The Dan Patrick Show – C&R: The Value of the NFL Preseason
Date: August 20, 2025

Episode Overview

This lively episode of The Dan Patrick Show (Covino & Rich filling in) dives into the perennial debate over the value and meaning of the NFL preseason. The hosts, Steve Covino and Rich Davis, bring irreverence, humor, and personal anecdotes as they (with their team and audience) assess whether fans should care about preseason football, what—if anything—it reveals about the upcoming season, and how genuine football excitement gets lost in a sea of preseason apathy. Light-hearted detours into Crocs, embarrassing sports gear, and gym etiquette round out the sports talk.
Note: This summary skips non-content segments and ad reads.

Main Discussion: Is It Wrong Not to Care About the NFL Preseason?

The Central Question

[09:00]

• Covino and Rich kick off by asking, “Is it wrong to not care about preseason football? Is it even watchable?”
• Rich admits he feels little enthusiasm for preseason, especially as a 49ers fan used to high expectations.

“When it comes to football and smut, Rich is like a kid in a candy store... Is it wrong to not care about the preseason?”
— Covino [10:20]

Differing Viewpoints

Preseason is Just a Money Grab

[11:40]

• Iowa Sam: dismisses preseason as “a money grab for TV and for concessions.”
• Points out season ticket holders are forced to buy preseason games.
• Argues decisions about roster spots are rarely made during these games.

“There’s nothing of value with preseason... your preseason performances are like a third of the pie of decision made on you. It’s more like, maybe.”
— Iowa Sam ([13:20])

Preseason as Opportunity

[12:00]

• Danny G. argues preseason provides a chance for “stars to work things out” and for fans to see new storylines with young players.

“Yeah, man, you’re giving people the chance to show what they got and you’re seeing some stars work things out and some cool storylines with young players that might not get the opportunity...”
— Danny G. ([12:30])

Rare Meaningful Standouts

[14:00]

• Hosts discuss how rarely preseason actually upends a depth chart—using past examples:
  • Derek Carr (Raiders, 2014): Won starting job after standout preseason.
  • Russell Wilson (Seahawks): Beat out Matt Flynn after a strong preseason.

“If you have a kick ass preseason, the team will move you up. It has to be exceptional.”
— Covino ([15:00])

Most Decisions Are Made in Camp, Not Games

[16:00]

• Emphasis on joint practices: These sessions have replaced much of the preseason’s real evaluation in the modern NFL.

“The game kind of…the work’s already been done that week [in joint practices]. That’s changed a lot of it, which I think has diminished the actual games.”
— Covino ([18:00])

Fan Perspectives and Emotional Honesty

[22:00]

• David in Missouri calls and analogizes preseason to minor-league football (“like the XFL or USFL…doesn’t scratch my itch”).
• Rich admits not caring because his attention is still on baseball until the NFL regular season kicks off.

“It’s sort of like the XFL or USFL...I love football so much. How come I can’t connect to this at all? That’s how I feel about preseason football.”
— David, caller ([23:40])

“My brain is still in baseball mode. I don’t think you switch until the first week of the regular season.”
— Covino ([25:30])

Overhyped Preseason Performances

• Hosts discuss the tendency to overreact to preseason standouts (“Did you see Caleb Williams? He’s showing some shines!”), but with heavy skepticism.

Big Picture: Where is the NFL Heading?

[26:40]

• Hosts speculate the NFL will inevitably push toward an 18-game season with only two preseason games, which will align the Super Bowl with a holiday weekend for maximum revenue.

“We all know where it’s going, right? 18 games, two preseason games, two by weeks. Season’s gonna line up with the Super Bowls right before a holiday weekend…”
— Covino ([27:00])

Notable Segment: The NFL “Whammy” (Crocs Licensing Deal)

[29:00]

• Rich breaks the news: The NFL has entered a multi-year licensing deal with Crocs. Cue collective incredulity and good-natured ridicule.

