The Dan Patrick Show

Episode: Hour 1 – NBA All-Star Tanking, Chris Simms
Date: February 12, 2026
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

In this hour, Dan Patrick and the crew tackle two main themes: the ongoing challenges facing the NBA All-Star Game (including concerns about player effort and tanking), and in-depth analysis of current NFL quarterback situations with guest Chris Simms. The episode is infused with Dan’s trademark humor, insightful debate with co-hosts (Paulie, Seaton, Fritzy, Marv), and lively listener engagement. Dan and team dissect the shifting priorities in professional sports—longevity and business interests versus fan experience—while Chris Simms provides hard-hitting commentary on quarterback controversies and team strategies entering the NFL offseason.

Key Topics & Discussion Highlights

1. NBA All-Star Game: New Format, Old Problems

[04:13 – 12:58]

• All-Star Format Confusion and Engagement

  • Dan reacts to the latest All-Star format—a three-team setup (two U.S. teams vs. one World team)—and shares skepticism about efficacy and fan comprehension.
  • “We’re running out of ideas when it comes to the All-Star Game.” (Dan Patrick, 05:50)
  • The crew agrees fans may not even realize the format has changed, noting the NBA’s struggle to revitalize the event.

• Effort, 'Old Heads', and the Luka/Jokic Discussion

  • Dan cites Kevin Durant’s comments defending ‘old heads’ (veteran players) and questioning effort from international stars in the All-Star context.
  • Notable Quote:
    “Luka and Jokic, they don’t care about the game at all. These dudes be laying on the floor... But you gotta worry about the old heads. I can read between the lines, bro.” (Dan Patrick paraphrasing Durant, 04:33)
  • Dan challenges Durant’s view, arguing All-Star showmanship is simply not their style; hopes the country-based twist injects competition.

• The Tanking Problem

  • The NBA’s visible tanking and the absenteeism of stars (whether for rest, "load management," or strategy) is harshly critiqued.
  • Dan draws contrasts with David Stern’s era:
    • “David Stern would not be putting up with this... But I don’t even know what you can do.” (Dan Patrick, 08:10)
  • The financial windfall from media rights ($70B over 11 years) insulates teams from worrying about single-game attendees.

• Fan vs. Business Interests

  • Philosophical riff: Is it better for stars to play fewer games if it extends their careers?
  • Dan: “The NBA has business and entertainment. But the player is thinking about, I’m going to sit out...” (09:33)
  • Comments on changing attitudes: “I never, ever worried when I tuned into a game if the stars were gonna play or not... about 10 years ago it all changed.” (Dan Patrick, 10:56)

2. NFL Quarterback Carousel: Insights with Chris Simms

[23:32 – 39:45]

• Load Management in the NFL?

  • Dan asks Chris if the concept could migrate to football. Chris is adamant: “No, I don’t think so... the league is so close. One game is equal to five games in the NBA or 10 in MLB.” (Chris Simms, 23:33)

• Max Crosby and the Raiders: Tanking or Management?

  • Debate over whether sitting Crosby was genuine load management or tanking; Simms says likely tanking, coupled with long-term planning given his age and team needs.
  • “Wouldn’t be shocked if he does get traded this offseason.” (Chris Simms, 24:26)

• Quarterback Uncertainty: Steelers & Vikings

  • Steelers’ future at QB viewed as “probably the most intriguing one”—Simms ponders if a rookie QB would sit behind a veteran, and what that means for the future.
  • For the Vikings: “Playoff ready, maybe even Super Bowl ready [roster], but now they have to bring in somebody that’s tried and true.” (Chris Simms, 26:26)

• Who Would You Extend: Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud?

  • Simms’ tune changed: early season, it was “no-brainer, C.J. Stroud,” but after a rough playoff run and questions of lingering concussion effects, he hesitates, giving Young a narrow edge but acknowledging both face questions about their franchise status.
  • “He really lost his way towards the end of the year... Lost his way with decision making, feel for the game...” (Chris Simms on Stroud, 27:48)

• Second-Chance QBs: Mac Jones and Malik Willis

  • Malik Willis gets Simms’ strongest endorsement: “Malik Willis is a superstar... He’s the crowning gem of guys out there as free agents.” (Chris Simms, 29:25)
  • Simms would not put him definitively over Jordan Love but sees bigger long-term upside.
  • Mac Jones: “He needs system, he needs help. And when he does do that, you can see he can play at a high level.” (31:38)

