The Herd with Colin Cowherd - HOUR 3 –Bears-49ers proves offensive coaches are the future, More coach firings to come?

Episode Date: December 29, 2025

NFL insider Dianna Russini discusses NFL coach openings, potential hires like Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman and who else could potentially be fired before February. Are there reservations about Sean McDermott and his future in Buffalo? Colin discusses Kyle Whitingham taking the Michigan job and how he’s going to fit in with the program.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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People, I mean, these bad teams, they're working on the draft. They're looking at free agency. they're mapping out the future. The Athletic Senior NFL Insider cover the NFL for a decade. Diana Rusini is now joining us live. So let's just address the one. Marcus Freeman was maybe a long shot,

but I do think that Marcus is one of those rare college coaches that everybody in the NFL just thinks energy, talent. Why this more, I'll tell you the cynical column, is that now that the Giants can, get Fernando Mendoza, Freeman looks at that and goes, Jackson Darts, three and eight. I like Notre Dame. I'm staying in college. That's the cynical me. Why the time, why the timing today that he's staying at

Notre Dame? Yeah, I appreciate that you stay cynical through the entire year here, which is a few days left in 2025. Look, the New York Giants were not the only team who were interested in Marcus Freeman. So I get what you're saying. That lines up for why he would perhaps not be interested in New York. there were at least four other teams I know poking around on Marcus Freeman. And when I say poking around, because some of those teams have a coach currently in place, right, which makes sense because there's only two available head coaching jobs right now on the table, that being the New York Giants and the Tennessee Titans who, you know, both organizations definitely had plans of bringing Marcus Freeman in.

And New York made the most sense. There's some connections there. And I do think in terms of what the New York Giants are looking for, Marcus Freeman lined up with that because back to the conversation we had every time this year, right? Leader of men. What were we talking about last year this time of year as well? Leader of men, who were those people? And we see how that has fared.

So what does this leave New York now? Okay. So you got Jeff Hathley, the Packers defensive coordinator. You have Lou Anirumo, the Colts defensive coordinator. He interviewed for the job before and did very well from what I recall. I could see him, you know, having a really good shot at getting this job. Brian Flores, did you see that clinic that defense put on against the Detroit lines at home on Christmas Day? I know.

The New York Giants were watching. I was down on the sideline for that, Colin. And it was incredible. And I talked to Flores actually at the game about his future. And he's like, look, I'm happy here in Minnesota. I love being part of this organization. We'll see who calls. People are going to be calling.

I can tell you that. Organizations have Brian Flores on their board. Chris Shula in L.A. Right? Anytime you're around Sean McVeigh, anytime you have a name like Shula, it's a good thing. And he has done a tremendous job with the defense that wasn't supposed to be this good and they're spectacular. Yeah, I would hire Brian Flores in one second. I think Brian Flores is really one of the sharp guys out there. I like him a lot. Let me throw this name out for the New York Giants. Just for your reaction. This isn't a name on their board. I just want your feelings. Robert Sala. Back in you. Well, I thought it was a huge mistake. When Sala got fired, they were going to Buffalo, and if they won, they'd be tied for first.

I thought it was egregious when they let go of him. I also think you could argue the Jets, it's quicksand. Darnold couldn't win there. Nobody can win there. Like Aaron Rogers looks better. All I know is, if you gave me three guys to hire in this next cycle, I would do Sala Flores one and two. I think they're great. I don't know Shula well enough.

I always feel like so much is McVeigh Magic. Everything he touches is great. So I just think Brian Flores in Minnesota and Sala, high energy, kind of intimidating, like a guy's guy, a player, kind of an alpha thing.

I don't know the big, and Marcus Freeman, I thought it's great, but he is a college guy, not a pro guy. Yeah, and here's a thing with Sala. I do think he is a good mix.

