The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1 (December 2, 2025)

Episode Theme:
A wide-ranging discussion of the NFL MVP race (with focus on Drake Maye's breakout and New England's resurgence), analysis of quarterback play and safety with a spotlight on Jackson Dart, and reactions to Lane Kiffin's controversial move to LSU, including the broader dysfunction in college football coaching transitions.

NFL Headlines: Drake Maye Becomes MVP Favorite

[09:10] Patriots, Drake Maye, and the AFC Landscape

• Dan Patrick highlights the Patriots' resurgence following a dominant 33–15 win over the Giants.
• Drake Maye has taken over as the NFL MVP favorite on DraftKings, surpassing Matthew Stafford.
• Dan Patrick on Maye’s excellence:

  "What I love about Drake Maye... there's not a high high, a low low. You get really consistent numbers with him. He has not had a passing game under 200 yards. He hasn't had a passing game over 300 yards." ([11:45])

• Patriots now 11-2, best record in the AFC, staring at home-field playoff advantage.
• Upcoming schedule: Buffalo (home), at Baltimore, at Jets, Miami (home). Consensus: Winning at least two of those cements their status.

[12:50] Discussion: Patriots' Fast Rebuild

• Paulie and Dan marvel at how quickly New England has bounced back after two “down” seasons post-Brady/Belichick.

  "It wasn't long enough that the dip... It wasn't long enough. They had like, what, two bad years?" – Paulie ([13:10])

• Recognition that finding a franchise QB and coach is 85% of winning in the NFL; New England now boasts both in Maye and Vrabel.

Quarterback Safety and the Jackson Dart Hit

[17:45] The Jackson Dart Debate

• Discussion shifts to Giants QB Jackson Dart, who took a heavy hit rather than sliding or going out of bounds.
• Dan Patrick’s perspective:

  "Tough guys don't last, not at that position in the NFL. Get out of bounds." ([18:50])

• Audio of Dart defending his playing style (“This is football. I'm gonna get hit... I feel like I've played this way my whole life... We're not playing soccer out here.”) ([20:10])
• Vrabel's take: weekly reminders to QBs to avoid unnecessary hits.

  "A tough guy plays 17 games. That's what your goal should be." – Dan Patrick ([22:25])

• Consensus among crew (including Paulie, Marvin): It's about availability and longevity, not bravado.

  "You're 2 and 10 in a football game that doesn't really matter. Let's make some nice throws and get out of here for next year.” – Paulie ([24:00])

[25:00] Quarterback Culture

• Reference to Peyton Manning’s philosophy and the Mannings’ discussion:

  "My job is to not get hit. We paid millions of dollars to offensive linemen to keep me from getting hit. I'm not going to volunteer to get hit." ([27:05])

• Acknowledgment that rare QBs like Josh Allen (a “unicorn”) can take hits, but for most, it’s ill-advised.

[30:20] Poll Question Teaser

• Dylan previews the hour one poll question, which is:

  "If I were a free agent wide receiver, which quarterback would I go play with?"

• Options include Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Mahomes, Drake Maye, Stafford, and “Other.”

Lane Kiffin Introduced at LSU: Analysis and College Football Issues

[33:30] Lane Kiffin’s LSU Press Conference

• Dan observes that Kiffin sounded “almost apologetic” accepting the LSU job, referencing his statements about LSU being the “best job in football.”

  "When you take the history, tradition, passion, and the great players in the state of Louisiana, no one can argue that when you're in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night, there is nothing like it." – Lane Kiffin (clip, [34:20])

• Dan’s reaction: LSU is an elite job, but “I don’t think it’s the best job in college football.” ([35:00])

[36:00] Kiffin’s Comments on Money

• Lane claims not to know the details of his own contract, stating he doesn’t make decisions based on money and left that to his agent. Dan finds this hard to believe:

  "It's weird that I knew his contract numbers yesterday... I'm going to guess Lane had a good idea of the base salary." ([36:45])

[39:00] The Ethics of Coaching Departures

• Dan criticizes coaches who leave programs before the playoffs, specifically Kiffin’s exit from Ole Miss.

