The Dan Patrick Show — Hour 1: “The Dolphins Mailed It In,” Featuring Dan Orlovsky
Date: October 31, 2025
Podcast Host: Dan Patrick (with the Danettes)
Guest: Dan Orlovsky (ESPN/NFL analyst)
EPISODE OVERVIEW
This episode kicks off Meat Friday on a lively, Halloween-themed note and dives deep into the state of the NFL—especially focusing on the Miami Dolphins’ recent lackluster performance, the strength of the Ravens (and Lamar Jackson), the ever-murky franchise quarterback debate, and broader issues facing teams like the Titans, Saints, Browns, and others. Dan Orlovsky joins for an incisive, candid conversation on top NFL storylines, including quarterback depth, AFC contenders, and the cultural relevance (or fatigue) of recurring sports topics in the media.
KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS
1. Kicking Off: NFL Headlines, Halloween Vibes, & Meat Friday
- Dan welcomes listeners to “Meat Friday,” highlights the day’s menu (rib eyes, strip steaks, lobster tails—“Who has it better than we do? Nobody”), and jokes about Halloween costumes among the crew.
- They tease poll questions on Halloween traditions, scary movie villains, and, of course, NFL woes.
2. Ravens’ Ascendance, Lamar Jackson’s Evolution, and the AFC North (07:07–11:30)
- Dan points out Vegas’s continuing faith in the Ravens to win the AFC North and reflects on their recent strong showings.
- Discussion turns to Lamar Jackson’s maturation as a passer:
- “He’s finally being given credit for being a better passer. He was great last night—four touchdown passes.” (Dan, 11:24)
3. The Dolphins’ Downward Spiral: Is It a Full Rebuild? (09:04–13:40)
- The Danettes debate whether Miami’s issues are fixable (“Dolphins need a new coach, new QB, or a fresh start?”), acknowledging the team’s talent but lack of direction.
- Dan: “After that, it just felt like the Dolphins were sitting around going, ‘Yeah, Lamar’s pretty good. When’s this game over?’ It just felt like, let’s put a stamp on it, mail it in.” (Dan, 09:56)
- The consensus: Despite their roster, Miami feels “messy” and may face a teardown/rebuild.
4. NFL Quarterback Tiers and the ‘Franchise’ Debate (23:35–26:00)
- Dan Orlovsky joins, immediately tackling, “How many franchise quarterbacks are there in the NFL?”
- Orlovsky: “I’d probably say 12 right now would be my guess off the top of my head….I would put the franchise quarterback into two…tiers. The first tier would be we win games because of you, and that’s a very small group. The second, we win a lot of games with you.” (Dan Orlovsky, 24:01)
- Names listed included Josh Allen, Drake Maye, Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, C.J. Stroud, Mahomes, Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott, Jared Goff, Bo Nix, Baker Mayfield, and more (see notable quote for full rundown).
- Orlovsky asserts, “This is the best and deepest quarterback the NFL has ever seen. I just rattled off 15, 16 really, really, really good quarterbacks.” (23:54)
5. Lamar Jackson: Perceived as Runner, Delivering as Passer (25:26–27:24)
- Orlovsky breaks down how defenses view Lamar:
- “I don’t believe there’s any defensive coordinator out there that’s…not focusing at a hyper level on Lamar and his ability to make plays…But it’s a little bit more of a secondary play now rather than a primary option.” (Dan Orlovsky, 26:05)
6. AFC North Outlook and Why Vegas Loves the Ravens (27:24–29:11)
- Orlovsky: Last season’s Ravens offense “broke historical records,” most of the group is back and healthy, so Vegas optimism makes sense.
- Still, Orlovsky gives the Steelers a slight edge: “I still give the Steelers the edge to win the division. I’m not panicking over the two-game losing streak. It’s still [Aaron] Rodgers…” (Orlovsky, 28:36)
7. Rebuilding the Dolphins: Smart Moves or Sinking Ship? (29:11–31:45)
- Orlovsky favors trading WR Jaylen Waddle and the Dolphins’ edges for value, citing Miami’s inability to sustainably build through high-paid perimeter players.
- “I would see if I can get real value for Waddle…I would absolutely look into trading both of my defensive ends…That roster is devoid of talent.” (Dan Orlovsky, 29:25)
- Orlovsky supports Mike McDaniel and Tua but acknowledges health and system fit caveats.
8. Chiefs-Bills Rivalry and NFL Media Fatigue (31:59–38:15)
- Patrick and Orlovsky debate whether Chiefs-Bills qualifies as a true rivalry, likening it to early Colts-Patriots.
