The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1: NFL Perception Week, Hot Coaches

Date: September 11, 2025
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

In this lively and wide-ranging hour, Dan Patrick and his crew dive into the evolving storylines of the new NFL season, focusing on "perception games" set to define teams' reputations early on. The hosts riff on everything from the Chiefs' offense without Tyreek Hill, the mystery of the Bengals' lackluster wins, to the new Mahomes-Kelsey steakhouse in Kansas City. A highlight is their irreverent "Hot Coaches Draft" and comic brainstorming of steakhouse menu items inspired by Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. There’s also a pause for heartfelt remembrance of September 11th and conversations with listeners about sports culture and athlete-owned restaurants.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL "Perception Games" and Shifting Narratives

(08:08–14:00, 25:32–26:32)

• Green Bay Packers & Commanders:
  • A major matchup tonight, with the Packers poised to cement themselves atop the NFC if they notch another big win. Dan introduces the "perception game" concept:

    "This is one of those perception...there's a couple of perception games coming up this week. This is the first one with the Commanders going to Green Bay." (08:53)

  • The Commanders are still a mystery; Dan admires their story but wants to "see how they win, not just that they win."
• Chiefs as Underdogs:
  • Speculation about Kansas City, rare underdogs at home, and what another loss might do to their aura:

    "Is this the second time in his [Mahomes’s] career he's been an underdog at home?...If the Chiefs lose again...maybe this is the year that they don't make the playoffs." (09:13)

  • Comparisons to Patriots’ era: Style points matter less for some teams, but others, like the Bengals, are under scrutiny for how they win.
• Bengals’ Ugly Wins:
  • The crew critiques Cincinnati’s win:

    "That's one of the worst wins in NFL history. Do we have a list of worst wins in NFL history?...I'm going to bring this up to Nick Wright and Derek Carr." (09:53)

2. 49ers QB Crisis & Mac Jones Speculation

(10:24–12:49)

• Brock Purdy and George Kittle are likely out, fueling speculation that the Niners might turn to Mac Jones.
• Dan and the crew dissect Jones' sporadic success and failures in New England, expressing cautious optimism about him in San Francisco’s system.
  • Notable moment:

    "I think when they have their weapons, Mac Jones is a capable quarterback. That doesn’t sound like a compliment." (11:40–11:54)

3. The Mahomes–Kelce Steakhouse Opening: Fan Polls & Menu Mayhem

(05:00–06:21, 13:12–16:20, 22:02–25:04)

• New steakhouse “1587” opens in Kansas City; Nick Wright’s going to the soft opening.
• Debate: Would you sit at Mahomes’s or Kelce’s (with Taylor Swift!) table?
  • Seaton jokes about acting oblivious:

    “I would sit with Kelsey and act like I didn’t know who Taylor Swift was...‘So what do you do?’” (05:46–05:57)

  • Paulie demurs, saying he'd be too tongue-tied with Taylor Swift at the table.
• Menu Brainstorm: Todd’s absurd menu names mash up football and Taylor Swift puns (e.g., "Tay Tater Tots," "We Are Never Ever Getting Baby Back Ribs Together," "Look What You Made Me Eat" sundae).
  • Dan, amused but exasperated:

    "You made it too much about Taylor Swift...but that’s the fun part." (24:53–25:00)

• Audience Poll: "Whose table would you sit at?"
  • Early vote leader is Mahomes, though Dan suspects Swift fans might swing it for Kelce.

4. Fan Calls & Listener Engagement

(28:28–33:14, 35:06–37:13, 37:51–39:44)

• On Fritzi’s Menu Brainstorms:
  • Listeners ask if Todd’s puns are solo inventions or if his wife helps; Todd admits his wife’s more cautious:

    "I would definitely run that by the guys before you start saying that actually on the air." (29:07)

• 9/11 Remembrance:
  • Emotional personal reflection by Dan, who had worked in the World Trade Center’s 18th floor and had family members among NYC firefighters:

    “24 years ago...I went and got my children out of school because at that point nobody knew anything...It just is...still fresh.” (30:25–32:30)

• NFL Hot Coach Draft:
  • Comedy bit spawned by a listener’s wife calling Lions OC Ben Johnson “good looking.”
  • Paulie, Seaton, and Todd argue over who’s the hottest coach ("Kevin O’Connell, I would hit on him in the right setting," – Todd, 36:02), joking about the NFC North’s “handsome coach” dominance.

