The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1 – Dolphins Drop to 0-3, Clayton Kershaw Retires

Date: September 19, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the fallout from the Miami Dolphins’ third consecutive loss—this time to the Buffalo Bills—as well as the announcement that legendary pitcher Clayton Kershaw will retire after the MLB postseason. The Danettes join Dan Patrick to break down the Dolphins’ struggles, contextualize Tua Tagovailoa’s high-profile contract, and debate what constitutes a “moral victory” in the NFL. They also pivot to Kershaw’s legacy and the shifting standards for greatness among pitchers. Interspersed are trademark banter, listener calls about baby names inspired by athletes, and the “Meat Friday” menu for a bit of levity.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Dolphins’ Brutal Start: 0-3, Moral Victories, and Tua’s Contract

(04:00–13:00)

• Game Recap: Dolphins lose 31–21 to the Bills, with a pivotal roughing-the-punter penalty shifting the momentum in the second half.
• “Moral Victory” Debate: Dan notes, “It was a moral victory… but there’s not one for moral victory or a quality loss because the Dolphins could have won that game.” (04:35)
• Tua’s Contract & Performance: Dan questions the Dolphins’ $212 million extension for Tua:

  “I wouldn’t have given Tua that contract extension because he hasn’t earned it… you look at his health, I just couldn’t trust him to stay healthy and I didn’t think he was playing great football...” (05:18)

• Offensive Stagnation: Dan lists offensively mediocre outputs against good teams:

  “So one game where Tua was the quarterback, they went over 23 points against a good opponent. It’s not good enough. Won’t get it done.” (08:40)

• Coach/Quarterback Accountability: “Can’t fire the quarterback, but you can fire the coach… Mike McDaniel and Tua should be on the hot seat.” (08:54)

Memorable Quotes

• Dan on NFL preparation excuses:

  “I’m always amazed when a coach says, ‘Hey, we weren’t ready to play.’ How’s that possible? You had seven months to get ready to play a game.” (09:39)

• Marvin (on NFL prep):

  “You had seven days. Every single week you have seven days to prepare for the next team. What do you mean, you’re not ready?” (10:48)

2. Buffalo Bills Tight Ends & NFL Humor

(11:14–12:43)

• Dan and the crew riff on the confusingly similar names of the Bills’ tight ends (Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox, Jackson Hawes):

  “Is it Dalton Knox? Is it Dawson Knox? Is it Dalton K?” (11:54)

• The segment briefly shifts to light-hearted banter about “Meat Friday” and the perils of chorizo on a long commute.

3. Clayton Kershaw’s Pending Retirement & Impact on MLB

(13:43–15:28)

• Dan reflects on Kershaw’s outstanding 2025 season and coming retirement:

  “He’s pitched really well this year, and I love that you can come to that decision. That’s a really hard decision, especially when you’re playing well.” (13:44)

• Changes in evaluating pitchers:

  “When you start to look at these pitchers… pretty much after [Scherzer, Verlander, Kershaw], the ace is done with Major League Baseball. And I wonder how we’re going to look at numbers for pitchers for the Hall of Fame.” (14:31)

4. Listener Engagement: Poll Questions & Athlete-Inspired Baby Names

(15:28–53:31—intermittently throughout)

• Poll Question Brainstorm (Todd Fritzy):
  1. Was last night a moral victory for the Dolphins? (Absolutely, Absolutely not, or No moral victories)

     Dan: “I don’t think it’s a moral victory. I think this is who they’re supposed to be.” (16:23)

  2. Best NFL Week 3 matchup (Broncos-Chargers, Rams-Eagles, Lions-Ravens, other)—w/mild analysis of each.
  3. Offbeat: If you had “the sixth sense,” which group of dead people would you most want to see? (Family/pets, athletes, supermodels, etc.)

     Dan: “There’s only one right answer and that’s your family.” (19:54)

• Listener Call-Ins:
  • Baby Names & Sports: Callers share stories of being named after athletes (Brian Piccolo, Arnold Palmer, Christian Laettner) or naming offspring for team heroes.
  • Stat of the Day: “Josh Allen has 45 touchdowns in 15 games against the Dolphins. That is wild.” – Buddha in San Francisco (29:26–29:57)
  • Chili Preferences: An Iowa caller sparks a quick debate on chili variants (beef, noodles, white chicken).

    Paulie: “Texas style, mostly.” (31:27–31:38)

5. 2020 QB Draft Class Debate

(26:27–29:05)

• Paulie’s poll: Out of the 2020 NFL Draft QBs—Burrow, Herbert, Hurts, Love, Tua—who will have the best career?
• Dan’s take:

  “Jalen Hurts. The other guys have far better stats, but Jalen Hurts will have... If there’s one more Super Bowl in there... I mean, he’s Hall of Famer.” (26:42)

• Herbert’s postseason narrative:

  “He’s melted down in a couple of playoff games... I want to see what you do in the postseason. And Jalen Hurts has come up big.” (28:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 05:18 | “I wouldn’t have given Tua that contract extension because he hasn’t earned it.” | Dan Patrick | | 09:39 | “I’m always amazed when a coach says, ‘Hey, we weren’t ready to play.’ How’s that possible? You had seven months to get ready to play a game.” | Dan Patrick | | 10:48 | “Football is the one sport where I will not take ‘we weren’t ready to play’ as an excuse.” | Marvin | | 13:44 | “Clayton Kershaw... That’s a really hard decision, especially when you’re playing well.” | Dan Patrick | | 16:23 | “I don’t think it’s a moral victory. I think this is who they’re supposed to be.” | Dan Patrick | | 29:26 | “Josh Allen has 45 touchdowns in 15 games against the Dolphins. That is wild.” | Listener, Buddha | | 26:42 | “Jalen Hurts... I mean, he’s Hall of Famer. I can’t say that about the other quarterbacks.” | Dan Patrick |

Segment Timestamps

• Dolphins-Bills Recap & Tua Contract Critique: 04:00–13:00
• Bills Tight Ends/Meat Friday Banter: 11:14–13:43
• Clayton Kershaw Retirement Discussion: 13:43–15:28
• Poll Questions & Listener Calls (Names, Chili): 15:28–53:31
• 2020 Draft QB Discussion: 26:27–29:05
• Play of the Day (Tua’s Interception): 46:22–47:27

Tone and Style

The episode maintains the Dan Patrick Show’s trademark blend: sharp sports analysis, deadpan humor, and lively, offbeat camaraderie among the Danettes. Dan toggles between statistical rigor (NFL QBRs, pitching milestones) and relatable banter—whether it’s poking fun at his crew, pondering the evolution of quarterback greatness, or taking playful jabs at franchise quirkiness (like gas station bathroom codes or the “police tape” after Todd’s chorizo-heavy lunches).

In Summary

• The Dolphins’ 0-3 start is dissected—focusing on what’s lacking with Tua and whether a young, hyped team can claim “moral victories.”
• The play that turned the game (roughing the punter) gets spotlighted as does the larger context of coaching and front-office decisions.
• Kershaw’s graceful impending exit and its meaning for MLB’s changing ace culture is treated as a significant sports moment.
• Listener calls inject a fun, nostalgic energy into the conversation on athlete-inspired names and football food.
• The show is as much about the big questions (“Is Hurts a Hall of Famer if he gets another ring?”) as the small pleasures (meat chili, pop culture riffs, playful jabs about the NFL’s weekly drama).

Bottom line:
This episode is equal parts football therapy, sports bar debate, and family-friendly locker room, offering both insight and a few hearty laughs for sports fans of all stripes.