Why signing Sam Darnold is PAYING OFF for Seahawks | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD NFL

What this episode is about

This analysis explores the successful signing of Sam Darnold by the Seahawks, highlighting how his performance has exceeded initial skepticism and contributed positively to the team's dynamics following Russell Wilson's departure. It also touches on the broader theme of undervalued decisions in sports management, exemplifying how visionary moves can lead to unexpected success.

Key takeaways

• Visionaries often get overlooked; it’s only after they’re gone that their genius gets properly appreciated.
• Sam Darnold was a gamble that critics dismissed; now he's proof that sometimes, risks pay off.
• Accountability shapes culture — from football teams to households, it’s essential for success.
• Many scoffed at DK Metcalf’s potential; turns out, being 'one of one' was an understatement.
• Great leaders foster an environment of growth; they’re the unsung heroes behind a team's success.

Who speaks in this episode?

• Colin Cowherd (Host) · 27 min speaking
• Eric Mangini (Guest) · 12 min speaking

What is discussed, and when

1. 0:00 – 5:00: Sam Darnold, Ben Johnson, Seattle Seahawks, Mike McDonald
2. 5:00 – 10:00: Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears, NFL
3. 10:00 – 15:00: Buffalo Bills, Sean McDermott, Super Bowl, Brian Dable
4. 15:00 – 20:00: Super Bowl, Mike Vrabel, New York Giants, Ohio State
5. 20:00 – 25:00: Sam Darnold, Fernando Mendoza, Mike McDonald, Super Bowl
6. 25:00 – 30:00: Jim Harbaugh, Sam Darnold, Eric Mangini, Tom Coughlin
7. 30:00 – 35:00: Buffalo Bills, Sam Darnold, Los Angeles Rams, Sean McDermott
8. 35:00 – 39:18: NFL, Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears, Eric Bieniemy

Notable quotes from "Why signing Sam Darnold is PAYING OFF for Seahawks | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD NFL"

• 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.

  about NFL · at 0:00

• When Russell Wilson left, I can remember saying on the air, he's been at least a 103 quarterback rating dude for four straight years. Are we sure this is the right move? I didn't think it was the.

  about Seattle Seahawks · at 1:14

• Mean, they hit some draft picks. They've hit everything. They h Mike McDonald was a kid unproven as a head coach. Home run. They found their McVey.

  about Mike McDonald · at 3:34

• Not you got to get the pre-nap, postnap stuff. This can't be this difficult. And that's accountability. Ben Johnson's mantra has always been good, better, best. And he just sets high standards.

  about Ben Johnson · at 5:41

• It's like you don't hand out bouques and flowers. It's not a world of rainbows.

  about Bill Belichick · at 7:07

• Didn't have a title after many years, a lot of the fans in Buffalo did not like it. Eric Manini is now joining us live, Fox Sports. okay, let's let's start with this. It was a…

  about Buffalo Bills · at 11:20

• Maybe Sean's stability that he had has covered up and this could get a lot worse before it gets better. Were you surprised when McDermott in front of Brandon Bean and the owner…

  about Super Bowl · at 12:42

• Great seeing you, Colin. Great seeing you, too. Stay warm over the weekend.

