Transcript

Colin Cowherd’s SUPER BOWL bubble: Bills, Rams, Patriots, Seahawks | THE HERD NFL

From The Herd with Colin Cowherd · Episode page · Watch on YouTube

· 50 min · 9,234 words · 121 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "Colin Cowherd’s SUPER BOWL bubble: Bills, Rams, Patriots, Seahawks | THE HERD NFL", an episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd published January 14, 2026 (50 min, about 9,234 words). It mentions 32 people, works and ideas, including Pittsburgh Steelers, Colin Cowherd, Albert Breer, Marcus Freeman, Buffalo Bills.

What this episode is about

Colin Cowherd identifies eight NFL teams he believes are contenders for the Super Bowl, highlighting the Buffalo Bills as potential frontrunners. He discusses the strengths of teams like the Los Angeles Rams, known for their top offensive ranking, and the New England Patriots, emphasizing their strong coaching and solid performance metrics, while also noting critical matchups against other contenders.

Key takeaways

  • Buffalo's second-half prowess: they tighten the screws when it matters, making them a third-act thriller in football.
  • New England's quiet consistency: not flashy, but they possess a rare balance—no glaring weaknesses, just classic football craftsmanship.
  • Seattle's scoring versatility shines like a late-game fireworks show—one moment it's fireworks, the next, rain-soaked chaos!
  • The Rams may be lethal offensively, but without strong special teams, they're edging on a two-dimensional game—like a movie missing a twist.
  • Houston's defense resembles football's equivalent of a magician—making opponents disappear while cleverly covering their own weaknesses beneath smoke and mirrors.

Who speaks in this episode?

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 5:00: Houston Texans, Jacksonville, Matt Stafford, Colin Cowherd
  2. – 10:00: San Francisco, Colin Cowherd, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens
  3. – 15:00: Pittsburgh Steelers, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville, San Francisco
  4. – 20:00: Jacksonville, Buffalo Bills, Denver, Josh Allen
  5. – 25:00: Marcus Freeman, Albert Breer, Kevin Stefanski, Tennessee Titans
  6. – 30:00: Pittsburgh Steelers, Kevin Stefanski, Marcus Freeman, Cleveland Browns
  7. – 35:00: Arch Manning, Seattle
  8. – 40:00: Pittsburgh Steelers, Marcus Freeman, Colin Cowherd, Minnesota Vikings
  9. – 45:00: Marcus Freeman, Baltimore Ravens, Caleb Williams
  10. – 49:50: Cleveland, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons

Notable quotes from "Colin Cowherd’s SUPER BOWL bubble: Bills, Rams, Patriots, Seahawks | THE HERD NFL"

  • Game, but I think only four of eight can get to and win the Super Bowl. With that, Albert Brerier is now joining us live.
    about Colin Cowherd · at
  • We know the Ravens is the best job for a lot of reasons. Great owner, nice roster, a mix of young, experienced pro bowlers, Lamar Jackson.
    about Baltimore Ravens · at
  • Think it's an attractive job because it's the Steelers. It's a it's a it's it's it's a flagship franchise. Patient ownership. They're going to give you time to build, but man…
    about Pittsburgh Steelers · at
  • Him in Pittsburgh think that this is going to be it for him. and like so I know like people there were operating under the impression that he was going to retire after this year.
    about Albert Breer · at
  • Game it was Buffalo's game. And I was like Wow I think they're going to go to Denver and win.
    about Buffalo Bills · at
  • And there's just a belief in what they're doing and if we can get to the end of the game and put the ball in the hands of our quarterback, we are going to win the game. And you…
    about Josh Allen · at
  • Yeah. So, I'm tempted to say Marcus Freeman, by the way. But, his, by the way, his camp says he's not interested. Do you don't buy that?
    about Marcus Freeman · at
  • I mean Stfansky to the Steelers makes a lot of sense to me.
    about Kevin Stefanski · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

  • Colin Cowherd — Person · Host · 3 mentions · first at
    Leads the episode’s NFL playoff/Super Bowl bubble analysis and drives the coaching-carousel discussion with Albert Breer and Jerome Bettis.
  • Albert Breer — Person · Main guest · 1 mention · first at
    Provides reporting and candidate intel on coaching openings, Steelers roster realities, and Aaron Rodgers’ likely retirement; adds detailed Texans/Bills observations.
  • Marcus Freeman — Person · Core topic · 10 mentions · first at
    Discussed as a surprising but plausible NFL head-coach candidate (Steelers in particular) due to presence, recruiting/draft insight, and defensive background.
  • Kevin Stefanski — Person · Core topic · 2 mentions · first at
    Frequently named as a top coaching candidate for openings (Steelers, Giants, Titans); framed as an offensive-minded coach who could benefit from organizational stability.
  • Josh Allen — Person · Referenced star · 3 mentions · first at
    Presented as Buffalo’s 'trump card' and the key reason the Bills are viewed as hard to beat late in games.
  • Caleb Williams — Person · Referenced player · 3 mentions · first at
    Cited as an example of explosive late-game heroics and as a product of being 'awful' enough to draft high; used in QB-value argument.
    Will give you these moments and you're Oh, wow. Wow. Like I when I'm watching Caleb Williams against the ners late in the year and I mean just it's volleyball. It's just one great play one back and against Salah and I'm like man.
  • Matt Stafford — Person · Referenced player · 2 mentions · first at
    Used to support Rams as a Super Bowl bubble team; cited for playoff performance with Rams.
    And that offense is lethal. Matt Stafford's always been good in the playoffs. 6-2 with the Rams, 107 passer rating. I don't love their special teams, but one of the teams that matched.
  • Arch Manning — Person · Referenced prospect · 2 mentions · first at
    Used as an example of future QB availability that could change team timelines and job attractiveness (Giants/Steelers).
    Next year they could get an Arch Manning. Do you think the Giants is better than the Steelers as a second best gig?

