The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: "Don't Answer the Phone! Plus Daniel Jeremiah’s Mahomes Bombshell"

Date: March 20, 2026
Recording Location: Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami

Overview

This episode, recorded from the Elser Hotel in Miami, is centered on NFL draft anticipation, quarterback controversies, and the wider state of American sports. The episode’s focal point is an in-depth interview with NFL draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who drops a “Mahomes bombshell” by placing Patrick Mahomes third among his current top quarterbacks. The crew also examines March Madness, pop culture references, and significant NFL trades and developments, all delivered in the show's signature freewheeling, humorous tone.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

Football Draft Comedy & Do’s and Don’ts (00:00–04:00)

• Draft Etiquette Satire:
  Dan opens with a comedic list of faux “do’s and don’ts” for NFL draft hopefuls, poking fun at the spectacle and the awkwardness that can ensue:
  • “Don't answer on the first ring. You don't want to seem desperate. Unless it's Woody Johnson.” (00:35)
  • “Don't do the bro hug with Roger Goodell. Why be a pawn in the commission's look at me antics? It's always degrees of uncomfortable.” (01:12)
  • “Do hug your mom first. Ladies first. Do not let your girlfriend be in the shot at all. Just avoid the whole mess.” (01:35)
• Laramie Tunsil Reference:
  Satirical advice for draftees involved in controversy: “If there does happen to be video of you wearing said mask, just say it wasn't You?” (02:10)

Jersey Number 56 & Iconic Players in Sports (04:04–09:56)

• Best Athlete to Wear 56:
  Quick consensus: Lawrence Taylor ("top of the mountain"), with nods to Sergei Zubov, Mark Buehrle, Pat Swilling, and Andre Tippett.
• Pop Culture Crossover:
  Lawrence Taylor’s filmography highlighted, including "The Waterboy," "Any Given Sunday," "Little Giants," and "Mars Attacks."
• Athlete Trivia:
  Anecdotes about Andre Tippett practicing tai chi and Wesley Walker playing blind in one eye.

March Madness & The Evolving NCAA Landscape (09:56–12:14)

• Tournament Critique:
  Dan challenges the legitimacy of March Madness as a true method for determining the best team, decrying the expansion and dilution of quality.
• Iconic No-Sport Events:
  Selection Sunday, the NFL Draft, and the NBA Draft Lottery considered top events involving no actual play.
• College Basketball Then vs. Now:
  Discussion of how globalization and player turnover have reduced the familiarity and importance of college basketball.

NFL Draft Preview & Daniel Jeremiah Interview (16:32–47:40)

AFC West Shakeup & Chiefs’ Future (19:35–21:48)

• Division Forecast:
  Daniel predicts the Broncos as division favorites, with the Chiefs’ dominance now in doubt post-Mahomes injury.
  • “I think the Broncos will be the prohibitive favorite… The Raiders are better, but I think they’re still… in a four spot.” (19:35–20:15)

The Analyst’s Approach: Parenting & Player Development (21:48–23:06)

• Parenting Philosophy:
  Daniel on coaching his own kids:
  • “We’re gonna be parents and cheer and root and all that… I'll just do the parenting, and I'll be the cheerleader… let your coach do the coaching, I’ll be the parent.” (22:07)

Chronic Team Weaknesses & GM Dream Jobs (23:06–26:23)

• Unsolved Team Positions:
  Jets’ never-ending quarterback quest and the Ravens’ historical receiver struggles.
  • “The Ravens notoriously forever couldn't get the receiver thing figured out… Let somebody else figure out if these guys can play or not. Then we'll just go take them.” (24:09)
• Best GM Opportunities:
  Daniel’s strategic picks: Chargers (for quarterback and overall roster), Bengals (for the “fun” with Joe Burrow).

Burrow’s Contract, Franchise Building, and Critique (26:23–28:39)

• Cincinnati’s Missteps:
  DJ second-guesses the commitment to two star receivers over roster depth; emphasizes the need for balance and warns about misallocated resources.

Quarterback Rankings – The “Mahomes Bombshell” (28:51–31:09)

• Daniel Jeremiah's Top QBs (at 29:38):

  1. Josh Allen
  2. Joe Burrow
  3. Patrick Mahomes
  4. Lamar Jackson
  • “Josh would be number one for me… I would still take Burrow second… I would go Mahomes three.” (29:38)

  Stunning Moment:

  • Dan: “This is borderline hot take… two QBs ahead of the great Patrick Mahomes.” (30:27)

• Mahomes’ Support:
  Discussion around Kansas City’s strong defense “even in their last Super Bowl run,” making Mahomes’ job easier.

