Overview of THE HERD — Hour 1
Colin Cowherd reacts to the Seahawks’ Super Bowl win and Sam Darnold’s postseason resurgence, breaking down why Seattle’s roster and coaching beat New England, what Drake May’s performance (and health) means for the Patriots, and the larger implications for quarterback tiers and roster-building across the NFL.
Top takeaways
- Seattle’s win was a team/defense-first blueprint: great coaching, depth, and near-zero turnovers (Sam Darnold had no turnovers in the postseason) drove the victory.
- Sam Darnold’s maturity and game-management style — taking the right snaps, throwing away plays, and making the few required big throws — was central to Seattle’s run.
- Colin argues the NFC’s top rosters (Seattle, Rams, 49ers, Eagles) are currently deeper than the AFC’s, which has superior top-end quarterbacks.
- Drake May (New England) was overwhelmed in the Super Bowl — possibly not fully healthy — and showed troubling postseason signs (low completion %, sacks, fumbles) that suggest New England is still “a draft away.”
- Kenneth Walker was dominant (Super Bowl MVP, 135 rushing yards) and will be an offseason free-agent story; Seattle has cap flexibility but must address OL depth/interior.
- George Pickens’s contract situation (Cowboys expected to franchise-tag him) and wider playoff takeaways emphasize the playoff value of defense and line play over star WR production.
Main topics discussed
Sam Darnold & Seattle
- Narrative: Darnold transformed from a mistake-prone young QB to a postseason game manager — smart, coachable, low turnover.
- Historical note cited: Since 1990, the only QBs to win a Super Bowl with zero turnover in that game — Troy Aikman, Steve Young, Drew Brees, and (per Cowherd) Sam Darnold.
- Colin’s evaluation: Darnold’s record last two seasons (as stated in the show) is 25-5; passer rating ~98.5; he’s now in the conversation for the next tier of NFC quarterbacks.
Super Bowl matchup: Seahawks vs Patriots
- Seattle advantage: stacked roster, elite coaching (Mike McDonald), dominant defense, and special teams.
- Patriots issues: Drake May looked rattled, was reportedly not 100% (pre-game shot), OL (Will Campbell) struggled, and New England’s offense couldn’t sustain drives — defense wore down from being on the field too much.
- Game plan critique: Colin felt New England’s offensive game plan didn’t attack Seattle’s weaknesses (e.g., tight end usage, short passing game) and exposed left tackle protection failures.
Quarterback landscape & tiers
- AFC: loaded at the top (Mahomes, Burrow, Allen, etc.).
- NFC: Colin argues Darnold is now one of the more attractive NFC QBs when building a franchise (compared directly to Jalen Hurts, Brock Purdy, Jared Goff, Matthew Stafford).
- Comparison vs Baker Mayfield: Colin explains why he preferred Darnold in 2018 — Darnold’s calm belief vs Baker’s “chip on the shoulder” motivator — and cites Darnold’s humility after the Super Bowl as evidence.
Kenneth Walker — MVP & contract considerations
- Walker’s performance: 27 carries, 135 rushing yards, Super Bowl MVP; reported to rarely fumble over recent carries.
- Contract question: Walker will be a free agent and could draw offers; Seattle has cap space but may prioritize interior OL and secondary re-signings.
George Pickens & Cowboys
- Reporting suggests Dallas will franchise-tag George Pickens (estimated ~ $28.8M).
- Discussion: Is Pickens worth that money? Concerns about his past behavior/fit but acknowledges his production.
Eagles / Offensive coordinator change
- A.J. Brown’s comments on the Micah Parsons podcast were generally respectful but hinted that change can be positive; Colin speculates on the future of former OC Kevin Petullo.
Notable quotes
- “This is the greatest football game I’ve ever seen. To the very last snap.” — Colin on the Super Bowl.
- “All quarterbacks are game managers.” — Colin, emphasizing the value of situational play.
- “If Seattle doesn’t turn it over, this could be a route.” — Kyle Shanahan (quoted by Colin), predicting how Seahawks’ discipline would decide the game.
- Darnold after the game: “My job is to take care of the football… I took the open guy when they were there… If I had to take sacks, throw it away, I was able to do it.”
Stats & claims mentioned on the show (as presented)
- Kenneth Walker: 135 rushing yards (Super Bowl), 27 carries; named Super Bowl MVP.
- Sam Darnold: 25–5 in the last two seasons (figure cited by the show), passer rating ~98.5 (claimed).
- Drake May (postseason snapshots quoted): ~58% completion, 21 sacks in the postseason (figure cited), multiple fumbles (Colin referenced 7 fumbles — discussed as a concern).
- Since 1990, Colin lists four QBs who’ve won a Super Bowl with no turnovers in the game: Troy Aikman, Steve Young, Drew Brees, Sam Darnold.
(Notes: Some numbers and assertions are commentator claims and should be cross-checked for precision if used as factual references.)
What to watch in the offseason (actionable items)
- Seahawks:
- How Seattle uses cap space: re-sign Kenneth Walker vs. invest in interior OL and secondary depth.
- Coaching staff changes: Klint Kubiak moving to Raiders — how will Seattle replace OC influence (and how will Darnold respond)?
- Patriots:
- Drake May’s health and OL upgrades (left tackle/protection).
- Whether New England pursues more experienced pieces to shorten the “draft away” gap.
- Free agents/Contracts:
- Kenneth Walker’s market and whether contenders will bid.
- George Pickens — whether Cowboys tag or negotiate a long-term deal (and how that affects Dallas’ wage allocation).
- Quarterback valuations:
- How teams re-rank QBs after the postseason (Darnold’s stock vs. Purdy, Hurts, Love, etc.).
Bottom line
Colin frames the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory as validation of defense-first, deep-roster construction and disciplined game management at QB. Sam Darnold’s transformation into a turnover-free leader is the headline, while New England’s shortcomings (health, OL, young QB poise) highlight that the AFC still has quarterback star power but the NFC currently boasts sturdier rosters. The offseason will center on contract decisions (Walker, Pickens), coaching moves, and how teams address line play and depth in pursuit of postseason resilience.