Companies & orgs

  • Pittsburgh Steelers — Company · Core topic · 7 mentions · first at
    Central franchise in the coaching-opening discussion: roster age, QB uncertainty, rebuild vs. retool, and potential coaching candidates (Freeman, Stefanski, etc.).
  • Buffalo Bills — Company · Core topic · 3 mentions · first at
    One of Cowherd’s four Super Bowl-capable teams; discussed as resilient ('hard to kill') with Josh Allen as late-game advantage.
  • Houston Texans — Company · Core topic · 2 mentions · first at
    Debated as a contender due to historically dominant defense but questioned for offensive inconsistency, rookie reliance, and red-zone struggles.
    Houston's defense is starting to feel to me like 2015 Broncos, 2013 Seahawks, 2002 Buccaneers.
  • Baltimore Ravens — Company · Core topic · 2 mentions · first at
    Discussed as the 'best job' opening and in owner Steve Bisciotti’s comments about Lamar’s input; also referenced in Steelers/Ravens rivalry hiring taboo.
  • Tennessee Titans — Company · Core topic · 4 mentions · first at
    Discussed as a coaching opening and potential Tomlin destination; also referenced in QB-evaluation context (Cam Ward).
    And you just give me a name, a leading candidate in a sentence. We won't go too long. I'm going to say Tennessee. What happens?
  • Jacksonville Jaguars — Company · Referenced team · 2 mentions · first at
    Key setting for Bills’ impressive road win; also used as a measuring stick (Jags beat Denver badly) and mentioned in coaching-candidate context.
    I mean like if you go to Jacksonville and lose and that's a really good Jacksonville team, right? A really good Jacksonville team that kick Denver's ass. Like I like if you…
  • San Francisco 49ers — Company · Referenced team · 2 mentions · first at
    Discussed as excluded from Super Bowl bubble due to injuries and defensive issues; also used as a benchmark opponent for Texans offense flashes.
    Remaining playoff teams. They just give up too many big plays. Ner's now that KD's out, Bosa Warner out, I can't put the Niners in. Second worst scoring defense. Salah's doing it with smoke and mirrors. Okay, now my Denver Broncos.
  • Minnesota Vikings — Company · Referenced team · 2 mentions · first at
    Discussed as a potential landing spot for Aaron Rodgers and as the context for QB competition comments from Kevin O’Connell.
    You're going to revive your Aaron Rodgers to Minnesota.
  • Denver Broncos — Company · Referenced team · 1 mention · first at
    Cowherd weighs Denver as dangerous at home but ultimately not in his Super Bowl bubble due to offensive struggles and easy schedule.
    I can't. Held to 20 points or fewer three straight games. I think they're the best team potentially because they get a play at home. So, I think they're I keep your eye on Denver against.
  • Cleveland Browns — Company · Referenced team · 1 mention · first at
    Appears mainly through Stefanski’s background and as an example of organizational chaos compared to Steelers stability.
    Yeah. Yeah. Stfansky would go from the chaos of Cleveland to the stability of either a Baltimore or Pittsburgh. that's that's what he hasn't had. He's had players. He's had he just hadn't.
  • Green Bay Packers — Company · Referenced team · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned in context of Jeff Hafley’s defensive coaching work in Green Bay and as an opponent used to evaluate Caleb Williams.
    Back and against Salah and I'm like man Caleb is he's graduated to a different class whatever the class is and then he does it again the Packers and HalfL.
  • Los Angeles Chargers — Company · Referenced team · 1 mention · first at
    Used hypothetically to illustrate Marcus Freeman’s NFL fit (as a DC) and referenced as an example of Harbaugh leveraging college recruiting knowledge in drafts.
    Marcus Freeman, just like Harbaugh goes to the Chargers backto-back drafts, he knows he's he's recruited all these top guys. You get a huge if you go pure NFL guy, you don't get that.
  • Detroit Lions — Company · Referenced team · 1 mention · first at
    Used as an example of a culture-coach team that could jump into Super Bowl contention with a top OC like Mike McDaniel.
    Culture guy, is Sirani more of a culture guy. very reliant on coordinators. And so I think Detroit I would immediately put Detroit in a Super Bowl bubble if they went and got Mike McDaniel.
  • Atlanta Falcons — Company · Referenced team · 2 mentions · first at
    Mentioned in QB-evaluation context (Michael Penix) and as a possible Tomlin destination among openings.
    Attractive it is, is largely dependent on what you think of Jackson Dart. Same thing with Cam Ward in Tennessee. Same thing with Michael Pennix in Atlanta. heck, you could say…
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Company · Referenced team · 1 mention · first at
    Referenced as a Bills comeback opponent and as an example of Brady-era roster fix (Tristan Wirfs) in Giants tackle discussion.
    My first pick, I can go get the best tackle. So, I can solve that's like when Brady went to Tampa and they got Tristan Worse. That was their big issue. Good roster, bad at right tack. So, the Giants can solve that right out of the.
  • Kansas City Chiefs — Company · Referenced benchmark · 1 mention
    Used as an example of a past dynasty-level Super Bowl bubble certainty that Cowherd says doesn’t exist this year.
    Teams like Kansas City... in their dynasty.
  • Arizona Cardinals — Company · Referenced team · 1 mention · first at
    Cowherd briefly dismisses Arizona as an unappealing job opening compared to others.
    All right. I think almost all of these jobs I mean I Arizona and Cleveland don't interest me at all, but this league is you're so capable if you have a lot of draft picks.
  • Cincinnati Bengals — Company · Referenced team · 1 mention
    Used as an example of Bills’ comeback resilience (fell behind vs Bengals).

Places & events

  • Jacksonville — Place · Referenced location · 6 mentions · first at
    Setting for Bills’ statement win and a key data point in evaluating Buffalo’s playoff readiness.
    But I think they can go and win the Super Bowl. I've changed my mind on this. Impressive win at Jacksonville.
  • Denver — Place · Referenced location · 4 mentions · first at
    Mentioned as the site of a potential Bills road win and as Broncos’ home-field advantage context.
    Game it was Buffalo's game. And I was like Wow I think they're going to go to Denver and win.
  • Seattle — Place · Referenced location · 2 mentions · first at
    Mentioned for January weather/home-field conditions affecting opponents’ passing games.
    Football on them, so they force you to throw. Well, that can be problematic if you're playing in Seattle and it's raining in January sideways. I think their coach is the…
  • Foxborough — Place · Referenced location · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as the site of Texans traveling to play the Patriots, contextualizing playoff matchup conditions.
    Broncos where they didn't have a lot offensively. So I'm really interested to see what happens when they come up to Foxboro Pro and play on Sunday.
  • Cleveland — Place · Referenced location · 5 mentions · first at
    Mentioned as the place Stefanski coached ('in Cleveland') in coaching-candidate evaluation.
    And there's just Don't forget about Stfansky, two-time coach of the year in Cleveland.
  • San Francisco — Place · Referenced location · 3 mentions · first at
    Mentioned as an opponent context for CJ Stroud’s strong game ('against San Francisco').
    Like what he was as a rookie. So you saw it against San Francisco for example. I think he threw for 350 yards against them and that's a good team. Like I know they've had their injuries, but that's.

Full transcript with timestamps

Welcome to the Herds official YouTube channel. Make sure to like and subscribe. Don't forget to check out the Colin Coward podcast, all of our NFL instant reactions, and more football content. Um, all right. Uh, I do this this will be um I always have about five or six teams in my Super Bowl bubble. Um, a lot of those teams like Kansas City or a New England in their dynasty that we don't have that this year. In fact, maybe the best team is Buffalo. We don't know. And are they a Super Bowl team? So, eight teams left. I'm going to tell you how many teams I think are capable of winning the Super Bowl. That's a lot of wins from today. So, we'll start with the Rams. Number one scoring offense, number one total offense in the NFL. And they are healthy.