  “Why do I want you coaching me when you don’t think we can win a national championship? This is about you.” ([42:10])

• Questions about whether Kiffin threatened to poach assistant coaches/players if not allowed to coach the playoffs at Ole Miss.

[44:10] Pattern of “Greatest Job” Comments

• Paulie highlights Kiffin’s pattern of calling every new job “the greatest,” citing his 2015 USC introduction.

  “It was very obvious when we had a chance to come back here that we were coming back home to take the greatest job in all of college football.” – Lane Kiffin (USC, ~2015)

[45:55] Structural Chaos in College Football

• Dan reiterates the root problem is structural:

  "This isn't necessarily about Lane Kiffin. College football has created this. Coaches who can go from a team that's in the playoffs and go to another school? That's wrong. That's all. That's wrong."

• Calls for NCAA or conference-level reforms to prevent coaching departures before playoff runs.

Audience Reactions & Open Phones

[48:50] Listener Calls: Kiffin Situation

• Multiple callers reflect fans' frustrations with Kiffin's exit:
  • One dubs Lane “Lane Sniffin’” for his job-chasing antics.
  • Another adds, “You don’t get to take a victory lap. You’re done.”
  • Suggestion that Ole Miss could be a fan-favorite “underdog” in the playoffs.

[52:00] Defensive of Quarterback Toughness

• Texas/West Coast callers weigh in on Jackson Dart’s play style and the evolution of “collision” sports.
  • “Football’s a train wreck when these guys hit each other... Avoid those hits."

[55:00] Patriots and Vrabel: National Perspective

• A West Coast caller, after watching his first full Patriots game:

  "That's a complete team. Mike Vrabel's doing a great job. He was much better than he showed in Tennessee..."

  • Highlights: Patriots win 10 straight after a 4–13 season, rare in modern NFL.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan Patrick:

  "Tough guys don't last, not at that position in the NFL. Get out of bounds." ([18:50])

• Paulie:

  "You're 2 and 10 in a football game that doesn't really matter. Let's make some nice throws and get out of here for next year." ([24:00])

• Lane Kiffin (LSU Presser):

  "The opportunity at LSU, as I said before, is just different. Someone very close to me reminded me this week that LSU is the best job in football..." ([34:20])

• Dan Patrick on coaching exits:

  "You did a wonderful job. But you’re telling these players they’re not good enough to win a national championship because that’s why you’re leaving, right? Not about money, right?" ([42:00])

• Call-in listener:

  “Maybe this will be a learning process for college football to say, we have to make sure our coaches are not getting poached during this season.” ([50:50])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [09:10] – Patriots/Giants recap, Drake Maye’s MVP odds
• [11:45] – Dan on Maye’s consistency and upside
• [13:10] – Paulie on Patriots’ quick turnaround
• [17:45] – Jackson Dart hit debate begins
• [20:10] – Jackson Dart postgame quote
• [22:25] – QB safety; Vrabel’s approach
• [27:05] – Peyton Manning philosophy on taking hits
• [30:20] – Poll question previewed
• [33:30] – Lane Kiffin’s LSU presser clip/reaction
• [36:45] – Kiffin on money and contracts
• [42:10] – Dan on Kiffin’s departure timing
• [44:10] – Paulie references Kiffin’s USC comments
• [45:55] – Discussion on college football’s structural issues
• [52:00] – Listener calls on Dart and old-school football
• [55:00] – Caller on Patriots and Vrabel, historical context

Tone & Atmosphere

Dan Patrick and the Danettes maintain their signature blend of insight and humor, expressing genuine skepticism and some sarcasm about coaching platitudes, while also balancing commentary with empathy for the fans and players caught up in college football's turbulent system. The episode is lively, engaged with current storylines, and self-aware about overreaction after a standalone NFL game.

Summary prepared for those seeking in-depth coverage of the Patriots’ resurgence, the NFL MVP race, the dangers and cultural expectations of quarterback play, and the ongoing dysfunction in college football coaching transitions—with Lane Kiffin’s LSU saga front and center.