He's obviously a fantastic defensive coordinator. Look at what the San Francisco 49. are working with and look at the performance that they've been able to do it week in and week out. Is it pretty? No, right? It's not perfect. You know he's sitting there like, how am I going to make this work? But I think he's done a really good job of just rallying those guys. And I think for an organization like the New York Giants that lacked accountability, to me, that's got to be the word on the board in the meeting room with these coaches. Can you hold players accountable? right because some of the knock that we had on Sala when Aaron Rogers was there remember we said you had to have a very specific characteristic in order for that to work with the Rogers right and we see that in who Mike Tomlin it's working great you see that in who Arthur Smith right Arthur Smith's another name that I think is going to make some rounds here once again to get an opportunity because Arthur also has a really good obviously offensive mind but he's not scared of these players he is not scared to go up to the best guy and

the team and say, yeah, that's not good enough. And that's what the New York Giants are looking for because accountability was really, it was the biggest flaw in that building. So we were talking about this during the break. And I think I've been saying this three years is that when you look at Philadelphia against Buffalo, Philadelphia has got a lot more good players and it's not close. Buffalo has a superstar quarterback, a very good left tackle, a nice running back. So my take is Denver could bounce out Buffalo in the first round. Jacksonville could.

New England could. And my take is there very rarely is there a great job opening. When Matt LaFleur got Green Bay, Aaron Rogers late prime, that's a great job. That is a great. Harbaugh getting Justin Herbert. Vrable getting Drake May and that owner. Those are really good jobs. Buffalo loses, round one gets whacked.

Diana, I don't know. That feels like to me, that's trouble. Doesn't it? I know what you mean. I don't think you're wrong. I don't think it's a lock for sure. I mean, how could it be, right? You have Josh Allen in his prime and you continue to dance,

but you don't go to the big one, right? And it just seems like they don't have the makeup that they need to get over this hump. And this has to be it. And look, not to be defensive of Buffalo, but look what Josh is working with, as you just pointed out. Look at that Philly offense. Look at that roster compared to Buffalo's roster. And yet Josh Allen is staying in these games and almost winning it. I mean, if he makes that pass there in the end zone and it's to the right just a bit,

you know, it's game over. And look, you, I don't want to question Sean McDermott, but first of all, this is a head coach who was against the tush push, right? They run it twice yesterday. And then on top of that, you already see the fact that this Philly offense isn't clicking, right? They did not have a good day, right? And to go for two, I understand the confidence and belief in Josh Allen and your offense. But big picture in that moment, I'm not, I don't necessarily agree that that was the right call.

And I know that's, of course, very easy for us to say on Monday when, when the catch isn't made. But yeah, that is certainly going to be one of the teams that will be keeping an eye on depending on how this shakes out. But, you know, next week, it could be busy. You know, I know we talk about this a lot. Like, I think there's like an average of five head coaching openings every year, right? So we got the Giants, the Titans.

I'm expecting at least four more on top of that, right? So that puts us at six. And we're not even talking about some of these teams that are going to be dancing in the playoffs, right? Because there's always one or two head coaches out of that group. But, you know, the right owner, the quarterback shows how much success and how you can be off on the right foot. Ben Johnson obviously nailed it.

Mike Vrable nailed it. That was an offseason that was, look how we can reflect on that. Liam Cohen. These three new head coaches are having spectacular seasons. I just don't think it's going to be as exciting this offseason in terms of the type of talented head coaches that are in this pool. Okay, so Mendoza is going to go to the Raiders. They need a quarterback.

back. I actually said, I thought when you combine Pete Carroll, Chip Kelly and Gino Smith, I said, I picked him for fourth, but I said, they could be a really interesting team. They could win seven games. They could be a spoiler late. It is a disaster. Now the disaster turns into the number one pick, so maybe everybody's brilliant, and I'm not seeing the obvious stuff. But Tom Brady's not sitting around forever. They've got, you know, Mark Davis went out and took some money from other people who have a voice. Is there, could the rate of just blow this whole thing up. Here's what I want to see happen.

Okay, so obviously Tom Brady being part of anything in life is going to be good for you because the guy knows how to win. He's the best at what he does. He's been around football and he lives it, breathes it, all of it. He's doing a lot, right? Like, he's calling games. He has a family in Florida. He's in touch with people with the Raiders.

