The Dan Patrick Show

Hour 2 – Sal Paolantonio, Colts Workout Philip Rivers

Date: December 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show dives deep into the Philadelphia Eagles’ recent sloppy loss, Jalen Hurts’ struggles, and the wider implications for the NFC playoff picture. Key guests include ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio discussing the Eagles’ turbulent season and the state of their quarterback, and the latest buzz around the Indianapolis Colts potentially bringing back 44-year-old Philip Rivers. Dan and the Danettes also debate the College Football Playoff committee controversies, Notre Dame’s ongoing drama with the ACC, and engaging Hall of Fame debates around Philip Rivers, Eli Manning, and Ben Roethlisberger.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Philadelphia Eagles’ Recent Struggles

• Eagles’ Sloppy Performance: Dan opens with a critical look at Jalen Hurts’ turnover-filled game—four interceptions and a fumble, even both on the same play (03:26–06:17).
• Jalen Hurts Analysis:
  • Dan questions Hurts' regular season consistency:

    "I don't know how we're going to view Jalen Hurts when his career is over... it could be one of those careers that's similar to Eli Manning, that he might win a couple of Super Bowls, but the regular season numbers are like, okay." (06:19)

  • Despite clutch performances in big games, Hurts’ limitations as a pure pocket passer are evident.

2. Guest Interview with Sal Paolantonio

Timestamps: 24:54–35:12

Eagles’ Game Breakdown

• One-Word Description:

  "Regressing." — Sal Paolantonio (24:56)

• Sal outlines the recurring issues:

  • Hurts not seeing open receivers (especially a pivotal miss to Dallas Goedert in overtime).
  • Avoidable mistakes leading to turnovers, notably Hurts’ ill-advised OT throw:

    "Dallas Goddard... is sitting there 8 yards downfield, wide open. And instead Jalen Hurts tries to thread the needle... Ball is tipped and picked. Game over." (25:06–26:11)

Coaching and Locker Room Dynamics

• Sal details head coach Nick Sirianni’s delayed hands-on approach in offensive meetings:

  "Why did you take so long to give your input, stick your nose in there. And then after he does, Jalen Hurts has his worst game as a pro." (27:20)

• The team is described as being in "survival mode" for the season’s final stretch (26:29).

Injury Impacts and Offensive Issues

• Eagles were missing key linemen (Lane Johnson, Jalen Carter) and have continually shuffled the offensive front (28:18–29:45).
• Over-reliance on passing against a tough Chargers defense, raising questions on play calling and quarterback decision making.

Playoff Outlook

• Sal is skeptical but allows some hope:

  "Can this be fixed? Absolutely. Can be fixed in time for this week? Can it be salvaged for a Super Bowl run? Not sure. Don't know." (30:19)

3. Philip Rivers Working Out for Colts – Hall of Fame Implications

• Colts’ quarterback injury woes have them considering signing 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who has been out of the league for five years (03:26, 30:36).

• Hall of Fame Question:

  • Dan asks if Rivers returning resets his Hall of Fame eligibility clock (30:50).
  • Sal: "That’s a good question. I’m on the committee and I don’t know." (31:00)
  • Further research by Paulie reveals:

    "If Rivers is signed to the active roster, his Hall of Fame eligibility resets... need to be out another five years before he's looked at. If he is signed to the practice squad, it doesn't affect his Hall of Fame status." (43:09)

• Rivers vs. Eli Manning/Brees/Ben Roethlisberger:

  • Sal ranks Rivers "maybe a notch below Eli Manning," and discusses where Big Ben and Matthew Stafford stand:

    "Matthew Stafford's a Hall of Famer. No doubt. No doubt." (33:34) On Ben Roethlisberger: "Short answer. Yes, that was my long answer." (32:30)

4. College Football Playoff Controversies & Notre Dame Drama

• Dan revisits the drama over Notre Dame and Miami’s rankings, questioning committee consistency (09:47–10:51).

