The Herd with Colin Cowherd THE HERD - Hour 3 - Robert Mays from The Athletic stops by The Herd
Oct 14, 2025
Robert Mays, a Chicago-based football reporter for The Athletic, shares insights on the rapid turnaround of the Chicago Bears under HC Ben Johnson. He discusses the strategic improvements driving this transformation and dives into the challenges facing Josh Allen and the Bills, emphasizing defensive issues as a major hurdle. Mays also evaluates Bo Nix's fit with Sean Payton and explores the necessity for effective coaching ecosystems for star players to thrive. Lastly, he highlights emerging talents like Drake Maye while critiquing the Jets' coaching weaknesses.
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Bills' Defense Lags Behind Offensive Evolution
- Mays argues the Bills' defensive identity hasn't evolved while the offense has become more flexible and physical.
- He contends that defensive limitations and personnel choices are holding Buffalo back despite offensive growth.
Play Calls Reveal Coach's Trust Level
- Mays notes Sean Payton publicly backs Bo Nix but in-game play calls suggest distrust in high-leverage downfield passing.
- That mismatch between words and play construction raises questions about Payton's true belief in Nix.
Low Time-To-Throw Limits Rodgers' Ceiling
- Mays warns Aaron Rodgers' very low time-to-throw limits his ability to process and extend plays against top defenses.
- He suggests Rodgers may struggle when forced to read deeper into plays versus elite fronts.