He's got his eyes and ears on the ground there with people that are working with the Raiders organization. I just think this off season, I actually want more Tom Brady. I think that's what Vegas needs, more input from him, and more of a presence. I think that's important. Think about if you're just a Raider, you're a young player. And Tom Brady's walking around your building. Like, how different are you behaving?

How different are you acting? It's the grown up, the best at it there. And the Max Crosby situation, you know, I don't know who made that call. But you have to figure Tom Brady's thinking future. he's thinking about the organization as a whole what's best for them max crosbie dealing with a knee injury going back to october i know he's a competitor and he wants to be out there i understand why they shut him down but that being said max crosbie's the best thing going for the raiders he's setting the example of the standard if you lose max crosbie you think things are bad now in terms of the

raiders and what they're about and what they believe in and how he he's the thing that makes that place great and if you lose him mentally i those are my mind you're my i those are my concern. So if your question is, they blowing this thing up, how could they not look at this coaching staff and go, it has to be better? Because what it is now, it just, it discombobulated, right? It doesn't, it's not in sync. You don't even know what the Raiders are. It's December 29th. What are the Raiders? I have no idea. Diana Rusini, this next three months for you is crazy town. So I know, like, you've got a big family here and you're very, very busy. But we love having you on the show. You bring great energy and insight, and I appreciate it.

Thank you. Everyone always says, oh, you're so busy in season. I love the season. It's football, right? My job starts, like January 7th is actually when my job starts. It's like playoffs, coaching, hiring for agency. We're off and running. Either way, though, this is a blast, you know? Diana Rusini, good seeing you. Same. Great, great stuff. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd weekdays at noon Eastern 9 a.m. Pacific on Fox Sports Radio, FS, one and the I Heart Radio app. Hey, this is Jason McIntyre. Join me every weekday morning on my podcast, Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre.

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Search Learn the Hardway and listen now. Yeah, it is, I don't know what you do if you're the Raiders. I don't know what you do if you're in Tampa. I've said before, the Jets thing with Aaron Glenn feels very much Nathaniel Hackett in Denver, Jim Tom Sulla in San Francisco, like it just Freddie Kitchens in Cleveland, David Cully in Houston, you're like, no, it just doesn't

feel right. I could be wrong. They could give, you know, the Jets privately always argued, hey, we gave Sala all these years. I think if I run a team, the best candidates to me are Brian Flores and Robert Sala

at the top. I know they're defensive guys, but Mike McDonald and D'Amico Ryan's are crushing. You don't have be an offensive guy. If you're a defensive guy, you've got to be young. I would say, Brian Flores in Minnesota, love him. I mean, again, when you watch that defense, you know it's a Flores

defense. I would say the second best candidate is Sala. Third best candidate, Mike McCarthy, I don't want to hear it. He wins a lot of games. And then I would put a bunch of guys like Chris Shula in L.A.

in that third level. Whoa, what about Chris Shula? Brandon Staley was under Sean McVey and had the number one defense in the league. Everybody that touches McVeigh, looks brilliant. Rahe Morris got another job and hasn't already done very well. You know, you can blame a lot of different reasons, but like everybody with McVeigh looks magical, you know,

so I don't know what to do there. I don't know what to do there. J. Mack with the news. No, no, no, no. Turn on the news. This is the herd line news. All right, let's quickly revisit the Marcus Freeman staying at Notre Dame situation. Obviously, NFL teams wanted him.

He did not consider any of them. None of them are good jobs. I don't care what people say about the Giants, Colin. That's not a great opening. Okay, they got a lot of work to do. Freeman's got a great setup. The quarterback was excellent. He's back.

