Transcript

Super Bowl LX REACTION: Sam Darnold & Seahawks destroy Patriots | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD

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

· 40 min · 7,099 words · 90 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "Super Bowl LX REACTION: Sam Darnold & Seahawks destroy Patriots | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD", an episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd published February 9, 2026 (40 min, about 7,099 words). It mentions 15 people, works and ideas, including Sam Darnold, Drake May, Mike Vrabel, Kenneth Walker, Matthew Stafford.

What this episode is about

The discussion centers on the impressive performance of Sam Darnold in Super Bowl LX, highlighting his pivotal role in leading the Seahawks to victory over the Patriots without any turnovers. The analysis also emphasizes Seattle's strong future prospects, including financial flexibility and a young roster under the guidance of a promising coach, while celebrating Darnold's growth and maturity as a quarterback during critical moments in the playoffs.

Key takeaways

  • In a twist of fate, Sam Darnold's no-turnover postseason could redefine the narrative around game managers.
  • Seattle's coaching combo and cap space advantage could make them the 'it' team for years, not just a season.
  • Funny how Super Bowl winners often mask flaws with elite defenses—Darnold might just be the next case study.
  • Drake May's struggle vs. seasoned pros highlights the gap between potential and readiness in the quarterback realm.
  • Tom Brady’s early Super Bowl stats echo Darnold’s playoff success; 'game manager' may be the ultimate compliment in disguise.

Who speaks in this episode?

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 5:00: Sam Darnold, Kenneth Walker, Mike Vrabel, Matthew Stafford
  2. – 10:00: Drake May, Matthew Stafford, Sam Darnold, Mike Vrabel
  3. – 15:00: Hard Rock Bet, Kyle Shanahan, Drake May, Kenneth Walker
  4. – 20:00: Sam Darnold, Kenneth Walker, Drake May, Kyle Shanahan
  5. – 25:00: AJ Brown, Drake May, Kevin Patulo, Shawn Manion
  6. – 30:00: Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield
  7. – 35:00: Sam Darnold, Drake May, Mike Vrabel
  8. – 40:00: Sam Darnold, Mike Vrabel, Kyle Shanahan
  9. – 40:20: Sam Darnold

Notable quotes from "Super Bowl LX REACTION: Sam Darnold & Seahawks destroy Patriots | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD"

  • To the very last snap. I don't know about the rest of you, but I had a dream last night. Sam Darnold making a speech in Canton, Ohio. It was so lifelike. So much more lifelike…
    about Sam Darnold · at
  • Darnold needed big throws. He was a game changer when the game called for it. But with Kenneth Walker running finding space regularly, Sam only had to make a couple of big ones.
    about Kenneth Walker · at
  • Collinsworth appropriately said at halftime, May is not ready for this moment. Mike Vrabel at halftime seemed resigned to the fact his young quarterback was over his skis. He…
    about Mike Vrabel · at
  • Didn't play our best and that's what happens. Listen, Drake May reportedly had a shot before the game, so he was not 100%. And again, Will Campbell, left tackle. He got overwhelmed. And we all knew, you knew it. there's a.
    about Drake May · at
  • Today's show brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock Bet, Florida's best sports book. I know it's tough with no football, but like the song says, I will survive. Hard Rock Bet.
    about Hard Rock Bet · at
  • Like. Houston's good. New England's good. Denver's good. There's Seattle, the Rams, and San Francisco. Kyle Shanahan, and I appreciated him. He basically said pregame NBC did a…
    about Kyle Shanahan · at
  • All right, final story. Let's go to the Eagles because AJ Brown went on the Micah Parsons podcast and was talking about the change from Eagles OC Kevin Patulo to the new guy Shawn Manion.
    about AJ Brown · at
  • Baker Mayfield's personality and he wears it on his sleeve is driven by perceived slice and that is powerful.
    about Baker Mayfield · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

