The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 2

Episode Theme & Overview
Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick
Guests: Jim Harbaugh (LA Chargers Head Coach), Joe Thomas (Hall of Fame Offensive Lineman)

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show dives into the state of football health (namely, the recent rash of ACL injuries), universal playing surfaces in the NFL, coaching challenges late in the season, the evolution of cold-weather football, and the dynamics of star players and team loyalty. Dan is joined by Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and Hall of Famer Joe Thomas, with rich insights on both the past and present of the sport. This hour mixes expert analysis, heartfelt reflection, and signature Dan Patrick humor, making it accessible and engaging whether you’re an NFL insider or an everyday fan.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL ACL Injuries and Field Safety (03:11–08:00)

• Dan Patrick highlights a rash of ACL injuries in the NFL this season, with stars like Micah Parsons and Patrick Mahomes affected. He points out the NFL’s historical ACL totals and ponders why universal, safer fields haven't been adopted.
  • "People were surprised at the number of torn ACLs so far this year... Why can't we come up with universal fields that can prevent at least the non-contact injury?” (04:18)
• Jim Harbaugh contextualizes the numbers, noting that it's still roughly “one ACL per team per year” and marvels at medical advances that enable full recoveries from what used to be career-ending injuries.
  • “There was a day when that that ACL would be career ending. You know, think back to Gail Sayers… Now, it’s advancements in safety and medical, you know, are really incredible.” (05:46)
• Harbaugh explains his policy at Michigan of requiring linemen to wear knee braces—and believes this helped minimize serious injuries, though it's not a cure-all.
  • "It doesn't prevent, like, a [specific] injury but whatever injury it would have been, it makes it a lot less in my experience.” (06:43)

2. Coaching Patrick Mahomes and Facing the Chiefs (07:07–09:58)

• Harbaugh praises the Chiefs’ consistency under Andy Reid and Mahomes, noting if the Chargers “could just do half of what they’ve been able to accomplish over the past seven years, I know I would do a cartwheel.” (07:26)
• Discusses the defensive challenges of game-planning Mahomes, especially in light of recent offensive line adversity.
  • "The discipline in the rush lanes... it's got to be coordinated with all five or four or six or seven rushers, you know, every single play. And he still finds ways to make the impossible possible."
• Harbaugh transitions to prepping for Dallas, calling their offense the “best we’ve played in a while," underscoring the non-stop tactical grind of the NFL. (09:13–10:05)

3. Coaching Through December and Player Leadership (10:05–11:58)

• Dan and Harbaugh discuss how the mindset and pressure shift late in the season—“It’s like the fourth quarter... everybody’s fighting for their playoff destiny.” (10:13)
• On mentoring Justin Herbert: Harbaugh is humble, saying, “He is just so much better at everything, every part of the game. There’s nothing I did better... It’s just a tremendous blessing to have him."
  • (11:15–11:42)
• He names Derwin James, Justin Herbert, and Khalil Mack as the “absolute best leaders and playmakers” he’s ever been around.

4. Michigan and the Sharon Moore Situation (12:09–13:32)

• Dan asks Harbaugh about the troubling news concerning Sharon Moore. Harbaugh is somber, calling it a tragedy and emphasizing he’s “still processing” the situation, offering prayers to all involved.
  • He confirms that he hasn’t spoken with Moore since before the arrest, though they exchanged texts.
• Asked if he’s helping Michigan select a new coach, Harbaugh insists, “No, I’m not. All focus is on the Dallas Cowboys.” (13:36)

5. Cold-Weather Football & Home-Field Edge (14:26–16:30)

• Harbaugh prefers playing in snow over freezing rain: “As soon as the temperature goes below 30, I know it’s not going to rain and I prefer that.” (14:29)
• He credits his Midwest upbringing for his cold-weather toughness, joking, “You’d walk out and the door would click behind you... Your body becomes like a human hot tub because your heart is pumping warm, hot blood, especially when you’re young." (15:15)
• On who had it better in cold weather? Harbaugh: "Nobody, Dan.” (16:25)

6. Joe Thomas: NFL Field Debates & Player Health (23:32–25:07)

• Thomas slams NFL owners for not standardizing playing surfaces:
  • "You got teams like the Bengals, they don’t want to even pay to get the snow removed from the seats... Whereas you have some teams that are willing to spend the money on player safety..." (23:32)
• Shares his least favorite fields: old Cincinnati turf (for its hardness) and muddy late-season Soldier Field and Heinz Field, which made footing inconsistent but “slowed everyone down to my speed."_

7. Miles Garrett, Team Loyalty & Contracts (25:07–28:31)

• Thomas heaps praise on Browns DE Miles Garrett’s dominance, admitting he doesn’t know “how I would have been able to block him one-on-one.” (25:16)
• Surprised when Garrett rescinded his trade request after being offered a record-setting contract, Thomas speculates both the vision pitched by the Browns and financial incentives played a role.
• Dan and Thomas joke about “$40 million reasons” to stay even if the team’s championship vision is shaky.