  about Eric Mangini · at 27:02

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

• Colin Cowherd — Person · Host / main speaker · 2 mentions
  Leads the segment with takes on Seahawks roster decisions, coaching culture, and interviews Eric Mangini.
• Sam Darnold — Person · Referenced NFL quarterback (central example) · 9 mentions · first at 0:51
  Used as the key example of a widely doubted acquisition that is framed as a 'visionary' GM move; also discussed as a playoff-pressure variable vs the Rams.
  The risk they took to do it. And I'll give you an example with Seattle playing the Rams. Seattle, 90% of you thought Sam Darnold was not a good signing. He got lucky. He had…
• Eric Mangini — Person · Main guest (interviewee) · 1 mention · first at 27:02
  Provides coaching/organizational insight on Bills ownership dynamics, coaching hires, and quarterback leadership traits; also discusses Vrabel and Harbaugh.
• Ben Johnson — Person · Referenced NFL head coach (culture/standards example) · 8 mentions · first at 4:58
  Cited as an accountability-driven coach establishing culture via standards; discussed through training-camp anecdotes and quotes.
• Sean McDermott — Person · Referenced NFL head coach (firing/ownership dynamics topic) · 2 mentions · first at 11:15
  Central to the Bills segment: discussed as a rare firing, the owner/GM dynamics, and whether he masked organizational meddling.
  An NFL head coach, Jets and Browns, franchises that often have turmoil. The Buffalo Bills don't. Sean McDermott's the rare firing where even though he didn't have a title after…
• Mike McDonald — Person · Referenced NFL head coach (Seahawks culture/defense example) · 2 mentions · first at 3:37
  Presented as an 'unproven' hire that became a 'home run' and as a defensive counterweight to McVay/Stafford in the Rams matchup.
• Bill Belichick — Person · Referenced benchmark coach (accountability) / coaching-candidate discussion · 2 mentions
  Invoked as the archetype of high standards and ball-security discipline; later debated as a potential (or unlikely) NFL hire given recent outcomes.
• DK Metcalf — Person · Referenced NFL wide receiver (roster-move example) · 1 mention · first at 2:42
  Used as another example of a controversial Seahawks personnel decision that is framed as having worked out; discussed as a unique physical talent.
  One of one. There's nobody like him. So Sam Darnold was available to the entire league. Pittsburgh could have had him.
• Brian Dable — Person · Referenced coaching candidate / Bills fit discussion · 1 mention · first at 14:04
  Discussed as a strong cultural and personal fit for Buffalo, with emphasis on his Buffalo roots and relationship with the team's key quarterback.
  Well, yeah. Brian is the ultimate Buffalo guy. He grew up in Buffalo. He could literally work for the Buffalo Tourism Bureau because he loves Buffalo so much. So, from that perspective, yeah, it's a great fit. He's got a he's got a really.
• Mike Vrabel — Person · Referenced coach (leadership traits discussion) · 1 mention · first at 15:24
  Discussed as an accountability-driven, intelligent, player-respected leader; Mangini describes coaching him and his ability to navigate Belichick-led culture.
  Last year to this year, they did have some money to spend. Drake May went from really promising to wow. what do you think Vrabel's best asset is?
• Jim Harbaugh — Person · Referenced coach (culture/stability archetype) · 3 mentions · first at 25:22
  Discussed as a culture/stability hire, contrasted with scheme-first thinking; Mangini notes the challenge of increased personnel power vs Baltimore's stability.
  Has been there forever. So, he had that built in as a head coach. Now he's going and he's going to have so much power over personnel and so much reach over the rest of the…
• Tom Coughlin — Person · Referenced coach (discipline/accountability example) · 2 mentions · first at 10:11
  Used as an example of how coaching discipline can fix a specific player issue (Tiki Barber fumbling) and bring organizational stability.
  I said this yesterday when Tiki Barber came to the New York Giants, he had a fumble problem. And then Tom Coughlin arrived and he had no fumble problem.
• Pete Carroll — Person · Referenced former Seahawks head coach (decision example) · 1 mention · first at 1:43
  Mentioned as a popular coach whose departure is framed as another correct, initially unpopular, Seahawks leadership decision.
  But John Snyder bailed on Gino and bailed on DK Metaf and signed Sam Darnold. Hey, by the way, Pete Carroll was wildly popular in Seattle. A lot of people didn't didn't think…
• Eric Bieniemy — Person · Referenced coach (NFL coordinator news) · 1 mention · first at 37:49
  Mentioned in the Chiefs segment as returning as OC; discussed in relation to Travis Kelce's comments and Bieniemy's recent career stops.
  Can see kind of his personality and what he brings to the table in that Chicago team. I can't wait to see him back in the building, man. He's one of he's one of my favorite coaches of all time. one of my favorite people of all time.
• Fernando Mendoza — Person · Referenced quarterback prospect (character/humility example) · 2 mentions · first at 23:32
  Raised as an example of a humble, 'Andrew Luck-like' temperament that the speakers argue is underrated for quarterback leadership.
  Confident and the 36-year-old right tackle has to like you. Like it's it is a weird dance you have to do. I think Fernando Mendoza has that whatever that is. And I discuss that your opinion on that.
• Justin Jefferson — Person · Referenced NFL wide receiver (supporting-cast explanation) · 1 mention · first at 0:55
  Cited as a reason critics discounted Darnold's prior success ('he got lucky'); used to frame the debate about QB evaluation vs supporting talent.
  The Rams. Seattle, 90% of you thought Sam Darnold was not a good signing. He got lucky. He had Justin Jefferson. Kevin Oonnell's a genius. Not a very good defensive division. You didn't like it.
• Tiki Barber — Person · Referenced former NFL player (coaching impact example) · 1 mention · first at 10:08
  Used as a concrete example of how coaching/accountability can correct ball-security issues (fumbling) when Tom Coughlin arrived.
  Have any tolerance for anymore. We got too far to go. I said this yesterday when Tiki Barber came to the New York Giants, he had a fumble problem. And then Tom Coughlin arrived and he had no fumble problem.

Books & papers

• The Pyramid of Success — Book · Referenced work · 1 mention · first at 10:42
  Mentioned as a philosophical framework by John Wooden, discussed in the context of coaching and accountability.
  Happen. I always remember when I was young, I don't remember John Wooden coaching, you know. I just there wasn't a lot of college basketball on TV when I was, young. And I…

Companies & orgs

• Buffalo Bills — Company · Business focus · 3 mentions · first at 11:15
  Discussed in the context of team performance, management decisions, and future prospects.
• Seattle Seahawks — Company · Business focus · 1 mention · first at 2:58
  Highlighted for their strategic moves, player performances, and comparisons with other teams.
• Los Angeles Rams — Company · Business focus · 1 mention · first at 31:11
  Discussed in relation to their performance, coaching strategies, and key players.
  Only we do we not give them credit, we forget the risk they took to do it. And I'll give you an example with Seattle playing the Rams. Seattle, 90% of you thought Sam Darnold was not a good signing. He got lucky. He had.
• Chicago Bears — Company · Business focus · 3 mentions · first at 6:17
  Discussed in the context of team culture, performance, and coaching decisions.
  Out. Don't wash them. Make the players put them in the right spot. Just accountability. And I remember during the year there was a moment where it was late in the year and the Bears were nine and three in December.
• New York Giants — Company · Referenced expert · 2 mentions · first at 10:08
  Mentioned in passing in relation to player performance and coaching.
  Have any tolerance for anymore. We got too far to go. I said this yesterday when Tiki Barber came to the New York Giants, he had a fumble problem. And then Tom Coughlin arrived and he had no fumble problem.
• Ohio State — Company · Referenced expert · 1 mention · first at 17:07
  Mentioned in the context of player development and coaching transitions.
  Player and he has that component of it too. And then I think the biggest thing, Colin, is he was part of the system. he was part of our dynasty, but then he left and he went to…

Concepts & topics

• NFL — Concept · Core topic · 2 mentions · first at 6:52
  Central theme of the episode, discussing various teams, games, and strategies within the NFL.

