The Dan Patrick Show

Episode: Hour 1 – What's Next for Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin
Date: January 13, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dan Patrick and the Danettes react to the Texans’ lopsided playoff victory over the Steelers, which could signal the end of the road for both Aaron Rodgers and long-time Steelers coach Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh. Dan analyzes both men’s futures, the state of the Steelers and how mediocrity can trap teams like Pittsburgh, plus discussions on James Harden’s NBA legacy and what’s next for various NFL teams. The tone is smart, conversational, and laced with Dan’s signature blend of insight and humor.

Main Themes

• Assessing the playoff loss and what it means for Aaron Rodgers’ playing and post-football future
• Debating Mike Tomlin’s tenure, the challenges of coaching longevity, and the direction of the Steelers
• The dilemma of “mediocre success” in sports franchises
• Drawing parallels between the Texans' defense and legendary units of the past
• James Harden’s ascent to the NBA’s all-time scoring list and how history may remember him

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Texans Crush Steelers: Score Doesn’t Tell The Full Story

[02:00–05:00]

• The Texans defeated the Steelers 30–6; Dan remarks the score is deceptive, as the game was close until the fourth quarter.
  • “Texans roll the Steelers last night, it was a very deceptive final score because it didn’t feel 30 to 6.” (Dan, 02:03)
• C.J. Stroud underperformed with five fumbles, but the Texans’ defense was dominant.
• Steelers’ defense played well early, but the offense could not respond.
• Rodgers sacked/hit 12 times: "12 times when you’re 42 is like 20 times when you’re 22." (Dan, 03:12)

2. Aaron Rodgers’ Uncertain Future

[05:00–15:00]

• Rodgers’ career-worst playoff numbers (146 passing yards, lowest in 22 playoff starts; final play a pick-six, first such postseason pass in 807 career playoff attempts).
• Rodgers’ post-game comments emphasize he’s not making an emotional decision about retirement:
  • “I’m not gonna make any emotional decisions. Disappointed, you know, obviously, such a fun year... But a lot of fun. Been a great year, in my life, and this is a really good part of that, coming here and being a part of this team.” (Rodgers, 07:50)
• Dan speculates Rodgers is unlikely to play again, especially as a 43-year-old QB:
  • “I’d be surprised if he played again… He looked even older than that last night… And I don’t see him doing TV. It feels like he’ll do—he’ll be Joe Rogan, he’ll do something like that.” (Dan, 10:22)
• Lively banter about where, if anywhere, Rodgers could keep playing.

3. Mike Tomlin’s Longevity and ‘Coaching Window’ in Pittsburgh

[10:45–22:30]

• The hot seat discourse: Dan notes that local fans and media coverage (not national “experts”) are raising pressure for Tomlin to move on.
• Rodgers addresses whether coaches like Tomlin should even be on the hot seat:
  • “When you hear a conversation about the Mike Tomlins of the world… When I first got in the league, there wouldn’t be conversation about whether those guys were on the hot seat… that’s an absolute joke.” (Rodgers, 17:40)
• The challenge of never being “bad enough to get better”: The Steelers' consistent 8–10 win seasons mean no top draft picks, but also a lack of playoff success.
• Dan: “It’s weird to say they gotta get worse to get better, but this happens with NBA teams all the time... The Spurs got bad. Pittsburgh’s never—I mean, it’s a credit to that organization. And I don’t see them doing a rebuild. And if they do, does Mike Tomlin want to be around for that?” (Dan, 22:03)

4. The Tomlin/Rodgers Question for Steelers Fans

[19:10–21:40]

• "If you said to a Steeler fan, ‘Hey, I’ll give you 10 years of making the playoffs, but you don’t win a playoff game,’ you’re going to sign up for that? ... And the answer is no, you’re not.” (Dan, 19:30)
• The pain of being consistently good but not great; is it time for new blood at QB and head coach?

5. National vs. Local Media on Coaching Hot Seats

[17:00–24:00]

• Rodgers’ frustration with “Twitter experts” and national media.
  • Dan and the Danettes joke about front offices actually listening to TV pundits (“You know, I was listening to Dan Patrick… that ain’t happening.”)
  • On the difference in perception: "Locally, they’re going, ‘We haven’t won a playoff game in 10 years...’ And see, Pittsburgh is always—like, they're never going to be bad enough where they can get better, because they're kind of in the middle.” (Dan, 21:34)
• Discussion on the natural “shelf life” of head coaches with one team.

