The Dan Patrick Show — Hour 2: Ross Tucker, NFL Talk, and Dillon Gabriel Debate

Date: September 30, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick
Stream: iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Overview

Hour 2 of The Dan Patrick Show features a blend of NFL analysis, listener calls, and Dan Patrick's signature humor with his team. Key discussions include the state of NFL teams like the Titans and Bengals, the fallout from Tyreek Hill’s injury, the ongoing debate about the MetLife Stadium turf, “drama” with A.J. Brown, and spirited back-and-forth about quarterback prospects—including the heated question: is it Dillon Gabriel time for the Browns? Guest Ross Tucker brings in-depth football insights and tackles listener-favorite topics with wit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Poll Questions and Team States

• Jets, Bengals, Titans:

  • Early chat revolves around which NFL teams are already “done” for the season. The Jets and Titans are top candidates (06:36–07:00).
  • Quote:
    • "The Jets are apparently who we thought they were ... and it's not even October." — Marvin (06:36)
  • Bengals’ 2-2 record “feels worse than being 0-4,” sparking debate over the true strength of supposedly competitive teams.

• NFL Standings Reflect Disarray:

  • “The Bengals’ 2-2 is worse than the Jets’ 0-4.” — Dan Patrick (07:05–07:08)

2. Height, Hair, and Football Chatter

• Lighthearted poll about personal attributes ("be as tall as you want, perfect hair, or pick a permanent weight”). Transitions into a stats-based discussion on NFL player heights, with some good-natured ribbing between Dan, Ross Tucker, and the crew (08:40–12:01).
• Quote:
  • "I've checked the boxes on all of these. Good hair. Tall. Maintain your weight." — Dan Patrick (10:57)

3. Listener Calls: Bengals’ Leadership, Quarterback Moves, and Todd’s Potential Podcast

• Jamar Chase Leadership: Caller Nick wishes Bengals stars like Chase would support their backup QB more visibly (13:02–13:56).
• Bengals Quarterback Options: Debate whether the Bengals should target Derek Carr or Kirk Cousins, but injuries (and costs) are a challenge (14:18–14:40).
• Todd Fritz’s “Todd Cast": Listeners suggest a standalone Todd podcast; in-studio banter follows about what it’d be like, with Dan expressing (amused) doubt (16:36–19:17).

4. Ross Tucker Interview (25:02–38:47)

NFL Deep-Dive: Titans, Bengals, and Dolphins

• Titans Slide:

  • “Texans game was really disappointing ... Neither team had made a trip to the red zone yet—and I’m the one that has to talk about the game on TV, Dan!” — Ross Tucker (25:02)
  • Titans appear lost; uncertainty about rookie quarterback and roster direction.

• Bengals' Woes & QB Carousel:

  • Bengals “look defeated” and lack energy/creativity; nobody inspiring as a fill-in starter.
  • “They look like a defeated bunch ... and you rarely see that in the NFL, especially this early in the season.” — Ross Tucker (26:44)
  • On potential QB trades: Maybe Russell Wilson or Jameis Winston, but unlikely to be immediate upgrades.

• Tyreek Hill’s Career-threatening Injury:

  • “I don’t think we’ll ever see him what he was, and that’s kind of sad. He’s the fastest human being I’ve ever seen in person.” — Ross Tucker (28:49)
  • Draws comparison to Nick Chubb post-injury—Hill might return, but not at his peak.

• MetLife Stadium Turf Curse:

  • Public/athlete perception "is reality;" mounting scrutiny after another non-contact injury (Malik Nabors).
  • “The Giants and Jets really need to do something about this ... it’s a very negative perception.” — Ross Tucker (30:10)

A.J. Brown’s Postgame Drama

• Vague Social Media Posting:
  • “By posting that [Bible passage], he’s necessarily making a scene. I’m not a fan of it ... they threw him the ball nine times. I really don't get what he's so upset about." — Ross Tucker (31:50)
  • Ross’s take: Handle issues internally; be direct, not passive-aggressive online.

NFL Ties and Overtime

• Ties are "Un-American":
  • “Everybody feels like they lost ... Something you’ll remember for the rest of your lives? A tie? ... That’s why we play sports, right? The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat.” — Ross Tucker (34:44)
  • Offers several solutions: College overtime rules, a kicker “kickoff,” or return to sudden death.