Places & events

• Super Bowl — Event · Key argument · 3 mentions · first at 12:53
  Mentioned as a significant event in the NFL calendar and a goal for teams.

Full transcript with timestamps

0:00 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. You know, here's the thing about smart people, even geniuses. You know, Van Go actually died poor. Yeah. Yeah. And and wasn't viewed as as successful. And then he died and now you have to wait in line to see his work, right? Like that's the way it works sometimes. Because visionaries and people who see things before I see them or you see them, we don't give them credit in the time. And we also, not only we do we not give them credit, we forget the risk they took to do it. And I'll give you an example with Seattle playing the Rams. Seattle, 90% of you thought Sam Darnold was not a good signing. He got lucky. He had Justin Jefferson. Kevin Oonnell's a genius. Not a very good defensive division. You didn't like it.

1:05 You didn't like it. He's been great. By the way, DK Metaf move. You didn't like that either. Well, well, what is Seattle doing? When Russell Wilson left, I can remember saying on the air, he's been at least a 103 quarterback rating dude for four straight years. Are we sure this is the right move? I didn't think it was the right move. Gino Smith's a bum. Not really. He made a Pro Bowl. They won 10 games and Seattle had the number eight passing offense in the league his last year in Seattle. But John Snyder bailed on Gino and bailed on DK Metaf and signed Sam Darnold. Hey, by the way, Pete Carroll was wildly popular in Seattle. A lot of people didn't didn't think he should be let go. And then you watch him in the Raiders and you're like, "Yeah, John Snyder, the GM of Seattle, got that right, too." When Demarcus Lawrence signed 33-y old defensive end, they brought out the checkbook. How many of

2:02 you were like, "Perfect. That's what we need. A 33-y old defensive end who I forgot about in Dallas." He had more pressures this year than Nick Bonito in Denver. We We do this all the time. When somebody sees stuff, a visionary is what they call them before you and I see them. Okay? We we always forget the risk they took. We don't give them the credit. Everybody now goes, "Well, of course Darnold was better than Gino Smith." And go back and look at some of your tweets. The DK Metaf move. You didn't like it. Crazy.

2:42 One of one. There's nobody like him. So Sam Darnold was available to the entire league. Pittsburgh could have had him. They wouldn't guarantee him multiple years. Minnesota had him in the building. Smart people in Minnesota, they let him walk. So Seattle's moves, they look brilliant now. That's what happens when you have a great visionary GM. They look good now and we we didn't love those moves. Go back to Russell Wilson's last years in Seattle. Oh, let me guess. You got that right, too. He had a 103 passer rating year after year after year after year.

3:19 Right. let Russ Cook maybe didn't work, but he was still successful. So, I don't know. I I when when I look at what Seattle's done is that a lot of these moves we just we line up with I mean, you know, they hit some draft picks. They've hit everything. They h Mike McDonald was a kid unproven as a head coach. Home run. They found their McVey. Darnold was great in Minneapolis. Why wouldn't he be good in Seattle? Demarcus Lawrence, DK Metaf, they all worked. Here's his His boss is John Snyder. His name's Mike McDonald. Here's his thoughts. His leadership example from a on a day-to-day basis shows up in so many ways. Just like the spirit of the building, his interaction with everyone. I mean, he talks to more people in the building. I do, you know, like he's just he's doing his thing all the time. And he's been incredibly helpful to me. he knew when to kind of give you some some air to breathe and

4:16 and grow and expand and and and learn, you know, maybe fall a little bit. And he also was there to support you when you needed it.

4:23 So, we talk a lot about uh culture on this show is that when you're hiring a coach, we we've discussed this many times. It's it's you're you're trying to get a CEO basically. If he if he's great schematically, that's a bonus, but that's not really what you're hiring. The leader of men culture. What does culture mean? I don't know what it means. I I do know uh from parenting to being parented mostly culture in a house in a business starts with accountability. Don't be a victim. Head down. It's not perfect. You got to be accountable. And so Ben Johnson said this yesterday or the day before and I actually he's not wrong very much but he was being too humble.

5:05 He talked about uh you know the stepping stone of having a great year. Ben Johnson came out to say is we're starting from ground zero. That nothing matters that we did last year. It's ground zero. None of it matters. And that's where he's wrong because what's already been established is accountability. And so, you know, there was a moment, you know, he disputes whether we yanked him off the field, but there were a couple of moments during day one of training camp he did tell the number one offense, get off the field. You we're not you got to get the pre-nap, postnap stuff. This can't be this difficult. And that's accountability. Ben Johnson's mantra has always been good, better, best. And he just sets high standards.

5:53 To me, culture starts with accountability and standards. You know, Mike Frabel in New England apparently walked in and like the locker room there were like towels everywhere. Towels in the shower and he's like, "Ring them out. Don't wash them. Make the players put them in the right spot." Just accountability. And I remember during the year there was a moment where it was late in the year and the Bears were nine and three in December. And at the podium, Ben Johnson said, "We're winning in spite of our offense, nine and three." And throughout my course of being in Chicago here for seven, eight months, I will get people that will come up to me during the season, why are you so hard on the Bears? And I'm like, have you heard the coach? The coach is hard on the Bears.

6:43 And that's what I really appreciate. He's not pandering. I I said the NBA is all about taking care of the star. They get offended by tweets like the NFL's like it's a grown-up league. Like handle the criticism. You're on a winning streak. So what? The Bears had won nine of 10, five straight. They're nine and three in December. And Ben Johnson's like, we're winning in spite of our offense. And that was always Bellich. It's like you don't hand out bouques and flowers. It's not a world of rainbows. like we're not and and and I will say this, Greg Coell talked about this earlier is that he's still the mechanics, his footwork aren't great and a lot of it's because he's so gifted waist up. He's got such a strong arm.

