The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 2 – NFL Playoff Reaction, Steve Tasker

Date: January 19, 2026
Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show
Host: Dan Patrick and the Danettes
Guest: Steve Tasker, former Buffalo Bills All-Pro and broadcast team member

Episode Overview

Hour 2 of this episode centers on the surprising firing of Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott following their playoff loss, with a deep dive into its implications for the team, the city, and the NFL coaching market. Dan and the crew react to the latest NFL playoff results, dissect controversial officiating decisions, and discuss the futures of top quarterbacks and franchises. Special guest Steve Tasker provides an insider’s view on what McDermott’s exit means for the Bills, Josh Allen, and possible coaching replacements.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sean McDermott’s Firing: Immediate Reactions (00:35–03:24)

• Surprise Level: Dan Patrick notes the firing is not shocking given playoff expectations but is still significant, especially after nine years with the team.

  • Dan Patrick (01:49): "You gotta make the AFC title game, at least... The window of opportunity, nine years here. Now we gotta get to the AFC title game."

• Expectations for the Bills: Failure to capitalize with marquee AFC quarterbacks (Mahomes, Burrow, Lamar) eliminated heightened the stakes.

  • Dan Patrick (02:58): "Look at the remaining quarterbacks in the AFC... we're better than these guys. We're better than C.J. Stroud, better than Drake May, Bo Nix."

• Culture of Heartache: The co-hosts discuss the persistent feeling of “heartache” for Buffalo, regardless of who the coach is.

  • Dan Patrick (04:04): "It just feels like there's heartache, you know, with every page that you turn there and they have to blame themselves."

2. Coaching Carousel & Brian Daboll Speculation (05:25–06:33)

• Would Brian Daboll Return? The staff debates the optics and effectiveness of bringing back Daboll, former OC, currently with the Giants.

  • Marvin (05:25): "If you're the Bills, would you want a guy that just got fired from the New York Giants?"
  • Dan Patrick (05:35): "Man, I'd get over that if I thought he was the right guy. Knows the team, knows the city."

• Josh Allen’s Influence: Whoever is hired may depend largely on Allen’s endorsement.

  • Dan Patrick (06:20): "This comes down to, does Josh Allen want Brian Daboll? That would be my gut feeling."

• Stat Impact: Daboll’s impact on the Bills offense was drastic.

  • Paulie (06:26): "Year before Brian Daboll became OC, their offense was ranked ... years later, they ranked number two in the league."

3. Playoff Officiating & the Interception Debate (07:43–11:32)

• Controversial Play: Extended debate over Jaquan McMillan’s reviewed interception versus the Bills.

  • Dan Patrick (09:23): "Who thought it was an interception ... are you being nice because the Broncos won?"
  • Todd (09:37): "I got really pissed off that they just allowed that to happen. ... It is a bad look for the officials."

• Quote from McDermott on Officiating:
  Sean McDermott (09:51):
  "It would seem logical to me the head official would walk over, want to go and take a look at it, just to make sure ... That’s too big of a play...to not even slow it down."

• Replay Protocols: Uncertainty around why the play wasn't officially reviewed more closely.

4. Injuries and Quarterback Discussion (12:20–16:28)

• Fan Calls: Touching moments as fans share personal stories and reactions—sobriety milestones, heartbreak, and hope.

  • Fan Brian (11:41): "[I'm] three years sober. This is the best gift that I could have had. So thank you for being here and thank you for everything, Dan."

• Bo Nix Injury: Real-time reactions and confusion as the serious nature of the Denver QB’s injury comes to light.

  • Dan Patrick (13:21): "That is shocking, because then ... you could see where, you know, his ankle got kind of tangled up..."

• Most Sleepless QB: Poll question: Which quarterback had the roughest night after losses or injuries? (Josh Allen, CJ Stroud, Caleb Williams, Bo Nix).

5. Lighter Moments: Vernacular & Culture (16:28–17:16)

• Fun exploration of sports idioms ("sawing logs" for loud snoring), with Paulie researching its origins.
• Dan and Seton joke about their wives’ snoring and lumberjack nicknames.

Steve Tasker Interview: Buffalo Insider Perspective (20:54–29:08)

Reaction to McDermott’s Firing

• Level of Surprise:
  • Steve Tasker (20:54): “Very, very surprised...Having a swing at [a Super Bowl] every year is pretty important. I think The Bills were right there...”
• McDermott’s Impact:
  • Steve Tasker (21:58): "...you can't overstate what he has meant to the franchise, what he did for them, the culture he established, what he's meant to the community, the example he's been to his players. I know his players revere him."
• Personal/Organizational Shock:
  • Tasker notes the building is "somber" and nobody on staff has been officially informed, underscoring the abruptness of the move.

Analysis of the Playoff Loss

• Why Did Bills Lose?
  • Steve Tasker (23:12): "Turned it over. That’s always been the bugaboo with this team...if the Bills don’t turn it over the whole game, it probably is a runaway win. But they did five times. That’s too many."
• Pressure Without Marquee QBs:
  • Tasker downplays the notion that the absence of AFC’s big QBs made it automatic for the Bills: "You still got to beat the entire team..."

