The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1

Date: January 29, 2026
Main Theme:
The continuing fallout from Bill Belichick’s Pro Football Hall of Fame snub, process transparency, and the evolving storylines around Super Bowl 60, including Sam Darnold’s underdog narrative.

Episode Overview

Dan Patrick and the Danettes dive into the controversy surrounding Bill Belichick’s exclusion from the Hall of Fame’s 2026 class. The episode unpacks the Hall’s selection process, explores the media and fan responses, and debates the logic (or lack thereof) behind key votes and leaks. The show also looks ahead to the upcoming Super Bowl, with special attention on Sam Darnold’s unexpected rise, the problem with “rematch” storylines, and the effect of public perception on players’ legacies.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Belichick Hall of Fame Fallout – Transparency and Process Flaws

[05:00–31:00]

• Hall’s Press Release Addressing Controversy

  • The Pro Football Hall of Fame issued a statement to reaffirm the integrity of the selection process and warn selectors not to reveal votes prematurely.
  • “This is a reminder from the Hall… each year the Hall reviews the selection process and the composition of the 50-person selection committee.” — Dan Patrick [05:40]

• Leaks and Media Backlash

  • Dan analyzes how the news of Belichick’s exclusion leaked, likely through personal conversations, and notes that leaks like this are rare for the Hall.
  • “If Bill Belichick was told last Friday he’s not going to be in, Bill probably told a couple of friends, and then that news gets out.” — Dan Patrick [06:25]
  • The Hall aims to curtail chaos and reinforce trust, but the mess has already prompted writers to go public about their votes.

• The “Logic” of Voting – Fair or Flawed?

  • Writers and columnists debate their choices, some disclosing votes for transparency; Dan supports that, so long as there’s accountability.
  • “I might not like your logic, but it’s your vote and I respect whatever you say. However you came to that conclusion.” — Dan Patrick [08:35]
  • The voting mechanism gets critiqued for being confusing and unjust: “If you get to five, why not just let five in?”
    “If you get to five, how about the top three vote-getters get in? And it has nothing to do with 80 percent? Like, have something to show for this process.” — Dan Patrick [11:00]

• Brady’s Response to Belichick’s Snub

  • Tom Brady, on Seattle Sports 710, is incredulous about the snub:
    “If he’s not a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, there’s really no coach that should ever be a first-vote Hall-of-Famer… If I’m picking one coach to go out there to win a Super Bowl… I’m taking Bill Belichick. So, that’s enough said.” — Tom Brady [12:10]

• Public Reaction, Grudges, and Backroom Drama

  • Dan discusses how personal grievances may taint voting, referencing Bill Polian’s uncertainty about whether he voted for Belichick:
    “I don’t know how you forget who you voted for. There’s only five candidates.” — Dan Patrick [16:10]

• Is Belichick Too ‘Toxic’ for the NFL?

  • Speculation arises that Belichick’s reputation has now made him “too toxic” to land NFL jobs, but Dan dismisses this as irrelevant to Hall entry.
  • “This should have nothing to do with North Carolina. This should have nothing to do with his girlfriend. This should have nothing to do with his record at North Carolina. This is about Belichick and what he did.” — Dan Patrick [18:30]

• Legacy and Transparency

  • Dan calls for voters to plainly state their reasoning:
    “I want to know if somebody says, ‘I just didn’t like him. He was mean to me.’ If that’s your reason, then tell me...If that’s the case, I got my feelings hurt a few times by Bob Knight and Don Shula and Bill Parcells and Pat Riley. They’re still Hall of Famers to me.” — Dan Patrick [19:10]

2. The Flawed Hall of Fame Selection Structure

[20:00–31:00]

• Messy Process and Public Perception

  • Discussion on how the Hall keeps changing voting structures and seems reactionary:
    “Is there any sport that is more unsure of what it’s doing day to day than the NFL?” — Dan Patrick [25:15]

• “Any Publicity is Good Publicity”?

  • Dan disputes the idea that the ongoing drama is positive:
    “I’ve never subscribed to that. This is not a good week, I think, for the NFL.” — Dan Patrick [27:00]

• Neglected Candidates and Backlogs

  • The drama overshadows other deserving names (Kenny Anderson, L.C. Greenwood, Roger Craig) and exposes how the system marginalizes worthy players and coaches.

3. Debate: Super Bowl 60 Storylines & Sam Darnold’s ‘Chip’

[31:00–48:00]

• Sam Darnold as Super Bowl Underdog

  • Darnold is set to become the first USC quarterback to play in a Super Bowl—something that surprises the crew.
  • “Sam Darnold’s going to join us tomorrow, first USC QB in the Super Bowl. How about that? Crazy, right?” — Dan Patrick [32:10]

• Reflecting on Other USC QBs

  • Quick roll call of other greats (Carson Palmer, Mark Sanchez, Pat Haden) who didn’t make it.