I know they lose a couple running backs to the draft. Notre Dame will be right back in the playoff mix next year. As you noted, the schedule is very favorable. Yeah. I will maintain that Freeman, and you know I have some good Notre Dame connections. Freeman's not leaving for an NFL job unless it's Harbaugh-like. Oh, Justin Herbert is your quarterback? Yes, I'll consider that. That's when Freeman will go, these guys don't need to take on a rebuild. Freeman's got a lot of kids. He's got his family loves the area. It's going to be tough

to pry him out of South Bend unless it's a plum job. You know, I hear this from a lot of people. Oh, being a college coach these days, you don't have to recruit. You just, it's transactional. If you're Notre Dame, your brand gets you about half your class, another 15 to 20 percent. You write a check for, and then you got another 25 percent. You go high school games. But, I mean, you start looking at what I follow USC recruiting. It's not like Lincoln Riley's at a different high school every Tuesday or every Friday night. The bottom line is these college jobs now, that's why Kurt Signetti and Kyle Whittingham, the older coaches, well, they're older.

you're not at high school games 200 days a year. It's very administrative. It's very Bill Belichick. I don't know if it works or not. Bill Belichick would not have worked in the college football 10 years ago. I would never hire a 66-year-old 10 years ago. Kyle Whittingham, come on. Michigan recruits, half of the class is based on the brand of Michigan.

A quarter of the class, you write a check for. And a quarter of the class, you got to go to high school games. So I think Freeman, I think these top college jobs, are pretty good. Yeah, I'm with you. You made an interesting point there. The older coaches, you know, can you teach an old dog, new tricks? Yeah. Yeah, when Nick Savon's been coaching for 30 years and then gets upended by this NIL stuff that suddenly balances things out, yeah, it's going to be a little challenging. He's not going to love it. Marcus Freeman's a young guy, Colin. These young people adapt, my son told me a year ago, Dad, you need a YouTube page. So I start a YouTube page. I don't,

you think I want to get in the weeds with that, but you've got to follow the trends. Marcus Freeman's young. He's adapted well, as you said, Notre Dame recruits itself. I think without a doubt he's in a plum spot. The only college job my Notre Dame connections have told me to watch out for if it comes open is Ohio State. That's the one Freeman would consider leaving for. Obviously, that's an amazing job. People can do their homework on that if they want. Next up, Colin, let's go also to college football.

That's Kyle Whittingham, obviously going to Michigan. Bit of a surprise. He is 66 years old, and there's some concern about that. but, you know, he'd been at Utah for 32 years with the program. So now he's going to Michigan, and obviously at Michigan, they asked him about one school. Here's what he had to say. I do now, I guess, but physicality will be our calling card. At the ministry, Utah, the place I was, we were the most physical team in the league,

whichever league we played in, that's not going to be any different here. Yeah, I mean, here's my thing for the people that push back. He is 66. Let's say he stays for four years. And that's kind of how I view it. He is a Big Ten coach. Even when he was at Utah, they had the number one defense in his era. They play Big Ten level football.

Utah plays a lot of cold weather games. I've been to several. He's a very good fit. Let's say he stays for three years. They win nine games, ten games, nine games. that's not bottoming out. Like right now, Michigan's in trouble. I say the same with Matt Campbell at Penn State.

Oh. Is he the best candidate? He's a good candidate. So the other thing is, again, he's in 466. Not all 66-year-olds. Nick Saban is 67 or something, isn't he? He's got great energy. So I think in today's NIL, Transfer Portal World,

Michigan's got great endowment. They've got a lot of lettuce, a lot of money. this is the kind of job that I think a 66-year-old guy in great shape can handle. I think it's a three-to-a-four-year gig, and I think he serves himself well, very ethical, no nonsense. But he's not a nine-year coach. That's not what it is here. You just, all AD should always keep a short list in their drawer, in their office,

and, you know, every year you go out and just say, how you feeling? How's it going? but if Utah with Underwood the quarterback for the next two years. That was my question. You're up on recruiting. It's Underwood staying for sure. Yes, yes. And so you're going to get Wittingham's defense and special teams,

which were great at Utah. You've already got the magical quarterback, Marsh the wide receiver. So Michigan offensively, next two years, they got NFL guys. Yeah. He'll stabilize the defense, the operational functionality of the team.

team. I think it's a very, very B plus solid higher. If Whittingham was 56, I would consider it an A higher. It's 66. Maybe it's B plus because you don't, none of us have the energy. Nobody has the energy at 66 of 50 if you're the same guy. Sometimes you like to say like if you had a defensive coach and it flops, you go the opposite and get offensive. Well, in this case, Sharon Moore, you know, he's a kind of a, he was in crazy town, as you like to say. Stories about him DMing only fans models. Yeah. It guy's a mess.

