The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Episode: Hour 2: Trae Young Loved Highly Questionable (feat. Mina Kimes)
Date: September 18, 2025

Overview

Recorded live from the Elser Hotel in Downtown Miami, this episode reflects the show’s usual fusion of sports, culture, and quick-witted banter. Dan Le Batard, Stugotz, and crew dive into a chaotic mix of headlines, from the latest MLS contract bombshell to NBA beefs, before bringing in Mina Kimes for an extended, energetic whip-around of NFL storylines and contentious topics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Early Banter: Wild Sports Journalism & Messi Stays in Miami

[00:00 - 03:14]

• Pablo Torre’s Clipper Investigation: Dan and Stugotz riff on Pablo Torre’s wild reporting tangents, with Stugotz mocking, "China is stealing Jannik Sinner’s brainwaves" (00:08), illustrating how off-the-wall sports journalism can get.
• Leo Messi Agrees to Stay at Inter Miami: Big breaking news from Michelle Kaufman (Miami Herald): Messi signs a multi-year contract, allegedly his last. The crew jokes about what Miami may have promised in return—"through my own sourcing, Dan, we have given him Opa Loca" (Dan, 02:39).

Baseball, NBA, and The Meaning of “Red Flag”

[03:14 - 16:11]

• NBA Drama – Patrick Beverley vs. Trae Young:
  • NBA culture, player rivalries, and Patrick Beverley’s podcast beef with Trae Young come to the fore:
    • Patrick Beverley on Trae Young (04:40):
      "I don't think he's in a position to speak. I don't think he's won enough to even speak to me like that or tweet me like that."
    • Bev’s Critique: He accuses Young of being a poor leader and notes, “If you don’t win, that won’t matter... they’re going to forget your name fast, too.” (05:12)
  • Trae Young’s Retort (05:55):
    "You play with some big time players, my guy... We celebrate wins different too."
  • Panelists unpack the difference between being “the main guy” (Trae) versus a key but supporting player (Beverley):
    “There’s a little bit of a difference between Trae Young being the main dude on a team and Pat Beverley being like the seventh or eighth guy on a different team every year.” (Seth, 07:05)
  • Highly Questionable Editing Style
    • Jokes about Trae’s video edits spark nostalgia for the early days of “Highly Questionable.” (Dan: “This is like the early days of Highly Questionable. You guys did the same thing.” 09:01)
  • Worst NBA Defenders Debate
    • Amin Elhassan (via Jeremy): “Trey Young? George Niang? Michael Porter Jr.?” (14:17)
• Tom Brady as Raiders Minority Owner & the Press Box Suit Debate:
  • Dan laments the NFL allowing Brady into team meetings due to conflict of interest:
    “We should have been having this weeks ago... it’s a huge red flag because he’d be meeting...with teams on the Raiders schedule..." (Dan, 12:39)
• The Meaning of “Red Flag”
  • Several theories are offered, with Mike summing up: “Originally this is because a red flag is frequently flown by armed forces to warn the public of live fire exercises in progress.” (Mike, 16:08)

NFL Power Hour with Mina Kimes

[19:41 - 41:47]

Dolphins Defense, Burrow Debate, Miami’s GM

• Dolphins Defensive Woes
  • Stugotz: “I thought the biggest mismatch in the entire league is Bill’s offense against Dolphins defense.” (19:41)
  • Mina: “Dolphins defense...the secondary was going to be bad...the pass rush is supposed to be good. They got everybody healthy...and they're not getting pressure...could be very ugly tonight." (20:06)
• Jake Browning vs. Mahomes Stats
  • Mina: “Wide receivers matter would be my take...Patrick Mahomes...probably the worst receiver group in football, and turns out the quarterback...can only do so much.” (21:14)
• whose Fault - QB or Line?
  • Mina: “With Burrow it’s a little bit more of a mixed picture...some of the sacks were on him, so when we look at like the number of hits he’s taken...he is not entirely blameless.” (21:54)
• Chris Greer (Dolphins GM) Under Fire
  • Mina: “Chris Greer, the GM of the Dolphins, is so clearly the biggest problem in Miami...he should be at the top of people’s tongues more than the coach.” (22:44)

