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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.”

• 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.”

• 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.”

2. Callers & Fan Reactions

• 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.”)

• 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.”

• 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.”

3. NBA Highlight: SGA Unstoppable vs. Nuggets

• 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.”

• 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.”

• 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

• MLB Opening Night on Netflix:

  • Yankees vs. Giants will be the singular, spotlighted opener.

• 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).

• 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…”

Notable Quotes & Moments by Timestamp

• 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.]