7:26 That was always a Cam thing. I I Cam's mechanics Stafford when he was in Detroit, I always thought had hitand- miss mechanics. Now in LA, his mechanics are great because McVey demands that. Cam Newton's mechan McVey was so strong. Big Ben had a little bit of this. You know what I Like when you have that home run jet fuel uh V8 arm, your mechanics can get sloppy because you can get away with so much stuff. And that's one of the things that Ben Johnson like corrected and will work on. It's one of the things Greg Kosell talked about. His mechanics are okay. That's why he's completing 40 or 54% 58% and not 62%. So I just I I appreciate it that when I mean it's a oney year anniversary I think yesterday of Ben Johnson's hiring and it was they were arguably they had the worst culture in the division a year ago. I would argue it's the best culture because of standards. The Lions in division settled for an offensive

8:22 coordinator when Ben left who they were comfortable with. Didn't have much play calling experience. That's not the standard. That's not the standard Ben set for the offense. Philadelphia offensive coordinator Kell Moore leaves. I got Nick Serriani's buddy who he's comfortable with. That's not the standard. So, you know, as grumpy as Curt Signetti is or as Bellichic was. I mean, you don't see Ben Johnson laughing a lot. Like, it's hard to force millionaires to be accountable every day at practice. The little stuff matters.

8:58 So when we talk about culture, what is it? I don't know. I I I I just know this. Don't be a victim. Be accountable. Don't pander. Even when it's always easier to criticize players when you're winning. When a when a when a player's losing, you're on a losing streak, everybody's a little defensive and a little prickly. When you're on a fivegame winning streak, it is so easy to put your arm on somebody's shoulder at the same time you're kicking them in the butt, saying, "You know what? just the mechanics aren't good enough. You're better than this. So, I I just appreciate I remember when Ben Johnson first day of camp, he he even got prickly with the Chicago media. I didn't kick him out of camp, but he acknowledged they weren't very good. We took him off the field. I like it.

9:42 I know some people enjoyed me throwing the first team out of practice. Uh, not the case. cuz we got to end up uh executing getting in and out of the huddle a certain way and it wasn't that way. And we're learning, we're growing. Um you know, there were some things from the springtime expected to carry over that that was probably one we just don't have any tolerance for anymore. We got we got too far to go. I

10:08 I said this yesterday when Tiki Barber came to the New York Giants, he had a fumble problem. And then Tom Coughlin arrived and he had no fumble problem. Kurt Signetti's teams don't fumble. Bellich's teams don't fumble. The Rams in lousy weather for an LA team went to Chicago, no penalties, no drop passes. That's incredible. That's accountability. That's coaching during the week and not letting it happen. I always remember when I was young, uh I I don't remember John Wooden coaching, you know. I just there wasn't a lot of college basketball on TV when I was, you know, young. And I don't remember John Wooden. I read about John Wooden, The Pyramid of Success. But one of the things I always remember about Wooden whenever I saw him is he was never yelling during games.

10:52 He was just sitting there with his program and I'm like because he was accountable during practice. You don't have to do as much coaching, right? Mike Shasheesky barks at the officials all the time. He barks at his players during practice. During games, he's more barking at the officials. Five years as an NFL head coach, Jets and Browns, franchises that often have turmoil. The Buffalo Bills don't. Sean McDermott's the rare firing where even though he didn't have a title after many years, a lot of the fans in Buffalo did not like it. Eric Manini is now joining us live, Fox Sports. Um, okay, let's let's start with this. It was a little clunky at the press conference yesterday and the press release was embarrassing. Um Um, were you comfortable as a former coach with the firing?

11:43 No, I I actually I love when owners get up and give a press conference because it gives you some insight into the challenges that you have as a head coach with some of the Now, you got you got a little peak in his conversations that take place. But there's a lot of those things that you have to navigate through with ownership and and you have an owner that comes in and says, "Okay, I I I made the decision in the moment, the most emotional moment you could get."

12:09 Yeah. Even though I felt like it was a catch, which would have won the game. And and when you when you hear things like that, it just it it's a precursor of what's to come. And I think Shawn McDermott maybe covered up some of the meddling that that has gone on in the organization. Remember, this group bought the Buffalo Sabres, and there was a lot of hope that when they bought the Sabres, it would be really good. And since they bought it, I think they've gone through six head coaches and four GMs, and they they had a huge playoff draw there. There there's a track record here with this ownership group that maybe Sean's stability that he had has has covered up and this could get a lot worse before it gets better. Were you surprised when McDermott in front of Brandon Bean and the owner suggested recently, I don't think we have a Super Bowl roster. I think we have some deficiencies. Were you surprised that he

12:59 would confront those guys? No. I you you'd like to think that that the uh GM and the owner want to hear what you feel is the truth. and and when you have honest conversations, sometimes they're difficult conversations and and you you may disagree with with my assessment, but I would think that's what you would want from your head coach is what he feels is the truth about your situation. Otherwise, how do you how do you ever get better? If you're if you're constantly glossing over deficiencies because you're worried about hurting people's feelings, then you have no chance chance to grow. So, so go ahead, go hire someone that's a yes man. Go hire someone that's going to agree with every personnel decision. Go hire someone that's not going to have conflict in the draft room or with free agency. And typically what that gets is is a whole lot of mediocrity. And it's going to get possibly what they had in

13:55 Buffalo before McDermott got there, which was the longest NFL playoff drought, you know, to to that point.

14:04 Now, you know Brian Dable very well and you speak very highly of him. Do you think he'd work in Buffalo?