You got a class act in winning him who's going to clean up the program, kind of a mature individual. They need that. I think it's a good hire. I mean, it's not as good. I don't think it's Penn State getting Campbell, but it's, like you said, a B-plus. Final story, Colin, let's go to tonight's game, Monday night football. Not a lot of juice here.

Rams, Falcons. I took the points at eight and a half. It's down to seven. Rams obviously cannot win the NFC West, cannot get the number one seed. Somebody decided to ask Max Crosby of the Raiders, who he thinks. This is the team to beat for the Lombardi Trophy. And here's who he said. The Rams, like I could see them winning the Super Bowl.

I think the combination of having two legitimate number one receivers with Puka and Devante, having an all pro slash pro bowl running back, having Sean McVeigh, one of the best offensive minds and football and coaches in general. And then Matthew Stafford playing at a level that we didn't even know he can hit another level and he's doing that. I think they should be the favorite. If they, you know, tonight, here's the thing to remember about tonight. If you don't think the Rams have anything to play for, the Rams have two first-round picks.

You know their first-round pick? It's Atlanta's. The players don't. No, no, no, no, no. Players don't. The coaches do. Right, right. They're going to be aggressive.

They're going to have an aggressive game plan. You want to hand Atlanta a loss here. and Atlanta, I think next week plays the pretty hot Saints. Atlanta has two more losses, and that 11-12 pick becomes an eight. Don't kid yourself. Rams, if they can pour it on, they will. They want that Atlanta pick. McVeigh does, because McVeigh knows you have to, an eight-pick,

you can move down to 11 and still get your guy. If you have the 11th or 12th pick, you're not moving down. You're staying put. Okay, so what about the opposite? What about the Falcons? Kirk Cousins is playing for, hey, I don't want to be a backup. Look, I've proven some stuff. Somebody come get me and Rahim Morris.

He's on the hot seat in Atlanta. I mean, they were supposed to be a friend's playoff team. They've been a disaster. I think the Falcons, they need this game. Morris could be in trouble in Atlanta. They don't have nearly the talent. They need a lot of things. They're not beating the Rams.

Yeah, Drake London sounds like he is going to play, and we know Bijjon Robbins is very good. Quick, quick subplot, Colin. Is it crazy that like two weeks ago, The Rams were up 30 to 14 on Seattle in the fourth quarter with eight minutes left. They had the number one seed. They were eight minutes away, up 16 points. And now they're going to be like, what, 14 and 3?

They're going to go on the road. I'm just telling you that I love the Rams, but everybody loves them. Are they definitely beating the Eagles on the road? Definitely if they have to go, are they definitely winning in Chicago? I think they're winning in Chicago, unless it's a snowstorm. But they run the ball, so they'll be okay. Yeah. J-Mack with the news.

Well, that's the news. And thanks for stopping by. The Hurd-Lie News. Yeah, I looked this morning, the Rams, we thought they're the best team in the league. If they win tonight, they could be number one team in the league in most eyes. And right now, I think they're a sixth seed in the NFC. I mean, the NFC West, arguably. Has the three best teams.

Any order, Niners, Hawks, Rams. It's the herd. Be sure to catch live editions of the herd. Weekdays in noon Eastern, 9 a.m. Pacific. Hey, it's us, the Jonas Brothers. And guess what? We have some big news. What's the news, new?

Huge news. We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to a... We're the first people to do podcasts. Pretty, yeah, pretty wide range of podcasts.

We're starting a trend. But this one's extra special. So how do we actually come? up with a name Hey Jonas, guys. I honestly don't remember. I think it was on a call about what we should call it. Oh, we were thinking I'm originally calling it one of the early names of our band before Jonas Brothers. This is how you guys remember it going down?

