Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

What's Wright - Shedeur Sanders RIDICULOUS Behavior, Mahomes vs. The Prince, 49ers-Rams Predictions | Nick Wright

Date: October 3, 2025
Host: Nick Wright (with co-host Damanza)

Episode Overview

In this episode, Nick Wright dives into the major NFL storylines as the season moves past its opening month, focusing on the shifting identity of teams, the media circus around Shedeur Sanders' behavior, quarterback controversies, Mahomes vs. Trevor Lawrence, 49ers-Rams predictions, and more. The episode is punctuated by sharp opinions, meta reflections on sports media, practical advice for young athletes, and the dynamic between on-field performance and off-field narratives.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. NFL Season State-of-the-Union

• Changing Face of September Football:
  • Nick explains how, post-lockout rule changes and the 17-game schedule, the first month of NFL action now resembles an extended preseason.
  • Teams use September to "figure out who they are," making early handicapping tricky, but by October, "you kind of not are who you are, but you're a lot closer to your final form" ([01:10]).
  • Emphasis on teams like Baltimore and Houston—playoff hopefuls now on the brink because of poor starts.

2. Shedeur Sanders’ "Ridiculous" Behavior & Media Backlash

The Incident and Media Spin

• Background: Shedeur Sanders, after being passed over for QB2 (still third on the depth chart), responded to a press conference by silently mouthing answers—a sort of protest after media criticism and Rex Ryan's pointed attacks ([11:50-16:07]).
• Nick recaps:

  “He smiled and, in my opinion, looked like he always does, which is charming...but he was clearly saying sentences, but they were dead silent.” ([15:19])

• Rex Ryan Critique: Rex accused Shedeur of lacking work ethic and told him to "shut your mouth," sparking wider media debate.

Nick’s Take & Broader Lesson

• Nick stresses the responsibility of young players to act professionally—no matter how unfair the media scrutiny seems.

  "If Shedeur was your best friend ... and he called you up and was like, 'Hey, when they ask me about it, listen to what my plan is: I’m going to answer their questions silently.' … All of us would say, 'Don’t fucking do that, man. It’s a bad idea.'" ([17:09])

• Suggests the right response is to show team spirit, not to "do a bit in the locker room as the third string quarterback."

• Addresses the danger of Shedeur living in a “Tebow Zone,” where excessive celebrity shields him from needed professional growth.

Deion Sanders’ Role

• Nick argues Deion is, perhaps unintentionally, enabling Shedeur’s missteps by cheering on antics (“Good one son. You did that”).
• Contrasts Deion's generational talent and positional difference (cornerback vs. quarterback):

  "Dion had two things going for him ... he was a super duper star on the field. And ... he wasn’t a quarterback." ([29:31-33:05])

Broader Reflection on Advice

“The idea that you shouldn't have people in your life like, 'Hey man, that's a mistake,' is idiotic... he is risking entering the Tebow zone of your biggest fans hurt you.” ([29:32])

3. Mahomes vs. Trevor Lawrence – The “Wright Bowl”

• Chiefs vs. Jaguars Preview:
  • Nick states his clear rooting interest: “I really like Trevor. I love Patrick. … I’m rooting for the Chiefs to roll. Now, in a perfect world, they roll and Trevor looks good and the Jags defense has been really good...” ([37:17])
  • Dives into the Jaguars’ use of Travis Hunter—playing both ways, but perhaps to his detriment—“right now they have just gotten one okay player on both sides of the ball” ([37:00-40:29]).
  • Chiefs offense discussion: Nick bullish on improvements, praising Kelsey’s performance, thinking ahead to what happens when missing WRs return ([40:35-43:43]).
  • Jags’ biggest problem: Trevor Lawrence’s play not meeting expectations; “Trevor's got to be better. There's no way around it.” ([43:50])

4. 49ers-Rams Preview & Quarterback Discourse

• 49ers Dilemma:
  • Purdy out with turf toe, Mac Jones starting. Nick blames 49ers’ medical staff for not managing Purdy better ([44:28]).
  • “I do not think the 49ers have a chance tonight. I think the Rams are excellent and I would be hugely concerned about Purdy's health.”
  • Argues Niners overpaid Purdy, who’s not demonstrably better than other QBs in their system:

    “Once he was not graded as franchise quarterback ... his job description changed massively and he is still carrying himself as if it hadn't.” ([44:09-49:32])

5. Wide Receiver Rankings & Puka Nacua Hype

• “Is Puka Nacua the NFL’s Top WR?” Discussion
  • Puka’s “ironclad case” for best receiver by numbers, but Nick admits:

    “I cannot wrap my mind around the idea that he's better than Justin Jefferson or Jamar Chase ... but Puka is an unbelievable player.” ([51:34])

• Praises Nacua’s team-first demeanor and consistency.