14:10 Well, yeah. I mean, Brian is the ultimate Buffalo guy. He grew up in Buffalo. He could he could literally work for the Buffalo Tourism Bureau because he loves Buffalo so much. So, from that perspective, yeah, it's a great fit. He's got a he's got a really good relationship with the most important player on the team and a lot of respect for him. and in my mind did a significant amount to help develop him from a a fairly raw talent in college to a much more polished tal talent.

14:40 Uh now I don't know how that cell would be in Buffalo to move on from McDermad to to Brian and and Brian being let go during the course of the season I don't think helps his case. I don't look I didn't agree with that either, but so so there's a little there's that aspect of it and then it depends on how ownership feels

14:59 about Bryant's possibility to remember this this is the guy that's going to come in and take them not to the playoffs. He's going to take them to the Super Bowl and win the Super Bowl right now.

15:12 Okay. Um, what do you think? You know, Vel, what what do you think? I mean, to go from last year to this year, they did have some money to spend. Uh, Drake May went from really promising to wow. Um, what do you think Vrabel's best asset is? What what I mean, he's a tough guy. He's got a physical presence. You don't want to mess with him. And he's pretty pretty authentic and bottom line guy. Uh, you I mean, he's got a reputation. He comes in and there's no BS. very player friendly though. Uh, in all your workings and dealings and talking to him, um, are you a little surprised by how good how fast they got?

15:53 So, so I coached Mike and and was there when we brought him in to to New England. We originally brought Mike in think he was going to be primarily a special teams player and then he developed into, you know, the player that he was. Here's what I can say. Mike was one of the smartest, if not the smartest player that I ever coached. and his ability to recall things from from game plans, you know, that we had years back and and and not just recall it in sort of a general sense, but in a very specific sense was impressive. And then he had the ability to he he could he could um tease Bill Bellich in meetings in a way that Bill would be okay with it. So he could navigate through through that which very few players could do,

16:37 right? Uh he and and it's a it's a skill. So he could he could hang with the boys. He he's a guy's guy. He's got that element to it. He's incredibly intelligent. And I think he has a a level of empathy that really uh rel it it hits with the players. He he understands what it's like to be a player and and he has that component of it too. And then I think the biggest thing, Colin, is he was part of the system. he was part of of our dynasty, but then he left and he went to Ohio State and he got a different perspective. And then he coached in Houston and he got a different perspective. Then he was a head coach in Tennessee. He had that perspective. So he understands what it means to be a patriot and to be part of that and he had all that experience with Bill and and the things we did. But then he brought a whole different level of understanding back into the organization to me which is what they needed to move

17:33 on from Gerard Mayo who had only coached under Bill. Yeah. Perspective. Um, the Steelers reportedly, boy, they like Mike McCarthy. And I hear about Chris Schula. And my take is, you know, the New York Giants and the Falcons got their coach, which also means when you do it first, you get the best receiver coach, the best coordinators. You I mean, Arthur Blank and the Mara family now. They're they're interviewing and writing checks. Steelers just, you know, they don't they don't do this very often. They're they're not it's like I said yesterday that Steelers have been married for 35 years. They're suddenly single. They don't even know what a dating app is. They don't know what they're doing. Like I look at the Steelers now, Eric, and I'm like, they don't do this. I mean, if you sit and wait for another two weeks, aren't you getting the fifth best receiver coach on the market?

18:20 Well, well, not necessarily. And and the Ravens are in the same boat. They haven't done it in what, 18 years. So, so that both those organizations are going through that. And you may not necessarily miss out on the best coaches because all these places that have openings, a lot of them are going to keep their coaches under contract. And until a new head coach comes in, that head coach won't release those guys from their contracts. So sometimes you get a a great head coach later in the process because they haven't been released by the new spot. When I was in in New York, uh Dan Quinn didn't get released until they made a a head coaching change in Miami. he was the Miami uh defensive line coach and I was able to get him later in the process because because he he was on the market later. So you you would think that if you get there the earliest you'd have the the pick of of everybody, but it's not necessarily true

19:10 because guys are still under contract in a lot of these organizations until a new head coach is found.

19:16 You um just the Bellich talk coming back into it. I don't think Buffalo's the fit at all. I think Philadelphia because they have a strong GM maybe next year and that Bill wouldn't touch personnel. That would make sense. But I don't know. I think it's over. Do you think he's a viable candidate?

19:35 Yeah, I know Nick was talking Nick Wright was talking about him possibly in Buffalo and I I was much more like you where I thought, okay, this this isn't going to be a fit necessarily in the NFL anymore, especially what what happened last year in North Carolina. it wasn't a a rousing endorsement, you know, coming off the the lack of success he had late in in New England. But the reason that I'd say that Buffalo could be a fit is after watching ownership, I'm thinking maybe you need to go get a really strong guy that's not going to care what he he will not care what the owner says. He it won't matter to him at all. And even though he won't be in control of personnel in Buffalo, he'll still be he'll be willing to push back. But I can't imagine that that's what they're really looking for. Although Bill would be the most plugandplay guy.

20:26 Yeah. You know, in that in that division, this it's a it's hard that's another hard sell for the for the fan base.

20:32 Yeah. The uh Seahawks Rams, it'll be on Fox. The um I said I if I get the older coach McVey, the more experienced quarterback Stafford, um Seattle's really young. This is a big big spot. And listen, they deserve all the credit in the world. Now they're down to just one back they trust. Uh both teams are remarkably healthy, but I do get in some key spots. I mean, I Kevin Dodson and McVey, uh you know, uh Devonte Adams, they've got Seattle's young. Uh Demarcus Lawrence is an older player, but I do think there's value in in being in this game multiple times. or is that overstated?