Looking Forward: New Coach and Ownership

• Brian Daboll or Other Candidates:
  • Tasker considers Daboll a logical candidate but emphasizes fit and a long-term plan over immediate familiarity.
    • Steve Tasker (25:20): "I think even if it takes a little bit of extra time ... if it’s the right guy, you’ll be fine even in the first year."
• Ownership Decision Style:
  • Does not see the Pegulas as rash decision-makers; theorizes this was a resolution to break a cycle of "quirky, characteristic...last minute, weird official call" losses.
    • Steve Tasker (27:00): "Maybe they...To get out of that, of having these massively unusual and weird and close last minute...that's the trait they're trying to change."

Emotional Toll on Bills Family

• Personal Loss:
  • Steve Tasker (28:13): "It's a little more personal for me maybe than it's ever been...It's hard to say goodbye to a place like this. ... Everybody in this building owes their job to him."
• Dan Patrick (29:08): Notes “You could hear it in his voice,” highlighting the deep ties and discomfort those in the building are experiencing.

Other Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Next Coach’s Pressure:
  • Marvin (30:12): "The next head coach of the Bills, he’s on a shorter leash ... You gotta take us over the hump."
  • Dan Patrick (30:22): "It’s not just make the playoffs. How about we win a couple of games?"
• Dan’s Analysis of Young QBs (37:16):
  • "He [Caleb Williams] didn't have a great game, but he's not afraid of the big moments. And that's what I love about him...they put him in position to succeed."
• Coaching Stability Stat:
  • Paulie (38:56): “Mike Vrabel, who was hired 372 days ago, is now the longest tenured coach in the AFC East. Wow.”

Segment Timestamps

• 00:35–03:24: Initial reaction to McDermott’s firing & playoff implications
• 05:25–06:33: Discussion on Brian Daboll as a candidate; Josh Allen’s influence
• 07:43–11:32: Dissecting the controversial interception & officiating
• 12:20–16:28: Listener calls; Bo Nix injury; QB poll discussion
• 20:54–29:08: Steve Tasker interview covers McDermott’s legacy, loss analysis, Bills’ coaching future, and emotional impact
• 29:08–31:08: Next coach pressure; historical franchise perspective
• 37:02–41:14: Bears-Rams game/call breakdown; coaching stability in AFC East

Tone & Style

Dan Patrick mixes serious analysis with his signature blend of nostalgia, humor, and empathy, especially when connecting with long-time listeners and guests. The team is candid, lightly irreverent, but always respectful—especially in emotionally charged moments like the Tasker interview.

Summary Table: Main Topics and Key Takeaways

| Segment | Key Takeaway | |---------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | McDermott’s Firing | Not shocking given context; huge organizational and emotional impact in Buffalo | | Coaching Candidates | Brian Daboll is a contender; trust in Josh Allen’s input is crucial | | Playoff Officiating | Extended debate on a non-review of a pivotal interception; criticisms of league replay process | | Emotional Fan Calls | Listeners sharing hope and heartbreak; show remains a touchpoint for major moments | | Steve Tasker’s Reaction | Firing is a seismic change; McDermott revered internally; “somber” mood in the building | | Franchise Expectations | Next Buffalo coach faces immense pressure to deliver deep postseason success | | NFL Coaching Stability | AFC East has historic churn; Mike Vrabel is now the division’s “elder statesman” after just 372 days| | Lighter Moments | Show closes with sports idioms, movie popcorn, and banter, keeping tone balanced |

A Must-Listen for:
Buffalo Bills fans, those fascinated by NFL coaching drama, and listeners interested in the behind-the-scenes pressure and emotion tied to high-stakes professional sports decisions. Steve Tasker’s inside view is uncommonly heartfelt and honest.

Memorable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dan Patrick (01:49):
  "You gotta make the AFC title game, at least make the AFC title game...the window of opportunity, nine years here. Now we gotta get to the AFC title game."

• Steve Tasker (21:58):
  "You can't overstate what he has meant to the franchise, what he did for them, the culture he established, what he's meant to the community, the example he's been to his players. I know his players revere him."

• Steve Tasker (28:13):
  "It’s hard to say goodbye to a place like this ... Everybody in this building owes their job to him. Right. So it's a deeply personal thing."

• Todd (09:37):
  "I got really pissed off that they just allowed that to happen. ... It is a bad look for the officials that they didn't look under a hood or at least pretend to take some more time."

• Fan Brian (11:41):
  "This is the best gift that I could have had. So thank you for being here and thank you for everything, Dan."

• Marvin (30:12):
  "The next head coach of the Bills, he’s on a shorter leash ... You gotta take us over the hump."

For anyone looking to understand the gravity of Buffalo’s coaching change or the subtleties that turn NFL storylines into emotional sagas, this episode delivers heartfelt access and sharp analysis in classic Dan Patrick fashion.