The Dan Patrick Show: Chiefs Moving, Jason Garrett

Date: December 23, 2025
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (Hour 2)
Host: Dan Patrick

Episode Overview

This episode centers on breaking news regarding the Kansas City Chiefs' impending stadium move from Missouri to Kansas, broader debates about modern stadium trends and fandom, the evolution of NFL quarterback evaluation, and in-depth discussion with NBC analyst and former Cowboys coach Jason Garrett. The hour balances sports analysis with the trademark wit and camaraderie between Dan and the Danettes, engaging with callers and exploring meaningful listener stories.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Kansas City Chiefs’ Stadium Move

(07:55–17:40, 22:01–23:07)

• Headline: Kansas City Chiefs will move to a new stadium in Kansas by 2030, shifting from Kansas City, Missouri, to Kansas. The new domed stadium will cost $3 billion, 70% publicly funded.

• Fan Confusion: Many fans learned for the first time that the "Kansas City" Chiefs’ current stadium is in Missouri, not Kansas.

• Stadium Specs: The new dome will seat approximately 65,000–68,000 (down 10,000 from Arrowhead), but can accommodate 80,000+ with portable seating to meet Super Bowl requirements.

  • Dan Patrick: “My source goes on to say Kansas City will host a Super Bowl within 10 years, even considering it will be built over the next five years.” (22:22)

• Motivations: Discussion on why domes are favored: hosting lucrative events like Super Bowls, Final Fours, concerts, and other non-football functions.

• Public Funding Critique:

  • Tony Fusco: “If the public is funding most of the stadium...the public should get 70% of the profit.” (16:15)
  • Such stadiums promise “economic benefits” that rarely justify the cost to taxpayers.

• Trend Toward Suburbs:

  • Teams now move stadiums to suburbs rather than to city centers, affecting civic culture and urban economies.
  • Tony Fusco: “Now we're taking all the stuff that cities had and made them great and moving them out to the rural areas instead.” (13:15)

Notable Debate: Dome vs. Retractable Roofs

• Todd suggests all stadiums should have retractable roofs to allow for classic cold-weather games, referencing recent frigid Chiefs-Dolphins playoffs.

  • Todd: “Some of the greatest moments in NFL history are based off the weather.” (09:54)
  • Paulie: Pushes back, noting teams shouldn’t manipulate weather advantage or open roofs for snow/rain.
  • Dan: Skeptical the NFL would ever let fans decide: “The NFL… they're like, you're gonna come and watch this anyway, so who cares?” (11:43)

• Fan Experience:

  • Danettes widely agree that easier parking, tailgating, and reasonable food matter more to hardcore fans than luxurious suites or massive video boards. Lambeau ("drastically better" than Cowboys stadium despite being less flashy) is held up as the ideal.

2. Broader Stadium Trends and Fan Sentiment

Community Impact & Nostalgia

• Displacement Issues: Missouri loses not just the Rams (who went to LA) but now the Chiefs as well.
  • "Now Missouri basically has this legendary stadium that nobody's ever going to play in anymore?" (16:53)
• The Cost to Fans: High ticket and parking prices, little tangible return for taxpayers, and “antiseptic and disposable” new stadiums that lack character or history.

Nostalgia for Classic Stadiums

• Lambeau Field and Soldier Field are seen as iconic; concerns voiced about city teams moving to domes and suburbs.

Food & Concessions

• Paulie: “If I'm happy with the food, I could work around not having the best view.” (13:38)

3. Interview with Jason Garrett: On Stadium Conditions, Quarterbacks, and Football Culture

(23:07–37:39)

• Stadium Conditions & Mentality:
  • Garrett values instilling the mindset of playing “anytime, anywhere, home, away, the moon, parking lot...” but acknowledges the real difference being at home.
  • “People love the images of these snow games… It's pretty magical and I certainly hope we don't lose that.” (23:59)
  • “It makes me sick to think that Chicago is not going to be playing at Soldier Field outside at some point.” (24:31)

Cold Weather Culture

• Players from warm climates often struggle with northern home fields; coaches must actively work to prepare them for adverse weather.
  • “We've had receivers through the years that you just look in their eyes...it's like, Oh God, this is going to be a disaster.” (25:23)
• Fun Anecdote: On dressing for cold as a coach: don’t look like “the Michelin Man”; appearances matter for players’ morale. (26:50)