Okay, they're healthy. And that offense is lethal. Matt Stafford's always been good in the playoffs. 6-2 with the Rams, 107 passer rating. I don't love their special teams, but one of the teams that matched up very well against them, Philadelphia, with AJ Brown, a problem for their corners. They're out. By the way, Carolina matched up well with them twice. Two big boundary receivers. The Rams are a Super Bowl bubble team. The second one I would put in New England, folks. They've won 14 of their last 15 games. Top five coach. They also lead the NFL in yards per play, including the playoffs. That is a That's what the wise guys like. And I said this yesterday. Here's where they remind me of the old Patriots.

A mature, tall, accurate quarterback, a defense tough guy at coach, Josh McDaniel, coordinator, Robert Craft, owner. And those Patriot teams didn't have any major holes. They weren't the best at a lot of things other than quarterback, but they didn't have a lot of holes. I don't know what the hole on the Patriots is. I do think they have to continue to modify the O line, but they don't have a lot of holes. They may not be great at anything. Are they terrible at anything? I have New England capable of getting and winning a Super Bowl. The third team I think can get in is the Seahawks.

Again, they've won 11 of 12, only lost two points in a turnover plague game against the Rams. Number four scoring offense. You can't run the football on them, so they force you to throw. Well, that can be problematic if you're playing in Seattle and it's raining in January sideways. I think their coach is the defensive version of Shawn McVey. They can score early, they can score late. Sometimes they're a little dependent on JSN at wide receiver. Okay. But again, I I don't know where their hole is. Well, Darnold throws picks. So does Brock Pury and Matt Stafford, folks. So did Payton Manning. I think the Seahawks are an obvious choice capable of getting to and winning the Super Bowl. And my fourth and final team maybe is the Buffalo Bills.

Best second half team in the league. Josh Allen has twice as many wins, eight as the remaining AFC quarterbacks combined. Four. Their offensive personnel is very good. Deion Dawkins, James Cook, excellent tight ends. Concaid Dawson Knox. Offensive line is good. Defense worries me a little, but I think they can go and win the Super Bowl. I've changed my mind on this. Impressive win at Jacksonville. How about the Chicago Bears? I can't put them in. Worst scoring defense, worst total defense of the remaining playoff teams. They just give up too many big plays. Ner's now that KD's out, Bosa Warner out, I can't put the Niners in. Second worst scoring defense. Salah's doing it with smoke and mirrors. Okay, now my Denver Broncos.

I can't. Held to 20 points or fewer three straight games. I think they're the best team potentially because they get a play at home. So, I think they're I I keep your eye on Denver against Buffalo, but they've played a very easy schedule. The Jacksonville loss was kind of a wo moment and they are struggling offensively. People got a lot of film now in Bo Nicks. And the Houston Texans, I have changed my mind. 0 and6 divisional round all time. Jax said it earlier this week. Something's not quite right with CJ Strad missing one of their best receivers.

They are This is a knock. 24th yards per play. I honestly if if Woody Marx is out, I don't feel like they're viable. They're 30th in the red zone. That was my knock on them Monday night. They settled for field goals, not touchdowns. Rams, Seahawks, Bills, Patriots in, by the way, it's it's it's feet, not even yards. Denver, I mean, the coaching in San Francisco, the pass rush in Denver, the defense in Houston, and the explosive lateg game heroics of Caleb Williams. We're not saying they can't win another game, but I think only four of eight can get to and win the Super Bowl. With that, Albert Brerier is now joining us live.

You're a reporter, not that you care. Any of those rank any of those you would strongly disagree with? I mean, Houston's defense is starting to feel to me like 2015 Broncos, 2013 Seahawks, 2002 Buccaneers. Um, I just 2000 Ravens. I like just watching them close on the ball. That was the big thing cuz I think we all know like how they can cover on the back end with the corners they have, how they can get after the passer with with Anderson and Hunter and then the depth that they have on the defensive line.

You know, one thing that really stuck out to me, Colin, was watching when Aaron Rogers checked the ball down and threw it over the middle on Monday night. Yeah.

And how it seemed like there were three hats on the ball like instantly on every single play. Yeah. And it's just I I I saw what they did to the Bills and Josh Allen earlier in the year

and the Rams. Um and the I mean like it is just I mean it legitimately looks like there are 13 guys out there.

I always said that when you see a great defense, it is as if they're playing with another man either in the pass rush or in the linebacking court. Houston feels like they got an extra guy out there,

right? So like my question is and here's what's so interesting about Houston to me, right? So you got CJ Strad and I think we've seen it at times this year. It just hasn't been consistent, right? Like what he was as a rookie. So you saw it against San Francisco for example. I think he threw for 350 yards against them and that's a good team. Like I know they've had their injuries, but that's obviously a really good team.

Um I just like to me it's like what do their firstear guys do? So especially if Nico Collins is out this week, right? We'll see on the concussion protocol, but their rookie receivers Jaden Higgins and Jaylen Noel, their rookie running back Woody Marks, their rookie left tackle, Arante Ersery, their rookie offensive coordinator, Nick Kaye, who knows New England inside and out because he came up there like I I I just I I I look at the amount of young people and firstear people, you know, not not necessarily all rookies, but the amount of young people they're relying on on offense and the quarterback's part of that equation, too. and can they give them enough where that defense can can really turn it on? And I think you saw flashes of it again on on on Monday night. Like there was the deep ball to to Jaylen Null that was right on his numbers and he dropped it, you know. So there just little things that you see

with them offensively where it's like, god, they're right there and this team could be even better next year, you know? And

um I just think the historic nature of the defense, we've seen it before, right? Like so and and we've seen it in this era like we saw it with the 2015 Broncos where they didn't have a lot offensively. So I I'm really interested to see what happens when they come up to Foxboro Pro and play on Sunday.

We know the Ravens is the best job for a lot of reasons. Great owner, nice roster, a mix of young, experienced pro bowlers, Lamar Jackson.

Okay, let's start with the number two job. I'm going to argue that we I think the Giants is the second best job. I go in with left tackle, by the way, great offensive tackle draft. My first pick, I can go get the best tackle. So, I can solve that's like when Brady went to Tampa and they got Tristan Worse. That was their big issue. Good roster, bad at right tack. So, the Giants can solve that right out of the shoot.

Um, I think the Giants over the Steelers. Steelers don't have a quarterback. Steelers spend a lot of money on defense. They have a lot of draft picks, but you'll be very, very young defensively next year.

I now I know the stability thing. We all know that. Goes without saying in Pittsburgh. I think the Giants is a better job today to me than Pittsburgh. They got Lamar in that division. Burrow's coming back in that division. Next year they could get an Arch Manning. Do you think the Giants is better than the Steelers as a second best gig?

