The Dan Patrick Show (Hour 2) – March 18, 2026

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This episode dives deep into current NFL and college sports headlines, focusing on player movements, the controversy around retiring (and unretiring) jersey numbers, and big-picture team management decisions—bolstered by an insightful, lively segment with Nick Wright (Fox Sports 1, "First Things First"). Dan and his team bring trademark humor and insider perspective to stories from the World Baseball Classic to NFL salary cap strategies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. World Baseball Classic and All-Star Break Debate

• [02:19 – 06:05]: Dan and the crew analyze last night’s WBC, the emotional investment of international players (notably Venezuela), and the US team’s perceived lack of passion compared to their global rivals.
  • Dan Patrick: “The momentum that you have now is maybe just a springboard for the upcoming season… because I don’t know if Bryce Harper is going to be around in four years for his 19th year in the bigs.”
• They debate fan suggestions about moving the WBC from preseason to MLB’s All-Star break.
  • [06:05, Co-host Seaton]: “Should the WBC stay in the preseason or move to the All-Star break? Right now, people have it staying in the preseason, but it’s close.”
  • Dan’s take: Keep WBC in spring training to avoid jeopardizing the regular season with potential injuries.

2. Max Crosby, Baltimore Ravens, & NFL “Buyer’s Remorse”

• [07:45 – 12:25]: Dan breaks down Max Crosby’s recounting of a failed trade to the Ravens. Through Crosby’s podcast and Dan’s analysis, it's clear Baltimore soured on giving up two first-rounders, possibly using his post-surgery knee as an excuse.
  • Max Crosby [08:11]: “Go into the room. They sit me down…[the doctor] has concerns…about the future…with your knee…At the first thought in my head, I was terrified.”
  • Crosby details the stress and confusion from inconsistent communication, culminating in his surgeon, Dr. Neil Elattrache, reassuring him his knee was healing well.
  • Dan [10:09]: “I think the Ravens got cold feet…It felt like buyer’s remorse…They wanted to come up with a reason.”
  • Amusing logistical detail: Crosby’s “first class” flight to D.C., then a 2-hour car ride to Baltimore—a far cry from superstar treatment.
  • Co-host [12:46]: “If you're Max Crosby...Am I going to have to do this all the time?”

3. NFL Salary Cap, Dead Cap Space & Schedule Expansion

• [14:03 – 16:42]: A caller asks if the NFL could impose a minimum salary for active rosters when so much is “dead money.” Dan discusses the league’s salary floor rules and shares inside info on how the NFL nearly shifted to an 18-game season under a previous NFLPA head.
  • Dan explains stability under new NFLPA leader JC Tretter and lingering trust issues from previous scandals.

4. Miami Dolphins’ QB Confusion & Jameis Winston Rumors

• [16:42 – 18:10]: Listener calls prompt speculation about the Dolphins’ quarterback room, specifically whether Jameis Winston joined Miami. It’s clarified he’s still with the Giants, but the Dolphins’ strategy is dissected:
  • Co-host [17:25]: “If it's a competition between Willis and Jameis, everyone needs to be fired.”
  • Dan [17:48]: “If you had Jameis and you’re comfortable, don’t bring in Malik Willis…Makes more sense to keep Jameis.”

5. Retiring vs. Honoring Jerseys – The Matt Leinert Dilemma

• [22:43 – 25:47]: Dan introduces the debate: Should colleges and teams unretire jerseys for recruits? Matt Leinert recently refused USC’s request to unretire his number for a five-star recruit.
  • Audio clip: Matt Leinert via Nick Wright [24:41]: “Absolutely not…I am never going to unretire my jersey for some random dude who now could wear number 11 and transfer after a year. The only person who will ever wear my USC number 11 would be [my son] Cole.”

Featured Segment: Nick Wright Joins the Show

6. Nick Wright on Retired Jerseys

• [26:08 – 27:19]: Nick defends the tradition:

  • Nick Wright: “Retiring jerseys is awesome…There should be gravity to retiring a number. And you can't then retroactively ask the guy to unretire it.”
  • Says fault lies with the school for asking, not the recruit for requesting a number.

• Anecdote: Nick recalls seeing Leinert in person at Yankee Stadium:

  • Nick Wright [28:39]: “My inner monologue is: that might be the most gorgeous person I’ve ever seen…Then I realized, oh, that’s Matt Leinert, who I’ve worked with.”

7. Greatest College Basketball Players of All Time

• [29:26 – 32:30]: The crew and Nick trade lists and criteria for all-time college hoops greats.
  • Nick’s personal Top 5: Kareem (Lew Alcindor), Bill Walton, Pistol Pete Maravich, Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird.
  • Nick: “The only hard position to fill is your three…I lean Larry Bird…I don’t know that anyone else comes to mind.”
  • Discusses generational shifts—today’s best rarely stay in school long enough for such lists.