21:16 Yeah. F first of all, I I loved your take on on John Snder. I think he's done an amazing job too up there. I mean that the decision the strength of the decisions he made moving on from Russell Wilson, moving on from from Pete and Pete, it was what nine and eight the year that they moved on.

21:32 He became medaf. People couldn't believe it. He came Yeah. I I couldn't The Russell Wilson one I was surprised by that worked out. He went and got Gino Smith, which was, you know, Gino wasn't proven by any stretch. Made him work. Moved on from Gino. Went and got Sam Darnold, gave him a hundred million dollar. Like, I give him a ton of credit. He's done an amazing an amazing job in in this game. I I'm giving the edge to the Rams because of Stafford, because of McVey, because of their familiarity, because of the way that Stafford played the last time he was in Seattle. He he lit that defense up. What was it? 457 yards, three touchdowns. They've played twice now and he hasn't been sacked once in either of the games.

22:16 Isn't that crazy? And then there's it's it's crazy. And and the Sam Darnold factor is real. Is we saw him implode at the end of last year. I I really hope that he that's not going to be the case. I really want to see Sam Darnold, whether he wins or lose, have a really good game. But until he proves that he can he can be like Stafford or Stafford or be like an elite quarterback in these moments, it it's I'm I don't have a lot of confidence that that that's going to be the case.

22:49 That is funny. I think I'm the last guy that trusts Sam. I'm last guy. John John Snder, Mike McDonald, and me. Um let's let's close it with this. I I was talking the other day uh to somebody who's an executive in the league and I said, "You know what I really think is an important quality to great quarterback play is humility." Brady didn't really do ads until after the Atlanta Super Bowl. Eli Manning would not talk to the media after wins. Always available after losses. And one of the first things I see, and I think Baker's done a great job, but the Johnny Manzel, the Baker, it's like guys, that's not what I'm looking for.

23:32 When I look at Fernando Mendoza, I see this kind of nerdy Andrew Luck thing where good parenting, humble, grateful, really. Now, I don't think he's as good as Andrew Luck as a prospect, but there is something when you come in and you're the star at the star position and you make a lot of money. I think humility is way underrated at that position. Like it's a weird thing, Eric. You have to be confident and the 36-year-old right tackle has to like you. Like it's it is a weird dance you have to do. I I think Fernando Mendoza has that whatever that is. And I I discuss that your your opinion on that.

24:14 Yeah, that is very powerful. And and the thing with Tom is no matter how much fame, success, or money he got, he was the same guy in the locker room. He he he worked the same way. He treated everybody in the building the same way. He would be the first one to greet a new player that came in. So, as as he became more and more of a star, it wasn't like he pushed people down. If anything, he brought more people in. He was he was like the you know the the the real strength of character when when you have all of that and then you bring in the the people that that are so far removed from that. Everybody relates to that.

24:54 Every everybody respects that. Everybody wants to play for that be because it it's it's real. It's sincere and it's endearing where, you know, with with Baker, the second he gets back on top, he's back to, you know, taking shots at Stfansky. And I get it. He went through the whole hero's arc. And I was cheering for him, but now it's like, why do you have to do that? Like there's no need.

25:21 There's just no need. Finally, you know Jim Harbaugh. I don't know if you know John Harbaugh. I think he's a great fit. I don't think they need a scheme guy. They need a culture guy. The Harbaughs are very similar in ways and then they're, you know, I've seen pieces on like HBO on the Harbaugh family. I love them. They're not for everybody. I love them. How do you think that works and what will it be like? What will it look like?

25:43 Yeah, I I think John Harbaugh is a great guy, great great person, a great leadership, and hopefully he brings in the stability that Tom Coughlin brought in. I'd say the biggest challenge for John's going to be he was in Baltimore where that personnel department's been in place for 30 years. Yeah, you know, I was I was in the interview with Eric Dcasta with Azie Newsome when we hired him as an intern. And now here 30 years later, he's the GM. The pro personnel guys been there forever. The salary guy has been there forever. So, he had that built in as a head coach. Now he's going and he's going to have so much power over personnel and so much reach over the rest of the organization, which isn't a bad thing. And it's not like he hasn't earned that opportunity, but it's a lot and it's demanding and it takes up a lot of time. And when you don't have that incredible stability in the personnel department that been

26:36 successful and hit on I don't know how many draft picks, but but a ton the way Baltimore has. I think that's going to be his biggest challenge is the the the increase in the power that he has. I would actually maybe have liked it to be a little bit less so he could just focus on creating the stability and the coaching staff on on the football side, but it's a big ass to do all the jobs that he now has.

26:59 Yeah, Eric Manini as always, coach. Great seeing you, Colin. Great seeing you, too. Stay warm over the weekend.

27:07 Yeah. H nothing a little minus 46. Yeah. Have to buy now. Yeah. Buy a third coat. Uh, Eric Manini. Those jobs are filling up. Steelers got a guy yet. Pittsburgh Steelers got a guy yet. Old school Pittsburgh. All right, just checking. Jmack with the news.

27:30 NO, NO, NO. TURN ON THE NEWS. THIS IS the herd line news. Tried to tell people, Colin, Steelers job ain't a good one. That franchise is sinking while the Rams and Seahawks, they're soaring. Oh, you like that Seahawks soaring? Um, we got the big NFC Championship game Sunday on Fox. Now, listen to this closely. McVey was breaking down the challenge of facing Sam Darnold for a third time. Listen closely. Is this a shot at your boy?