- “I think because of the [playoff] performance…this is a bonafide rivalry. Both quarterbacks have been exceptional in those games.” (Dan Orlovsky, 32:30)
- Orlovsky’s kids “hate Patrick [Mahomes]…because he’s good.” (Dan Orlovsky, 33:31)
9. Media Realities: Repetitive Storylines, Cowboys, and ‘Forced Takes’ (38:15–40:31)
- Orlovsky admits it’s a challenge at ESPN to keep Cowboys/Browns/Deion/Shedeur Sanders content fresh each day.
- “You get into a little bit of monotony…What do you have to say about the Cowboys? Nothing…I have to be disciplined because you have to say something and then you…think, ‘Why did I just say that?’” (Orlovsky, 36:23)
10. Evaluating QBs on Bad Teams: The Cam Ward–Shaduer Sanders Dilemma (38:36–40:31)
- The crew discusses how nearly impossible it is to judge rookie QB talent on struggling teams—“Either way, it feels like you can’t win in this situation.” (Dan Patrick, 39:10)
11. Dealing with NFL Fanbases & Social Media Vitriol (40:31–42:22)
- Orlovsky lists which fanbases have “problems” with him in the media cycle (Steelers, Chiefs, Eagles, Cowboys, Ravens), but adds, “99.9999% [of] public interaction is humbling. Social media—these people are out of their minds.” (Dan Orlovsky, 41:44)
NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS
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Orlovsky’s Franchise QB List & Tiers (24:01–25:26):
“I’d probably say 12 right now would be my guess off the top of my head. I mean, you’d have to say no question: Josh Allen…Drake Maye is 2. Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, 3, 4…C.J. Stroud, no doubt…Mahomes…Herbert…Jalen Hurts, no question. Dak Prescott…Jared Goff, Bo Nix, Baker Mayfield…you win games because of you, and that’s a very small group. Lamar, Patrick [Mahomes], Josh [Allen], Joe [Burrow]…Then we win a lot of games with you—that’s another 10 bodies.”
– Dan Orlovsky (24:01–25:26) -
On Lamar Jackson’s Reduced Rushing Attempts Impact (26:05):
“I don’t think that there’s a defensive coordinator saying you don’t have to pay a ton of attention to it. It’s still such a huge part of his game…but it’s a little bit more of a secondary play…” – Dan Orlovsky
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On the AFC North Race & Ravens’ Prospects (28:36):
“I still give the Steelers the edge to win the division. I’m not panicking over the two-game losing streak. It’s still Rodgers.” – Dan Orlovsky
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Media Fatigue and Forced NFL Narratives (36:23):
“I try to find different ways to talk about the teams…I’ve learned, Dan, I have to be very disciplined. When I was younger, you fall [into] the mindset you have to say something and then you…think, ‘Why did I just say that?’” – Dan Orlovsky
TIMESTAMPS FOR MAJOR SEGMENTS
- 07:07 — “Welcome…recap what we saw with the Ravens…Lamar Jackson’s back…Miami Dolphins…” (AFC North/Baltimore focus)
- 09:04 — “Poll questions…The Dolphins need a new coach…new QB…or a fresh start?” (Miami’s issues)
- 23:35 — Dan Orlovsky joins (“How many franchise QBs are there?”)
- 25:26 — Lamar Jackson: runner vs. passer debate
- 27:24 — AFC North and Ravens vs. Steelers
- 29:11 — What should Miami do at the trade deadline? (Waddle, edges, McDaniel, Tua)
- 31:59 — Chiefs-Bills rivalry, NFL headline fatigue
- 36:23 — Orlovsky on ESPN rundown fatigue, Cowboys overexposure
- 40:31 — Social media and NFL fanbase blowback
SUMMARY FOR NON-LISTENERS
Hour 1 of The Dan Patrick Show blends Halloween hijinks with sharp football analysis. Dan and the crew open with food and poll question banter before digging into the NFL’s pressing storylines: Why the Dolphins look hopeless, why Baltimore’s roster (and Lamar Jackson’s passing) makes them AFC North favorites, and which teams have the “most helpless” trajectories.
Dan Orlovsky delivers a thorough assessment of the league’s quarterbacks, arguing this is the “deepest” QB pool in NFL history, but still reserving “franchise” status for only about a dozen QBs—split between “guys you win because of” and “guys you win with.” He details Miami’s crossroads (trade Waddle & edge rushers, but keep McDaniel/Tua with caveats) and calls for a more nuanced take on Lamar Jackson, noting defensive coordinators still gameplan around his run threat even as his pass efficiency spikes.
The broader culture of football media is a recurring theme—Orlovsky admits it’s tough to offer fresh insights about the Cowboys, Browns, or Deion’s sons day after day, and that ESPN’s show silos can force repetitive, even “forced,” takes.
Listener calls and playful back-and-forths about sports heartbreak, Halloween, and team identity round out the hour, making this episode as lively as it is insightful.