I I would I would agree. Um and I think what's so interesting about this year's market, Colin, is so many of the jobs depend on your individual evaluation of the quarterback, right? because we know how important having the right quarterback is. So, the Giants job, how attractive it is, is largely dependent on what you think of Jackson Dart. Same thing with Cam Ward in Tennessee. Same thing with Michael Pennix in Atlanta. I mean, heck, you could say the same thing about Vegas. Like, what do you think of Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore, right?

So, I think the attractiveness of this job, it's kind of a moving target with some of these teams based on your own evaluation of the quarterback position. That said, they have a lot of other things with the Giants. like you said, franchise left tackle and Andrew Thomas, franchise receiver in um in in in Malik Neighbors on the defensive front. I mean, my goodness, Brian Burns, Abdul Carter, Dexter Lawrence, you have a chance to be dominant up front right out of the shoot as a first year head coach. They've invested in their secondary, bringing in Paul Adibbo and Javon Holland last off season. So, they have pieces and I this is why like the last couple of years I felt like they were the team right on the edge. So, I think I I would agree with you. I think a lot of it depends on what your evaluation of Dart is. It's just as to just how attractive the job is. But if you love Dart, I think it's got everything that

you'd want. Stable ownership, all of that. The Steelers, I mean, I I would just say this with the Steelers. I I I think it's an attractive job because it's the Steelers. It's a it's a it's it's it's a flagship franchise. Patient ownership. They're going to give you time to build, but man, you got a lot of work to do on that roster. They got eight guys in their starting 22 right now that are 30 or older. Wow.

So, what do you do with TJ Watt? What do you do with Cam Hayward? Does he retire? What do you do with Jaylen Ramsay? Aaron Rogers, is he in or out? Um, you you don't have a lot of guys on that roster where you look and say, "Yeah, that guy's going to be here three years from now." Got a couple offensive linemen, maybe a defensive lineman or two, and that's it. And so, you're you're you've got, I think, what what looks like a relatively lengthy rebuild there. That isn't the case with the Giants. For the for the record, the um the job openings are are fascinating. There are nine openings and um guys, put the graphic up. I said I think there's better candidates than we think. Um I think Tomlin's going to do a reset. I think he's going to take a year off, do TV. He's not a TV guy. He's like Vel. He could do TV. He's not a TV guy.

I think Harbaugh Stfansky, Tomlin, McCarthy, those are very good options. I think Salah, Flores, and Dable deserve a second chance. If I had to, I'd hire all of them.

I think Mentor, Kubak, and Halfley are certainly worthy of an opportunity. I think Kingsberry is an OC. I don't think he likes conflict. That's why he's bailing on DC. He felt bullied by Adam Peters, I was told. I also think Mike McDaniel's brilliant. I think he's a vice president, not a president. I'd hired him in one second to be my coordinator. anything there when you look at this tearing

am I missing something is is is half considered I mean you tell me what you make of that

yeah okay so like the first thing I would say is like I'm looking at your second chance guys I think Robert Salah has a chance because of his ability to put together a staff his ties are all to the Shanahan tree could he bring Mike McDaniel who he's very close with

right right to Tennessee with him or could he bring Mike Laflur for the opportunity to call plays if Shawn McDeay would let him leave to Tennessee, you know, Robert's not only going to go to an McDaniel's our coordinator this year, next year, and if he leaves, I got this other guy coming with me from San Francisco who I think is going to be the next coordinator, right? So, I think Robert gives you the chance to do that. His ability to build a staff is is is really, really solid. I I look at the first time, guys, and I think what's fascinating about this year is that the best ones are on defense, right? Jesse Mter got requested by every single team with an opening, saved for Pittsburgh.

We'll see if that one comes. Jeff Hathley has been a head coach before, has done a fantastic job in Green Bay, really good reaching people. Anthony Campanelli in Jacksonville, I think things are going to pick up on him a little bit. Matt Burke in in in Houston, we see what he's been able to build there. Eiro Evo, you've got all these young guys. There's almost like this backlog of young defensive coaches because everybody's been mining the offensive pipeline for so long. So, I think there are a lot of good young defensive coaches there. And then on the offensive side, if you're dead set on getting one, it's just me, you're going to be rolling the dice a little, right?

Like, so Clint Kubak, I think, is a really good young coach. Is he ready? We'll see. He comes off a lot like his dad, right? like which is a good thing, but you have to be comfortable with like kind of that level, quiet, calm personality. Yeah.

Um Davis Webb's another one. Davis Webb's fantastic and is going to be a head coach played quarterback in the league. Yeah.

He's 30 years old. Is he ready? So on the offensive side, I think you'd be looking at guys that are

just dice rolls, you know, whereas on the defensive side of the ball, I think you got more guys who are ready.

Um Aaron Rodgers, I thought I said I thought he should retire or go to the Vikings. I think he made the most of it. I' I'd nominate him for comeback player of the year. I think the Steelers offense I mean like I said this earlier, Mike Tomlin doesn't have a coaching tree. It's a cactus. Like the OC since Arens just they don't they don't they don't do anything. So

I never heard that one before. A cactus. So I think Aaron cactus. So he basically Aaron did the best of what you can do with an a kind of a tonedeaf offensive. I mean, last seven years the Steelers have been bottom 10 in offensive spending. It's a tough lift and I think Aaron did a great job.

I think Aaron steps away and does traveling. I think he would listen and go to Minnesota for a Viking. I think he would listen, but my guess is like he doesn't want to bounce around. What do you think his future is?

I I know the people who were there with him in Pittsburgh think that this is going to be it for him. Um, and like so I I I know like people there were operating under the impression that he was going to retire after this year. Doesn't mean I'm not saying he's told anybody that, but like they were under the impression that this was going to be it for him regardless of whether Mike Tomlin comes back or not. I also think like just what I know about Aaron, I I do think that this year gave him some closure, you know, because I I think what he was looking for in New York at the end, he wanted to fall in love with football again, right? like and and and really like so much about him had become about everything off the field, right?

And all the stuff that that he does with the Iawaska and everything else. And I I think by the end in New York, he was kind of like, I want to just be a football player again. And because of the circumstances in that organization, he wasn't really allowed to do that. And going to Pittsburgh gave him that. And I think he truly did love being there this year. He loved playing for Tomlin. Um and I think he fell in love with playing football again. So, the question becomes, and I think most people who know him would say, "Well, that gave him closure. Does it make him want to play again?" Like, I I can't answer that, but I I think he's probably done, but if the perfect situation came along, if Kevin Oonnell picks up the phone and says, "Look, like, you know, we talked about this last year. Would you want to come and do it now?" I maybe he would jump at something like that. But I I I I get the

feeling that this is it for him. Okay. I got to address Buffalo. I mean, and this happens all the time where I see something and I can't unsee it.