6. AFC: Ravens, Texans, Playoff Math

• Ravens-Texans Game Stakes:
  • Nick sees more pressure on Houston, but isn't writing off the Ravens even at 1-5, explaining Baltimore’s potential to go on a post-bye run ([51:59-58:39]).
  • Outlines the AFC playoff picture and why he remains optimistic about the Ravens if Lamar returns healthy.

7. Brief Baseball Postseason Banter

• Rooting for the Yankees for personal reasons, handicapping various playoff matchups, and discussing the fun of different possible divisional round matchups ([61:10-64:39]).

8. Listener Q&A and Fun Anecdotes

• Dealing with Hecklers:
  • Nick recounts being heckled by Eagles fans at the Ryder Cup, demanding and receiving a public apology ([64:39-68:04]).
• Tattoo Stories:
  • Clarifies his "Never Doubt" tattoo is real, while the “Tackle that Turned the Tide” tattoo was temporary—but still cost a surprising amount ([68:11-70:52]).
• Quick-Hit NFL Qs:
  • On Justin Herbert: "I don't think people care quite enough about Justin Herbert ..."
  • Injury Rates: No, not higher than normal—NFL is always brutal.
  • Bengals QB Talk: Suggests they trade for Kirk Cousins or Jameis Winston if necessary ([72:08-72:19]).

Notable Quotes

• On Shedeur Sanders:

  "I am asking for him to recognize that this shit works against him and his dad who everybody loves, myself included ... is not helpful." (Nick Wright, [27:03])

• On Handling the Media:

  “All you've got to do is not do a single thing that is going to add to the questions the media is going to ask … and then bide your time, bro.” (Nick Wright, [27:22])

• Mahomes vs. Lawrence:

  “This is like… my actual son versus my pretend son.” (Nick Wright, [37:17])

• On the 49ers QB Situation:

  “Once he was not graded as franchise quarterback … his job description changed massively and he is still carrying himself as if it hadn't.” ([44:09-49:32])

• On Dealing with Hecklers:

  “I’m like, ‘I’m going to need an apology.’ … He’s like, ‘I’m sorry, man.’ I’m like, ‘Thank you.’” (Nick Wright, [66:39-68:04])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• (01:10) – NFL’s September-to-October transition and team identities
• (11:50-17:09) – Shedeur Sanders, press conference “silent answers,” media and coaching advice
• (29:31-33:05) – Shedeur, celebrity backup QBs, and Deion’s role in the narrative
• (37:00-40:29) – Chiefs vs. Jags; Travis Hunter and Jaguars’ roster construction
• (44:09-49:32) – 49ers, Purdy injury, Mac Jones starting, and the value of quarterback contracts
• (51:34) – Puka Nacua among NFL wide receivers
• (51:59-59:34) – Ravens vs. Texans, playoff scenarios, and backup QB calculus
• (61:10-64:39) – Baseball playoff storylines
• (64:39-68:04) – Ryder Cup heckler story
• (68:11-70:52) – Tattoo anecdote
• (72:08-72:19) – Bengals, Trey Lance, and potential moves

Overall Tone and Takeaways

Nick Wright's episode blends strong, direct sports takes (“I'm not asking for the kid to be humbled. I hate that commentary.”) with larger life lessons about reputation, advice, and professionalism—while weaving in plenty of good-natured humor and candid anecdotes. If you're after an episode that debates not just sports performance but also the modern athlete's place in a media-saturated world, this one delivers.

Recommended For:
Fans interested in deeper context around sports headlines, quarterback controversies, athlete-media dynamics, and high-level NFL and MLB analysis.