The Dan Patrick Show: Hour 1 – NFL Signings Galore, SGA Is Unguardable
Date: March 10, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick and the Danettes (Paul Pabst, Seaton, Marvin, Todd)
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Episode Overview
Main Theme:
This episode dives into a flurry of high-impact NFL free agency signings, with Dan Patrick and the team breaking down contract surprises, team strategies, and implications for the upcoming draft. The latter half spotlights OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) after a remarkable performance, sparking debate over his MVP candidacy and style of play.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. NFL Free Agency Frenzy
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Blockbuster Signings:
- Raiders land elite center Tyler Linderbaum on a 3-year, $27M/year deal—making him the highest-paid center, well above Creed Humphrey’s $18M with the Chiefs.
- Dan Patrick (03:00): “I love the signing… if I’m the Raiders, I’d load up on the offensive line early and often.”
- Chiefs sign Kenneth Walker III (3 years, $45M). Concerns expressed about his limited regular season availability and lack of receiving chops.
- Dan Patrick (05:00): “Kenneth Walker is not a great pass receiver. ... If I’m playing with Mahomes, I gotta be able to catch some passes here.”
- 49ers bring in Mike Evans (3 years, $60M at age 33), likely meaning Brandon Aiyuk’s departure.
- Dolphins sign QB Malik Willis (3 years, $67M); Dan questions if the team’s ready to compete and if Willis fits the timeline.
- Panthers, Saints, Cardinals, Giants, Titans, Commanders all make substantial moves, prompting speculation about draft strategies.
- Raiders land elite center Tyler Linderbaum on a 3-year, $27M/year deal—making him the highest-paid center, well above Creed Humphrey’s $18M with the Chiefs.
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Impacts on the Draft:
- Free agency moves—especially at running back (Chiefs, Saints)—may tip teams’ draft plans.
- Several teams now less likely to target backs or QBs high after new signings.
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Poll Question:
- Who had the best day yesterday? Malik Willis, Tua, Fernando Mendoza, or Mike Evans? (06:48)
- Seaton (50:05): “Malik Willis right now has 46% of the vote. Guess who has 43? Fernando Mendoza.”
- Who had the best day yesterday? Malik Willis, Tua, Fernando Mendoza, or Mike Evans? (06:48)
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Salary Cap Jump Effects:
- Notable raises handed out to several positions:
- Alec Pierce’s $29M/year (4 years, $114M) for an 80-catch WR2 stuns the crew.
- Dan Patrick (09:18): “He gets behind the defense. He’s not a guy who’s going to have 80 catches. ... He got $29M… that’s a lot of money for a guy who’s not even your number one option.”
- Notable raises handed out to several positions:
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Cowboys Critique:
- Frustration over Dallas’s inactivity after promises to go “all in.”
- Dan Patrick (10:24): “I mean, the only move in the offseason was Dak Prescott not getting married.”
- Frustration over Dallas’s inactivity after promises to go “all in.”
2. Callers & Fan Reactions
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Cowboys and Browns:
- Listeners express impatience with their teams missing out and question front office moves.
- Caller from Ohio (12:02): Cowpoke joke on Dak’s called-off wedding (“Not like the Cowboys to choke a month before getting the ring.”)
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Bucs Fans Mourn Mike Evans:
- Handler from Nova Scotia vents about Tampa Bay’s regression post-Brady (29:31)
- Dan Patrick (30:34): “I don’t want Mike Evans three years, but 49ers were willing to give that to him... you’re getting a future Hall of Famer and a big body there.”
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Eagles’ A.J. Brown Rumors:
- Philly caller hopes to keep star WR, while Dan explains the rationale for teams pursuing him.
- Dan Patrick (38:21): “He’s a difference maker, and they haven’t really had that.”
- Philly caller hopes to keep star WR, while Dan explains the rationale for teams pursuing him.
3. NBA Highlight: SGA Unstoppable vs. Nuggets
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Game Recap:
- Dan recaps how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) led OKC over Denver with a step-back dagger three—tying Wilt Chamberlain’s record for most consecutive 20+ point games (126).
- Dan Patrick (12:20): “He’s the only guy in the building who’s going to take the shot. ... Step back—three. Boom.”
- SGA: 35 points, 15 assists, 0 turnovers.
- “He was great. ... 35, 15, no turnovers.”
- Dan recaps how Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) led OKC over Denver with a step-back dagger three—tying Wilt Chamberlain’s record for most consecutive 20+ point games (126).
