The Dan Patrick Show — Hour 1

Episode: “Arm Length” Is the New “Hand Size,” NFL Combine

Date: February 26, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick with Fritzi, Seaton, Marv, and Paulie
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off the day with a deep dive into the NFL Combine, specifically the growing obsession with arm length as the new measurement craze, overtaking hand size in pre-draft discourse. Dan and the team blend humor, competitive banter, and football analysis while discussing mock draft projections, team-level draft strategies, the value of player measurables, and intriguing NFL storylines, including trade rumors and quarterback contract talk.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Combine: “Woodstock” of the Offseason

• Dan describes the Combine as the “Woodstock of the NFL offseason,” where coaches, GMs, scouts, and media gather and “everybody gets a chance” to interact ([07:00]).
• He highlights how college teams like Ohio State and Texas A&M stack the combine with elite prospects but don’t always find championship success, emphasizing the difference between collecting talent and building a team ([08:30]).

Memorable quote:
“You can have individual talent, but a team will carry you through the playoffs.” — Dan Patrick ([09:50])

2. The Big Debate: Arm Length vs. Hand Size

• The crew riffs on the emergence of “arm length” as the new fixation, overtaking the old obsession with “hand size” (notably around Kenny Pickett in 2022).
• Paulie traces the hype’s origin, noting the draft spike around Will Campbell’s arm measurements ([12:15]).
• Jokes abound about lobbies for “small hands,” arm measuring contests, and the futility (and comedy) of these measurements, especially when gloves and gear are involved.

Notable banter:

• “Is arm length the new hand size?” — Seaton ([11:10])
• “I think this is actually a movement by the small hands community to take the focus off of them.” — Dan Patrick ([11:26])
• “Why is it we don’t make a big deal about hand size for wide receivers?” — Dan ([12:35])
• Todd jokes about gloves and grip: “That sticky stuff that got in the gloves works in all sizes.” ([12:55])
• Marv on the contest: “Please, please, somebody have shorter arms than me, please.” ([15:15])

3. Arm Length & Real Prospects

• Miami DE Rueben Bain is cited as the poster case for this year’s “arm length” question. Bain himself shrugs off concerns, emphasizing play technique and performance ([21:10]).
• Dan and the crew question the tangible value of such measurements and how they translate to NFL success.

Quote:

“Some scouts are saying they might be under 33 inches, and that is a red flag for defensive end … but I’d rather have my offensive lineman have long arms, right?” — Dan Patrick ([22:30])

4. Poll Questions & Listener Engagement

Polls (throughout from [24:00]):

• What are you most looking forward to from this year’s NFL Combine: hand size or arm length?
• Do you know the length of your arms?
• Would you rather have small hands or short arms?

Listener call-ins provided comic relief, including a new father measuring his newborn’s arm length ([57:30]) and jokes about the real-life implications of short arms/small hands ([01:13:00]).

5. NFL Trade Talk & Quarterback Contracts

• Mike Vrabel’s comments on A.J. Brown at the Combine are dissected for “teetering” on tampering ([33:45]).
• Dan highlights the subtext: Combine is also about back-room trade talks and major player movement.
• Discussion of QB contract extensions: C.J. Stroud, Tua, Kyler Murray; Dan urges caution in giving mega-contracts before true proof ([36:10]).
• Conversation turns to possible landing spots for Malik Willis, with everyone giving their predictions in mock-draft-game fashion ([44:35]).

Highlights:

• “With C.J. Stroud, I’m not giving you $250 million — Prove it.” — Dan Patrick ([38:20])
• “If I could get Malik Willis, he would be a really valuable upgrade for [the Vikings].” — Dan ([46:40])

6. Combining Football & Life

• Lighthearted stories about fitting into old suits, tailoring, and the joys and sorrows of dress shirt sizing, all blending into the arm length discussion ([28:30]).

7. Hands & Arms — Measuring Up, On & Off the Field

• Reflections on measuring each other’s hands/arms for past show bits, fan interactions (“Marv, put your hand up!”), and the good-natured competition among the team ([1:01:15]).
• The segment underscores how morphing football measurables into comedy and camaraderie is a core part of the show’s appeal.

Notable quote:

“Everything’s a competition, Todd.” — Dan Patrick ([1:07:10])

8. Miscellaneous & Memorable Moments

• Segments on Palm Sunday/Ash Wednesday confusion, sparking playful religious banter between Todd and Dan ([25:50], [1:09:30]).
• Callers poke fun at Marvin’s hand size, conjuring images of building ships in bottles ([1:17:45]).
• Discussion turns to the importance of wingspan in sports beyond football, notably basketball and its drafting process ([1:19:40]).

Quote:

“Wingspan is everything in the draft.” — Dan Patrick ([1:20:40])

Timestamps of Key Segments

| Time | Segment | |----------|-------------------------------------------------| | 07:00 | NFL Combine as a Media & Insiders’ Gathering | | 11:00 | Arm Length vs. Hand Size Debate Starts | | 12:15 | Hand Size Hype History (Kenny Pickett, Campbell)| | 15:15 | On-Air Hand/Arm Measuring Competition | | 21:10 | Rueben Bain’s Arm Length at the Combine | | 24:00 | Poll Questions Introduced | | 33:45 | Mike Vrabel’s “Tampering” Comments | | 36:10 | QB Contracts: C.J. Stroud, Tua, Kyler | | 44:35 | Malik Willis Landing Spot Game | | 57:30 | Listener: Newborn Arm Length Call | | 1:01:15 | Fan Interactions: Marv’s Famous Hands | | 1:09:30 | Palm Sunday/Ash Wednesday Banter | | 1:17:45 | Caller: Ship-in-a-Bottle Joke at Marv | | 1:19:40 | Wingspan in Basketball Drafts |

Poll Results (as of end of hour):

• Do you know the length of your arms? 83% say no ([1:22:35]).
• Would you rather have small hands or short arms? 51% prefer short arms.
• What are you looking forward to most at the Combine? Hand size led at 61%.

Notable Quotes

• “You can have individual talent, but a team will carry you through the playoffs.” — Dan Patrick ([09:50])
• “Is arm length the new hand size?” — Seaton ([11:10])
• “I think this is actually a movement by the small hands community to take the focus off of them.” — Dan Patrick ([11:26])
• “Please, please, somebody have shorter arms than me, please.” — Marv ([15:15])
• “With C.J. Stroud, I’m not giving you $250 million — Prove it.” — Dan Patrick ([38:20])
• “Everything’s a competition, Todd.” — Dan Patrick ([1:07:10])
• “Wingspan is everything in the draft.” — Dan Patrick ([1:20:40])

The Dan Patrick Show Tone: Lighthearted, Competitive, Analytical

The first hour is a blend of tongue-in-cheek banter, sports nerdery, playful insecurity about body measurements, and sharp NFL commentary. If you want to catch the latest on Combine gossip or just enjoy grown men debating arm length with the seriousness of draft scouts, this episode delivers.