  • Sam Darnold — Person · Primary referenced player (central subject of analysis) · 32 mentions · first at
    The segment argues Darnold’s postseason/Super Bowl run was defined by maturity, decision-making, and zero turnovers, positioning him as a top-tier NFC QB and a key reason Seattle won.
  • Drake May — Person · Primary referenced opposing QB (contrast case) · 12 mentions · first at
    Used as the foil to Darnold: the discussion frames May as talented but not ready, overwhelmed by Seattle/New England’s situation, with fumbles/sacks illustrating youth and processing issues.
  • Mike Vrabel — Person · Referenced head coach/defensive identity (strategic antagonist) · 5 mentions · first at
    Framed as the defensive mind trying to force ‘old Darnold’ mistakes and as the coach managing a young QB (May) in a high-pressure game; also quoted postgame.
  • Kenneth Walker — Person · Referenced game MVP / featured supporting star · 4 mentions · first at
    Presented as the dominant run-game engine that reduced the burden on Darnold; discussed in terms of performance, role limitations (blocking/receiving), and impending free agency.
  • Matthew Stafford — Person · Referenced elite veteran QB (comparison point) · 4 mentions · first at
    Used to contrast ‘knowing the why’ vs ‘figuring out the what’ and to show how a veteran can attack Seattle’s defense; also invoked in MVP debate framing.
    The MVP over Drake May. And I said the reason is every time Stafer Stafford walks to the line. Every time Matt Stafford walks to the line, he understands the why.
  • Kyle Shanahan — Person · Referenced coach/analyst voice (scheme authority) · 4 mentions · first at
    Quoted and paraphrased to validate the idea that Seattle’s defense can win games and that Darnold’s evolution is about choosing spots rather than constant hero ball.
  • Ian Brady — Person · Referenced historical benchmark (QB archetype) · 2 mentions · first at
    Used to support the ‘all QBs are game managers’ argument and to normalize lower passing volume in championship wins by emphasizing situational football.
    Understanding of what was needed. I'll give you an example. Tom Brady's first Super Bowl win and Tom Brady's last Super Bowl win.
  • Baker Mayfield — Person · Referenced QB from same draft class (personality contrast) · 2 mentions · first at
    Used to contrast motivational styles and maturity (chip-on-shoulder vs self-belief) and to revisit the host’s prior draft preference (Darnold over Baker).
  • AJ Brown — Person · Referenced player (locker-room/OC change storyline) · 2 mentions · first at
    Appears in a news segment about Eagles offensive coordinator changes and potential trade speculation; his quote is used to infer dissatisfaction with prior OC.
  • Josh Allen — Person · Referenced star QB (division/league context) · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned to frame New England’s competitive landscape and the AFC’s quarterback strength, implying the Patriots’ path is difficult even if they improve.
    From. You're not prepared for them. So, it was beyond that. He was rattled. He was nervous. He wasn't 100%. New England's going to be fine.
  • Kevin Patulo — Person · Referenced coach (departed/criticized OC) · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as the Eagles’ outgoing OC; AJ Brown’s lukewarm praise is interpreted as a sign of limited confidence and pressure in that role.
    Eagles because AJ Brown went on the Micah Parsons podcast and was talking about the change from Eagles OC Kevin Patulo to the new guy Shawn Manion.
  • Shawn Manion — Person · Referenced coach (incoming OC) · 1 mention · first at
    Named as the Eagles’ new offensive coordinator in the news segment, serving as the ‘change’ AJ Brown says he’s excited about.
    Eagles because AJ Brown went on the Micah Parsons podcast and was talking about the change from Eagles OC Kevin Patulo to the new guy Shawn Manion.

Companies & orgs

  • Miam Heat — Company · Business focus · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as an official partner of Hard Rock Bet, highlighting their association with sports betting.
    Night. Hoops, hockey, so much more. All the great same game parlays, live betting, player props. Hard Rock Bet is the official sports betting partner of the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic.
  • Orlando Magic — Company · Business focus · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned as an official partner of Hard Rock Bet, highlighting their association with sports betting.
    Night. Hoops, hockey, so much more. All the great same game parlays, live betting, player props. Hard Rock Bet is the official sports betting partner of the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic.

Sponsors

  • Hard Rock Bet — Product · Sponsor · 3 mentions · first at
    Presenting sponsor of the podcast episode, promoting their sports betting services.

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. Here we go on a Monday. Don't tell me it was boring. It's the greatest football game I've ever seen. To the very last snap. I don't know about the rest of you, but I had a dream last night. Sam Darnold making a speech in Canton, Ohio. It was so lifelike. So much more lifelike than it was 24 hours earlier. Welcome in. We're in Los Angeles. It's the herd. Wherever you may be, however you may be listening, thank you for making us part of your day.

Yeah, I'm feeling good today. It's a good one for me. I get one occasionally. The scary part about Seattle is sixth most cap space in the league next year. Their coach is 38 moving into his coaching prime. Sam Darnold two more years of a team friendly deal. And they may have seven or eight players who are ascending young guys only getting better and go ahead say it wasn't about Sam Darnold. Go ahead and say that. But it was in the postseason against the superior NFC and eventually Vrabel's defense. No turnovers for Sam. Smart enough, mature enough, and coachable enough to know what was needed. And against New England, he knew what was needed. A couple of big throws make the right decision. Since 1990, four quarterbacks have won a Super Bowl with no turnovers. Maybe you've heard of them. Troy Aman, Steve Young, Drew Brees, and Sam Darnold. They all had great coaches and they all had stacked

rosters. They knew what the assignment was. That's all this playoff run was about for Sam Darnold. Against the Rams, he needed to be a game changer. Darnold had to make big throws cuz Matt Stafford three different times ate the Seahawks secondary. Eight. And Darnold needed big throws. He was a game changer when the game called for it. But with Kenneth Walker running finding space regularly, Sam only had to make a couple of big ones. Here's one of them on the screen. He had to be a manager. He had to be understanding of what was needed. I'll give you an example. Tom Brady's first Super Bowl win and Tom Brady's last Super Bowl win.