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Debate: Defensive Decisions
- Dan’s frustration that Denver didn’t double SGA:
- Dan Patrick (16:05): “Somebody else beats me, good, I’m fine with that. But in that moment, I can’t let him take that shot.”
- Memorable Quote (15:48): “All I could think about was you and how angry you were... Like two people on him.”
- Dan’s frustration that Denver didn’t double SGA:
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SGA’s MVP Case:
- Dan sees this performance as SGA’s “MVP moment,” but still contends Joker is the league’s best player.
- Comparisons with past Harden foul-baiting techniques, but SGA’s winning, efficient play gets respect.
Notable Stat Game (SGA vs. History)
- Only two NBA players have ever posted 35 pts/15 assists/0 turnovers: SGA and LeBron James.
- Paul Pabst (48:56): “How many guys have done that?” ... “LeBron James did it. 2018.”
- Team erupts with playful applause.
4. Miscellaneous Sports Chat
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MLB Opening Night on Netflix:
- Yankees vs. Giants will be the singular, spotlighted opener.
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NBA Evolution:
- Dan reflects on how the NBA morphed from physical, low-scoring slog (90s Knicks/Cavs) back to a free-flowing game reminiscent of 80s Lakers/Celtics, thanks to rule changes (hand check ban).
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Kelsey Brothers’ Career Paths:
- Travis Kelsey stays with Chiefs for another year; Jason Kelsey retires for a hot media job.
- Dan Patrick (27:54): “At his position… looking at the lifespan of an offensive lineman as opposed to a tight end…”
- Travis Kelsey stays with Chiefs for another year; Jason Kelsey retires for a hot media job.
Notable Quotes & Moments by Timestamp
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On Raiders’ Linderbaum Signing:
“You get an elite center… I’d load up on offensive line early and often if I’m the Raiders.”
—Dan Patrick (03:00) -
On Chiefs’ Risk with Kenneth Walker III:
“He’s not a great pass catcher… If I’m with Mahomes, I gotta be able to catch some passes here.”
—Dan Patrick (05:00) -
On Overpaying for the Right Position:
“There are certain positions where I’d overpay… center is one, like Linderbaum.”
—Dan Patrick (37:00) -
On SGA’s Clutch Shot:
“Double him. Oh my God. Step back. Three. Boom.”
—Dan Patrick (12:20) -
On Defensive Philosophy - SGA:
“I can never, ever let the best player on the floor beat me… and there is another defender right there at the top of the key.”
—Dan Patrick (16:05) -
Caller on Cowboys Rings:
“Not like the Cowboys to, you know, choke a month before getting the ring.”
—Caller David, Ohio (12:02) -
On Kelsey’s Continued Playing vs. Media:
“You know, it’s a sterile environment [in the studio]. … Once you go in, then it’s over.”
—Dan Patrick (26:28) -
On SGA’s Style and “Push Offs”:
“His ability to create space for himself is really just unparalleled. Yeah, because he’s putting his shoulder into somebody and then fully extending his arm.”
—Seaton (45:21)
Memorable Segment Timestamps
- NFL Free Agency Recap Kickoff: [02:32–06:48]
- Discussing the Value of Centers and WRs: [09:18–10:24]
- Chiefs, Dolphins, 49ers, Cowboys, and Missing "All In" Moves: [10:24–12:02], [31:39]
- SGA’s Game Winning Shot & Analysis: [12:20–16:05], [42:56–45:21]
- Callers on Team Moves and Free Agency Frustrations: [29:31–38:21]
- NBA Historical Comparison – SGA’s Line: [48:38–49:41]
- Poll Question Update: [50:05]
Episode Tone & Style
Dan Patrick blends irreverent humor, long-view sports wisdom, and appreciation for both analytics and the human drama of sports. The Danettes add sarcastic wit, challenging each other and callers. The interactions are lively and good-natured, providing thorough yet light-footed sports analysis.
In Summary
Hour 1 is a fast-paced tour of the NFL’s wild free agency scene—who paid, who played it cool, and what it means for the draft—punctuated by colorful banter, caller passion, and a deep NBA dive celebrating and questioning SGA’s ascension. The show wraps with appreciation for historic performances, the quirks of sports media, and the never-ending rollercoaster of fan expectations.
[Next hour promises Albert Breer (MMQB) to analyze how these moves shape the NFL draft and future roster chess.]