And Buffalo going to Jacksonville, a redhot Jaguars team with a sharp offensive coach.

And really, I felt like most of that game it was Buffalo's game. And I was like "Wow

I think they're going to go to Denver and win." And I did not feel that. I I And sometime, you know, this this league will give you these moments and you're like,

"Oh, wow." Wow. Like I when I'm watching Caleb Williams against the ners late in the year and I mean just it's volleyball. It's just one great play one back and against Salah and I'm like man Caleb is he's graduated to a different class whatever the class is and then he does it again the Packers and HalfL.

Um I mean I I don't know what what what take it from here. What what what do you make of Buffalo?

Buffalo. Um I I think I'm gonna steal Kirby Smarts line. I think Buffalo's hard to kill. Like I think that's what they've become now. And like I and I think you can see it like that was a pressure packed situation.

Gigantic pressure. I mean like if you go to Jacksonville and lose and that's a really good Jacksonville team, right? A really good Jacksonville team that kick Denver's ass. Like I like if you lose that game, there are tons of big picture questions that are on the table, right? That's fair.

Yeah. So, so in that pressurized environment, look at Shawn McDermott's decision-m and I thought this was so interesting and this is the day and age when everybody's got to go for it on fourth down all the time and everybody's herky jerky and panicky. Right towards the end of the second half on a fourth and four, he goes out, sends Matt Prader out there to kick a 45 yard field goal. They get penalized, kicks it from 50 yards anyway. end of the half they punt on a fourth and four from the Jacksonville side of the 50 and then on the first drive of the second half they again were in position to go for it on fourth and less than five and send Prader out there for a 47 yard field goal those were little things Colin that told me Shawn McDermott has the utmost confidence that his team is going to pull this out in the end he didn't need to feel the need to to to to build a big lead felt like if he has played the game

out, his team would be able to get to the end of the game and put its trump card, which is Josh Allen, on the table, right? And so, this isn't the best Bills team of the last five years, but I think it's the hardest one to kill, you know, and I just think that this is the this is the Bills team where you look at it and there's just a belief in what they're doing and if we can get to the end of the game and put the ball in the hands of our quarterback, we are going to win the game. And you see it over the last two months of this season, the way they fell behind against the Bucks, against the Steelers, against the Bengals, against the Patriots, and roared back in the second half of all those games. I just I it just feels like this, and maybe it sounds corny, but it does feel like there's a little bit of an intangible quality with this Buffalo team that didn't exist before.

Okay, we'll do I'm going to give you a team and you just give me a name, a leading candidate in a sentence. We won't go too long. I'm going to say Tennessee. What happens?

I think if Kenneov Stfansky doesn't wind up in New York, I could see him winding up in Tennessee. If it's not Kevin Stfansky, maybe Robert Salah

Raiders. So, I think it's either a conventional hire like one like Jesse Mter makes sense there with the Michigan connections with Brady and John Spyitech. I do. Do they take a swing on Davis Web? Like, do they take a swing on somebody like that? I don't think that that's impossible.

Dolphins that Clint Kubak. Yeah, Clint Kubak. Yeah, there's some carryover systemwise with Clint and Matt Laflur and John Eric Sullivan came from um came from Green Bay and had been with Laflur and is going to be comfortable with Clint Kubak's vision and be able to carry out Clint Kubak's vision. I know one of the things they're really looking for there is a collaborative environment, you know, in their new structure and so Clint would make some sense for them. One more steel.

Chris Schula. Wow. Um, yeah. So, I'm tempted to say Marcus Freeman, by the way. But, uh,

his, by the way, his camp says he's not interested. Do you don't buy that? Yeah. I I just think it's the one I I think it's the one of all these like his like so the the Giants and Titans did pursue him, you know, and did

okay. fig to gauge interest and talk to them and everything else. And that was right when he agreed to to stay at Notre Dame. I I do think he has designs on coaching in the NFL. And let me ask you this, Colin. If Marcus Freeman right now were the defensive coordinator of say the Chargers, wouldn't he check every box as far as like a Steelers head coach? Like what they generally look for?

Absolutely. Like he carries himself like a Steelers head coach. I I think Chris Schulah is the same by the way, but but Marcus Freeman would check a lot of boxes for the Steelers. Just kind of that battleship commander that they've always had. I think Chris Schula, if you look at his background, right, and despite his last name, he's had to work his way up, right, and check boxes along the way. And Shawn McVey, despite their relationship, really made Chris earn it there. And and I I can remember like when when they promoted him like that was not about like oh yeah like you know he's just been here long enough we ought to give it to him like he really had to earn that job. Um I heard Schula's name connected to this Steelers before any of this happened like two three weeks ago.

And if you think about like kind of what they've looked for in head coaches, maybe not the guy everybody's looking at, but somebody with a defensive background who's got real presence, who carries himself like a battleship commander, who can handle the pressure being in Pittsburgh. I think Chris Schula to me would check a lot of those boxes. Um, and again, like I think this is somewhere too that like having that last name probably doesn't hurt. And not that it like you you think he's going to be the next Don Shoua, but this is a guy who's dealt with expectations his entire life, you know, because of that last name. So, I think he would be a really interesting fit in Pittsburgh.

Albert Brer, Monday morning quarterback. Great seeing you, buddy. All right. Thanks, Colin.

Um, yeah, there's some interesting candidates for sure. Col Colin, he dropped like seven bombs there in that I'm over here like what? Marcus Freeman, come on. You think the only scary thing and I just texted my two Notre Dame people who are close to the program um is that the Steelers would give Marcus Freeman a huge runway, right? Who cares? Old roster, no quarterback.

Here's the other thing. Here's the other great thing about Marcus Freeman. They have a first, a second, 3/3, two4s. who knows college personnel.

Marcus Freeman, just like Harbaugh goes to the Chargers backto-back drafts, he knows he's he's recruited all these top guys. You get a huge I mean, if you go pure NFL guy, you you don't get that. When you hire Harbaugh, you kind of get that. You hire Marcus Freeman, I guarantee you for the next two drafts, Marcus Freeman's gonna ace it. He knows who he knows the odometer on guys, not just the senior bowl. That would be a bigger shock to me than Tom Lennon Harbaugh leaving combined if Marcus Freeman left Notre Dame.

Would you take Would you take You tell me. Notre Dame or the Steelers? Well, I mean, Notre Dame is going to be stacked next year. Their quarterback could be a top five pick.

I'm not I would say Notre Dame, but the the Steelers, they're going to be okay being terrible for three years because the other

No, they're not going to be terrible for three years. Their roster is garbage. Dude, dude, dude, a first, a second, three threes, two four with Marcus Freeman. All you have to look

who's QB1, by the way, by the way, New England, 300 million in cap space, seven draft picks. Shocking to

They had Drake May. Well, come on. Drake May on this one. You're not going to be I mean, I I'd bet you everything I've earned. You're not going to be terrible for three years with Marcus Freeman. That roster is going to turn over by the LA by the last weekend of April. You're going to have seven new guys who can play. And then and then by the way, now that you don't pay the quarterback, they're going to have the most money in the league.

