PTI Podcast Summary: "Is Mike McDaniel's Job on the Line?"

Date: September 18, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon
Notable Guest: Booger McFarland

Overview

Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon tackle the most pressing sports news of the day—centered around Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel’s job security ahead of a key Thursday night NFL matchup. The duo also discuss Shohei Ohtani's playoff role, Lionel Messi’s contract extension, and bring in ESPN’s Booger McFarland for in-depth football analysis. The episode closes with quick hits on Rick Pitino, a legendary college football play, and developments in the WNBA playoffs.

Main Topics & Insights

1. Is Mike McDaniel’s Job on the Line?

(00:56 - 03:49)

• Wilbon’s View: Despite early season struggles (0-2 start), the “hot seat” talk for McDaniel isn’t overblown. Miami’s consistent losses to Buffalo (owned by the Bills) underscore the challenge.
  • "[Buffalo] owns Miami in the same way. In the exact same way. ... I'm not expecting some great resurrection tonight." (01:48, Wilbon)
• Tony’s Perspective: Agrees that if Miami is embarrassed, McDaniel’s job could be lost. The momentum of fan and media scrutiny is accelerating the pressure.
  • "I can see Mike McDaniel getting fired if the Bills win by a large margin." (02:47, Kornheiser)
  • Kornheiser details the staggering numbers: McDaniel has lost his last six vs. Buffalo; McDermott is 15-2 against Miami.
  • Anecdote: Tony's family in South Florida is already calling for McDaniel’s firing after the first loss.

2. Dodgers Considering Shohei Ohtani as a Playoff Reliever

(03:49 - 07:26)

• Kornheiser: Cautious about moving Ohtani from his starting role, suggests using him as a reliever only in “all hands on deck” situations, like the World Series.
  • "Shohei Ohtani is a starting pitcher. He's not a reliever. I would be very careful about using him in the playoffs." (04:25, Kornheiser)
• Wilbon: Pushes back, emphasizing Shohei’s versatility and historic ability to play the outfield, even invoking Babe Ruth comparisons.
  • "Don't tell me Shohei can't play in the field somewhere, first base or the outfield, because he's done it in his life." (05:46, Wilbon)
• Kershaw’s Retirement: The bigger Dodgers news, Kornheiser argues, is Clayton Kershaw’s impending retirement and hall-of-fame legacy.
• Technical Note: The panel clarifies MLB’s DH rules and their impact on Shohei’s potential usage.
  • "If he goes in in relief and he's the DH that day, ... he forfeits his subsequent DH at bats. So you got to play the field." (06:33, Kornheiser)

3. Lionel Messi’s Contract Extension with Inter Miami

(07:27 - 09:58)

• Wilbon: Sees Messi’s extension as natural—he’s still dominant and the face of MLS.
  • "If there had been another decision, that would shock me. ... He wants to play until he can't play or somebody tears the jersey off him." (08:54, Wilbon)
• Kornheiser: Emphasizes the business and sporting sense, citing Messi’s stats (20 goals in 21 MLS games) and value to the franchise.
  • "20 goals in 21 games, that's remarkable. ... He's a cash cow for the MLS." (09:20, Kornheiser)
  • Brief, humorous analogy to themselves signing a PTI contract extension.

4. Booger McFarland Joins for “Five Good Minutes”

(11:47 - 17:21)
NFL Focus:

• Joey Bosa’s Resurgence:
  • Healthy and thriving in Buffalo’s defensive “one-gap” system, allowing him to play faster and maximize his strengths.
  • "As long as he stays healthy, ... the rebirth of Joey Bosa is going to continue throughout the season." (12:14, McFarland)
• Steelers Defense:
  • Disappointing so far despite big names and big payroll. Booger is confident in Mike Tomlin’s ability to fix issues.
  • "There's more money on that defense than any other ... and right now they're not playing that way." (13:17, McFarland)

College Football Brief:

• Illinois vs. Indiana Preview:
  • Booger is excited by this Big Ten style clash—Illinois’ physical run game vs. Indiana’s more aggressive air attack.
  • "Styles make fights. And so now you have the rugged Illinois team that wants to run the football and you got Indiana that wants to kind of chunk it around a lot." (14:23, McFarland)
• Big Ten Favorites:
  • Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon are top-tier; Illinois/Indiana could play spoiler but aren’t likely title threats.
• Dabo Swinney “Hot Seat” Debate:
  • Booger argues Swinney’s resume means he deserves slack, likening him to Kornheiser & Wilbon’s secure status as Emmy winners.
  • "How would you guys feel if somebody said you guys were in the warm seat? ... Nobody's putting Tony and Michael Wilbon on the warm seat. So why are we trying to put Dabo in the warm seat?" (16:30, McFarland)

5. Quick Hits / Happy Time People

(19:43 - 24:26)

Rick Pitino’s Birthday (19:43)

• "Regardless of where you fall on the Pitino continuum, he is a terrific coach." (20:20, Kornheiser)
• Wilbon calls him "an all time great college basketball coach." (20:30)

Michigan State’s “Little Giants” Play Anniversary (21:02)

• Wilbon reflects on the difficulty of sustaining Big Ten success given OSU and Michigan’s perennial dominance.

WNBA Playoff Update (22:12)

• Minnesota Lynx pull off a historic comeback to eliminate Golden State.
  • Wilbon celebrates Northwestern alum Veronica Burton’s standout game.

The Big Finish (23:15 - 24:26)

• Jaden Daniels' injury means Wilbon would keep him on the bench.
• NCAA moves to a single transfer portal window.
• Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone breaks 48 seconds in the 400m.
• Coaches not concerned about Tom Brady’s “conflict of interests.”
• Guardians’ seven-game win streak keeps them in the wild card race.

Notable Quotes

• "Buffalo owns Miami in the same way. ... I'm not expecting some great resurrection tonight."
  — Michael Wilbon, (01:48)

• "I can see Mike McDaniel getting fired if the Bills win by a large margin."
  — Tony Kornheiser, (02:47)

• "Shohei Ohtani is a starting pitcher. He's not a reliever. I would be very careful about using him in the playoffs."
  — Tony Kornheiser, (04:25)

• "Don't tell me Shohei can't play in the field somewhere, first base or the outfield, because he's done it in his life."
  — Michael Wilbon, (05:46)

• "How would you guys feel if somebody said you guys were in the warm seat? ... Why are we trying to put Dabo in the warm seat?"
  — Booger McFarland, (16:30)

• "If there had been another decision, that would shock me. ... He wants to play until he can't play or somebody tears the jersey off him."
  — Michael Wilbon, (08:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mike McDaniel Job Debate: 00:56 – 03:49
• Shohei Ohtani Playoff Role: 03:49 – 07:26
• Messi's MLS Extension: 07:27 – 09:58
• Booger McFarland Segment ("Five Good Minutes"): 11:47 – 17:21
• Rick Pitino Birthday / Michigan State Anniversary: 19:43 – 22:12
• WNBA Playoff Update: 22:12 – 23:10
• The Big Finish: 23:15 – 24:26

Conclusion

This episode delivers classic PTI energy and sharp insight, utilizing both hosts’ wit and deep knowledge across multiple sports. The lively exchange on McDaniel’s future, the nuanced debate over Ohtani’s role, and Booger McFarland’s football expertise stand out. Listeners get both entertainment and clarity on the NFL’s and broader sports world’s major storylines.