I'm not sure if you know this, he threw for fewer yards than Darnold did last night. That's what makes Tom great. All quarterbacks, I'd like to repeat this slowly, all quarterbacks are game managers. But it's part of the maturity that Sam lacked when he was 20 and 21 and 22 in New York. He developed it. He's a good listener. Gratitude and humility. Great parenting probably adds a lot. 22-year-old Sam screws that game up last night because the New England Patriots were jumping routes. Mike Vrabel knew looking at the film he had the second best roster and Mike Vrabel knew the way to beat Seattle was make it fast and frenetic and make the old Sam Darnold appear. He didn't. In fact, he didn't in the entire playoff run. I'll like to repeat against the superior NFC in New England. Seattle. The Seahawks are the first team ever to win a Super Bowl with no turnovers against the Rams defense. The Patriots

defense. You see the Patriots defense against uh CJ Strad. What they did to him. You see what they did to New England's O line or excuse me, the Chargers O line and Justin Herbert. That New England defense is rough. really well coached. And yes, the Seahawks roster, like the Eagles, who won the Super Bowl last year, is stacked. That's usually the way it works. Go ahead, say it's not Sam, but no turnovers. Playing the Rams, playing Robert Solz, playing Mike Vrabels. I mean, Drake Maid's really talented. Look at his postseason. What do you have? Seven fumbles.

Darnold didn't have a turnover. IQ maturity listening 186 offensive snaps against the Rams. He had to be a game changer against the Patriots. And everybody in Seattle's locker room knew it. The assignment was different. Stay ahead of the change as much as you possibly can and don't make the big mistake. Here's Mike McDonald, a great young coach, the defensive version of Shawn McVey on defending Darnold. It's become a regular habit in the Pacific Northwest.

Sam doesn't care about the obstacle like you like everyone's made a narrative this guy of like everyone is they they have tried to put a story and a label on who he is as a person and who he is as a quarterback. He does not care. All he's done since he's walked in that door has just been a tremendous player on our football team and a tremendous leader who is the same guy every day and that's who he is and that's how we need to talk about him moving forward.

Let's talk Drake May in New England. I preached last week Stafford should be the MVP over Drake May. And I said the reason is every time Stafer Stafford walks to the line. Every time Matt Stafford walks to the line, he understands the why. Drake May is still trying to figure out, as I said last week, the what. What am I seeing? What is this? He didn't have the answers against Seattle. Stafford against Seattle tore him apart three times. Drake May overwhelmed. Chris Collinsworth appropriately said at halftime, "May is not ready for this moment." Mike Vrabel at halftime seemed resigned to the fact his young quarterback was over his skis. He was nervous and he was rattled. And that's why I said, "Stop vomiting statistics and spewing analytics. Quarterback is about the why. Can you walk to the line like a Brady and a Manning and a Mahomes and a Stafford and you have the answers to the test?

I mean, I'm watching Stafford against this Seahawks defense and he looks like Lewis Hamilton. Drake May yesterday looked like a student driver. He was completely overwhelmed. And New England's good. They're going to get better. It was almost understandable. But but Stafford and May are just different quarterbacks and different human beings. Let's be honest. If Bo Knicks was healthy, New England's probably not here. So, yes, Seattle had more talent. We did our top 10 rankings of the players last week. The top four players were all Seattle, including Darnold, but this was more than just, well, I mean, Stafford's got Puka Nua. New England's tight ends and receivers are way above average. And yes, Will Campbell is not ready for this moment.

He's probably going to get moved inside. He was the best tackle in a weak draft class. He's probably a really good guard and the future is great for May. The coaching around him is outstanding. But at one point in the third quarter, Drake May eight drives, eight punts, seven completions. That's not about Puka Nua. That's about not being able to see the why and struggling with the what this postseason. And he faced good defenses. Drake May completed 58% of his throws, was sacked 21 times, passer rating of 82. Matt Stafford tore the Seahawks up three times. Seattle's a very good defense.

It is a defense you can have success against, but not yesterday, not this kid, not in this moment. Here's Drake May after.

It's hurt. No, no doubt. You know, definitely hurts. Um it's been a long ride. Uh they play better than enough tonight. They deserve to win that game and you know speaking uh you know for the whole team and uh you know myself just you know what a journey it's been for us. I love this team. Love those guys in that locker room and um we'll leave it all out on the field and I know a lot of guys did that tonight and just came up short. Didn't play our best and that's what happens. Listen, Drake May reportedly had a shot before the game, so he was not 100%. And again, Will Campbell, left tackle. He got overwhelmed. And we all knew, you knew it. I mean, there's a reason overwhelmingly the bets were all on Seattle's side. Tip of the cap to J-Mack, who had said during the week multiple times he didn't know if New England could score. And if you look at the box score, crinkle it up and throw it away. It's

garbage time numbers for New England. They were not competitive at one point. It's what 19 nothing then 197. Drake made some garbage time stats. But a lot of these sacks and a lot of these fumbles, that's what happens when you're young. You don't know where they're coming from. You're not prepared for them. So, it was beyond that. He was rattled. He was nervous. He wasn't 100%. New England's going to be fine. I mean, Josh Allen's in their division. Jets are still a circus. My guess is they're going to be a wild card or a division winning team for the next 10 years. They're going to be back here.

They're Didn't we say all week long? We kept saying, "Doesn't that feel weird that New England still feels like they're a draft away?" Well, in the AFC, Mahomes didn't make it, bro. We didn't really know, right? Like you're like, they feel like they're a draft away. When you saw them against Seattle, it was official. They're a draft away. So J-Mack, congratulations. You had Seattle in a route.