Yes. I have a very different memory of this. We were talking about a thing, a bit for the podcast where people could call in and say, hey, Jonas. And then I wrote down on my little notepad, Hey Jonas, and offered it up as a potential title for the podcast. But thanks for remembering that, guys. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it.

Another podcast from some SNL, late-night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and head writer Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter.

Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and Friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind.

Highlights are trending, opinions are flying, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where Sports Slice comes in. I'm Timbo. Every episode, we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the plays, the controversies, and the stories behind the headlines. We go straight to the source.

The athlete, themselves. Their locker room stories, their reactions, the stuff nobody gets to hear. The laughs, the drama, the triumphs, the moments that never make the highlight real. From viral moments to historic games, from buzzer beaters to controversial calls, we break it down, give you context, and ask the questions everybody wants answered. Sports Slice brings you closer to the action with stories told by the people who live them. Listen to Sports Slice on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Slices Life 12 and the TikTok podcast network on TikTok.

The French Open is one of the toughest tests in tennis, and I know firsthand because I competed there myself. I'm Renee Stubbs, and on the Renee Stubbs Tennis podcast, I'm breaking down everything happening at Roland Garris. Every match, every upset, and what it really takes to win on clay. Jen she went down to three to Rabakina, but I'm delighted. She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay.

Listen, Lerner Rabakina. is arguably the best player in the world right now. And I actually can win on any surface because if she's serving, well, good luck. Consider this your court side seat to the French Open. Listen to the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Presented by Capital One, founding partner of IHart Women's Sports. Welcome to my new podcast, Learn the Hard Way with me, your host, and your favorite therapist, Kear Games. And in recognition of mental health awareness month, I'm bringing over a decade of my own experience in the mental health field and conversations with so many incredible guests. I'm talking. Tripp Fontaine, Ryan Clark.

Sometimes when we're in the pursuit of the thing, we get so wrapped up in the chase that we don't realize that we are in possession of the thing. And we're still chasing it. And we don't know when we've done enough. Because people scoreboard watch. Life becomes about wins and losses. Steve Burns, Dustin Ross, because you find it important to be a good person while you hear on earth. Are you a good person because you're afraid? Because that's two different intentions, bro.

Absolutely. And that's two different levels of trust. I want you to just really be a good person. Join me, Keer Gaines, is we have real conversations about healing, growth, fatherhood, pressure, and purpose on my new podcast, learn the hard way. Open your free, our heart radio app. Search, learn the hard way, and listen now.

You know, I know I should be more empathetic, but I never really have a problem when kickers get released. I mean, honestly, You don't have to tackle. You don't have to run the football. You don't have to get hit. Just make your kicks. You screw around at practice.

Just make your kicks. So the Bills release kicker Michael Badgley from the practice squad. They missed more extra points than any team. And the Eagles blocked more kicks than any team in the league. So that's another reason why the Buffalo Bills go for it yesterday. Like, this isn't a guarantee for us. us, Jalen Carter blocking kicks all year, and the Eagles have been on the field the entire game. Matt Hasselbeck kind of agreed with me.

I had no problem with it for a variety of reasons. One of them is Josh Allen's the best athlete in the league. You're at home. You're favored. Eagles defense is gassed, and it was a good play call. You should have hit him. Here was Hasselbeck on the decision. I bet you they felt really good about this play.

The play worked. And, you know, Josh Allen, he's got to be kicking himself. 99 out of 100 times he makes that throw. Guarantee it. It was kind of shocking to see him not make it. Now, he's banged up. He's got a real bad foot injury. Maybe he can't push off, feels the pressure, bad weather, all the stuff.

But no, I'm in favor of going for that. And I'd be in favor of calling the exact same play again in the exact same situation. I'd feel good about the quarterback making the play. Yeah, I know I should be nicer to kickers, but I can't be the only person that watches games. and, you know, kickers miss like PATs, and I'm like, guys, you're not asked to do much, you got to make those kicks. I'm not asking you, I mean, I got guys in the league now

that drill 56-yard field goals with 15 yards to spare. So you can't be missing PAT. I don't care what the weather is. Get it through. College kids can do it. You're a pro. Do it. So I'm sure the guy will get a job somewhere else.