8. Miami Dolphins’ “Tear Down” and Quarterback Strategy

• [32:44 – 34:37]:
  • Nick approves of Dolphins embracing a full rebuild: “Rather than piecemealing it, we are ripping it down…Take our medicine right now and then try to move forward.”
  • Why sign Malik Willis? “Jeff Hafley has familiarity with him,” and you need competence to evaluate young talent.
  • Nick Wright: “If you said, ‘Nick, you’re taking over the Dolphins,’ I would have done a lot of the same things…They are going to be the worst team in the league by a lot next year.”

9. Broncos vs. Rams: Who’s More ‘All In’?

• [34:37 – 36:21]:
  • Nick: Rams are the true “all in”—making smart moves for short-term success with an aging QB. Broncos are improving but not selling the farm.

10. Chiefs: Justin Fields and Kelce’s Return

• [36:21 – 39:08]:
  • Nick praises the low-risk, high-upside move for Fields.
    • “Essentially getting him for nothing. I wanted the Chiefs four years ago to sign Cam Newton...to just make teams...deal with the wildcat quarterback run package.”
  • On Travis Kelce: No real surprise he’s back, despite offseason speculation.
  • Nick and Dan both see Fields as a reclamation project who could revive his career behind Mahomes (similar to Sam Darnold in LA or Malik Willis in Green Bay).

11. Charles Barkley & Modern NBA Coverage

• [39:13 – 42:04]:
  • Nick asks Dan to question Charles Barkley—does he still like the NBA? Nick admires Barkley but senses a lack of enthusiasm for regular season hoops from ‘Inside the NBA’.
  • Nick [40:15]: "That's one of, if not the greatest sports TV shows ever. But man, oh man, I wish they liked basketball still."
  • Dan teases Barkley and Shaq’s more casual prep and engagement, especially compared to research-heavy shows like First Things First.

12. Gambling Tales and March Madness Stories

• [42:28 – 44:47]: Nick candidly shares his largest-ever gambling loss:
  • 2008 NCAA title game: Bet nearly all his liquid assets on Memphis -2.5. Mario Chalmers’ shot sends the game to OT, Memphis loses, and Nick’s bankroll is wiped out.
  • Nick Wright [43:14]: “Biggest bet of my life by a mile… I went from being the only person in the world who was going to bet Memphis, to one time, back at zero…But I felt alive, Dan. I remember that story 18 years later.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan Patrick (on the WBC atmosphere):
  • "This was more than just winning the WBC [for Venezuela]. Far more than that." — [05:30]
• Nick Wright (on jersey retirements):
  • “There should be gravity to retiring a number. You can't then retroactively ask the guy to unretire it.” — [26:32]
• Matt Leinert (via Nick Wright):
  • “I am never going to unretire my jersey for some random dude who by the way now could wear number 11 and transfer after a year. The only person that will ever wear my USC number 11 would be Cole.” — [24:48]
• Nick Wright (on loss gambling on Memphis):
  • “Biggest loss as a percentage of my net worth… but I felt alive, Dan.” — [44:13]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• WBC Reaction & Poll Question ………………………… [02:19 – 06:29]
• Max Crosby/Ravens Trade Drama …………………… [07:45 – 12:25]
• NFL Salary Cap & 18-Game Talk …………………… [14:03 – 16:42]
• Jameis Winston/Dolphins QB Room ……………… [16:42 – 18:10]
• Matt Leinert/Jersey Unretirement ………………… [22:43 – 25:47]
• Nick Wright Joins (Jersey Tradition) ……………… [26:08 – 29:08]
• All-Time College Basketball Greats ………………… [29:26 – 32:30]
• Dolphins Rebuild Explained …………………………… [32:44 – 34:37]
• Broncos vs. Rams “All-In” Debate ………………… [34:37 – 36:21]
• Chiefs: Kelce/Justin Fields …………………………… [36:21 – 39:08]
• Charles Barkley & Modern NBA ……………………… [39:13 – 42:04]
• Nick Wright’s Gambling Story ………………………… [42:28 – 44:47]

Additional Notes

• Listener Engagement: Calls prompt real-time fact checks (Winston status) and deep-dive analysis on league rules, player value, and sports media.
• Analytical Depth: Nick Wright and Dan blend storytelling, personal anecdotes, and sharp sports takes, providing listeners insider views and humor.
• Signature Tone: The episode balances lively sports debate with behind-the-scenes perspectives and a playful, self-aware style.

Summary

This episode is essential listening for sports fans interested in the evolving culture and economics of football, the traditions of college sports, and the personalities that drive sports debate. Nick Wright’s guest segment stands out as both energetic and insightful, with memorable stories and bold opinions. The show thrives on its chemistry, real-time reactions, and willingness to challenge conventional thinking—whether reimagining the All-Star break, scrutinizing front office decisions, or poking fun at sports media tropes.