Colin Cowherd picks Bo Nix over Brock Purdy. Photo Credit: FS1 Photo Credit: FS1
FoxNFLBy Arthur Weinstein on

Colin Cowherd has been known to throw a controversial take or two out there on FS1’s The Herd, but he lit up social media Friday afternoon with his assessment of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.

There are plenty of opinions about Purdy’s status among NFL quarterbacks, and has been since he came into the league as an unheralded rookie in 2022. But following Thursday’s performance in Seattle (255 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions), Cowherd broached the topic again. He played a game, “Better than Brock?” where he compared Purdy to other NFL quarterbacks.

Cowherd picked Dak Prescott, Jared Goff, Jordan Love, C.J. Stroud and Jayden Daniels over Purdy. Then Denver Broncos rookie QB Bo Nix flashed on the screen beside Purdy’s image.

“Is Bo Nix better than Brock?” co-host Jason McIntyre asked.

“Slightly,” Cowherd said.

“Wait — what?” McIntyre asked in disbelief.

“He’s a more accurate thrower collegiately,” Cowherd said. “I think Bo Nix, by the way he’s starting to settle in. He didn’t inherit all these (George) Kittle, Deebo (Samuel), (Brandon) Aiyuk and all these wonderful toys to play with.”

“He’s basically got Courtland Sutton and cross your fingers. Bo Nix is on a heater. Again, C.J. Stroud and Bo Nix, they have the responsibility to rebuild a team. They don’t get the luxury seating they want.”

“I just want to be clear — Bo Nix is better than Brock Purdy?” McIntyre asked.

“Yes. Yes,” Cowherd said.


Cowherd then went on to pick Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence over Purdy, another questionable decision. The former No. 1 overall pick has failed to live up to expectations so far in his career.

But Cowherd’s decision to pick the rookie Nix over Purdy stirred conversation on social media, including from a couple of former NFL quarterbacks turned analysts.

“Listen I’m a massive fan of Colin’s, have been for years,” posted Dan Orlovsky. “I like Bo Nix. There’s not a single thing that he does better than Brock Purdy.”


Chase Daniel weighed in with, “Brock Purdy is ELITE. When will people start understanding it’s a perfect marriage between system and player.”

No one seemed to mean any disrespect to Nix, who is playing well for a rookie. This was seen as more of a slight at Purdy, who still seems to be overlooked by some analysts despite his success. Some found Cowherd’s preference for Nix over Purdy to be unintentionally funny.


Cowherd’s take on Purdy generated so much buzz, even McIntyre commented on X, posting, “We’re not a debate show, but people are saying this was the best sports debate on TV this week. I’m not saying that. But people are.


[Photo Credit: FS1 Herd w/Colin Cowherd]

About Arthur Weinstein

Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.

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