They're not paying they're going to have Look what New England did to their roster. Forget Drake May. Look at their roster. Last year, the Patriots had the worst receiving core in the league. Now it's like number three in big plays. Why? They had money and draft picks.

The other thing Brier said, by the way, he he said Davis Webb as a head coach. I almost fell out of my chair. I had to look up where Davis Webb he's like a passing game coordinator for the Broncos. What? He was in the league like seven minutes ago.

So Brewer's on top. I love that stuff. I I love the rumors and the scuttlebutt. Oh juicy

in Chicago at third. So, um, Pittsburgh Steelers got a bunch of draft picks. I would imagine they're going to have some cap space as they move off their old expensive defense. Um, here's Art Rooney this morning on how he looks at the roster and the new head coach.

I don't know if it's a rebuild. I mean, it's a new coach, so there will be changes and and, you know, we'll we'll have to all get comfortable with kind of the plan. So, you know, whether you call it a rebuild or not, I you know, I I I don't like like that word that much, uh, you know, we'll we'll try to compete day one if we can.

Uh, and you won't probably. Um, again, I think I think an interesting part of this, it's a it's not a very good quarterback class. Um, and you don't Here's the thing. You think it's crazy, but if the Raiders weren't owned by Brady, I think they'd abs, you know, Tom's going to make sure they take Mendoza. That's that's my prediction. Um, you can't get the number one spot if Dante Moore came out. You I mean, listen, if you're the New York Jets, I mean, what if the Steelers came to you and said, "We'll give you all three of our threes to get Dante Moore." If I was Dante Moore, I'd be like, "I'll sign up for that. Jets are Steelers." So, Tai Simpson's viewed as from the calls I've made like late first. I I I don't think he's a top 10 guy, but again, if you have to reach in a quarterback, that's the position you'll reach at. Um, yeah, I I think that the Steelers have to get comfortable with just being

awful. Awful get you Drake May. Okay. Mid get you Kenny Picket. So, I I can't wait. Here was Albert Brerier a second ago in the Steelers opening. It's a flagship franchise. Patient ownership. They're going to give you time to build, but man, you got a lot of work to do on that roster. They got eight guys in their starting 22 right now that are 30 or older. So, what do you do with TJ Watt? What do you do with Cam Hayward? Does he retire? What do you do with Jaylen Ramsay? Aaron Rogers, is he in or out? Um, you you don't have a lot of guys on that roster where you look and say, "Yeah, that guy's going to be here three years from now." Got a couple offensive linemen, maybe a defensive lineman or two, and that's it.

And so you're you're you you've got I think what what looks like a a relatively lengthy rebuild there. My guess is Harbaugh to the New York Giants. I mean Stfansky to the Steelers makes a lot of sense to me. That makes a lot of sense to me. I could see Brian Delbold of the Titans. He's interviewing Friday. And there there's just Don't forget about Stfansky, two-time coach of the year in Cleveland. All right. Um I think I think almost all of these jobs I mean I I Arizona and Cleveland don't interest me at all, but this league is you're so capable if you have a lot of draft picks.

you're so capable of turning things around quickly. I mean, a great example of it is if you get the right coach and you got a couple hundred million to spend in free agency, look at New England. They say, "Well, they've got Drake May in one year. We got six potential first round quarterbacks, maybe eight." You stink for a year. But this league, there's a pretty common thread if you get the quarterback right and then eventually get the coach right. Like that's why I think the New York Giants is a really interesting opening.

Whatever Jackson Dart is, he looks like a franchise quarterback. Is he going to be the 13th best, the eighth best, or the 16th best? I don't know. Keep him out of the blue tent. But you got one. And that means you're not paying anything for him. So, or Neighbors or Abdul Carter or Scataboo, a lot of the Giants best players, you're not paying anything for them. So to me, the Giants job, I know it's hard to say this when you've been bad forever. I think the New York Giants job, if I was Harbaugh and Kevin Stfansky, that would be really attractive. And here's the other thing.

You saw the first year of Jackson Dart, better than I thought. Too many blue tent trips. Let's say Stfansky gets the job or Harbaugh. you let him play and if he if he can't get out of the blue tent and you look at it and think we got Arch Manning coming out, Julian Sy coming out, Dante Moore coming out, we got uh Jaden Mava coming out, that doesn't mean you have to stick with Jackson Dart. You get you get a runway for him. So, you get a competent young inexpensive quarterback for a year. Doesn't mean you can't draft another one. Doesn't mean you will, but it doesn't mean you can't.

If you give a young quarterback Jackson Dart, two years, that's a lot of runway. That's a lot of snaps. So, the Giant job's pretty good to me. Without further ado, Jay Mack with the news.

NO, NO, NO. TURN ON THE NEWS. THIS IS the Herdline news. All right, Colin. Let's start with the Ravens. Interesting presser from Steve Bashadi, the uh Ravens owner yesterday. Besides the fact that he had too many buttons open on his shirt, he spent a lot of time talking about the role Lamar Jackson is going to play in the decisionmaking process for finding a head coach. This surprised me.

My decision, I think by Monday, uh was pretty much set. Um, and uh, I think by the time I got off the phone with Lamar, I had told him that I think my position was pretty set and that uh, um, but uh, when I hang up from you, I don't want you to think the decision is ironclad. A lot of say, but he has no power. I have the power. They have opinions, and I want them all. I care about my players very much, but I can't give them power.

I like that. Yeah. What's wrong with that? You don't like that? Lamar has a lot of say in the head coaching job.

He didn't give him You have a say in it, but they can't that can't be the be. I think that's a dangerous place to go. And Steve Bashad's a lot smarter than me. But if you tell people, I want you to have a say, they give you an opinion. And you don't hire that person. Do you create animosity? So you're better off just saying, listen, we hire the coach. you throw the passes. Uh that's a that's a fine line there that you want to listen to people. But again, who Lamar likes is not, you know, I I I just think owners own GM's GM, coaches coach, players play. I I when you cross into that line and you ask a quarterback what you think and you say, "Okay, we're going to we're going to put him in uh up to two or three candidates, but what if you don't choose him?"

So, I I I largely agree with what you said. I think one of the best examples of this is Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls back in the day. And I know basketball and football a little different, but Michael Jordan had Doug Collins as his coach. He loved Doug Collins. Why? Doug Collins said, "Do whatever you want. Score all the points." They didn't win anything. Jordan didn't win a damn thing until the Bulls went and hired Phil Jackson. And many articles at the time said Jordan didn't like Phil Jackson. He was a little prickly, a little different, handing out books and stuff.

