The Dan Patrick Show — Hour 2: “Philip Rivers Doesn’t Disappoint, Nick Wright”
Date: December 15, 2025
Host(s): Dan Patrick, with Paulie, Seaton, Marvin, and guest Nick Wright
Episode Overview
This hour of The Dan Patrick Show focuses on the fallout from the latest NFL weekend, highlighted by a surprise performance from veteran Philip Rivers, major injuries to star quarterbacks (notably Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons), and a candid conversation with Fox Sports analyst and staunch Kansas City Chiefs fan Nick Wright. The hosts dissect the state of the quarterback position in the NFL, reflect on insider sourcing in sports media, and argue through MVP and Hall of Fame debates. As always, the show blends in signature humor and insights.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Philip Rivers’ Comeback with the Colts
- Dan Patrick reflects on Rivers' surprise start and what it says about the NFL quarterback landscape.
- “Are you trying to tell me there’s no other quarterback on the planet who could have played for the Colts that they went with Philip Rivers?” (05:26)
- Questions about the arm strength and ability at Rivers’ age—he admitted he couldn’t throw 50 yards a decade ago, so no surprise now.
- Emotional aftermath for Rivers and his team:
- “You can hear the emotion in his voice after the game. Grateful.” — Dan Patrick (06:45)
- [Paulie, channeling Rivers]: “It was a blast. But obviously the emotions now are disappointment, right?...you know, this isn’t about me.” (06:57–07:07)
2. NFL Injuries: Mahomes, Parsons, and the Playoff Picture
- The impact of Mahomes’ knee injury extends through this season and likely into 2026.
- “Players know when they're hurt. I mean, you can tell Michael Parsons knew it was serious. Even the players when Mahomes was down, they knew it was serious.” — Dan Patrick (07:37)
- Discussion shifts to how injuries late in the season can spill over into the following year.
- Dan emphasizes the evolution of quarterbacks: when young, they take more hits; as experience grows, they start making “business decisions” to protect themselves, with references to Aaron Rodgers and the “blue tent” (concussion protocol).
3. Quarterback Play & Player Development
- Ongoing debate around the development pipeline for QBs, citing the reliance on “familiar faces” (like Rivers), plus the unpredictability around college prospects transitioning successfully.
- Specific cases discussed:
- Jackson Dart: Exciting talent, but concerns about durability and concussions.
- “But if you’re in the blue tent, you’re in concussion protocol three, four, five times a year…” — Dan Patrick (09:39)
- Diego Pavia, Fernando Mendoza, Shador Sanders, Cam Ward: Contrasts between hype, skill set, and media attention.
- “It could be like, Sam Bradford, like, okay, but I don’t know if he’s great.” — Dan Patrick (15:42)
- “Somebody might be the better quarterback, but the other person is a lightning rod...He gets more clicks.” — Paulie (16:47)
- Jackson Dart: Exciting talent, but concerns about durability and concussions.
4. Team Polls & Fan Interaction
- Poll questions igniting debate:
- Which is more surprising to be out of the playoffs: Ravens or Lions? (Lions lead)
- Steelers vs Ravens: Who is more likely to make the playoffs?
- Listener questions about sourcing and relationships with insiders.
- Dan: “No, there’s no quid pro quo...all I ask...keep me honest on something, give me a heads up if I’m going the right direction...” (12:18)
5. Nick Wright on the Chiefs’ Collapse
- Nick returns after a “long-awaited” invite, poking fun at his own suffering as a Chiefs fan.
- “I have found out what it takes to get a long awaited return invite...evidently it’s buying you a very expensive bottle of wine...and my football team having the worst moment of the decade.” — Nick Wright (24:01)
- The mood among Chiefs fans: resignation and disappointment after years of success.
- “This is shout out to Jim Kelly. This is why it’s so hard to make four straight Super Bowls, I suppose.” — Nick Wright (29:36)
- Discussion of Patrick Mahomes’ injury, what it means for Kelsey, and Andy Reid’s future.
