The Dan Patrick Show (Nov 25, 2025) — Hour 1

Episode: 49ers Aren’t Threatening, Pressure Is on JJ McCarthy
Host: Dan Patrick & Danettes
Notable Guests: Lewis Riddick (The Mothership/ESPN)
Main Topics: NFL Contenders, 49ers Assessment, JJ McCarthy Pressure, Lane Kiffin’s Coaching Future, College Football Rankings, Quarterback Growth, Dallas Cowboys/Chiefs Playoff Stakes

Episode Overview

This hour of "The Dan Patrick Show" dives into NFL contenders and pretenders, assessing the San Francisco 49ers’ true threat level, and the intense scrutiny facing Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy. The show also features Lewis Riddick on Lane Kiffin's future, college football playoff logic, and deep dives on quarterback development and the narrow margin for error at the NFL level. There's lively banter throughout, along with listener calls and poll debates, all wrapped in Dan Patrick’s signature blend of humor, candid sports talk, and pop culture references.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Are the 49ers Really a Threat? (03:52–07:00, 17:05–20:45, 31:31–37:27)

• Dan’s Take on the 49ers:
  • The Niners beat a “wounded” Panthers squad but don't look dangerous:

    “Are they good? They’re good-ish. Are they relevant? They got Christian McCaffrey. Are they threatening? I would say no.” — Dan (05:11)

  • Issues: Struggles with Brock Purdy, roster injuries (Bosa, Warner), and questionable roster management (letting go Debo, bringing back Aiyuk).
  • McCaffrey, Kittle praised, but injuries limit ceiling. Could reach 10 wins—yet Dan doubts postseason hopes amid a strong division (Rams, Seattle).
• Brock Purdy’s Struggles:
  • Three first-half picks; Dan and Lewis Riddick dissect Purdy’s hesitation:

    “It’s just a little late, and when you do…you can’t throw behind them. When you are, you gotta put it in front. He had a little behind ‘em on all three and those corners made him pay.” — Dan (17:07)

  • NFL vs college QB transition–less time, tighter windows.
• Quarterback Play Analysis:
  • Young NFL QBs try to force big plays like in college; veterans (e.g., Brady) always take the safe five yards.

    “The younger quarterbacks try to make a bigger play…a split second, and that’s what’s amazing when you see this in real time…it’s far quicker than you can even imagine.” — Dan (19:14)

  • Riddick: “If there’s any hesitation, you are really putting the ball in harm’s way.” (37:27)

2. Pressure on JJ McCarthy / Vikings QB Dilemma (07:00–11:33)

• Why So Much Pressure?
  • McCarthy, recently in concussion protocol, is under the microscope as the starter for Minnesota. Vikings cleaned out the QB room, leaving the franchise’s future on a young, unproven arm.
  • Dan doubts McCarthy’s NFL adaptation:

    “Even though you didn’t get to ease into your career, your career starts now…he’s been average, below average… Is he who the Vikings thought he was?” (08:57)

  • NFL is ruthless: “You get two years, maybe three…and you either get that long-term contract or you’re a backup somewhere.” (09:59)
  • McCarthy has weapons (Jefferson, Addison) and an offensive-minded head coach, but Dan’s not convinced:

    “I’m just not sure. There are times when you’ll make a play and go ‘wow’, and times when you go, ‘that’s not correct’. I got too many of those and not enough of, ‘wow’.” (10:43)

3. AFC Division Poll Question (11:33–13:06, 49:52–50:18)

• Which AFC division is most likely to produce a Super Bowl winner?
  • Panel debates: Dan votes AFC West (“You got Denver and you got Kansas City.” — 12:11), Seaton argues for AFC East due to Bills/Patriots' schedule.
  • “Pie to the face” bet: Seaton doubles down on the Chiefs not making playoffs.
  • Poll results later: AFC West leading at 62%.

4. Irrelevant NBA Franchises (13:06–16:59)

• Brooklyn Nets as Most "Irrelevant" Franchise
  • Dan and Seaton contrast the Nets with the Columbus Blue Jackets, citing zero fan interest despite big-market location.

    “If they won the NBA championship, no one would care in New York.” — Marvin (15:30)

  • The roster is unrecognizable to even avid sports watchers.

    “It looked like a college team that got the death penalty where they took away all their players.” — Dan (15:04)

5. Lane Kiffin’s Coaching Future and the Ethics of Bowl Coaching (26:54–31:31)

• Lane Kiffin Ducks the Press
  • Kiffin is vague about his future amid reported meetings with the Ole Miss chancellor.
  • Dan: “The coach is not supposed to be the distraction. You are the distraction.” (27:45)
• Lewis Riddick on Coaching Ethics:
  • Riddick sympathizes but is critical of Kiffin’s avoidance.