Fast NFL Takes: Around the League with Mina

• Quick Hit Segment (Rapid-fire Q&A, starting at 26:21):

  • CJ Stroud: “Suffers from pressure...not to say though, he's blameless for some of that pressure.” (26:36)
  • Tush Push (Eagles QB Sneak Play): “Yes. Even though I’m not saying that it should be banned, but it’s not entertaining.” (Mina, 26:48)
  • Baker Mayfield’s Trust: Names Allen, Lamar, Mahomes, Herbert, Jaden Daniels, Burrow, Stafford, Hurts over Baker (Mina, 27:05)
  • Worst O-Line: “I’m going to go with Houston.” (Mina, 28:12)
  • Caleb Williams: “Far from the biggest reason why the Chicago Bears are getting their butts kicked.” (Mina, 32:28)
  • Surprise of the Season: “Freaking Daniel Jones...It’s Daniel Jones...play under pressure, pushing ball downfield..." (Mina, 35:06)
  • Best RB after McCaffrey: “Bijan Robinson.” (Mina, 35:36)
  • Best Pass Rusher: “Miles Garrett by, like, the hair, the thinnest of hairs. He has quietly been unbelievable this season. But it’s the Browns, so no one cares.” (Mina, 38:41)

• Debate: Best WR Chemistry (No Mahomes/Kelsey allowed)

  • Mina: “Joe Burrow and Jamar Chase.” (39:49)

• Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase?

  • “Still gonna stick with Jefferson, but it’s very close...Chase is more QB-proof, though.” (Mina, 40:05)

• NFL Draft Outlook / QBs

  • “I think some of these guys are gonna look better at the end of the season than they do now.” (Mina, 40:28)

• Kicker Talk – Brandon Aubrey

  • “Are they already the best kicker ever?”
    • Mina: “You’re gonna—it’s gonna have to be longevity...but hitting from distance the way he has, he’s gonna be in the conversation.” (37:03)

Book Club with Mina

• Book Recommendation:
  • “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, one of my favorite books ever about not just the NFL, but like the NFL and like the NFL utilitary industrial complex and all of the patriotism surrounding football... excellent book.” (Mina, 40:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On NBA Player Beefs:
  • Stugotz: “That's what the world needs, more hate these days. I think we can all agree on that.” (08:25)
• On the Chiefs’ Rumored Demise:
  • Mina: “The Chiefs are dead in the water. I don’t think that’s true at all.” (31:40)
• On Quarterbacks She Trusts More than Baker Mayfield:
  • Mina: “Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Jaden Daniels, Joe Burrow. If he’s healthy. Matthew Stafford. Jalen Hurts.” (27:05)
• On Football Culture:
  • Mina: “Football culture does not like perceived outsiders. The second that you fail, there are people who will turn on you quicker than they would if...a traditional head coach.” (25:39)

Chronological Timestamps of Key Segments

• [00:00-03:14]: Wild sports journalism, Messi contract breaking news, Miami stadium and Messi’s salary jokes
• [03:14-10:23]: NBA – Patrick Beverley vs Trae Young; discussion of stars vs. role players, social media, “Highly Questionable” editing
• [10:23-16:11]: Tom Brady Raiders ownership, conflicts of interest, “red flag” phrase origins discussion
• [19:41-41:47]: Mina Kimes joins for rapid-fire NFL analysis; Dolphins, Burrow/Luck, Miami’s GM, O-line discourse, best receivers/runbacks, surprise teams/players, and more
• [40:52-41:47]: Book report segment with Mina

Tone and Style

True to form, the episode is lively, fast-paced, and punctuated by humor and pop-culture tangents. There’s a strong sense of community, inside jokes, and a breezy willingness to poke fun at guests, hosts, and sports itself. Mina Kimes’ presence adds sharp analysis and detailed breakdowns, all delivered at breakneck speed to maximize content within her segment.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This hour is chock-full of rapid, insightful commentary on current sports stories and deeper, perennial questions facing modern athletes, coaches, and the league itself. The crew—led by Dan, Stugotz, and punctuated by Mina Kimes—keeps the conversation fresh, funny, and fiercely informed, making this a can’t-miss installment for any diehard sports fan.