Measuring “Clutch” and Changing Positional Value (31:09–36:44)

• Clutch Gene:
  Daniel explains how he evaluates clutch play by focusing on late-game, third-down, and red-zone situations, not any single stat.
  • “When you kind of put that whole thing together, you start to see a picture.” (31:40)
• Shifting Positional Value:
  Nickel defenders and run-stopping defensive tackles are more valuable than ever due to “shell coverage” defensive trends and lighter offensive boxes.
  • “Ideally, you want one of those Giants that can do all that stuff.” (35:12)

Quarterback Prospects & Steelers’ Situation (36:44–47:40)

• Quarterback Class Realism:
  Ty Simpson, Will Howard, and Carson Beck discussed as possible fits for QB-needy teams. Reservations about value and divisional fit noted.
  • “Ty [Simpson] goes to… he plays in the NFC West. It’s a great fit.” (37:40)
• Steelers Depth Chart and Drafting:
  DJ leans toward Kirk Cousins over Aaron Rodgers or risky rookie prospects for the now-win-ready Steelers.
  • “That points to me towards Kirk Cousins as the best option there and I think you can get a nice little two year window…” (45:51)
• Steelers’ Window:
  Pittsburgh is built to win with veterans (Watt, Heyward); now is not the time for a rookie QB experiment.

Reactions, Trades, and Dolphins Drama (47:40–54:34)

• Mahomes Down the List:
  Panel reacts to Daniel’s QB rankings, noting Mahomes’ injury and the Chiefs’ supporting cast as factors.
  • “He hasn't seemed very Mahomes-like… now he's coming off an ACL thing.” (48:31)
• Chiefs’ New Offense:
  Discussion around KC’s increased emphasis on running, with Ken Walker’s arrival.
• Jalen Waddle Trade Fallout:
  Miami fans and the panel debate the logic of trading Waddle and signing Malik Willis, with skepticism over the team’s direction.
  • “Malik Willis with a tanking team doesn’t make much sense.” (50:30)
• Waddle’s Durability:
  Criticism of Waddle’s impact, highlighting frequent “limp offs” despite relatively few missed games.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Draft Comedic Guidance:

  • "Do hug your mom first… Do not let your girlfriend be in the shot at all. Just avoid the whole mess." (01:35, Dan)

• Daniel Jeremiah’s QB Rankings Shock:

  • “Josh [Allen] would be number one for me… Burrow second… Mahomes three.” (29:38, Daniel Jeremiah)

• On Team-Building & Receivers:

  • “The Ravens notoriously forever couldn't get the receiver thing figured out… Let somebody else figure out if these guys can play or not. Then we'll just go take them.” (24:09, DJ)

• Parenting Approach:

  • "I'll just do the parenting, and I'll be the cheerleader… just let your coach do the coaching." (22:07, DJ)

• On the Evolution of Positional Value:

  • "Ideally you want one of those Giants that can do all that stuff [at nickel]." (35:12, DJ)

• Steelers’ QB Reality:

  • “Kirk Cousins as the best option there… a nice little two-year window.” (45:51, DJ)

Key Timestamps

• 00:00 – Satirical NFL Draft Dos & Don’ts by Dan
• 04:04 – Number 56 in Sports: Lawrence Taylor & Movie Roles
• 09:56 – March Madness Rant, College Basketball Then & Now
• 16:32 – Daniel Jeremiah Joins: AFC West Shakeup, Mahomes’ Outlook
• 21:48 – Daniel on Parenting, Athlete Pressure
• 29:38 – Daniel Jeremiah's Current Top QBs: Allen, Burrow, Mahomes
• 31:09 – Measuring QB Clutch/Composure
• 34:04 – Nickel DBs & D-Tackles: The New Value
• 36:44 – QB Class: Ty Simpson, Will Howard, and Steelers’ Options
• 45:12 – Steelers’ QB Dilemma: Kirk vs. Rodgers vs. Rookies
• 48:31 – Reactions to the Mahomes Bombshell
• 50:07 – Dolphins Dumping Waddle, Malik Willis Debate
• 53:51 – Dissection of Waddle’s Durability & Output

Final Recap

The episode’s signature blend of incisive sports analysis and irreverent humor shined with Daniel Jeremiah’s surprising quarterback rankings, strong opinions on roster-building, and perspectives on the modern NFL. The crew’s banter covered both the riotous and analytical, serving fans insightful draft talk, historical context, and memorable zingers—all while maintaining the original freewheeling tone of the show.

Next Week Tease:
Look out for Pablo Torre, set to join the show for a special extended episode.

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