Phil Jackson instituted the triangle offense with Tex Winter. They made the jump and Jordan becomes one of the greatest players of all time. That's why I don't want to go to my player and say, "What would you what do you think? What do you like?"

It's interesting because Michael Jordan was also, let's be honest, an awful general manager.

Uhhuh. And and Magic Johnson tried coaching for five minutes. You know, he wasn't good at that. I mean, so and LeBron James, by the way, he you know, his camp will deny this. They're the ones to push Rob Pelanka to get Westbrook and that didn't work. Also, Shabbaz Napier in Miami. LeBron was all into that. So, you know, I mean, it's it's hard enough to be a great player. You I mean, I Mike Homegrren's one of the best coaches ever. I remember when he was in Seattle, you know, they there was reports he had a little say in personnel. Pete Carroll did as well. Bellich bad at personnel.

Can't do it college or pro. We know Bellich knows his stuff. So, my take is it's hard to jump over into other sectors and other departments. It's hard enough to be a great GM.

Yeah. How did Aaron Rogers do GMing the Jets when he said, "Can I have this OC and this wide receiver and this player?" Like it was a disaster. It doesn't work. I think Bashadi needs I mean this is not going to be an easy one cuz you know Lamar's kind of

I mean the stories are out there about his practice habits. Colin I it's a tough job to fill. It's obviously a great job but we'll we'll see what happens. Let's move on to the Philadelphia Eagles who have parted ways with Kevin Patulo the embattled offensive coordinator. Um he was on the Colts staff with Sirriani and then joined Sirriani in Philly. Uh Jaylen Herz will now have his fifth offensive coordinator since being drafted. Shane Stiken left for the Colts has had some success. No playoff trips. Kellen Moore had some success this past year with the uh Saints at his quarterback. But Brian Johnson disaster. Kevin Patulo a mess.

Colin, this should be a coveted job, right? This I mean you you've got a really really stacked team. Amazing defense, a lot of pieces on offense. I think AJ Brown will be going. What do you think? What direction you think they should go here?

Well, there's I mean, this is again Mike McDaniel. They pay money. They're not cheap in Philly. Mike McDaniel, Cliff Kingsberry could work. I I think what we what we know is Nick Serani. Jason is very reliant on his coordinator. McVey isn't, Andy's not. Shanahan's not. He Dan Campbell, who's a culture guy, is Sirani more of a culture guy. very reliant on coordinators. And so I think Detroit I would immediately put Detroit in a Super Bowl bubble if they went and got Mike McDaniel.

Yeah. If they'd get a if they, you know, I I feel like Detroit and Philadelphia are similar. Really like the rosters. The coach is a culture guy, not a scheme guy. I like both quarterbacks, Jaylen and Goff. Don't love either. So I think, you know, listen, it's a good time to be an offensive coordinator in this league. There's going to be some bidding wars for Mike McDaniel and bidding wars for Cliff Kingsbury.

Yeah. The other problem is let's say you hire an OC and the Eagles are great again and they go to the Super Bowl. He's leaving for a head coaching job. That's what they do. So honestly, I know the Eagles won't do this. I'm blowing out uh Sirriani and I'm bringing in I think that would be attractive for a Stfansky and McDaniel, etc. But

of course, I doubt that would happen. Uh final story. Let's go to Minnesota where JJ McCarthy has been a controversial figure on this show. One of us stands by him, the other the other doesn't think very highly because he can't stay healthy. Here's Kevin Oonnell talking to the media and uhoh, sounds like McCarthy is going to have competition soon.

I think there has to be I think that's what's going to make everybody better in that room. It's going to be what makes our entire offense um you know uh thrive through that competition. I ultimately think that's what will make uh not only our, you know, the starter, but the next guy and the next guy. And we've learned we've got to get a lot of guys ready to play.

Competition. You're going to revive your Aaron Rodgers to Minnesota. Yes. Terrible.

Listen, I I say I I defended Kirk Cousins and Pennix. I would defend Aaron Rodgers. If you had this whole idea of, well, it didn't work in Atlanta. McCarthy showed glimpses in the last month.

Yeah, but he doesn't stay healthy. Aaron showed absolute glimpses, but he's 42 or 43 next year, whatever his birthday is. So, I think Minnesota goes into it. I'd have no problem having both McCarthy and Aaron Rogers. None at all. None at all. You don't have to love it, but I I think it's something. the one position. I'm okay. The room being a bit crowded.

Yeah. Jac with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by the Herd Lie News.

Nine coaching openings. That is a uh that is a lot of coaching openings. I I've said before I think there's some very goods. I think there's nine different people I'd be comfortable hiring. I did not put Marcus Freeman of Notre Dame in there because his camp is saying he's not interested. I think that's a tough call. Notre Dame Pittsburgh Steelers. That's a tough call. Uh it's very easy to say no to Cleveland and Arizona and Miami. That's easy. Titans, all of a sudden you get offered the Ravens job, the Giants job, the Steelers job. I'm Marcus Freeman. and you sit down with a family and I mean worse places to live, worse worse jobs to have than head football coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. That's pretty good job.

Hour three, Jerome Bettis. And with that, he went to Notre Dame. He's a proud Pittsburgh Steeler, a Hall of Famer. Six Pro Bowls. You know him, we know him. We all know him. Jerome Bettis is joining us. You know, great to see you again. Two things can be true. I can think Mike Tomlin was amazing and I think it's kind of time to put the money on offense. Maybe go with a young offensive guy. I I I don't just because I replace a I like Harball. Maybe it's time, you know. Are you are you kind of in that camp that you love Tomlin? I mean Cow was your guy, but there is an argument they feel a little outdated offensively, do they not?

Yes, 100%. Um because the philosophy of when I was playing that you run the ball and you know you you play great defense that has is is totally changed. Now you've got to put points on the board and that's the problem that the Steelers are having. Uh they're not putting points on the board and so that you have to fix because you're not going to win football games, you know, with seven points, 10 points, 13 points that that won't win NFL. So, you know, 15 years ago it was different. Today's NFL you got to score. And I think that's where the Steelers are struggling

now. Like again, I love the idea that Mike Tomlin didn't have a losing season. But I said the reason the Patriots got Drake May, they were awful. And the Bears got Caleb cuz they were awful. What about this idea? You got a ton of draft picks. You go to a Stfansky or a Marcus Freeman. You're like, "We don't fire coaches. We're gonna load this roster up. We got a first, a second, three/3s, two fours. We may we'll draft a backup, but we're stacking the roster. We're going to be awful for a year." I mean, that's really uncomfortable for Steeler Nation because they're never awful.