Uh and I had Kenneth Walker MVP on Friday. Remember Kenneth Walker had a pretty damn good game. Yeah. Headlines uh was very good. I don't know. You seem bullish on the Patriots being fine. I just this postseason Drake May had was so bad. I just wonder if they got bigger issues. I mean, remember Burrow's going to come back. Mahomes is going to come back. Chargers are going to be really good. Lamar's going to come back.

Uh the Jaguars probably not going anywhere. AFC's loaded. I I saw some troubling signs from Drake Bay throughout all this postseason, man. How many fumbles did he have? Seven, interceptions galore, 58% completions.

That's fair. I I can't. And by for the record, we know he's getting great coaching

because when you play a terrible schedule, it's tough to judge. You know, they're playing six rookie quarterbacks. They go six and0.

Yeah. New England faced 11 teams that fired their coach. So when you play real teams in the playoffs, Drake, they look like a mediocre quarterback.

Yeah. Is that too harsh? You're looking at me like No, no, no, no. That you Everybody gets an opinion. And you had a great day yesterday.

It was It was good. You picked the MVP. You picked the blowout. Uh I The old line hit minus 14 and a half.

Oh, you bet that one, too. You did have quite a day. Friday. It was good. Yes. Maybe we should meet in Manhattan Beach tonight for a couple.

Yeah, we'll watch Arizona, Kansas. should be a good college basketball and watch you pick up the tab is what I was talking about.

Today's show brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock Bet, Florida's best sports book. I know it's tough with no football, but like the song says, I will survive. Hard Rock Bet always something to bet every single night. Hoops, hockey, so much more. All the great same game parlays, live betting, player props. Hard Rock Bet is the official sports betting partner of the Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic. So, they know their basketball as well. If you haven't signed up yet for Hard Rock Bet, never been a better time. Uh, signups, double your winnings on your first 10 bets, maximum 50 bucks. If you would have won 200 bucks in your bet, make that 200. Hard Rock Bet Sports Book only legal sports book for wherever you're in Florida or you also if you live in Arizona, Ohio, New Jersey, Indiana Tennessee Michigan coming soon to more states. Hard Rock Bets got new promos daily. Whenever you're

listening, just open the app, check it out any day of the week. Download the Hard Rock Bet app and make your first deposit. You know, my big takeaway yesterday is the NFC West, Seattle, uh, Los Angeles, and the NerS are playing a different level of football than everybody else. They're like the SEC, Bama, and Georgia six or seven years ago. And then there's other good teams. That's what they look like. Houston's good. New England's good. Denver's good. There's Seattle, the Rams, and San Francisco. Kyle Shanahan, and I I appreciated him. He basically said pregame NBC did a really nice job. Terrico Collinssworth I you know the game for a lot of people I thought it was the best game in the history of football. Uh a lot of people thought it was boring. I thought they did a great job. And Shanahan in the pregame show kind of told you uh Seattle only needs part of their team to win.

There's not much secrets to being a talented, very sound team. I mean I think there's two Super Bowl defenses this year and it was Seattle and a Houston. And when I say that, it means they're capable of winning totally on their own if the other side of the ball, special teams and offense don't mess it up. And when you attack these guys, all right, if you want to do it and unlock them, you better be able to run the ball. If you can't run the ball, they're going to keep their two safeties very deep. They're going to give up no explosives. I've looked for two years.

and and he knows there's one team in the NFL and they did it twice this year that has really shut Kyle Shanahan's offense down in in in all the years he's been in San Francisco, Seattle. And they did it twice against the 49ers. And Kyle Shanahan knew that defense. And boy did he call it. Uh I'll say this, Seattle and the Rams were a combined uh 11-0 against the AFC. Yeah, with an average doubledigit margin. I mean, so I I you know, I don't know what to tell you. They're playing a different game. The story of the AFC playoffs was about who didn't get in.

Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Mahomes. The story of the NFC playoffs, man, these rosters are loaded, man. The coaching is unbelievable. So, the AFC has more star quarterbacks, but the NFC's got the better rosters. Chicago, Green Bay, Detroit Philadelphia Seattle San Francisco, Los Angeles. I mean, Seattle doesn't have a hole. Even their special teams are stacked. So, and then that's why I say with Sam Darnold, you you know, Tom Brady's first and last Super Bowls, he had fewer yards passing than Darnold did yesterday. And Shanahan talked about that.

Yeah, Sam's a stud and you know us having him for a year, I think we get a little too much credit for what we did. We didn't do anything for him. We just gave him a platform to where we could take the pressure off him for a year and I think him watching that Sam's always let it rip. But when you let it rip all the time and you're always trying to win the game, a lot of times you keep both teams in the game and I think that's really what's changed with him. He picks and chooses better. He's got a really good team and when you have a really good team, you don't always have to try to win it. When you have a really good team, Aman Breeze, Steve Young, Sam Darnold, winning a Super Bowl with no turnovers.