Chiefs, Bills, AFC Power Rankings

• Chiefs are “getting there” (especially once Rashee Rice returns), but Buffalo ranks #1 for now, with Kansas City at #2.
• Wild card: Ross is bullish on the Colts, slots them at #5.

5. Dillon Gabriel, Shadour Sanders, and the Browns QB Situation

• Browns QB Dilemma:

  • Dan updates on inside league chatter: Though fans clamor for Dillon Gabriel to start, “Joe Flacco still gives the Browns the best chance to win right now.” Gabriel’s chance will come but not yet (45:04–45:34).

• Rookie QB Wrangling:

  • Dan notes the Browns’ “no man’s land": not bad enough for a high draft pick, not good enough to compete.
  • The crew points to Cam Ward as a rare No. 1 overall pick getting almost zero hype, due in part to joining “the most irrelevant franchise in the NFL” (50:25–50:32).
  • Discussion of how Shadour Sanders’ draft manipulation (alongside his father, Deion) impacted his career start (51:02–51:25).

6. Memorable & Humorous Moments

• Ongoing jokes about Todd Fritz’s love life and Crohn’s disease pop up as “content warnings” if he hosts his podcast (17:13–19:13).
• Repeated, friendly jibes at Marvin’s height and Dan’s supposed “perfection” keep the tone witty and light amidst serious football debate (11:00–11:58).

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On NFL Team Futility:
  • "The Jets are apparently who we thought they were ... and it's not even October." — Marvin (06:36)
• On Average in the League:
  • “The Bengals’ 2-2 is worse than the Jets’ 0-4.” — Dan Patrick (07:05)
• On Height and Life Skills:
  • “I've checked the boxes on all of these. Good hair. Tall. Maintain your weight.” — Dan Patrick (10:57)
• On AJ Brown’s Discord:
  • “By posting that, he’s making a scene.”—Ross Tucker (31:50)
• On Ties in Football:
  • “Everybody feels like they lost … ties are terrible, and we’re going to have more of them … I despise ties. First of all, it’s un-American!”—Ross Tucker (34:44)
• On Tyreek Hill's Injury:
  • “I don’t think we’ll ever see him what he was, and that’s kind of sad. He’s the fastest human being I’ve ever seen in person.” — Ross Tucker (28:49)
• On Dillon Gabriel's Readiness:
  • “Joe Flacco still gives the Browns the best chance to win right now ... The schedule’s been brutal, but eases up after a trip to Pittsburgh.” — Dan Patrick (45:34)
• On Browns’ QB Search:
  • "If you try Dillon Gabriel now, maybe you get a high draft pick." — Paulie (46:07)
• On Cam Ward:
  • “Can you think of a #1 overall QB getting less attention than Cam Ward?” — Ross Tucker (49:16)
  • "It didn't help that he went to the most irrelevant franchise in the NFL." — Ross Tucker (50:25)

Major Timestamps

• NFL poll chat and team states: 06:36–07:33
• Player height and NFL averages: 08:40–11:58
• Listener phone calls (Bengals, Todd Cast): 13:02–19:17
• Ross Tucker Interview: 25:02–38:47
  • Titans’ collapse: 25:02
  • Bengals' struggles: 26:44
  • Tyreek Hill injury: 28:49
  • MetLife turf: 30:10
  • A.J. Brown drama: 31:50
  • NFL ties and overtime: 34:44
  • Chiefs/Bills/Colts analysis: 37:47
• Dillon Gabriel, Shadour Sanders, Browns QB talk: 45:04–52:11

Conclusion

This episode mixes sharp NFL analysis—particularly around the Bengals, Browns, and injury fallout—with trademark DP Show humor and side plots (Todd podcasts, height jokes, living room sofa promotions). Ross Tucker delivers candid, fan-friendly football insight. The “Dillon Gabriel time?” question is left hanging, with inside word that Flacco starts “for now”—frustrating fans hungry for rookie excitement. If you missed the hour, these notes capture both the sports talk substance and the fun banter in the room.