Do you think that's something you can sell to the Roies? I I don't think you can sell that. That's a tough one because I think coach Tomlin created a situation where they see well we can rebuild and at least be 500. So if you're not you know at least 500 they're looking at you like what you know you're doing something wrong where I agree with you. you at some point you you gotta fall apart and you gotta go out and get the quarterback or you say to yourself, we're going to invest a lot of resources. We're going to get that first two twos uh another first and we're gonna go get a quarterback, right? Um right now I don't see the quarterback in their future in terms of in college, but they're going to at some point say we got to go get the quarterback. And if that means utilizing those resources and and those first round picks, you're going to have to do it because they've they've seen what happens when you don't

invest in the quarterback, right? And so it it's you're not going anywhere. You can make it to the playoffs, but you're going to lose in the first round because quarterback play is pivotal in the playoffs.

I don't see them hiring John Harbaugh. They were reportedly paying Tomlin a lot of money, 17 million. So Harbaugh's in that class. Do you think they would consider hiring a Raven?

No. And and and I'll tell you this. And the Ravens would not consider hiring the Steeler.

Okay. Okay. I'm good with that. That's fine. I get it. It can't be here's but hire you, but it can't be at the last stop. You can't come right from the Ravens right into Pittsburgh. That that just doesn't work. So, I don't think I think both guys will be excluded from uh those franchises because it's just too much bad blood. Too much.

Marcus Freeman would be at the top of my list. Would you stay at Notre Dame or take the Steelers? Steelers is a blueb blood. It's one of the five, six big names in the league. Would you stay at Notre Dame or Steelers if you were offered both?

Oh my goodness. I I think because of what you have to do in Pittsburgh, it's a very dangerous job. So, I I would not be in a rush uh to leave my cozy confines. I got a a really good program that I've created. We're ready to go. We've got the players in place. Uh, I wouldn't be in a rush to leave that when I don't have my quarterback figured out in the NFL because what we have learned this is a quarterback centric league and if you do not have your quarterback you have absolutely nothing. So as program the organization rather is you you still have to give pause because your first question going in and interviewing is what are we going to do about the quarterback position and because that's going to be your legacy in essence if you go to Pittsburgh if you if you win is you figured the quarterback situ situation out.

Were you surprised Mike Tomlin you know him? Were you surprised he stepped down?

I I wasn't surprised. When you start hearing the fans turn on you, the writing is on the wall. And you can prolong it if you want to, but you're not going to get the level of support that you need. Uh because what happens is it poisons the players and then the players start secondguessing the decisions that he's making, right? And then once it poisons the players, now it poisons the some of the assistant coaches and and it just becomes a very very bad situation. So I think coach Tomlin did the the right thing to do to secure his legacy, right? Because if you allow it to go rock bottom, then you have kind of destroyed uh your legacy there in Pittsburgh. So I think he did the right thing. The writing was on the wall. He didn't have I would I mean I believe he had the support in the building, but when you don't have the fan support and and when things are starting to really circle down on you, I

think it's time for you to move on and look at the next opportunity. Uh Tomlin could do broadcasting. He'd be great at it, but like Mike Vrabel, I think he's a football guy that could do TV, but it's not it's not his makeup. He's like a he's he calls it the dark side. like, you know, I'm not doing that. But I also don't see him as going west. I tend to think Miami Dolphins, um, New York Giants, like if I said to you, we got nine openings now. We got Vegas, we got Now, forget the Ravens. They're not going to hire him.

You know, that's the that's the Steeler Raven thing. Is there a place Atlanta, Miami, Giants? Is there an opening, Jerome that you look at and go, "Oh, yeah. You know him. Oh, yeah. that works for Mike Tomlin.

I think probably two places. Uh looking at the Giants and their situation and the Tennessee Titans. I think looking at them historically defensively, they understand it. Um they're not afraid to invest on the defensive side. So I think those two two places and they have I think the personnel that you can go in and win right now. So, I think those two teams would be teams that if if I'm Tom, I'm looking at it and I'm saying the Giants, similar ownership structure, very solid, uh, willing to give you, uh, some time. Uh, and the and the Tennessee Titans really bluecollar environment, really good place where you can go down and really change the culture.

Kevin Stfansky doesn't have a great win loss record, but I think he's offensive, he's smart, um, he knows the division. If I say Kevin Stfansky, now the the record's not glossy, but he did beat the Steelers with Baker in a playoff game. What do you make about Stfansky as a Steeler? I I I think it would be it would be a challenge, but I would I would like Stfansky in the sense that he understands the this offense, the offensive world that we're in,

but he also obviously understands the defensive side. So, because he's had a strong defense the entire time uh in Cleveland. So, he would be a guy that I would look at. Now, the fact that he just came from Cleveland I would say, you know, it may give a little pause, but in terms of X's and O's coach, I think he is super talented uh and will be uh coach for the next organization that decides to give him an opportunity and especially if he can get a quarterback. That's the concern in Pittsburgh. You got to get a quarterback.

Yeah. Yeah. Stfansky would go from the chaos of Cleveland to the stability of either a Baltimore or Pittsburgh. that that's that's what he hasn't had. He's had players. He's had he just hadn't have stability. So, that would be good for him. Jerome Bettis, the Hall of Famer, great seeing you as always.

Thank you. Appreciate you. Yeah. I mean, can you imagine like if you're Stfansky, you've done a lot of things right, but you've never had stability. Even Baker, young Baker, there was, you know, he's starting some fires at the podium with the media and barking to go to Pittsburgh. I mean, you can go to bed at night knowing, you know, your organization's not crazy. They're not impulsive. I think it's so interesting that Stfansky gets booted by Cleveland and could potentially upgrade to Baltimore or the Steelers and beat the Browns for a decade.

That that is chef's kiss. That would that would be about as good as it gets for a coach.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Colin Cowherd’s SUPER BOWL bubble: Bills, Rams, Patriots, Seahawks | THE HERD NFL"?

Colin Cowherd (Host), Albert Breer (Guest), Jerome Bettis (Guest).

What is "Colin Cowherd’s SUPER BOWL bubble: Bills, Rams, Patriots, Seahawks | THE HERD NFL" about?

Colin Cowherd identifies eight NFL teams he believes are contenders for the Super Bowl, highlighting the Buffalo Bills as potential frontrunners. He discusses the strengths of teams like the Los Angeles Rams, known for their top offensive ranking, and the New England Patriots, emphasizing their strong coaching and solid performance metrics, while also noting critical matchups against other…

What is mentioned in this The Herd with Colin Cowherd episode?

32 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Pittsburgh Steelers, Colin Cowherd, Albert Breer, Marcus Freeman, Buffalo Bills, Kevin Stefanski. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Colin Cowherd’s SUPER BOWL bubble: Bills, Rams, Patriots, Seahawks | THE HERD NFL"?

The episode runs 50 min; the transcript is about 9,234 words in 121 timestamped sections.

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About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated January 24, 2026.