Collins

[28:06–31:22]

• Texans defense gets heavy praise: “That defense was that good and that defense was that ferocious.”
• On Nico Collins’ likely concussion:

  “It looked to me like he got concussed on the first drive... and then when he got hit again... it was such a bad concussion at that point they said he didn’t know where he was. That’s brutal, man.”
  [29:55]

5. Eagles’ Collapse and Sirianni’s Future

[33:42–50:27]

• “The Eagles were defeated by the Niners even with George Kittle getting an Achilles injury. Sirianni’s got to get coach of the year—but he’s just doing everything with nothing.”
  [33:53] (Damanze)

• Nick goes in on Eagles fans and Sirianni:

  “I don’t have anything against the players on the Eagles. I find their coach wildly annoying. And the fans… some of the most irrationally annoying adults I’ve met in 10 years.”
  [33:59]

• On why the offense failed: inconsistent, unable to “flip a switch” in playoffs, running game not dominant, Hurts forced to pass.

• On Sirianni:

  “He did not do a good job this year. Nick Sirianni enters next season with one of the hottest seats in the NFL... I just think Sirianni’s got to grow up a bit.”
  [50:25]

• Salary cap “time bomb” explained—Eagles have borrowed $422 million from future cap years, making the 2026 season crucial.
  [42:10–49:27]

6. 49ers Resilience and Injury Mysteries

[51:04–54:26]

• Niners’ unprecedented injury woes brought up—joking theory about a nearby power plant’s energy waves “Chernobyl-ing” players’ ligaments.

• Despite injuries (Kittle’s Achilles), Nick credits Kyle Shanahan:

  “Just an all-time coaching job by Shanahan this year.”
  [54:27]

• Brock Purdy gets props for “gutsy” playoff performance.

7. Bears' Amazing Comeback & Caleb Williams’ Ascendancy

[55:25–62:37]

• Bears complete a comeback over the Packers despite never holding a lead until the end (“Resiliency!”).

• Nick on Caleb Williams’ talent:

  “There are things he can do that only two other guys in the league, Mahomes and Josh [Allen], can do.”
  [57:56]

• Bears’ historic trend:

  “Teams this year not named the Chicago Bears, when trailing by double digits in the final five minutes, are 3–159. The Bears are 3–3.”
  [59:17]

• On Bears' late-game confidence:

  “They are the only team in these playoffs that if they’re down 10 entering the fourth quarter, feels fine.”
  [60:08]

• Caleb’s stock: will be best QB in the NFC if Stafford retires

8. Bills-Jags: Josh Allen’s Redemption

[62:37–69:21]

• Bills beat Jags in a wild finish; Josh Allen praised as “on an all-time playoff heater” (16 TDs, 0 turnovers, 105 rating in 6 games).

• Nick on Allen:

  “This is why the some folks thought they were defending Josh Allen by pre-writing excuses... that lowers the stakes. And if you lower the stakes then when you come through, it’s less impactful.”
  [63:25]

• On Trevor Lawrence’s critical late-game mistake, but “not just binary, win or lose—it is, how did you play, did you put your team in position?”

9. Media Silliness: Jags Reporter “Outrage”

[69:42–72:02]

• Viral clip: Jags reporter told coach Liam Cohen, “You’ll get ‘em next year.” Nick defends the gesture against media outrage:

  “You know what feels great? No matter how down you are, having an old, nice black woman tell you, pick yourself up.”
  [70:59]

• Suggests each coach’s press conference should include “the homer and the hater” chairs for balance.

10. Quick Hitters: Patriots, Chargers, Rams & Panthers

[72:44–79:23]

• Drake May “shaky early and then was very good late”; Patriots defense “awesome.”

• Justin Herbert playoff disappointment chronicled:

  “Justin Herbert's played 10 consecutive F- minus quarters of playoff football. Herbert has the second lowest career playoff passer rating ahead of only Andy Dalton.”
  [74:33]

• Rams survive a scare vs. Panthers; Puka’s game-saving play and Nick’s running sports IQ joke.

• Nick’s Super Bowl pick (as of divisional round):

  “Rams over Bills in the Super Bowl.”
  [79:18]

Notable/Memorable Quotes

• “Leadership critique: 'There was a lot of pointing... making it clear to the whole world—he screwed up, not me.'” (Nick on Rodgers) [09:05]
• “One of the greatest players ever who underachieved. There’s an element of Wilt Chamberlain to Rodgers.” [22:29]
• “Nick Sirianni enters next season with one of the hottest seats in the NFL.” [49:27]
• “Caleb [Williams] will enter next year the best quarterback in the NFC, as good as Jordan Love was yesterday.” [60:09]
• “Josh [Allen] is on an all-time playoff heater. That’s how you write your legend.” [64:45]
• “Have your guy go down, let the clock run… The Jags were thrilled the Bills scored when they did.” [67:31]
• “I think every NFL team's postgame press conference for the coaches needs to have two designated chairs: the homer and the hater.” [72:02]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start (MM:SS) |
|-----------------------------|--------------|
| NFL Wild Card Recap | 00:35 |
| Rodgers' Legacy | 07:44 |
| Tomlin Discussion | 23:22 |
| Texans’ Victory/Collins | 28:06 |
| Eagles Meltdown & Sirianni | 33:42 |
| Niners Injuries | 51:04 |
| Bears Comeback & Caleb | 55:25 |
| Bills-Jags Thriller | 62:37 |
| Media Outrage Segment | 69:41 |
| Quick Hitters, Others | 72:44 |

Tone & Language

• Opinionated, irreverent, and richly detailed sports talk.
• Clear allegiance and humor (“...if I sound like a hater... yes, yes and yes”).
• Doesn’t pull punches: pointed critiques (of Rodgers, Sirianni, Herbert).
• Deep football nerdery when needed (cap structure, play breakdowns).
• Candid, unscripted energy with conversational asides.

For Listeners Who Missed the Show

This episode is a comprehensive, candid review of every major NFL playoff storyline from a legendary wild card weekend. Expect critical legacy discussions (Rodgers), biting coach analysis (Sirianni, Tomlin), historic comebacks (Bears/Caleb Williams), injury mysteries (Niners), and a variety of football meta-commentaries—even media and press conference culture. If you want strong opinions, stats, and genuine playoff passion wrapped into a single podcast, this is the replay you need.