But the bills were a circus this year on extra points, and the Eagles block kicks, so do it. For the record, and I've said, I don't like coaches getting fired unless it's a complete mess. You know, I said Nat Hackett. You're an offensive coach. You can't figure the clock out. This isn't going to work. Go be an OC.

You know, these guys always get other jobs. I think the Sean McDermott issue, I had the bills number 10 in my herd hierarchy. Did you like that first half game plan? at home can't score until six minutes to go in the fourth? I'm just kind of over it. I don't think Sean's bad. If the Miami Dolphins tomorrow, let's say that the bills losing the playoffs first round,

and the dolphins hire Sean McDermott. I've always compared him to Chuck Knox. You can look it up. Very organized, very solid, B-plus across the board, bit conservative, doesn't quite have a feel for offense, but a grown-up, mature, smart, clean it up, I would have no problem with Sean McDermott getting the Miami Dolphins job, the Tennessee Titans job.

He's a pro. But with Josh Allen, I kind of watch, you know, I kind of watch Stafford against McVeigh, and, you know, Aaron had McCarthy, Purdy's got Shanahan, you know, Mahomes has Reed, Bo Nicks has Sean Payton. it feels Caleb has Ben Johnson.

I'm not crazy, right? It feels like a little bit of an advantage over an older defensive coach. McDermott's not that old. Here's Diana Rusini on just the Bill's situation at head coach. You have Josh Allen in his prime and you continue to dance, but you don't go to the big one, right? And it just seems like they don't have the makeup that they need to get over this hump. and this has to be it.

And look, not to be defensive of Buffalo, but look what Josh is working with, as you just pointed out. Look at that Philly offense. Look at that roster compared to Buffalo's roster. And yet Josh Allen is staying in these games and almost winning it. Yeah.

I mean, this league is interesting. If you go and look at the seven playoff teams in the AFC and the seven playoff teams in the NFC, and the seven playoff teams in the NFC, the NFC and the AFC have sort of flipped. For about a five-year period, we thought the top of the AFC was dominant. It was Baltimore.

It was Kansas City. It was Buffalo. And then about the six team on, you're like, well, the NFC, they're not Super Bowl teams, but they're good teams. It's flipped. I think the three best Super Bowl potential teams are Rams, Seahawks, Niners,

and I'd keep Philadelphia close, whereas I think the Denver, New England, In Jacksonville, you can argue, Houston, are they Super Bowl teams or are they conference championship teams? Mike Vrable is on the show tomorrow. I actually think, and it's weird, that a 13 and 3 team is underrated. If you go look at New England this year, they played Buffalo, the team everybody loves eight quarters. Six of them, New England was better. And if they met again, I'd take New England.

But what Vrable's done is remarkable because it just goes to show how big owners. ownership is. So when Vrable took this job, everybody went, oh, this is a circus. I had Robert Kraft, I had Drake May, and I had Josh McDaniel's OC. It's basically the dynasty patriots. Instead of Belichick, you have a former Patriot player, high IQ guy, who shares some, some, not all, of Belichick's principles. He's much more player-friendly. He's much more I mean, Mike Vrable is a 2025 coach. Player-friendly, but demanding, doesn't pander. So he's on the show tomorrow.

I think people now are short-selling New England. The most remarkable thing about what Vrable and his guys have done, one year ago, we thought New England had the worst receiving core in the league. And all of a sudden, you look at Kyle Williams, Booty, Stefan Biggs. Now I look at them and I'm like, it's actually a really good

big play receiving core. Then they get Trayvon Henderson. Okay, now you have a big play running back room. Hunter Henry, good, solid B plus tight end. So the stuff we looked at last year, it doesn't take long in this league to correct problems.

One year ago, we're like they have no speed, they have no juice, they have no home run hitters, Now I look at their wide receiving core. There's three different guys that can beat you down the field. If you go to the NFC, boy, this gets interesting. You know, it's funny. Like, oh, Seattle can't win a Super Bowl with Donald. Oh, really?