• Listener Calls—C.J. Stroud Debate

  • Callers challenge Dan’s and Simms’ assessment of Stroud, arguing the Texans’ poor offensive line is the real problem. Dan holds his ground: “He couldn’t hold on to the football... those are some of the worst games we’ve seen...” (46:16, 46:45)
  • On huge QB contracts: “So you’re going to give him 55, 60 million dollars a year moving forward? Give it to—would you give it to Bryce Young? No. Comical.” (Dan Patrick, 47:02)

3. Super Bowl Fallout & Patriots Prognosis

[33:34 – 39:38]

• The Patriots’ Super Bowl loss lingers; morale is said to be low due to a tepid postseason and a blowout defeat.
• Simms: “I think they’re still going to be really good... The fact that they got this far is incredible. I don’t think they’re going anywhere.” (Chris Simms, 34:11)
• Both Dan and Simms note questionable adjustments (or lack thereof) in the second half, chalking up the loss to talent gap and roster limitations rather than bad coaching alone.

4. Poll Questions and Play of the Day

[22:12, 40:08]

• Seaton’s poll question:
  • “Would you rather have a superstar for 10 years, 80 games a season, or 15 years, 65 games a season?” (22:27)
  • General preference: longer careers at the expense of regular season attendance, “...if that means I’ve got four or five more opportunities to win a championship, absolutely.” (Paulie, 22:50)
• Play of the Day: Kawhi Leonard’s game-winner for the Clippers [40:19].
  • Stat: “Kawhi scored at least 20 points in 33 consecutive games, a career high. Those aren’t consecutive games that he’s played in, though.” (Paulie, 40:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On NBA All-Star Effort:
  “We’re running out of ideas when it comes to the All-Star Game.”
  — Dan Patrick [05:50]

• On Load Management:
  “If I can extend Cooper Flag four more years by limiting him... Maybe he’s only playing in 65, maybe 70 games... It used to be a badge of courage, like you wanted to play as many games as possible.”
  — Dan Patrick [09:33]

• On Quarterback Rumors and "Linking":
  “A big thing in journalism air quotes these days is say ‘link to’... Like, if you said today that Joe Burrow would be a great fit with the Dolphins, they would use you and say ‘linked to the Dolphins.’”
  — Dan Patrick [15:09]

• On Malik Willis’ Potential:
  “Malik Willis has proven, I mean, he’s got special talent, he has a special arm, he’s got special mobility... how about the guy that has a ton of talent and can make game changing plays and just needs a little polish and needs to be coached a little. And that’s where, you know, the league misses out on guys like that.”
  — Chris Simms [29:39]

• On NFL Load Management:
  “No, I don’t think so...[in the NFL] one game is equal to five games in the NBA or 10 games in MLB.”
  — Chris Simms [23:33]

• On C.J. Stroud Conversation with Callers:
  “He couldn’t hold on to the football... those are some of the worst games that we've seen in recent memory for a quarterback.”
  — Dan Patrick [46:45]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• NBA All-Star Game, format, effort debate: 04:13–12:58
• Load management and NBA business philosophy: 08:10–12:58
• Poll question: career longevity vs. games per season: 22:12, 22:27–22:50
• Chris Simms joins to talk NFL: 23:32–39:45
• Super Bowl fallout, Patriots analysis: 33:34–39:38
• Caller debate on quarterbacks: 44:32–47:42
• Play of the Day (Kawhi Leonard): 40:08–40:38

Tone and Style

Lively, irreverent, and conversational—true to Dan Patrick’s style. The banter switches fluidly from off-the-cuff humor (jokes about "clickbait" and “linking” rumors) to serious, thoughtful sports commentary. Simms and Dan’s candor about both NFL and NBA trending topics gives the episode a must-listen, true-insider feel.

For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode is a must for anyone interested in how sports evolve behind the business curtain—load management, star player absences, and media spin in both the NBA and NFL. Chris Simms brings strong, nuanced takes on quarterback futures, making the NFL segment especially valuable for football fans eager for offseason drama.

If you care about the shifting landscape of American pro sports, this hour distills the stakes—on the floor, the field, and in the boardroom.