The Dan Patrick Show (Hour 1) – Backup QB’s Getting Reps Already, Tom Brady’s Conflict of Interest Resurfaces
Date: September 16, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network)
Episode Theme: Dan and the Danettes discuss the NFL’s backup quarterback shuffle due to injuries, and explore the controversy around Tom Brady’s dual roles as minority Raiders owner and Fox TV analyst—questioning conflicts of interest after his high-profile appearance in the Raiders’ coaching booth.
Episode Overview
In this hour, Dan Patrick and the Danettes break down Week 2 of the NFL season, focusing on the increasing importance of backup quarterbacks as early injuries mount. The group pivots to the headline-grabbing story of Tom Brady’s active presence in the Raiders’ coaching booth, analyzing the optics and implications of having a minority NFL owner simultaneously serving as a network broadcaster. Throughout, the show features signature humor, sharp banter, and fan interaction via poll questions and phone calls.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Backup QB Carousel (00:00–07:00, 10:00–12:00, 31:43–33:35)
- Quarterback injuries are already reshaping teams:
- Joe Burrow, J.J. McCarthy, and Jaden Daniels are all expected to miss time.
- Teams like the Bengals (with Jake Browning) and presumably the Vikings (potentially Carson Wentz) are weighing their backup options.
- Dan Patrick’s advice for fans:
“If you’re a fan of a team, do your homework and find out who your backup quarterback is.” (03:29)
- Examples of QB situations:
- Bengals seem confident in Jake Browning rather than pursuing bigger names (e.g., Kirk Cousins).
- Discussion of high-quality backups: Mac Jones (49ers), Jimmy Garoppolo, Kirk Cousins (Falcons).
- Reflections on former stars who lost momentum (Carson Wentz) and how quickly fortunes change.
Notable Quote:
"You hold on for dear life for three months."
—Dan Patrick, on surviving with backup QBs (03:29)
2. Poll Questions & Playoff Trajectories (04:07–12:00)
- Poll: Which 0-2 team will make the playoffs?
- AFC options: Jets, Dolphins, Chiefs, Browns, Texans, Titans.
- NFC options: Giants, Bears, Panthers, Saints.
- Dan's picks:
- “I still have my money on the Chiefs. Texans in the on-deck circle.” (05:53)
- Group consensus: A steep drop-off after the Chiefs and possibly the Texans; NFC 0-2 teams inspire little confidence.
- Poll: Which 2-0 team will miss the playoffs?
- Heavy on NFC teams; group promises to circle back on this.
Notable Quote:
"It is a time-honored tradition: the Tuesday after Week 2, sorting out the 0-2 teams."
—Dan Patrick (04:15)
3. Young QBs & NFL Reality Checks (07:47–10:00)
- Discussion on rookie QBs and their learning curves:
- Focus on Caleb Williams and advice being athletic but needing to “step up in the pocket, play more like Jared Goff.”
- The challenge of translating college athleticism to NFL success.
- Quick recognition of NFL speed vs. college, using rookie RB Ashton Gentry as an example.
- The importance of decisiveness and fast progressions for NFL quarterbacks.
Analogy:
“I think we've all gone to an art exhibit and we go, I don't know. And then somebody else comes in and goes, that ROTHKO, I mean, that's $50 million. ... That's what it is to be a quarterback in the NFL.”
—Dan Patrick, on differing levels of understanding at higher levels (11:20)
4. Tom Brady’s Conflict of Interest as Owner & Broadcaster (12:19–29:00)
- Brady’s role on display:
- Seen in the Raiders’ coaching booth, wearing a headset next to OC Chip Kelly.
- Dan points out the “blatant” showcasing, raising conflict-of-interest flags.
- The NFL and Fox appear to tolerate or even encourage this star power, but it raises serious issues for competitive integrity.
Major Points Raised:
- If Brady is prepping for a Fox game against a team the Raiders play soon, opposing coaches could be less forthcoming in production meetings—or Brady could gather strategic information.
- Dan:
“On the surface, it doesn’t look good that he’s in there with a headset on next to the offensive coordinator... There’s a conflict of interest.” (18:47) - Paulie (Danette):
“For it to not be a conflict of interest, you’d have to believe that Tom Brady would gather information…and not bring it back to the Raiders coaching staff. Of course he would!” (19:47) - Counterpoint: Brady might be leveraged by coaches (like Ben Johnson) for his insight, potentially putting both Raiders and Fox in awkward positions.