27:57 You want to be careful not to chase ghosts. You know, it is about, you know, good execution, good fundamentals. Um, you know, they're they're a great team and they're great in all three phases. We'd like to think when we're humming and we're at our best, we're pretty good, too. And so, um, you you are aware of those things, but you don't want to do it at the detriment of allowing guys to be able to go execute and play the way that they're capable of.

28:19 Chasing ghosts jab. I don't think it is. It's not really in his DNA, but it's an interesting turn of phrase. No.

28:27 Yeah. I I I just I I don't That's not really how McVey McVey is very respectful, at least publicly. You know, he's a very respectful guy, very respectful to the league and the Shield and the organization. Very humble and grateful. I don't think he would do that. I especially on two days, three days out from the game. I don't I don't think you want to rattle the Seahawks Seattle cage. Yeah.

28:49 I'm assuming what he meant was, "Hey, hey, we won the first meeting, we shredded in the second meeting, you know, let's not look at that. We got to come up with some new stuff, right?" Um, I am curious though what the Rams did in that week 16 game. That was just 6 weeks ago. The teams have not changed that much from them. That's right.

29:07 Except the Rams are now adding Devonte Adams and arguably their best offensive lineman who were not there that day. And the Seahawks are down Charbanet. By the way, Charbanet was integral in both games. He had 13 touches in each of them. He was

29:19 He's a much better blocking back as well. Yeah. No, it's um these are really even teams. One superior offensively. I mean, McVey is an offensive coach. That gives you an edge, but McDonald defensively is really sharp. I think the bet is LA plus points. That's my take on this cuz I they've we know Stafford's good in these big games. We don't know yet. I mean, Darnold, it wasn't a big lift last week. I think, you know, I've said this, they're both can be a little reckless. Yeah. I mean, Matt Stafford missed on four or five throws that he usually makes last week. The weather was bad. He also had been before last week on a sevename seven pick streak. The difference is his resume is better and he's won these big games. But you know, you put pressure on Stafford, he lets it go. He's an aggressive downfield thrower. Darnold's an aggressive downfield thrower. I think it feels like to me that at the positions that are

30:14 really, really important, like head coach and quarterback, the Rams have an experience advantage in this spot. Seattle's the second youngest team in the league. Yeah.

30:24 That leads me to believe if it was in LA, I'd really like the Rams in Seattle. I like the points. But when I have a a head coach, a quarterback advantage in a big spot, also Devonte Adams, tight ends, Kairen Williams been around now several big games. Like I there's a there's some key places here. Rams defense is mostly young, but Cam Curl's been around that safety for a while they got from Baltimore. Landman, you know, was in the league before the Rams had him. I I just think they have experience at really good spots.

30:58 Yeah. Um, you want to guess how many games games the Rams lost by more than three points this season? I'm just looking at their schedule here.

31:06 One. Yeah. That Eagles game, the blocked field goal at the buzzer that they didn't even need.

31:11 Every other game is close. The Rams are in every single game. Now, I will add as I'm looking here at the schedule, third straight road game for the Rams. On the road in Carolina, on the road last week in Chicago, now to Seattle, you know, for whatever that's worth. All right, let's move on to the Buffalo Bills. They are this week's flaming dumpster fire in the NFL. Uh the Terry Pagula press conference, the Brandon Bean stuff. Sean McDermott. I'm sure McDermott's side is going to come out here soon, but uh Brandon Bean took questions from the media talking about his relationship with McDermott.

31:46 There's certain things that fall in his his area, whether it's managing a game, um how we how we schemed a game, whatever it is that are his. And then there's certain decisions that personnel related. Somebody's got to make the final call. Um what was the saying about

32:02 can I can I help him a little? There's a perception from the Can I help you about the power play part of that?

32:08 I'm the kind of guy if I sense you're on a power play, you're out. I I I don't like the owner stepping in, Colin. I don't know about you.

32:18 Well, let Brandon be fight his own fight. I think the owners, you know, it's their franchise. Jerry Jones talks twice a week. Why can't Terry Pagula talk once in a while? How's that Jerry Jones thing's working out? And how many NFC Championship visits? Um Oh, that's good. Thank you for that meatball over the middle. Um but just a quick thing on the the Bean McDermott, Colin. Like they had a good run together and I can't help but think about the Bill Walsh quote. There's a Bill Walsh quote from a book circulating about how you know what coaches are watching film. They're grinding. They're in meetings. What's the GM doing? He's hanging out with the owner. How do you think that's going? Well, it can't possibly be my fault. We got this amazing roster. We We gave him Josh Allen. We gave him everything and they're not winning, right? That that's why GMs are so protected. And man, I'm just telling you, Buffalo Bills fans,

33:09 they're not happy with this at all. I don't know how they fix this other than Dable. Like, what other name besides Joe Brady or Dable is going to make them happy?

33:16 Coaches make two to three times, four times what GMs do. So, you don't make as many moves with the GMs because coaches are more important. It's a quarterback coach league, not a quarterback GM league. So, GMs don't get fired as much, but they don't make nearly as much money. So, I I don't know. I think it's now let's attack Brandon Bean that he's a bum.

33:37 I I I I that's a little strong, but yeah. I mean, I I I just, you know, I think Brandon Bean Terry Pigoula is a very smart guy. I don't think he'd be manipulated. You know, I'm reading all these stories. Well, this guy Brandon Bean, he is really I've heard I this is what I've been told. Real sharp, very good with a cap, very good with business. Maybe not a top three personnel guy, but he's not the the offense has all sorts of good players. Dawson Knox and Dalton Concaid and go look at their offensive line. James Cook and the slot kid out of Boyise State and Josh Allen. Let's not pretend like they don't have any player. And by the way, their defensive front Oliver was his draft pick. They got the kid out of Iowa. Um, they have some decent guys up front. I don't think they're a great defense.