The 49ers’ Resilience This Season

• Despite numerous injuries and changing quarterbacks, the 49ers have won 11 games; credit given to coach Kyle Shanahan, depth, and strong QB play (Mac Jones filling in, return of Brock Purdy).
  • "The quarterback play has not dipped at all. Brock is playing at such a high level." (27:58)
• Philip Rivers’ continued intelligence and anticipation highlighted:
  • “He’s defying all the odds because he can’t drive the ball like he used to, but...what a tribute to him.” (29:20)

How Do You Evaluate NFL Quarterbacks?

• Garrett discusses a documentary project with NFL Films about QB evolution and mis-evaluation—his roundtables included legends like Young, Aikman, Brees, Rodgers, and more.
• He lists ten key criteria in order of importance; “passion for football” ranks first, “physical tools” last.
  • “The first one that we came up with was passion for the game. If you don't love football... you can't have success.” (32:35)
  • Too many scouts start by being wowed by appearance/arm strength at draft combines (“number 10”) instead of by substance.
  • Favorite combine question: ask people around the prospect to demonstrate, via actions, how much a player loves football—“Love is an action. Right? So do you really love it or do you love the idea of it?” (36:00)

Notable Quotes

• Jason Garrett on the elements:
  • “People love the images of these snow games… It’s pretty magical and I certainly hope we don’t lose that.” (23:59)
• Dan Patrick on quarterback grit:
  • “This game is going to rough you up. The highs are unbelievable, the lows, and then you got to get yourself back up.” (35:22)
• Garrett on scouting mistakes:
  • “We miss because we start with number 10...what the guy looks like, how big his hands are.” (33:59)

4. Listener Interactions & Human Stories

(37:42–49:32)

• Fan Loyalty, Show's Community

  • Callers express deep gratitude and share personal stories, including a long-time listener crediting the show with helping him stay sober for 25 years.
  • “After I started listening, I knew if I went out and drank, I would miss the morning and not get to see or hear you guys. So I stayed sober, and it's been 25 years.” (47:35)

• Dan Patrick:

  • “Every day is the Super Bowl. You have to treat it that way because if you don’t, then you’re letting down your audience.” (40:01)

• Fun Call-In Bits:

  • Christmas-themed “Rhyme Time” puns: “Bo Ho Ho Ho” (Broncos QB and something Santa says), “Troy Toy” (Cowboys legend and something a kid receives). (44:27–44:58)
  • Discussion of “Danettes” longevity and show’s behind-the-scenes staff.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “If the public is funding most of the stadium...the public should get 70% of the profit.”
  — Tony Fusco, (16:15)

• “People love the images of these snow games… It’s pretty magical and I certainly hope we don’t lose that.”
  — Jason Garrett, (23:59)

• “We miss because we start with number 10...what the guy looks like, how big his hands are.”
  — Jason Garrett, (33:59)

• “Love is an action. Right? So do you really love it or do you love the idea of it?”
  — Jason Garrett, (36:19)

• “Every day is the Super Bowl. You have to treat it that way because if you don’t, then you’re letting down your audience.”
  — Dan Patrick, (40:01)

• “After I started listening, I knew if I went out and drank, I would miss the morning and not get to see or hear you guys. So I stayed sober, and it's been 25 years.”
  — Caller Richie in Wisconsin, (47:35)

Key Timestamps

• 07:55–17:40: Chiefs stadium move & stadium/arena discussion.
• 22:01–23:07: Chiefs stadium update (capacity, timeline, Super Bowl potential).
• 23:07–37:39: Full Jason Garrett interview—stadiums, QB evaluation, 49ers resilience.
• 37:42–49:32: Listener stories, sobriety, show legacy, and Danettes.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a rich mix of news analysis, sports philosophy, and the warmth of a well-loved show community. The Chiefs’ stadium saga is discussed not simply in terms of logistics, but as a flashpoint for debate about what makes football—and sports fandom—special: history, community, adversarial weather, and authentic fan experiences. Jason Garrett’s interview brings expert insight on what separates the greats, both coaches and quarterbacks, and listeners’ calls underline how much The Dan Patrick Show means to its audience.