When you got a great coach and you got a great team, the assignment changes. Okay, before the game, they were talking Drake May needs to play great to win. Darnold needed to not make the big mistake to win. I just thought Shanahan was so good on the pregame. He told you at one point he said, "Listen, I if if Seattle doesn't turn it over, this could be a route." You don't get analysts saying that before games very often to just put it out there. This could get ugly. Jay Mack with the news.

No, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the Herdline news. All right. You talk dominant, Colin. Kenneth Walker was dominant last night. An unbelievable effort. 135 yards on the ground. How would you like to be a cornerback trying to tackle them?

Dude, he's so thick and strong. Like that guy is tough. Look at him just bolt down the sideline. Monster game. First running back in the uh Super Bowl since Terrell Davis to be named game MVP. Um, interestingly, Kenneth Walker said to be a free agent after the season. I saw a stat, Colin. Last 650ish carries for him, zero fumbles.

Well, he's not a blocker. No. and he's a very mediocre pass receiver. So, he is not that he's a one-trick pony because his running style is a variation of many things, but because Seattle is drafted so well and they don't pay any of their other running backs, I imagine they'll keep him. I I think I I don't know if it's a great running back draft, but he he's Seattle's an offense that eventually will have a series of running backs because he's not great on a third and long. He's not the back you want on the field usually.

Agreed. But coming off a Super Bowl MVP, does he say, you know, I want to test the market running backs, we don't have a long shelf life. I'm 25ish. I want to get as big a contract. And you know, the some Arizona Cardinals, whoever, offers him big money and he jumps at that. Could could that happen?

Absolutely. I remember years ago Larry Brown played, I think, for the Cowboys. He had a big Super Bowl and he was kind of a, if I recall, he wasn't a great lockdown guy. was kind of a tweener, but he had a big Super Bowl and I think the Raiders or somebody came in and paid him a fortune.

You see this all the time where NBA teams overdraft somebody because they had a good March Madness tournament. So, I think Walker's a really good player. He's been dinged up somewhat in his career. He got healthy here. Um, and again, not not a guy I want blocking for Darnold. Um, and I think Seattle does need to address the offensive line even more on the interior part of it. But if he tests the waters and leaves, running backs are

Well, you need two now. And they had Charbanet and Walker all season, which was a good combo.

They have Helani. Helani. Yeah. Um, it's an It's more of a three. I would, if I'm out there and I'm a, you know, a contender, I'm at least throwing some kind of offer sheet Walker's way just to see what he says.

If I had a young quarterback and I, cuz I think this is a real thing. If you have a young quarterback, you can spend that extra money on a third corner or a running back that gives your quarterback some time to breathe. So look around. Yeah, I could see like Shawn Pate going, "Okay, I got Harvey and Walker as a one-two punch. Harvey's a better receiver. Walker's the better power runner with Bo Knicks. I could see Denver going after him." And then you could get Walker over in the AFC.

We'll see what the draft is like for running backs. Maybe Seattle says, "Hey, we're not paying him $12 million a year." or whatever the numbers. Seattle also has three guys in the secondary who are free agents. So, we'll see. It should be an interesting offseason, but congrats to uh Kenneth Walker who had the game of his career on 27 carries. All right, let's move on to George Pickkins. We talked about this Friday. He's going to be a free agent and the Cowboys, it sounds like a franchise tag is coming. According to multiple reporters, um it sounds like they're going to be franchise tagging him. Jerry Jones spoke about keeping Pickkins at Dallas during NFL honors last week.

I'm talking to George all the time by virtue of my excitement for him and uh he's uh better than uh uh uh as far as what he contributed to our team uh showing the potential that he could contribute. So uh I'm looking forward to uh uh getting things worked out.

Ask yourself this when you watch New England because we can beat up on New England all day, but New England's defense is good. They don't have the depth up front of Seattle, but they got good front line players. Excellent. Christian Gonzalez is unbelievable.

When you watch New England's defense and Seattle's defense, how many Cowboys outside of Quinn and Williams

could play, forget start, could play for those two defenses. I'm not talking starting.

Oversh maybe. Uh I think Overshon would absolutely play. I think Quinnon Williams would play. Just think about

What about your guy Kenny Kenny Clark uh who they traded for? He would be wrote he's not as good as Leonard Williams.

So I mean that just watch those two defense cuz we can we can bury them all we want in the first half.

I mean New England's defense was on the field cuz it was punt punt punt three and out three and out three and out. You just wore down that New England if if New England would have had one 12play drive in the first half and their defense got a break. Their defense would have remained I think if you noticed in the second half New England's defense did you notice this? The tackling wasn't very good. They were just a beat slower. Why? Because they were on the field.

Yeah. Um I I need to ask you about Pickkins. Like let's say the Cowboys are like, "We're we're gonna let you go." What's the market like for this guy? Just remember how he ended a lot of pouting and how it ended in Pittsburgh. Are are you wanting to get in bed with a guy like Pickkins?

I think Pickkins is a very productive player. I think um I think Dallas gave away like a third round pick and maybe a fifth. So they don't want to give him away for nothing. So, they've convinced themselves. They convinced themselves when they made the deal he was going to be a cowboy for a while. Okay. And I do think if you're going to pay players, pay on the offensive side, keep your defense young and hungry.