6. The NFL’s ‘Middle Class’ Trap

[22:20–29:00]

• The Steelers face a dilemma: not bad enough for high picks, not good enough to win.
• Should they try for a “gap year” and rebuild, or stick with the core?
• Cap space and draft position discussion: “The Steelers have the 21st pick of the draft. They also have a lot of cap space—8th in the league, with $33 million.” (Paulie, 36:11)

7. Quarterbacks—Who’s Next in Pittsburgh?

[36:30–40:00]

• Should the Steelers try to trade up, sign a veteran, or roll with what they have?
• Banter about the absurdity of bringing in aging QBs (“Reach out to Tom Brady, you know, why not?”), but also mulling younger options like Mac Jones.
• Rodgers’ performance compared to Flacco and Stafford: “In our head we think that Aaron Rodgers is more Matthew Stafford than Joe Flacco. He’s really more Joe Flacco.” (Dan, 39:45)

8. Texans Defense & Playoff Sustainability

[45:20–51:00]

• Is this Texans formula sustainable? C.J. Stroud struggled, but the defense looked elite.
• "That feels like a Ravens 2000 kind of defense, that maybe this team is good enough just to skate by on one half of the field and actually go pretty far.” (Lucas, Texas caller, 65:44)
• Historical reference points: Patriots, Giants, Broncos, and how a great defense can carry a team.

9. James Harden's NBA Legacy

[52:00–58:30]

• Harden rises to 9th in all-time NBA scoring, surpassing Shaquille O’Neal.
  • “We were wondering this morning... where’s James Harden? Like, when it’s all said and done, how do we view James Harden? Because… he did change the game.” (Dan, 53:30)
• The debate: Is he underappreciated or just a “stat guy” whose teams don’t win big?
• On Harden and OKC: “He was a curiosity in OKC because they had Westbrook and they had Durant and then Harden and then Harden wanted his own team and went to Houston.” (Dan, 1:02:20)
• Comparing to Russell Westbrook, Carmelo, and other prolific scorers without ultimate team success.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “12 times when you’re 42 is like 20 times when you’re 22.” — Dan Patrick on Rodgers’ punishment vs. age [03:12]
• “I’d be surprised if he played again. He looked even older than that last night... I don’t see him doing TV. He’ll be Joe Rogan.” — Dan Patrick on Rodgers’ future [10:22]
• “When you hear a conversation about the Mike Tomlins of the world... that’s an absolute joke.” — Aaron Rodgers on the ‘hot seat’ talk [17:40]
• “You gotta get worse to get better. ... Pittsburgh’s never—I mean, it’s a credit to that organization. And I don’t see them doing a rebuild. And if they do, does Mike Tomlin want to be around for that?” — Dan Patrick [22:03]
• “If you said to a Steeler fan, ‘I'll give you 10 years of making the playoffs, but you don’t win a playoff game,’ you’re going to sign up for that? ... And the answer is no, you’re not.” — Dan Patrick [19:30]
• “In our head we think that Aaron Rodgers is more Matthew Stafford than Joe Flacco. He’s really more Joe Flacco.” — Dan Patrick [39:45]
• “That feels like a Ravens 2000 kind of defense, that maybe this team is good enough just to skate by on one half of the field and actually go pretty far.” — Lucas, Texas caller [65:44]
• “He created that step back jumper. But he doesn’t win. Is anybody going to retire his jersey?” — Dan Patrick on James Harden [53:54]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:00] – Opening recap: Texans-Steelers, Rodgers' performance
• [07:50] – Aaron Rodgers’ post-game comments and speculation on his future
• [10:30] – The future for both Rodgers and Tomlin discussed
• [17:40] – Rodgers' critique of coaching 'hot seat' talk and media coverage
• [19:30] – Would Steelers fans accept ‘10 years, no playoff wins’?
• [22:03] – Dan on the trap of ‘being not bad enough to get better’
• [36:11] – Steelers’ draft and salary cap breakdown
• [39:45] – Comparing Rodgers’ play to other aging QBs
• [45:20] – Texans’ defense as a playoff blueprint
• [53:30] – Harden’s legacy, scoring accolades, and franchise impact
• [65:44] – Lucas (caller) on the meaning of the Texans win

Additional Discussion Highlights

• The scheduling of playoff games and Dan’s gripes with Monday night playoff football [42:00]
• NFL coaching market, Black Monday, and the timeline for Tomlin’s decision [77:05]
• Lively NBA banter: Who from #11–20 on the all-time scoring list would you want to be? [56:20]
• Callers reflecting cultural memory, rivalry hatred, and generational perspectives [60:00–70:00]

Wrap-Up

This episode is a deep look at pivotal transition points for two iconic NFL figures—Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin—coupled with sharp takes on organizational philosophy, how fans define success, media narratives, and athlete legacy in the NBA. Dan and the Danettes blend stats, history, humor, and big-picture sports thinking, making this a must-listen (or must-read) for fans sorting through the NFL playoff aftermath and pondering what’s next in Pittsburgh.