    “He could make it simpler…if his decision was simply just to go back to Ole Miss.” (28:20)

  • On letting a coach stay through the playoffs if he’s switching schools:

    “I’d have a hard time doing it…I would not want to be in it.” (30:14, 31:08)

6. Listener Calls & Quick Hits (50:18–54:00)

• Listeners weigh in on Thanksgiving turkey vs. ham and thank local divisions for weak competition (NFC South).
• Brief chat about Tom Brady as an analyst, Mad Men, and TV antiheroes.
• Dan predicts Cowboys–Chiefs on Thanksgiving will be “one of the top five highest rated regular season games in history.” (54:00)

7. Notable Football Scenarios & Takes (32:53–43:25)

• Joe Burrow and Bengals:
  • Riddick: “No, I wouldn’t [play him]. Sometimes you need to protect players from themselves.” (32:56)
• Head-to-head in College Playoff Rankings:
  • Riddick: “Head-to-head should matter, no matter when you play it…that has to be a factor after this weekend is over.” (36:04)

8. QB Growth & the View from Behind the Line (36:34–42:21)

• The Speed of the Pro Game:
  • NFL throws must be made with anticipation—delays are fatal.
  • Dan wishes Tom Brady or Peyton Manning would narrate game film from behind the QB for fans:

    “If you saw the game from the sidelines in real speed, you would be shocked…TV helps us...It's incredible how fast and violent it is.” (40:14)

• Quarterback Development:
  • Riddick: “Football is a participation, development sport. You cannot develop without participating. You gotta give guys time, especially a quarterback.” (41:49)

9. Cowboys, Chiefs, and Micah Parsons (42:21–43:44)

• Are the Cowboys for real if they beat the Chiefs?
  • Riddick: “Then they are going to be very dangerous…all bets are off.” (42:31)
• Are the Chiefs done if they lose on Thanksgiving?
  • “If they lose, then it’s not in their hands anymore.” (43:06)
• On Jerry Jones and Micah Parsons Pick:
  • Riddick: “If they maximize the value ... it looks like he may have.” (43:32)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan on 49ers:

  “Are they good? They're good. Ish. Are they relevant? They got Christian McCaffrey. Are they threatening? I would say no.” (05:11)

• Dan on McCarthy:

  “Your career starts now...and you’re all of a sudden looking around going, ‘I’ve got a couple of wide receivers here and my backups are gone’. They have entrusted me with this team.” (08:57)

• Lewis Riddick on Lane Kiffin situation:

  “He could make it simpler…if his decision was simply just to go back to Ole Miss.” (28:20)

• Marvin on Brooklyn Nets:

  “If they won the NBA championship, no one would care in New York…They had Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden and still no one cared.” (15:30–15:37)

• Dan on NFL speed:

  “It is so quick. It’s far, far quicker than you can even imagine…those who see it and get it done and anticipate and throw somebody open, those are the greats…” (19:14)

• Lewis Riddick on head-to-head in playoff debate:

  “That head-to-head is something, I’m telling you, has to become a factor. It has to be a factor after this weekend is over.” (36:04)

Fun Banter

• Pie to the face wager over AFC division poll (12:25)
• Sopranos and Mad Men antihero discussion (53:00–53:54)
• Dan on fan attendance for the Nets:

  “You can get in for like 20 bucks. I think you can play for 100 bucks.” (16:36)

Important Timestamps

• 03:52 — Opening sports analysis, 49ers discussion begins
• 07:00 — JJ McCarthy and Vikings QB scrutiny
• 11:33 — Poll question: Which AFC division is most likely to win the Super Bowl?
• 13:06 — Brooklyn Nets and the “irrelevant franchise” debate
• 17:05 — Brock Purdy’s interceptions and NFL QB discussion
• 26:54 — Lane Kiffin press conference/dodging the media, Riddick on CFB coaches
• 31:31 — Dan and Riddick: more on player disrespect (spitting, groin shots)
• 32:53 — Joe Burrow and Bengals future
• 34:46 — College Football Playoff committee and head-to-head argument
• 36:34 — Brock Purdy’s struggles, QB timing insight
• 42:21 — Cowboys vs. Chiefs: playoff futures
• 49:52 — Poll results reveal: AFC West leads
• 50:18 — Listener calls, Thanksgiving food debate
• 54:00–55:02 — Cowboys–Chiefs as potential record-setting Thanksgiving game

Structure & Flow

Together, this episode blends game and player analysis, in-depth football culture talk, strong personalities, and lively listener engagement into a seamless hour, offering both humor and sharp sports insight for any fan—whether or not you caught the show live.