Well, wait a minute. We just see two Super Bowl teams now. Eagles defense, Seahawks defense dominate. So, I I don't I almost wonder, are we seeing a new a new changing of the guard here in the NFL? Now, you Hey, don't come to the playoffs unless you got a defense.

Well, yeah. I mean know highest paid wide receivers. We're putting a list up for our TV audience. Find me the playoff wins.

There you go. We just watched two great defensive lines. We just watched two great secondaries play.

I didn't see a lot of I mean JSN was shut down. Four catches on like 10 targets

and they still dominated. Yeah. And that and JSN and Stfane Diggs didn't do anything. So how valuable in the playoffs is the star receiver? It's about line play.

Yeah. And that Pickkins tag, they're estimating it to be 28.8 million, which would slot him about 11th with T. Higgins. And I don't think Pickins is going to be happy with that given that he performed like at a top five level for much of the season.

All right, final story. Let's go to the Eagles because AJ Brown went on the Micah Parsons podcast and was talking about uh the change from Eagles OC Kevin Patulo to the new guy Shawn Manion. Here's AJ Brown on change in Philly. I'm always excited. Uh, you know, uh, sometimes change is is is not a bad thing. U, I have the utmost respect for KP. He he to me, he did a a tremendous job and he has a great heart. Um,

and but I'm excited for for the season. I'm excited for uh what's to come. He has a great heart. Boy, offensive coordinator. He's got a great heart. What What is that telling you, Colin? That's not a resounding vote of confidence in the guy that they got fired.

Listen, some jobs look like they're great jobs. I They always joke that being an NBA head coach is the worst great job in sports. You have no real power. You know, if the player turns on you, you're done. Yeah.

But you do make a bunch of money and you are in sports. Uh I think Philadelphia coordinator can be difficult because there's a ton of pressure and you get about you get till Thanksgiving to prove your worth. Yeah. Uh, this will be an interesting one. This AJ Brown saga, we just saw Super Bowl week, right? So, uh, the receiver on Seattle, Bobo, broke his hand in the NFC Championship game. We heard nothing about that until the day of the Super Bowl. And then we had, uh, Drake May getting shot up. I'm just saying the reporters are good. Obviously, Colin, there's a lot of stuff we don't know.

And I would suspect that AJ Brown's name is going to be on the trading block all summer, and I think he's probably going to get shipped. I I don't see him lasting in Philadelphia. I I thought they should have got rid of him two years ago.

I don't know what the market's like. Hey, good player, but listen. Do you want that in your locker room? He's going after their quarterback half the season.

Not great. Jack with the news. Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by.

The herd line. Just a reminder, and I don't want to be too obnoxious today, but in the 2018 draft when Darnold and Baker came out, I said I preferred Darnold over Baker. He was bigger. Uh he's got he's more athletic and I liked his maturity. Uh Sam's Darnold Sam Darnold's personality in in my opinion is about belief in himself. Uh Baker Mayfield's personality and he wears it on his sleeve is driven by perceived slice and that is powerful. Playing angry, playing piss, chip in the shoulder. That's Baker. perceived sllights.

Darnold, his personality is belief in himself. It's grounded in that. Baker's the opposite. Baker is still taking shots at Stansky a couple of weeks ago. Sam Darnold's beyond that. Baker needs to prove people wrong. Whereas Darnold only needs to prove himself right. And that's the difference. After winning the Super Bowl last night, Darnold could have taken shots at the Jets for almost screwing up his career, or Carolina for being chaotic, or the Vikings letting him go, or the ners not letting him go into a camp and compete with Brock Perie. He could have taken a shot at Cleveland for choosing Baker over him.

And Sam Darnold instead goes on stage and says this. I told my dad I was uh you know and my mom but you know just I was I was I'm here because of their belief in me. Some people called me called me crazy throughout my career for believing in myself so much and having so much confidence. But um you know they it was because of my parents um because of the way that they believed in me throughout my entire career. And uh it allowed me to go out there and play free and have a ton of confidence. Humble in victory, gracious in defeat.

This was precisely why I like Darnold over Baker. Baker is trying to prove people wrong. Perceive sllights and that does work and it is powerful. But in the end, it's about proving yourself right and believing in yourself. There is a joy and a humility to the way Sam Darnold plays. I still like Baker. I I I think it's highly entertaining. All the chips on the shoulders. Baker has balance in his life. He has a chip on both shoulders. And that is the kind of jet fuel that has driven many great athletes. There is nothing wrong with it.

Darnold just different. And that's why I liked him. It wasn't just that he was bigger. just that he was a better athlete. In college, Darnold was not well coached. Often had to play hero ball and carry the team and even in losses and he had a few humble in victory, gracious in defeat. Okay, so Clint Kubak and everybody in the world knew it. He's going to be named the head coach of the Raiders, you know, probably in an hour. He was Seattle's offensive coordinator. Do I worry? I mean, CJ Strad, Jaylen Herz have been quarterbacks that feel a little dependent on who's their offensive coordinator. Do I worry about that with Sam Darnold losing his? No.