Chicago, Caleb Williams, I don't know. I think the top of the NFC is unbelievable. But even the Rams, you don't love their special teams, and you can beat them on the back end of that defense. I honestly don't know what to do with Philadelphia. And maybe I'm wrong. Maybe San Francisco with Brock Purdy is the most dangerous team in the NFC. Maybe they are.

Here's Ben Johnson Bears coach on Brock Purdy, first time he's faced him as head coach. He's a dangerous player, particularly when he can see down the field and have that much time. I agree with you. And then he extended some of those plays with his legs, too. And he did a real nice job. And we certainly didn't affect him enough.

Yeah, I thought Chicago's defensive game plan felt a little passive. Purdy had the most time to throw he's had all year in any game. Really? The second most time he's had to throw in his career. Really? San Francisco's defense got worked. But Sala was mixing stuff up and in key spots. was super aggressive. I didn't see that with Chicago. I didn't love what I saw. I kind of felt like

Brock Purdy just kind of picked him apart. And Dennis Allen didn't dial up. I mean, if he did, it wasn't terribly effective. That's what my eyes told me. Salah's doing the most with very little. That's why I think he and Brian Flores and Mike McCarthy would be at the top of my higher list. J. Mack, for the record, you're a Jets fan. What do you do? What do you do? with a team that's been blown out in four straight games. Well, I've been waiting for you to come back to me on this. So, Colin, I have a list of coaches in the last 50 years who started out terribly and managed to turn things around.

I do want to say this is not a defense of Aaron Glenn. Dan Campbell, as you noted, started 3.13 and 1. Two years later was in the NFC title game. I know there's some context needed. Jimmy Johnson in Dallas started out 1 in 15. Three years later, they had a dynasty. Yeah. Zach Taylor, 2 and 14.

I don't like Zach Taylor at all. but two and fourteen first year two years later in the super bowl bill walsh two and fourteen hadn't done much prior to san francisco two and fourteen within two years was in the super bowl had a dynasty and chuck knoll way back in the 70s started out one and 13 four years later they started a dynasty now i'm not saying erin glenn is any of those guys no i'm just saying i don't know that i want to fire him if i don't have a surefire name ready there's no variable like he was out there for the Patriots. There isn't. No, there isn't. All right. There you have it. Aaron Glenn will be returning to the New York Jets for another sensational season of zero

interception. That doesn't even make sense. I had to triple check with the staff this. I had to Google that about four times. No interception? All season? Hey, guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick. And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts.

We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions. Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smygel and friends.

Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David. Letterman help make you funnier. This week, my guest, SNL's Mikey Day and headwriter, Streeter Seidel, help an a cappella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the I-Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Last night, a blown call changed a game. This morning, the internet lost its mind, and nobody's telling you exactly what happened. That's where SportsSlice comes in.

I'm Timbo, and every episode we're cutting through the noise, breaking down the biggest moments in sports and giving you the real story behind the headline. And we're going straight to the source, the athletes themselves, their locker room stories, their reactions in the moment, and the stuff nobody gets to hear. Listen to Sports

Slice on the IHeart Radio app, Apple podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. And for more, follow Timbo Sliced Life 12 in the TikTok podcast network on TikTok. Winning on Clay, is an art. The rallies are relentless, and at the French Open, only the toughest survive. I'd know. I competed there for decades. Join me, Renee Stubbs, on the Renee Stubbs tennis podcast for no nonsense breakdowns of the biggest matches, the toughest players, and the moments that define Roland Garris.

She's an outsider to win the French for me. And she likes Clay. Listen, Lerabakhina is arguably the best player in the world right now, and I actually can win on any surface. Listen to the Renee Stubbs Tennis Podcast on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Presented by Capital One, founding partner of I Heart Women's Sports. Imagine an Olympics where doping is not only legal, but encouraged.

It's the enhanced games. Some call it grotesque. Others say it's unleashing human potential. Either way, the podcast's superhuman documented it all, embedded in the games and with the athletes for a full year. Within probably 10 days, I'd put on 10 pounds. I was having trouble

stopping the muscle growth. Listen to Superhuman on the IHeart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.