- “Andy Reid is one of the three greatest coaches in the history of the sport and is currently the three time defending AFC champion coach. Like, dude.” — Nick Wright (30:48)
- Offensive woes, lack of a running game, and questions for the offseason.
6. AFC Landscape: Who's Top Now?
- With Chiefs out, Nick crowns the Broncos as “currently the best,” but the Bills as “the team to beat.”
- “If not now, when for Josh Allen?” — Nick Wright (34:01)
- Dan: “It feels like Josh Allen’s making a late charge here for MVP.” (35:22)
7. MVP and Hall of Fame Debates
- Matthew Stafford, Drake May, and Josh Allen seen as lead MVP candidates.
- “Matthew Stafford’s been the MVP of this league basically wire to wire...[he] has one bad game this year. Josh has had like four really grisly games.” — Nick Wright (35:27)
- The singular value of a Standalone Game for MVP narratives.
- Hall of Fame ramifications for Stafford—winning MVP would “punch his ticket.”
- “No matter what happens in this postseason, if he wins MVP…he’s a Hall of Famer.” — Nick Wright (37:18)
- Rivers’ return and impact on his own Hall of Fame candidacy. Discussion about future QB “logjams” in HoF voting.
- Russell Wilson vs. Stafford for Hall inclusion.
- “As we sit here today, Russell has a stronger case, which is why I’m saying if Stafford wins MVP, then you have just enough of the credentials…” — Nick Wright (40:02)
8. Best and Worst of the Weekend
- Best: Broncos clinching a playoff spot, standout performances in HBCU and service academy games.
- Worst: Bengals’ shutout loss and stadium issues, critical penalties impacting playoff hopes, the war of attrition (injuries) across the league.
- Paulie’s bittersweet note: “The Chiefs not making the playoffs...that is just delicious.” (47:01)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Rivers’ return:
- “You can hear the emotion in his voice after the game. Grateful.” — Dan Patrick (06:45)
- On NFL injuries:
- “Players know when they're hurt...when Mahomes was down, they knew it was serious.” — Dan Patrick (07:37)
- On Chiefs’ demise:
- “There have been so many times this year that Chiefs teams of the past stand up and make the big moments...This year they were the opposite.” — Nick Wright (25:25)
- On Andy Reid:
- “There are some Chiefs fans that wish it were different. There’s a name for those people. Idiots.” — Nick Wright (30:47 & Dan Patrick 30:48)
- On the burden of QB hits:
- “He might not get sacked, but he gets hit...and that's what Denver did.” — Dan Patrick (08:03)
- On MVP narratives:
- “Matthew Stafford’s been the MVP of this league basically wire to wire.” — Nick Wright (35:27)
Important Segment Timestamps
- 05:26: Dan questions the Colts’ reliance on Rivers; larger QB depth issues
- 06:45: Emotional aftermath for Philip Rivers; sense of gratitude and disappointment
- 07:37–09:39: Injury fallout – Mahomes, Parsons, evolving QB approach to hits
- 12:18: Dan details relationships with insiders and sourcing methodology
- 24:01: Nick Wright’s humorous reintroduction and opening Chiefs lament
- 25:25–29:36: Dissection of Chiefs' failure this season; legacy comparisons
- 30:47–31:39: Andy Reid’s job security and Chiefs’ organizational continuity
- 34:01: Nick Wright: “If not now, when for Josh Allen?” — the AFC’s new landscape
- 35:27–38:41: Intense MVP and Hall of Fame debates for Stafford, Allen, and others
- 47:01: Best & Worst of the Weekend summary
Conclusion
This episode delivers a blend of sharp sports analysis and self-aware humor, digging into the narratives of NFL injuries, quarterback legacies, and the evolving playoff race. Nick Wright’s emotional candor adds extra flavor, especially for Chiefs fans mourning the end of an era. Meanwhile, the hosts keep the tone lively and relatable, connecting both the headlines and the human stories behind the teams.
Ideal For: NFL fans hunting for nuanced context around injuries and team performances, plus anyone invested in the current (and future) Hall of Fame and MVP races. Even non-sports listeners will appreciate the show’s humor and insider perspectives.
[End of Hour Two summary]