For three reasons. Smart people in life on average make better choices than less smart people. Number one, Mike McDonald, the head coach, 38 years old, he's the McVey of defense. Last year they won 10 games and he fired his OC. So that tells me the head coach has incredibly high standards. Standards are what killed Pete Carol's career in Seattle and Las Vegas. He had people on the staff that weren't good enough to be on the staff. Mike McDonald fired an offensive coordinator when they were winning 10 games. So he's got really high st good is not good enough. Number two, John Snyder is the GM. Snyder doesn't miss on anything. He hires the right coaches, drafting, trades, free agency. So, the two smart guys at the top, really high standards, and a hit rate that's very high. Number three is Sam Darnold is only 28 years old, and because of his futility in New York and his struggles, he's very grateful. I think he'll always

take reasonably team friendly deals. When you've been crapped on in life, when you had a tough start in your life, you are so grateful to be surrounded by excellent people. Sam's not about the money. Sam is about staying on the field and surrounded by really good people. And that matters. A lot of these, you know, Darnold now, you could say, well, he's got the he's got the legacy. He's got Darnold got had such a bad first four years. I think he is so grateful to be surrounded by maybe the best defensive coach in football, top five coach, and the best GM arguably. So, I don't think he's going to go and bang on the Brinks truck. Um, and and and so for those three reasons, GM and a coach that don't settle in a quarterback that is not just going to look for money, I think that guarantees I think Seattle is going to be excellent. They have cap space. And if you It's really amazing that people kept saying, "Well, Gino

Smith is good." Gino Smith never graduated to the next level of football. Jay Mack and I were talking about this during the break. And the next level of football is often not losing games. Jimmy Johnson always talks about this. You lose way more games than you win. Troy Aman knew I got a really good football team. I'm going to I'm going to hit Michael Irvin twice on big plays. Alvin Harper once. That's That's what I need to do. So Darnold's not a guy. He's not a money guy. I've met his family. Oceanside kid. That's not what drives him. He He doesn't need validation of another, you know, material item. That's not who he is. Here's Darnold on his role going forward with this Seattle offense.

I've taken it day by day, you know, throughout my entire career and it's gotten me to this point. my job is to take care of the football and I knew that coming into the game and um you know I did that and you know I I took the open guy when they were there and you know if I had to take sacks if I had to throw the ball away I was able to do it. Um but I just played that kind of game and I feel like you know we ended up coming on uh being on top because of it.

Uh by the way he's from San Clemeni notide my bad. Um uh it's kind of south on the coast in California. Um, you know, the other thing is one of the things Mike Vrabel sells at New England. It's it's it's this team isn't about one guy. It's a unit. He's the guy at the end of games in the tunnel thanking everybody. And it's easy to beat up on Drake May who I just don't think wasn't healthy, wasn't there. I didn't like and I think Josh McDaniels is good. I didn't understand not attacking Hunter Henry. If you look at the Rams success against Seattle, the Rams have excellent tight ends and they use them against the Seahawks very effectively. I thought the game plan was going to center around three-step drops, a lot of tight ends, some bubble screens, uh, short passing game, do not get Drake May, fivestep drops, Will Campbell, left tackle, who was overwhelmed the entire AFC playoffs. I did not love the game

plan. Listen, in the first quarter, neither quarterback could do much. I mean, they they it wasn't until the second quarter where you felt like Seattle was starting to put a few things together. So, I I did not love New England's offensive game plan. And again, when you can't block on the left tackle spot, it blows up a lot of stuff. But here is Mike Vrabel on the L.

We can sit here and try to put it on one guy. um you'll be disappointed because that'll never happen. You know, it starts with us as coaching staff and making sure that you know that we're doing our part and then obviously we have to be able to execute. We got to be able to protect. When we do protect, you know, we have to be able to progress through and throw the ball the guy that's open and, you know, make and help the quarterback and then he's got to be better. Like that's just how it goes. So, you know, that that's never going to change.

Um, should be noted, uh, John Elway got crushed in Super Bowls and then he got better help and then John Elway was winning Super Bowls. We went through a stretch and I don't remember the exact years where Super Bowls were awful. Like they were worse than yesterday. Like Super Bowls were blowouts for years and then we've gotten into a space until yesterday where they we've had some really good ones. Now last couple years have been ugly. But it goes back and forth on this. Last year, Kansas City was beat up and this year, uh, we kept saying about New England, and I thought it would be lowcoring and clo I didn't think either team was going to get into the high 20s. I thought it had a chance to be 17, you know, 16, 24, 20 was my call, Seattle. But I think all of us sort of acknowledged it. Even New England fans, if they're honest, this team still felt like a draft away. I said it all year, they

were my double the win total team in the NFL before the season. And I pick one team that doubles their win total. It was New England. I thought they'd be in the nine 10 win spot and think they were getting to the Super Bowl. And so I thought it was pretty obvious by middle of the second quarter. You start listening to the commentary. You can tell if you listen to the announcers, Mike Vrabel at half, Kyle Shanahan before the game, Collinssworth during the game, you know, these guys are sitting in a stadium or on the sidelines. Vrabel at halftime. It was it was almost discouraged like he knew there was a reality setting in. The other thing that's interesting about yesterday, let me ask you a question. Do you believe 30 starts for a quarterback? 30 that you can make a fairly definitive judgment on a quarterback after 30 starts. That's two years.