5. Athlete-Owned Restaurants: Tales from the Road

(37:51–40:48)

• Dan, Paulie, and crew reminisce about visiting athlete-owned steakhouses (e.g., Ditka’s, Don Shula’s, John Elway’s, Billy Sims’) and the unique atmospheres these places provide.
  • Dan on Ditka’s:

    “That was testosterone on tap...There was always drama, always something going on.” (39:18–39:43)

  • Commentary on why Dan would never open a restaurant as an athlete: too many headaches.

6. Lamar Jackson Incident & Fan Behavior

(26:32–27:55, 33:14–34:44)

• Dan and Paulie analyze the NFL’s low-key handling of Lamar Jackson’s altercation with a fan in Buffalo:
  • Dan:

    “Getting an apology from Lamar Jackson...the fan was wrong, but I'm wrong too. I should never have engaged with him...His reaction is not wrong, but it is wrong in the moment, because then, if it gets uglier and you're on the road, that's what you want to guard against.” (27:55)

• Fan banned indefinitely from all NFL stadiums after throwing a bottle; Dan recommends community service as penance, Todd jokes:

  “While he’s doing the community service, can people just randomly smack him in the back of the head?" (34:44)

7. Health Sidebar: Dan’s "Flu Game"

(48:54–53:18)

• Dan shares a personal anecdote about getting shingles, flu, and COVID shots all in one go and feeling rough the next day.
• Crew draws comparison to the "Michael Jordan flu game," with Paulie as the Pippen stand-in:

  "Is today your flu game? This might be my Jordan flu game." – Todd (51:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On NFL Perceptions:

  "There are certain teams that we want to know how you won the game...like the Bengals, they’re on my short list. It’s how they win games that I’m going to be curious about." – Dan Patrick (09:53)

• Joking About Taylor Swift at Dinner:

  "So you couldn’t have written it down to say ‘speak to Dan after?’...I’d rather just do it this way." – Seaton (04:54–04:59)

• Making Fun of Mahomes’ Voice Rising:

  "How did he describe me? Capable." – Paulie (11:54) "Oh, your voice went up." – Dan (12:04)

• On Hot Coaches:

  "I would hit on Kevin O’Connell in the right...setting. He’s a very good-looking guy." – Todd (36:02)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• “Meat Friday” & Meat Thursday Gag: 03:08–05:00
• Mahomes/Kelsey Steakhouse Debate & Menu: 05:00–06:21; 13:12–16:20; 22:02–25:04
• NFL Perception Games and Bengals Critique: 08:08–14:00
• 49ers QB Problems & Mac Jones: 10:24–12:49
• Lamar Jackson & Fan Behavior: 26:32–27:55; 33:14–34:44
• Hot Coach Draft: 35:06–37:13
• Athlete-Owned Restaurants: 37:51–40:48
• Dan’s Health/Flu Game Anecdote: 48:54–53:18
• 9/11 Reflection: 30:25–32:30

Tone and Style

True to the show, the tone balances expert sports analysis, humor, and camaraderie. The crew mixes sharp observations about football with running gags, listener call-ins, and affectionate ribbing. The heartfelt reflection on 9/11 adds necessary gravity amid a mostly lighthearted hour.

Summary Takeaway

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show is a microcosm of what fans love about it: topical analysis, playful banter, audience involvement, and genuine moments of reflection. Whether you're curious about how the NFL’s early weeks shape team reputations, want to laugh about the Taylor Swift/Travis Kelce steakhouse, or are just looking for hot coach rankings, the episode delivers plenty of classic DP Show moments.