8. Quarterback Evaluations: Shador Sanders, Philip Rivers & More (28:36–32:00)

• Thomas on Colorado QB Shador Sanders: flashes of greatness but inconsistent, more data needed: “With the amount of up and down that we’ve seen... you need to see him in these last three games to be able to declare him the franchise quarterback of the future.”
• On possible NFL returns post-retirement: Thomas jokes, "No way. I had my hip replaced in the spring. I'm sore enough after sleep.” (29:41)
• Both bemoan how thin some teams are at QB, referencing 44-year-old Philip Rivers’ recent cameo: “I give him credit, but it does say something about the development of that quarterback room...” (31:35)

9. The Realities of Legacy Records & NFL Camaraderie (32:00–33:19)

• Thomas would be happy to see Garrett set the NFL sack record, but insists it should be earned:
  • “I love Miles... For him to be able to hold that sack record, I think would be special. When Brett Favre rolled out... to give Michael Strahan that record, I felt like it was a little bit tarnished. I would love to see Miles with that sack record where everybody says, without a doubt, this is the deserving sack champion of all time.”

10. Lighter Moments: Family, UNO, and Physical Comedy (33:28–36:39)

• Thomas excitedly plugs NFL-specific UNO tournaments: “The most coveted trophy of all time... If you’re a dad or a kid, that's the UNO Elite trophy.”
• Dan and the crew crack each other up about physical decline, cosmetic surgery accusations, and “huge arms” versus “lack of core.”

Notable Quotes

• Jim Harbaugh on ACL progress:
  "There was a day when that that ACL would be career ending… Now, it’s advancements in safety and medical, you know, are really incredible and getting better all the time.” (05:46)
• Harbaugh on Patrick Mahomes:
  "For the competitor that Patrick is, I mean, that was just hope and praying that he would have dodged a bullet… He just wants to be doing and so that's really—We're trying to replicate that here in Los Angeles.” (08:08)
• Joe Thomas on NFL owners and turf:
  "You got teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, they don’t want to even pay to get the snow removed from the seats..." (23:32)
• Joe Thomas on blocking Miles Garrett:
  "I don’t know how I would have been able to block him one on one."
• Harbaugh on cold weather:
  “Your body becomes like a human hot tub because your heart is pumping warm, hot blood, especially when you’re young.” (15:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• NFL ACL Injury Stats & Field Safety: 03:11–08:00
• Harbaugh on Chiefs/Mahomes: 07:07–09:58
• December Coaching Philosophy: 10:05–11:58
• Michigan, Sharon Moore: 12:09–13:32
• Cold-Weather Football: 14:26–16:30
• Joe Thomas on NFL fields: 23:32–25:07
• Miles Garrett Contract/Legacy: 25:07–28:31
• Quarterbacks—Shador Sanders, Rivers: 28:36–32:00
• Legacy Records (Sack Record): 32:00–33:19
• UNO & Hall of Fame banter: 33:28–36:39

Tone and Language

The hour is playful, welcoming, and candid, mixing sharp sports insights with friendly jibes and heartfelt reflections—very much in line with Dan Patrick’s relaxed, approachable media voice. Both Harbaugh and Thomas bring authenticity and humility, frequently crediting their teammates while downplaying their own achievements.

For Listeners Who Missed the Show:

This episode offers a blend of substantive football talk (charting injuries, tactics, league policies) and heartfelt personality, with Harbaugh’s old-school charm and Joe Thomas's refreshing candor elevating the conversation beyond typical sports radio fare. The hour explores not just what’s happening on the field, but how changes in safety, coaching philosophy, and team culture shape the future of the NFL. Plus, you get plenty of laughs, whether it’s about locking kids outdoors in the Michigan winter or the indignities of midlife at the gym.

Recommended Listening:
For fans invested in NFL safety, coaching insights, or the nature of team building and leadership late in the season—not to mention those who love a dose of self-deprecating humor with their sports talk.