• Is Darnold Playing With a Chip on His Shoulder?

  • Dan speculates:
    “If I’m Sam, I don’t care what happened before. I’m living today. And I don’t think Sam Darnold plays with a chip on his shoulder. He’s pretty even keel.” — Dan Patrick [46:15]
  • The Super Bowl is an opportunity for Darnold to erase the “bust” narrative.

• The Michel Vrabel & Drake May Storylines

  • The show spotlights other media angles, including Mike Vrabel’s appearance, New England’s resurgence, and rookie quarterback Drake May’s importance.

• This Super Bowl Lacks “Stars”

  • There’s a sense that the game is missing big-time, household-name QBs:
    “This Super Bowl feels like a big movie without stars. Darnold—not a household name, but a great story. There are two underdogs: a team that won four games last year, and Sam Darnold, the career underdog.” — Paulie [43:50]

4. Quarterbacks, Hall Logic & The Power of the Super Bowl

[48:00–54:00]

• Eli Manning: Hall of Famer or Not?

  • The crew revisits whether Eli should or will get in, and how “big moments” (Super Bowl upsets over Brady/Belichick) cement a legacy.
  • “Eli Manning had two unbelievable months in his career… That’s going to get him into the Hall of Fame.” — Dan Patrick [51:16]
  • Comparison to other QBs; regular-season stats versus playoff runs.

• Do We Put Too Much Weight on the Super Bowl?

  • “If Dan Marino won three Super Bowls… probably the second greatest quarterback of all time. But he went to one—lost to Montana. We attach a lot more emphasis to that, but it’s the most important position in sports.” — Dan Patrick [53:15]

5. NFL Storylines and Public Narrative

[54:00–58:00]

• Vrabel’s Dismissal and Bo Nix’s Ankle ‘Reveal’
  • The staff discusses Mike Vrabel’s abrupt exit from Tennessee.
  • The crew unpacks how Sean Payton’s public comments about Bo Nix’s medical history might undermine Nix’s contract prospects and relationship with team leadership.
  • “That’s Bo Nix’s information. That’s not Sean Payton’s information. Bo Nix should be able to tell that story, not Sean Payton.” — Dan Patrick [57:30]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Belichick’s Exclusion:

  • “If he’s not a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, there’s really no coach that should ever be a first-vote Hall-of-Famer.” — Tom Brady (quoted by Dan Patrick) [12:10]
  • “The selection of a new class is the most important duty the Hall of Fame oversees each year, and the integrity of that process cannot be in question.” — Dan Patrick (reading Hall of Fame statement) [05:50]

• On Hall of Fame Voting Logic:

  • “You got to get 80 percent. Well, if you get to five, why don’t we let five in? ...At least have something to show for this process.” — Dan Patrick [11:10]

• On “Starless” Super Bowl:

  • “You’re not supposed to have two underdogs. …Every Super Bowl had a household name… Mahomes, Manning, Brady… That’s star power. You don’t have that.” — Paulie [43:50]

• On Media/Transparency:

  • “If you tell me there should be transparency with this, just tell me you did or you didn’t. I don’t like the witch hunt.” — Dan Patrick [14:45]

• On Bo Nix and Sean Payton:

  • “That’s Bo Nix’s information. That’s not Sean Payton’s information.” — Dan Patrick [57:30]

Important Segment Timestamps

• Belichick Hall of Fame Statement & Discussion – [05:00–25:00]
• Tom Brady’s Defense of Belichick – [12:10]
• Debate on Process Flaws – [11:00–21:00]
• Hall of Fame Backlash and Transparency Call – [21:00–31:00]
• Super Bowl 60 Storylines (“Starless” Bowl, Darnold’s Chip) – [32:00–48:00]
• Eli, Marino, Hall of Fame Pass/Fail Logic – [48:00–54:00]
• Vrabel/Nix Ankle Comments & Info Ownership – [55:00–58:00]

Tone and Style

As always, the Dan Patrick Show balances insight, skepticism, light banter, and sports nostalgia. Dan and the Danettes draw on their decades of industry experience, never shying from critiques of the NFL’s inner workings or inviting fans to engage in heated, but fair, debates.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a must-listen for those interested in how power, ego, perception, and process shape sports institutions. It offers a peek behind the scenes of Hall of Fame voting, the unpredictability of NFL storytelling, and the evolving identities of sports "heroes" and "villains."
Whether you’re invested in the Belichick legacy, rooting for Sam Darnold, frustrated with process loopholes, or a student of sports media narratives—the Dan Patrick Show provides you a nuanced, entertaining, and transparent conversation.