Well, if you want and say yes that 30 starts, you can you can have a strong opinion. Sam Darnold's 25 and5 with two teams, passer rating 98 and a half, 250 yards a game and uh two touchdowns throwing for every interception. And by the way, if you take the Rams out, just the Rams, those numbers are spectacular. Those are a minus. They're A+ if you just take the Rams out. Uh, and again, Seattle and the Rams just hammered AFC teams this year. Um, it it so you know, I think you start looking at the NFL. Jaylen Herz, you guys have all for the last couple of years have been trying to tell me Brock Pury and Jaylen Herz are top 10 quarterbacks.

So, is Sam Darnold now a top 10 quarterback? He's bigger than both. He's got a bigger arm than both. I I would say he's as athletic as Jaylen Herz, much better in the pocket. bigger athlete, throws over the middle of the field better. So all you wanted Jaylen Herz and Brock Purie in the top 10, CJ Stout has regressed. I mean, I love Justin Herbert. He'd never had a playoff run like this. So what do you do with Darnold? Well, the general manager, okay, we going to have excuses. I mean, at some point, you take the snap and you make stuff happen. Pre- snap, postnap. So my take is what do you do with Sam Darnold? Now I I feel like there's four or five guys, Burrow, Momes, Allen, there's a handful. I mean, and then you you start getting into this next group of Caleb Williams, Jordan Love, Darnold. Ask yourself this right now. Look in the NFC. Forget the AFC. Go to the NFC.

Stafford and Goff are not mobile. That matters. What quarterback in the NFC tomorrow? If you're building a franchise, Darnold's only 28. Tomorrow in the NFC, what quarterback do you take over Sam Darnold? Nobody's taken Brock Pury. Injuries, smaller gets, no, not a GM in the league's taken Brock Pury. Not a single GM. Shanahan will tell you public Brock gets banged up. Brock is smaller. Brock's not this athletic. Brock's not this big. I mean, Brock a playoff run with no turnovers, hoisting a trophy. Nobody's taking Jaylen Herz over Sam Darnold. Nobody. Darnold is loved in the locker room. I have a source that tells me, and this is now like public, Jaylen Herz is not. He He doesn't galvanize a locker room. So ask yourself in the NFC.

Who would you take? I'm not talking Burrow Mahomes. I'm not talking that side. As Jax said, the AFC at the top quarterback's unbelievable. It's like seven of the top eight quarterbacks. But Stafford's old, golf doesn't move. Jordan loves inconsistent. Jaylen Herz and Pertie, not a GM in the league is taking them over Darnold. So, who's the guy?

Well, we know GM's whiff on quarterbacks a lot. Uh, so I don't know that I'd agree with that part, but I I I I'm sorry I can't rock with you on this. Yes, I agree. Darnold's had a great run, 25 and five last year. NFC, he is 28, older than Jaden Daniels, who I know got hurt last year. Jane Daniels can't stay healthy.

I agree. But a if we did this a year ago, he had just been in the NFC Championship and people were crowning him like top seven quarterback in the league. So yeah, he did get injured.

We have new information. I think I think Caleb had an awesome situation. I think Caleb Williams is

Jordan Love for sure. Very inconsistent. I would personally go Herz and Perie. I know you disagree and several GMs probably agree.

Every GM disagrees. Um it's interesting. Um we'll see what he does without Kubak next year. We'll see.

How do you do it without Kevin O'Connell? He did good with Kun. Justin Jefferson. Kevin O'Connell. Seattle's got a defensive coach. I don't know. I just watched yesterday's game.

Yeah, JSN did nothing and and they were fine. Yeah, we we'll see. Uh oh, boy. He's just so excited. You could hear the cackle in his voice.

Dude, I uh whatever you guys dream about. It was just Darnold at a podium wearing a gold jacket. He was in Canton, Ohio. It was very emotional. Well, I I don't know what he was talking about, but it was very clear.

Power two.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Super Bowl LX REACTION: Sam Darnold & Seahawks destroy Patriots | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD"?

Colin Cowherd (Host), Drake May (Guest), Mike Vrabel (Guest), Kenneth Walker (Guest).

What is "Super Bowl LX REACTION: Sam Darnold & Seahawks destroy Patriots | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD" about?

The discussion centers on the impressive performance of Sam Darnold in Super Bowl LX, highlighting his pivotal role in leading the Seahawks to victory over the Patriots without any turnovers. The analysis also emphasizes Seattle's strong future prospects, including financial flexibility and a young roster under the guidance of a promising coach, while celebrating Darnold's growth and maturity as…

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

15 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Sam Darnold, Drake May, Mike Vrabel, Kenneth Walker, Matthew Stafford, Kyle Shanahan. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Super Bowl LX REACTION: Sam Darnold & Seahawks destroy Patriots | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD"?

The episode runs 40 min; the transcript is about 7,099 words in 90 timestamped sections.

More from The Herd with Colin Cowherd

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 February 9, 2026.