“The NFL and Crocs have announced a multi-year licensing deal. What a pathetic look for grown men.”
— Rich ([29:20])

• The crew swaps Crocs horror stories (including Rich’s bet where Covino had to wear bright orange Crocs after a Mets-Yankees bet loss) and debate the slow, slippery slope to public Croc-wearing.
• They discuss the “power of the NFL brand”—would you wear Crocs now if your team’s logo was on them?
  • Consensus: Maybe around the house, but NOT in public.
  • Noted: The movie Idiocracy chose Crocs as the default “shoes of morons in the future.”

Fun Segment: Embarrassing Sports Gear

[42:00]

• Rich confesses he accidentally ordered skin-tight 49ers sweatpants that look like full-on football pants and may have to wear them if he loses a bet.

Segment: Showtime Mahomes NFL Trivia

[46:00]

• The show pivots to a recurring trivia segment with a “Patrick Mahomes” impersonator hosting.

• Notable Q&A (with Timestamps):

  • [48:00] Q: How many receiving yards did Jerry Rice finish his career with?
    A: 22,895 (“A”, guessed correctly by caller Mike)
  • [50:45] Q: Who was the first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl?
    A: Tony Dungy (Dan jumps in)
  • [52:22] Q: Which team has the longest consecutive streak of playoff appearances?
    A: New England Patriots (11 seasons, 2009–2019)

• Loads of cross-talk, jokes, and side bets—in keeping with the show’s casual, irreverent tone.

Quick Hit: Brock Bowers’ Baldness & Athlete Vanity

[58:00]

• Discussion on Brock Bowers (NFL rookie) shaving his head at age 22.
• The crew debates the stigma and choice behind athletes getting hair transplants—should Bowers opt for one?
• Riffs on how most people (men & women alike) are more vain than they admit, with sporting figures like Brian Urlacher, Greg Olsen, and Joe Buck cited as hair-restoration examples.

Light Segment: Preseason Weight Issues

[1:06:00]

• Bucs rookie tackle Desmond Watson, at 450 pounds, can’t practice with his team until he loses weight.
• The show uses this as a segue into discussing major life changes and motivation—acknowledging weight struggles and health with empathy and humor.

Memorable Quotes

• “If you have a kick ass preseason, the team will move you up. It has to be exceptional.”
  Covino ([15:00])

• “There's nothing of value with preseason… it's just a money grab for TV and concessions.”
  Iowa Sam ([13:20])

• “It’s sort of like the XFL or USFL...I love football so much. How come I can’t connect to this at all?”
  David from Missouri ([23:40])

• “The NFL and Crocs have announced a multi-year licensing deal... What a pathetic look for grown men.”
  Rich ([29:20])

• “No one can see you in your backyard. Where I should be. I will never wear them on adventure, even if it’s dropping my kids off at school.”
  Covino on Crocs ([36:00])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 09:00 — Main debate: Is it wrong to not care about preseason football?
• 14:00 — Rare success stories from preseason
• 18:00 — The rise of joint practices
• 22:00 — Callers on preseason apathy
• 26:40 — NFL’s long-term plans for season/preseason
• 29:00 — The NFL x Crocs licensing deal debate
• 46:00 — Showtime Mahomes Trivia Game
• 58:00 — Brock Bowers and sports vanity
• 1:06:00 — Desmond Watson and motivation for life changes

Tone & Style

The tone throughout is jokey, self-deprecating, and down-to-earth, with frequent tangents and effective audience engagement—equal parts sports, pop culture, and relatable banter. Antics like Crocs-bashing and “embarrassing sportswear confessions” serve as palate cleansers from the main sports debate.

Essential Takeaways

• Preseason football is largely seen as unimportant by both fans and former players, with rare, notable exceptions.
• Joint practices may now matter more than preseason games for roster decisions.
• Preseason appeals mostly to fans of struggling teams and fantasy football obsessives.
• Fans shouldn’t feel guilty about not caring—and the real season is what truly matters.
• The NFL can monetize almost anything—Crocs included—yet even diehards hesitate to follow.
• Show remains relatable via personal anecdotes, humor, and listener interaction.