Humor/Banter:
- Visual moments:
- “Brady hit the chair and starts going lower and lower like he's hiding out. Like anyone missed it.” —Paulie (21:23)
- Todd jokes Brady just gives hotel recommendations, not football tips (22:20).
Notable Quotes:
"You are absolutely delusional. Tom is still competitive, and he wants to win. He has Mark Davis's ear. He has autonomy there."
—Dan Patrick, on Brady's real role as minority owner (22:55)
"They can't unring this bell."
—Paulie, on the NFL's irreversible decision to allow dual roles (24:23)
5. Fan Reactions and Call-ins (29:00–33:35, 36:11–40:38)
- Listeners weigh in on:
- Baker Mayfield’s resurgence with the Buccaneers:
- Caller Dave: “We’ve got Baker Mayfield now, Danny, and the dude is an absolute baller.” (29:07)
- Dan: “Baker Mayfield would have been a part of Cobra Kai. He would have taken Daniel Son out.” (30:04)
- Quarterback shuffles (Purdy vs. Mac Jones), roster expansion, and fairness.
- Another caller (Ron in Minnesota, 38:41) shares concerns with owners having inside access, drawing parallels to his own broadcasting and player experiences.
- “There’s something wrong there.” (39:38)
- More speculation about future moves (Kirk Cousins trade, kickers’ salaries, roster expansion).
- Baker Mayfield’s resurgence with the Buccaneers:
6. Noteworthy Play of the Day (34:19–35:36)
- Highlight: Chargers’ Justin Herbert throws a 60-yard TD to Quentin Johnston.
- Herbert: 242 yards, 2 TDs, led team in rushing.
- Signature Dan Patrick Show “Play of the Day” moment aired.
Most Memorable Quotes & Exchanges
On Decisiveness in Quarterbacks:
"That's what it is to be a quarterback in the NFL. It's like there's something there. There is, yes. Being able to find it, how quickly you find it, that's what your success and failure kind of hinges on."
—Dan Patrick (11:24)
On the optics of Tom Brady in the booth:
"He's not in the corner. He's not wearing sunglasses and a hat, a hoodie, but it's just not a good look."
—Dan Patrick (18:47)
On NFL's star-driven decisions:
“The NFL, though, they greenlit this three years ago when they let him do both because they wanted star power in multiple places.”
—Paulie (23:57)
On the seeming contradiction of NFL scandals vs. current events:
"That was a huge problem. That 15ft that led to one of the biggest scandals the game has ever seen. But this, a broadcaster sitting in other teams meetings and then going back to the team that he partially owns and sitting in the coaches booth, that's perfectly okay. Nothing to see here. That's crazy."
—Seaton (28:16)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00–03:29: Setting the show, reviewing major QB injuries and backup scenarios
- 04:07–06:22: Poll question on 0-2 teams’ playoff chances, AFC focus
- 07:07–09:46: NFC 0-2 teams—can any bounce back?
- 10:00–12:00: Young QB adaptations, speed of the NFL
- 12:19–21:30: Tom Brady’s appearance in the coaching booth, conflict of interest debate begins
- 21:31–24:53: Deep dive on dual roles, hypothetical parallels, NFL’s approach
- 25:00–27:30: How did Brady end up in the booth—banter and various scenarios
- 27:45–29:00: Seaton vocalizes disbelief over NFL’s tolerance of the situation
- 29:07–33:35: Fan calls: QB resurgences, roster expansion suggestions
- 34:19–35:36: Play of the Day: Herbert-to-Johnston 60-yard TD
- 36:11–40:38: More calls: Vikings optimism, kicker salaries, more QB backup anxieties
Overall Tone & Takeaways
- The show maintains its casual, witty, sometimes irreverent style. Dan calls out the NFL’s star-first, rules-second approach while still poking fun at the spectacle.
- There’s a genuine concern among the crew—and echoed by engaged listeners—about the integrity of competitive information in today’s media-savvy, multi-hat-wearing league.
- NFL roster management and resilience are big concerns in a brutal, injury-riddled season.
- Tom Brady’s influence continues to transcend traditional boundaries, for better or worse.
For those who missed the episode, this hour delivered a balanced mix of sports analysis, industry skepticism, and sharp locker-room banter—anchored by the unfolding drama of Tom Brady’s ever-expanding NFL footprint.