The Herd with Colin Cowherd THE HERD - Hour 3 - Eric Mangini stops by The Herd
Jan 9, 2026
In this engaging conversation, Eric Mangini, a former NFL coach and analyst known for his stints with the Jets and Browns, delves into the Packers vs. Bears rivalry and highlights why Green Bay has the edge. He compares today's quarterback development to past eras, discussing the expected growth of Drake May with solid coaching. The duo also predicts John Harbaugh's future coaching prospects and weighs the Steelers' playoff hopes against the Texans, emphasizing the importance of experience in the league.
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Year-Two Quarterback Leap
- Rookie-to-year-two jump is expected once quarterbacks clear the NFL learning curve.
- Eric Mangini highlights coaching continuity and veteran mentors as force multipliers for year-two QBs.
Carry A ‘Fine 15’ Emergency Plan
- Keep a small set of emergency plays ready when a game plan fails.
- Mangini recounts Ron Erhardt's 'fine 15' concept as a practical fallback strategy.
Matchup Factors Trump Records
- Head-to-head expectations can shift quickly with personnel and momentum.
- Colin and Mangini debate Packers vs. Bears, noting weather, run game, and Micah Parsons' injury tilt the edge to Chicago.