34:23 Well, that but that's the thing. People are drilling down on all these picks that you're like decent good and they're not all pros and they're barely making Pro Bowl. I don't even like Pro Bowlers.

34:32 Let me ask you this. What's the worst place in the first round of draft? I mean, every GM I've ever talked to

34:37 fair. But once you get Momes, you you in Buffalo, Baltimore, you you you start drafting 26th down.

34:46 That those are second round players, right? So like like the Chiefs got Xavier Worthy. Xavier Worthy is a gadget receiver. It was a weak draft. He was the he was the best guy available. You don't think Xavier Worthy is a first round player.

34:59 When you draft at the end of the first round, you they end up getting guys that are really second round players. So I Let me just defend the the NFL. It's hard to win in this league, but when you get great I mean right now the R think about this. The Rams have been good since McVey got there. They have one first round pick in nine years. They nailed it. Jared verse one. Why? Because the Rams and this year they've got a really high-end, you know, closer to the middle but high-end first round pick. They never have that.

35:30 So it's like that's that's why the Rams don't be shocked if they don't go get Ty Simpson with their first pick and reach because they're going to be at the bottom of the first round for the next 10 years.

35:39 That's a good question. So how do we how are we supposed to grade GMs? That's the tough one. Is it free agency? Is it the draft? Like, is it the cap? I mean, it's it's not easy.

35:49 Let me say this. There are two or three things if if you ask my wife or I asked yours that they're going to judge us on one or two or three things. You can screw up taking the garbage out. If you're a GM, I do that

36:00 and you get the superstar quarterback right in the draft. You can make a lot of mistakes. You can make a lot of mistakes. All I know is this. Ryan Poles with the Bears. He got DJ Moore. He got Caleb Williams. He made two or Now he's had some moves I don't love, but Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams, right? Like, you can say what you want and pick these guys apart. If you get the quarterback right, Brandon Bean got the quarterback right. Brett V got the quarterback right. McVey rolled the dice, had to pay Goff and Stafford. He got the quarterback right,

36:36 which isn't easy. Let Let's be real. Getting the quarterback right is not easy. Ask my Jets. Ask the Browns. Ask I mean the Panthers with Bryce. Like a lot of people quarterback Denver had to eventually go get Payton Manning

36:48 to to replace Elway. All those years they had smart GMs. They couldn't get the quarterback. Jake Plamer was good. But it's hard. So like if you get the quarterback right, the left tackle, the star, you know, this that this is it's a much harder job than people you're drafting 22y old kids. You go draft a receiver from Florida, one of the warmest states. He now goes to Buffalo in a sophisticated offense and it's like, well, how come you're not any good? Well, he's just young. He's trying to, you know, this stuff is way harder than everybody thinks.

37:19 Get us in that Eagles war room for Howy Roseman. All right. Uh, let's go to the final story, Colin. That's the Kansas City Chiefs. And, uh, after the Eric Benemy news that he's their new OC, Travis Kelce was on his New Heights podcast. And boy, uh, Chiefs fans desperate for anything positive are taking some breadcrumbs that this might mean Kelsey is considering returning. EB and who he is as a as a coach. You can see kind of his personality and what he brings to the table in that Chicago team. I can't wait to see him back in the building, man. He's one of he's one of my favorite coaches of all time. Uh, one of my favorite people of all time.

37:56 I've had so many unbelievable, you know, growing moments um under him as a as a player, as a person. Um and uh I just love the guy. And

38:07 that was interesting. I can't wait to see him in the building. What does that mean?

38:15 I don't I don't I got to be careful here. Listen, uh I'm a lot of people like Eric Bian. I know a lot of Chiefs fans watch the show. I'm just going to tell you what he did since leaving KC. So he went to the Washington Commander assistant head coach OC. Didn't quite work out. Okay. Then he goes to UCLA. Same deal. Chicago Bears running back's coach this season. Oh well, maybe he could parlay that into something. Now he's back with the Chiefs. I don't know if he's going to be calling plays. I don't see what Kelsey's so excited about unless this is a getting the band back together deal.

38:46 The bigger story is Kelsey sounds like he's coming back. I thought Well, come on. He's got to say something. He's got to leave some breadcrumbs out there so you listen to his podcast, right? You got to say something. You can't be like, "Oh, I'm planning a wedding. Planning a wedding of the year. Do I invite Coward and McIntyre?" Uh, Cow Coward lives right near the wedding.

39:02 I am very pro Travis Kelce. I hope I get an invite. Yeah. By the way, I know someone on staff who will be going. Uh, I'm I don't know if my wife will let me go.

39:11 I would be honored to go to Taylor Swift and Travis's. Same same Zeiss. Yeah.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "Why signing Sam Darnold is PAYING OFF for Seahawks | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD NFL"?

Colin Cowherd (Host), Eric Mangini (Guest).

What is "Why signing Sam Darnold is PAYING OFF for Seahawks | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD NFL" about?

This analysis explores the successful signing of Sam Darnold by the Seahawks, highlighting how his performance has exceeded initial skepticism and contributed positively to the team's dynamics following Russell Wilson's departure. It also touches on the broader theme of undervalued decisions in sports management, exemplifying how visionary moves can lead to unexpected success.

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

26 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including NFL, Colin Cowherd, Sam Darnold, Eric Mangini, Ben Johnson, Buffalo Bills. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "Why signing Sam Darnold is PAYING OFF for Seahawks | Colin Cowherd: THE HERD NFL"?

The episode runs 39 min; the transcript is about 7,465 words in 83 timestamped sections.

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