The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 2 Summary

Episode Title: Hour 2 – NFL Award Nominees, Booger McFarland
Date: January 22, 2026
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network)

Overview

This episode dives into the fallout from the Buffalo Bills' firing of head coach Sean McDermott, ongoing NFL coaching vacancies, and the just-announced NFL Awards nominees. Dan and his crew dissect owner press conferences, the implications for coaching searches, and the emotional state of Josh Allen. ESPN analyst Booger McFarland joins for a wide-ranging interview on NFL coaching drama, team culture, award picks, and the state of college football amid NIL upheaval. The show balances insight and humor, echoing Dan's trademark conversational style.

Main Discussion Points and Insights

1. Buffalo Bills, Owner Optics, and Sean McDermott’s Firing

(02:09 – 11:13)

• Dan opens with the heavy scrutiny in Buffalo after the dismissal of Sean McDermott and the rare press conference access to Bills owner Terry Pegula.

• Discussion centers around whether owners should take the podium post-major franchise decisions:

  “Should owners speak at sports press conferences? ...I want an owner to speak, I think he should speak to a fan base.”
  — Dan Patrick (03:20)

• The show explores fan and media interpretations that Josh Allen's emotional press conference may indicate he felt responsible for McDermott’s firing.

• Callers suggest possible head coaching replacements and debate if the Bills seek “a splashy hire” or simply the “right fit.”

Notable Quote:

“Maybe he was overcome with emotion because he knew if he plays like Josh Allen, they win that game and he didn’t.”
— Dan Patrick (07:35)

2. NFL Award Nominees and Predictions

(11:13 – 17:02)

• The team lists and evaluates the NFL Honors nominations, touching on MVP, Offensive/Defensive Player and Rookie, Comeback Player, and Coach/Assistant of the Year.
• Surprises include Drake May among MVP candidates in only his second season, and a lively debate develops over likely winners and the “snubs” or curious nominations.
• Dan and the crew riff on the possibility of lesser-recognized contributions being honored—with tongue-in-cheek suggestions like:

  “How about an award for a guy who comes from nowhere to help his team, but not MVP worthy...like a bench guy who helps?” — Paulie (16:22)

Key Picks:

• Miles Garrett – Defensive Player of the Year favorite
• Ted McMillan (Panthers) – Offensive Rookie of the Year pick (16:22)
• Trevor Lawrence – Comeback Player of the Year front-runner (15:02)
• Liam Cohen (Jacksonville) – Dan’s choice for Coach of the Year (14:52)

3. NFL Coaching Vacancies and Leadership Styles: Booger McFarland Interview

(23:47 – 41:19)

Booger’s Takes On:

• Sean McDermott’s Firing: Rooted in the failure to “get over the hump” with Josh Allen’s prime years, despite owner Pegula’s finger-pointing at the press conference.

  “I think at the core, the reason he fired him was because he couldn’t get them over the hump.”
  — Booger McFarland (25:00)

• Best Head Coaching Vacancy:

  “I would have said Buffalo. I think it’s Baltimore. I love Steve Bisciotti...you got Lamar Jackson...that culture, going to work at that place every day would be the best.”
  — Booger McFarland (26:06)

• Why Buffalo is a Tricky Job: Ownership/leadership’s lack of accountability, but the allure of coaching Josh Allen remains potent.

• Pressure in Denver: Not just on backup QB Jarrett Stidham, but more so on coach Sean Payton to prove he can win with a backup, referencing his success with Teddy Bridgewater in New Orleans.

  “Pressure is on Sean Payton...Can you coach a game that allows this quarterback to show the talent you told us he has?”
  — Booger McFarland (28:11)

• Recognizing When a Moment’s Too Big:

  “When you do things that are uncharacteristic or your athleticism doesn’t come out...that’s when you know the moment is too big.”
  — Booger McFarland (29:18)

• MVP and Coach of the Year Picks:

  • Drake May for MVP — “He’s done more with less” (30:09)
  • Mike Vrabel for Coach — “Level of achievement relative to expectations” (30:59)

• NFL Culture and Leadership: Explains "culture" as players' ability to make good decisions, especially when no one is watching, and the importance of “player-led teams.”

  “If the coach has to tell you everything to do, then the coach probably hadn’t done a good enough job itself.”
  — Booger McFarland (32:56)

4. SEC vs. Big Ten and College Football Landscape

(33:00 – 37:25)

• Booger addresses SEC’s shifting dominance amid shakeups from NIL and the transfer portal, and rising Big Ten power.

  “Right now, the Big Ten is the preeminent college conference...but make no mistake, the best conference in America is still the SEC. And if you don’t believe me, just ask Greg Sankey.”
  — Booger McFarland (35:37)

• Discussion on the difference between “tech money” and “oil money” in fueling NIL collectives, and how Southern schools with deep pockets remain competitive.

5. Keon Coleman and the Fallout from Public Owner Criticism

(37:35 – 39:02)

• Booger questions how a player like Keon Coleman can return to work after owners and GMs publicly disavow him.

  “If you’re Keon Coleman and you just heard the owner and the GM basically said that we don’t want you, how do you show back up to work?”
  — Booger McFarland (37:35)

• Dan’s advice: lay low and quietly request a trade, noting the challenge to any young player’s confidence.

6. Chris Berman's Legacy at ESPN

(39:28 – 47:07)

• Dan and Booger praise Chris Berman as the “greatest highlight reader ever,” crediting him for creating the ESPN working environment that launched many careers.

  “He is NFL Primetime. There’s nobody else that should be doing that.”
  — Dan Patrick (40:08)

• Anecdotes about Dan’s own early days at ESPN with Berman and the station’s evolution from “wild” to a more journalistic bent.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 03:20 | “I want an owner to speak... This is a state of the union. I don’t think that’s asking much.” | Dan Patrick | | 07:35 | “Josh Allen didn’t meet with the media... I get the feeling that he knew Sean McDermott was going to be fired.” | Dan Patrick | | 16:22 | “How about an award for a guy who comes from nowhere to help his team, but not MVP worthy?” | Paulie | | 25:00 | “The reason he fired him was because he couldn’t get them over the hump.” | Booger McFarland | | 28:11 | “Pressure is on Sean Payton.” | Booger McFarland | | 29:18 | “That’s when you know the moment is too big.” | Booger McFarland | | 35:37 | “Best conference in America is still the SEC. If you don’t believe me, just ask Greg Sankey.” | Booger McFarland | | 40:08 | “He is NFL Primetime. There’s nobody else that should be doing that.” | Dan Patrick |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Buffalo Owner/Sean McDermott Fallout: 02:09 – 11:13
• NFL Award Nominee Analysis: 11:13 – 17:02
• Booger McFarland Interview Start: 23:47
• MVP/Coach of Year Debate: 30:09 – 30:59
• SEC/Big Ten & NIL: 33:00 – 37:25
• Keon Coleman Discussion: 37:25 – 39:02
• Chris Berman/ESPN History: 39:28 – 47:07

Conclusion & Takeaways

This hour offers an engaging snapshot of the NFL off-season’s intrigue—mixing analysis, humor, storytelling, and industry insight. Dan and crew chart the ripple effects of coaching turnover, quarterback pressure, and evolving league culture while Booger McFarland’s frank, folksy perspective adds heart and candor to the discussion. The episode is rich in both NFL history and fresh narratives, especially for fans interested in league politics, player development, and the under-the-hood workings of professional sports.

Recommended for:

• NFL fans tracking head coaching moves and awards season
• Listeners interested in sports media history and leadership personalities
• Anyone following the changing landscape of college football (NIL, realignment)