The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 1

iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network
Date: February 11, 2026
Featured Guest: Mike Reiss (Patriots Reporter, ESPN NFL Nation)

Episode Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show dives into the fallout from the New England Patriots’ Super Bowl loss, the mentality within the team after a Cinderella season, and the looming challenges ahead. Dan and the crew also riff on NBA phenom Victor Wembanyama’s remarkable performance, the Seattle championship parade controversy, and city support for sports teams. Patriots insider Mike Reiss joins to provide perspective on the mood in New England and answer burning questions about key players’ health and the team’s future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Victor Wembanyama: The NBA’s Future

[04:45–09:30]

• Dan opens the show marveling at Victor Wembanyama’s performance: 40 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals in just 26 minutes against a depleted Lakers team.
• Emphasizes Wembanyama’s youth (22) and unique skill set—comparing his NBA readiness only to LeBron at the same age.
  • Quote: “If I said you can have one player for the next 10 years, I’m taking Victor Wembanyama… The skill set, when you talk about coming into the NBA, the only other player who compares being ready to go was LeBron.” — Dan Patrick [05:40]

Patriots’ Super Bowl Run: Letdown or Overachievement?

[10:00–14:30]

• Dan flags the "letdown" feeling among Pats fans despite a surprise Super Bowl appearance.
• Discussion of negativity around the playoff run: weak schedule criticisms, questioning key positions (left tackle Will Campbell, QB Drake May).
• “[It] almost feels like there’s more negativity attached to what the Patriots were able to accomplish this year.” — Dan Patrick [12:50]

Poll Question: Skipping School for the Victory Parade

[14:30–21:20]

• Lighthearted debate about whether parents should let children skip school to attend Seattle’s championship parade.
  • Dan: “If I’m a parent, yes, I would let my kid or kids go to the victory parade. Absolutely.” [15:41]
• Discussion around city policies (Seattle not excusing absences) and comparisons with other NFL champions.

City Support for Sports Teams: Seattle as a Case Study

[21:20–27:30]

• Panel discusses perceived lack of support from Seattle’s local government versus the city’s passionate fans.
• Callers weigh in with local context, blaming city real estate pressures and referencing the lingering pain over the Sonics’ departure.
  • Caller: “Seattle itself is not safe anymore… local Washingtonians will tell you Seattle has kind of gone downhill…” [24:39]
• Dan defends both Seattle and San Francisco’s capacities to host big events despite negative national narratives.

Patriots Exit Interviews: Insights with Mike Reiss

[37:40–51:15: Interview with Mike Reiss]

Team Morale in New England

• Short-term Morale: “They acknowledge they got their butt kicked in the Super Bowl… [the film review was] terrible.” — Mike Reiss [39:30]
• Big Picture: Coach Mike Vrabel focused on context: “He kept citing the number 307… this is the 307th day of our program. No one thought they were going to be here.” [40:25]

Injury Updates

• Will Campbell (LT): No known surgery planned; Will claims his MCL injury was “no excuse” for the Super Bowl performance.
• Drake May (QB): No offseason shoulder surgery expected; just rest needed.
  • “He said that that was no excuse for his performance.” — Mike Reiss [42:07]
  • “With the right throwing shoulder, does he anticipate that it would need any surgery? He said no, just rest for that.” [42:35]

Drake May’s Postseason Struggles

• Dan observed the QB’s statistical dip and high-pressure turnovers; Reiss attributes it to stronger playoff defenses and May’s own admission of needing to improve.
  • “Who they played has to be part of this conversation. Those were four… of the best defenses in the NFL.” — Mike Reiss [44:00]

Next Season Outlook

• Discussed Patriots’ “first place” schedule in 2026, anticipated primetime games, and losing the “easy schedule” narrative.
  • “They did have an easier schedule this year. They still went 9–0 on the road… but it’s not going to be like that next year.” — Mike Reiss [45:47]

Tom Brady Fallout

• On Brady saying he “didn’t have a dog in the fight” (re: Super Bowl):
  • “I think it was more with some of his former teammates. I think that hurt…” — Mike Reiss [47:13]
  • One player, Robert Spillane, said it "made him sick," but most players have accepted this is a "new era."

Football Miscellany & Listener Calls

[51:15–95:00]

• Humorous banter about athlete endorsements (Brady/Pizza Hut, Tiger/Buick).
• Listener calls touch on a range of sports topics:
  • High school sports legends (Randy Moss and Jason Williams, Matt Stafford and Clayton Kershaw).
  • Olympic event critiques—fans suddenly “experts” in niche sports like curling or slopestyle.
  • Parade attendance and the value of life experiences over strict adherence to school policies.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Wembanyama:
  “When you see him on the floor, when you see him next to other players—just different. But the skill set... watching Wen Benyama… he’s that great. And moving forward at age 22, that’s where the sky’s the limit.” — Dan Patrick [06:30]

• On the Patriots' "letdown" feeling:
  “Every Patriot fan would have…[taken this season]. But it almost feels like the season was a letdown because of how it played out in the Super Bowl.” — Dan Patrick [12:00]

• On the city of Seattle:
  “I do feel like Seattle as a city—government, maybe not the biggest sports fans… But when the Sonics left, that left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.” — Paulie [23:40]

• Mike Reiss on Patriots morale:
  “Mike Vrabel did a really good job… about the big picture morale. He kept citing the number 307… It’s his first year as head coach. No one thought they were going to be here.” [40:25]

• Brady "no dog in the fight" fallout:
  “I think, maybe, it just chipped away a little bit at some of the… But why not take a stand? Who cares for Tom?” — Mike Reiss & Dan Patrick [47:30]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Victor Wembanyama’s performance and NBA talk:
  04:45 – 09:30
• Patriots season recap and fan sentiment:
  10:00 – 14:30
• Seattle parade/school absence debate:
  14:30 – 21:20
• Local government and city sports support discussion:
  21:20 – 27:30
• Caller discussing Seattle sports/local context:
  24:39 – 27:30
• Patriots exit interviews/Mike Reiss interview:
  37:40 – 51:15
• Brady’s Super Bowl stance for New England:
  47:00 – 49:30
• High school athlete teammates banter:
  62:00 – 70:00
• Humor on athlete endorsements (Brady, Tiger Woods, Shaq):
  52:00 – 54:30

Tone & Style

The tone throughout is classic Dan Patrick: conversational, insightful, with plenty of good-natured ribbing among the panel. The expert insights are punctuated by real fan questions and reactions, as well as humorous takes on sports culture and media storylines.

Summary Takeaways

• Victor Wembanyama is cementing himself as the NBA’s next generational talent.
• Patriots fans may feel deflated post–Super Bowl, but perspective from inside the organization is far more positive.
• City support for sports is complex, with Seattle in focus as a passionate fan base, but with government and urban issues influencing perception.
• Brady’s ambiguous Super Bowl loyalty sparked debate, but the “new era” in Foxborough is forging ahead.
• The crew’s banter and interaction with callers cover the serious (exit interviews, injuries) and the silly (kids skipping school, rhyming nicknames, Olympics armchair experts), making for an engaging hour.