• Notre Dame’s ACC Fallout:

  • Rumors of a looming break from the ACC, and speculation if they could move to the Big Ten.
  • Dan’s analysis:

    "Permanent damage was used yesterday by Pete Bavacqua, their athletic director. That sounds like the point of no return." (08:58)

  • Paulie shares info that Notre Dame’s upcoming press conference is annual and not likely to announce anything radical yet (17:47).

• College Playoff Format Ideas

  • Listeners call in with alternative playoff and bowl structures, including potential for bowls to open the season (17:24, 18:22).

5. Hall of Fame: Rivers, Manning, Roethlisberger

• Dan and Paulie compare resumes for Eli Manning vs. Ben Roethlisberger ("more Hall of Famey" game):

  "Ben is assumed. Yeah. And I would put him in over Eli in a second." (45:51)

• Dan is less confident about Eli Manning:

  "I don't think he is, but I think the two super bowl wins against the Patriots put you in because you're an average quarterback. He had two magical years." (46:26)

• Fans and Danettes weigh in on whether winning two Super Bowls outweighs merely solid stats for Hall of Fame cases.

6. Listener Call-ins & Miscellaneous

• Calls from across the country add color commentary—highlighting dissatisfaction with the playoff process, humorous hypothetical bowl formats, and questions about college rankings.

• One standout fan moment:

  • Caller Tony, with theatrical flair, proposes an LSU playoff adventure for "content":

    "Like I've taught my kids, if you're going to make a completely arbitrary, subjective decision, make sure there's an element of cool or adventure. What a miss." (11:47)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sal Paolantonio on Eagles’ state:

  "Well, they're in survival modes. I don't know about regroup. They're in survival mode." (26:29)

• Dan Patrick on Jalen Hurts’ legacy:

  "It could be one of those careers that's similar to Eli Manning, that he might win a couple of Super Bowls, but the regular season numbers are like, okay." (06:19)

• Sal Paolantonio’s blunt coaching critique:

  "Why did you take so long to give your input, stick your nose in there. And then after he does, Jalen Hurts has his worst game as a pro." (27:20)

• Hall of Fame eligibility reset for Rivers:

  "If Rivers is signed to the active roster, his Hall of Fame eligibility resets... need to be out another five years before he's looked at." (43:09)

• On the College Football Playoff Committee:

  "Everybody seems to have an answer for the format, except for the people who are supposed to have an answer for the format and the College Football Playoff committee." (17:31)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Eagles/Chargers Recap & Hurts’ Struggles: 03:26–06:17
• Dan’s Musings on Hurts’ Career: 06:19
• Sal Paolantonio Full Interview: 24:54–35:12
• Philip Rivers Return & HOF Debate: 30:36–32:30, with rules explained at 43:09
• Notre Dame Playoff/ACC Situation Discussion: 08:58–14:08; Press Conference Context 17:47
• Eli vs. Ben HOF Comparison Game: 44:41–45:58

Tone and Style

• Lively, opinionated, and relaxed, with plenty of playful banter among Dan and the Danettes.
• Critical but fair sports analysis; conversational and direct.
• Interspersed with light-hearted listener calls and nostalgia.

Summary for Non-Listeners

Even if you missed the show, Hour 2 of The Dan Patrick Show (Dec 9, 2025) offers key insights into the Philadelphia Eagles’ woes, Jalen Hurts’ high-wire act as a franchise QB, and why the Colts might turn to Philip Rivers once more. ESPN's Sal Paolantonio provides candid analysis of the Eagles' slide, exposing both coaching indecision and Hurts’ setbacks. Off the field, Dan leads a colorful debate on college football’s playoff mess, the power struggle between Notre Dame and the ACC, and the eternal Hall of Fame debates about Rivers, Manning, and Roethlisberger. Lively calls and the signature Dan Patrick wit frame a sharp snapshot of sports’ hottest debates—perfect for fans who want the story behind the headlines.