Podcast Summary: The Dan Patrick Show – C&R: Bottom of the Burrow

Date: December 13, 2025
Hosts: Covino & Rich (C&R), with Dan Byer
Platform: iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This action-packed episode centers on Joe Burrow’s surprisingly somber comments, sparking speculation about his future with the Cincinnati Bengals and whether he’s contemplating retirement. The hosts break down the mental toll of repeated injuries on NFL stars, discuss the competitive spirit of pro athletes, and take listeners' calls on “leaving early” in sports. Lively banter, sharp analysis, and some humor keep things moving as the show navigates other NFL storylines and playoff scenarios, with side notes on pop culture and personal anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Joe Burrow’s “Is He Okay?” Moment

• Context: Joe Burrow made headlines after a recent press conference where he questioned whether football was still fun for him, triggering comparisons with Andrew Luck’s early retirement.
• Speculation: The hosts debate whether Burrow is really thinking about stepping away or just having a “terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day”.
  • Covino highlights that Burrow's tone was noticeably subdued compared to previous interviews.
  • Jamar Chase (Bengals WR) comments surfaced pushing back against the retirement narrative but acknowledging the unusual vibes.
• Key Quote (Joe Burrow, Press Conference played at [12:17], repeated at [23:40]):

  “If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing it. I’ve been through a lot, and if it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for? … It’s just a reflection on a lot of things that I’ve done and been through in my career. I think I've been through more than most and certainly not easy on the brain or the body. So just trying to have fun doing it again.”

2. Comparisons to Andrew Luck

• Covino draws a strong parallel between Burrow’s tone and Andrew Luck’s emotional retirement announcement at 29:
  • “I remember being really sad by that. And I’m not an Andrew Luck fan, I’m not a Colts fan, but I’m a fan of greatness.” ([09:24] – Covino)
  • Discussion about how young players (Luck, Barry Sanders, Jim Brown, Luke Kuechly) have walked away early due to repeated injuries and mental exhaustion.

3. Bouncing Back or Breaking Down: The Mental Grinding of the NFL

• The show examines whether an NFL star, despite fame and wealth, can reach a mental and physical breaking point due to constant injuries.
  • “No matter how great your hair is… everyone’s got problems. He’s got a Victoria’s Secret supermodel girlfriend…you’d think, what could possibly bother this guy? But he does seem, like you said, like he’s going through it.” ([11:45] – Rich Eisen)
• Covino believes these are “the most competitive people on the planet” and quitting doesn’t come easy, while Rich empathizes with the logic of walking away early to protect health.
  • “It's got to be mentally frustrating. Mentally exhausting. Physically exhausting. It's always an uphill battle. And that’s exactly the reason Andrew Luck called it quits early.” ([18:04] – Covino)

4. How Teammates and Fans Perceive ‘Negative Energy’

• Discussion of the impact of a franchise QB displaying defeatist body language or public uncertainty.
  • “It’s not the type of talk you want to hear from any leader in your profession.” ([17:17] – Covino)
• Dan Byer points out possible consequences for teammates who’ve just signed long-term deals, relying on their quarterback’s commitment ([14:00]).

5. Fan Reactions: Is It Retirement, Trade Demand, or Just a Funk?

• The crew opens the phone lines, eliciting interesting takes:
  • Larry from Vegas compares Burrow’s statement to a breakup phone call: “If a chick called you … and said … ‘I’m not having fun anymore’—you guys know what that means.” ([37:07])
  • Dan Byer floats the Jets as a theoretically interested party if Burrow really wanted out ([37:39]).

6. The AFC “Window” and What’s at Stake

• A segment on how the competitive AFC landscape—with Mahomes’ Chiefs currently beatable—makes this a critical “window” for the Bengals that’s fast closing.
  • “This was another little window, as you like to say. … The Chiefs were off. Buffalo doesn’t seem to be what they were. … So when you [Burrow] are sort of giving in, that… ‘Man, the AFC’s going to be represented by Bo Nix or Drake May. This should have been our path.’” ([21:07])

7. Listener Calls: Early Retirements & NFL “What-Ifs”

• Several callers share memories of stars who retired early, including takes on Andrew Luck, Don Mattingly, Patrick Willis, Luke Kuechly, and Chris Borland ([38:52] – Daniel in VA).

8. Playoff Picture & NFL Realignment Discussion

• Pivot to the playoff race, focusing on possible NFC realignment and whether division winners deserve home games if their records are inferior ([49:07] – Rich and Dan Byer).
  • Dan Byer: “Winning your division, especially in a year like this, just to get into the playoffs is fine. … But to have a home game is just, it’s ridiculous.” ([50:32])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Athlete’s Psychology:
  “It's winnings in their DNA. They're the most competitive people on the planet. … You think Joe Burrow is pleased with another season that got away?” – Covino ([20:14])
• On Team Loyalty vs. Personal Health:
  “If he runs it back next year and… hurts his knee or something, then I think you’ll be like ‘That’s it.’ But I think he’s got one more… what do they call it? One more college try, one more hurrah.” – Rich Eisen ([35:10])
• On Burrow’s Odd Press Conference:
  “I want to hear, ‘Back to the drawing board and get ’em next year’ … and we didn’t this time.” – Covino ([24:03])
• Listener Larry from Vegas: “If a chick called you … and said … ‘I’m not having fun anymore’ — you guys know what that means.” ([37:18])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Joe Burrow’s comments and analysis:
  • [12:17], [23:40] – Burrow’s quote played and analyzed
  • [11:35] – Context for Burrow’s tone; is it retirement talk?
  • [14:00] – Implications for teammates
• Parallels to Andrew Luck: [09:24]
• Listener Calls about early retirements: [35:56]–[39:28]
• Discussion of NFL Playoff Realignment: [49:07]–[51:14]
• NFC East analysis teaser: [52:07]
• Humor & banter (Side notes):
  • "He’s got a Victoria Secret supermodel girlfriend..." ([11:48])
  • “I would call up Sebastian Maniscalco and be like, ‘Hey, you got five minutes for this guy? Make him laugh or something.’” ([25:47])

Tone & Style

• Playful, conversational, and full of sports radio energy.
• Mixes hard analysis, fan perspectives, and locker-room humor.
• Hosts riff on pop culture (e.g., The Bangles, Macaulay Culkin, positivity bunnies) to keep discussions light even on serious subjects.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich edition) is the definitive quick course on the Joe Burrow drama—breaking down his worrying press conference, examining the physical and mental grind of NFL stardom, and wondering if everyone’s overreacting or if there’s a looming early retirement story. The crew relates Burrow’s plight to big moments in sports history (Luck, Sanders, Brown, Kuechly), gets fan insight via calls, and moves nimbly through playoff debates, all with signature wit. Sports fans curious about the Bengals QB, or how grit and mental fatigue intersect in pro football, will find this essential, lively listening.