The Dan Patrick Show

Hour 2 – Shedeur Sanders Obsession, Jason Garrett
Date: October 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This hour centers on major developing news in the sports world, notably the FBI's investigation and arrests connected to NBA gambling—including high-profile figures like Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat's Terry Rozier. Dan Patrick and the Danettes also tackle the media's intense focus on Shedeur Sanders' NFL prospects, backup QB dynamics, and quarterback development. Jason Garrett, former Cowboys head coach and NBC Football Night in America analyst, joins for a deep football discussion. The episode blends sports analysis, humor, and real-time news updates, giving listeners a full spectrum of current sports intrigue.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breaking News: FBI, Gambling, and the NBA

[04:01, 24:03, 45:56]

• The lead story is the FBI's press conference regarding arrests tied to NBA gambling, focusing on Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier.

• Early details revealed up to 30 involved, including unnamed athletes and coaches.

• Federal officials allege mafia-backed, rigged poker games and fraudulent gambling schemes; pro athletes apparently served as “face cards” to lure victims to these games.

• Use of technology such as poker chip tray analyzers and x-ray tables enabled reading cards face down. Victims lost up to $7 million.

• Quote — Dan Patrick [45:56]:

  “The FBI called out the mafia families, the big ones in New York... Lucchese, Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese. ...They were allegedly involved in backing rigged poker games to scam victims out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

• It's unclear if Billups and others were perpetrators or victims; the NBA scheme is dubbed “Operation Nothing But Net.”

  • Dan and the Danettes joke about the old days of the mob and speculate about the scam mechanics.
  • They stress the seriousness of FBI scrutiny and the sophistication of recent gambling crimes.

2. Media Obsession With Shedeur Sanders & Backup Quarterbacks

[05:19, 08:55, 29:47]

• The show critiques how media fixate on Shedeur Sanders (Deion Sanders’ son), now with the Browns, questioning whether he should get first-team practice reps over starting QB Dylan Gabriel.

• Dan notes no one obsesses over other backup QBs in similar situations:

  • “Is anybody asking if the backup to Jackson Dart is getting any reps with the first team? ... The media is obsessed with this, with Shedeur Sanders.” [07:01]

• Dan acknowledges Sanders’ potential but points out Gabriel is currently the better quarterback and that Sanders’ fame is partially due to his father.

  • “Dylan Gabriel is a better quarterback right now than Shedeur Sanders. It's plain and simple. Not many fifth round draft picks get this kind of attention.” [07:31]

• Discussion broadens to the unusual nature of giving post-draft media access to a backup/third-string QB, which could exacerbate narratives.

3. Poll Question: Who’s More “Unicorny”—Shohei Ohtani or Victor Wembanyama?

[13:10, 45:24]

• Ongoing debate about which sports phenom is more of a "unicorn":
  • Shohei Ohtani: two-way MLB superstar
  • Victor Wembanyama: the basketball prodigy with unique physical skills
• Poll results show Ohtani leading with 75%—leading to humorous protestation, especially from Fritzy.
  • “People are grossly underappreciating how much of a unicorn that Frenchman is.” —Fritzy [45:41]
• Dan backs Ohtani but acknowledges Wembanyama’s freakish talent.

4. Notable Calls & Lighthearted Segments

[13:50, 16:16, 51:26]

• Biggest Upset Poll: Caller David sparks a segment on greatest sports upsets, equating David vs. Goliath with modern events like Buster Douglas vs. Tyson and Miracle on Ice.
  • “I don't know what the point spread was when David met Goliath, but I'm going to guess that Goliath was a pretty big favorite there.” —Dan [14:21]
  • Playful banter about whether David’s slingshot was "bush league."
• Gambling Industry Call: Tom in NC raises questions about new “event-contracts” (betting on outcomes like stock or game results) and the vulnerability of college and pro athletes to gambling schemes.
  • Dan details the ongoing risks in unregulated (offshore) betting and the ever-present temptation for athletes to be corrupted in these environments.

5. Deep Dive: Backup QB Reps & Quarterback Development (With Jason Garrett)

[25:59, 29:47]

• Jason Garrett joins to analyze current NFL storylines:
  • Chargers’ struggles—chalked up largely to injuries, but optimism remains about defense and Justin Herbert’s leadership.
  • Explains why young QBs often struggle in their first pro stops, especially high picks on weak teams: poor environments, too much burden, media scrutiny.
  • “The environment's not very good, and then people sour on them, particularly in places like New York where there's high scrutiny.” —Garrett [28:44]
  • When those QBs get second chances with better organizations, they often thrive.
• Backup QB Practice Reps: Garrett gives a first-hand account; as a Cowboys backup, real reps were rare—starters get almost everything.
  • “You just don't get reps. The starters get the reps. You get the scout team stuff... I would complain to myself, like, how am I supposed to play? Well, I never get any reps. And then you realize that if you can't function in this environment, they're going to find someone who can.” —Garrett [30:08]
  • Garrett describes inventing his own "reps" at home, calling plays out loud in the car.
    • “You have to steal reps any way you can.” [32:19]
  • Talks about VR technology introduced to Cowboys QBs to help backups get more mental reps.

6. NFL Hot Takes: Chargers, Cowboys, Packers/Steelers, and Chiefs

[25:59–40:20]

• Garrett breaks down the Packers vs. Steelers matchup (Sunday Night Football); likes Green Bay’s upside.
• Chiefs are rounding into form as Mahomes gets more weapons back; Dan and Garrett note their historical consistency.
  • “This team is historic. The coach is incredible. The quarterback's incredible. The defense, you know, they have these hall of Fame players.” —Garrett [36:23]
• Cowboys’ offense is a juggernaut when healthy. Questions linger over their defense, especially without Micah Parsons.
  • “If anybody's been watching football objectively without an agenda for the last 10 years, you say this guy's a really good football player.” —Garrett on Dak [38:29]
  • Micah Parsons’ value and how his absence exposes defensive depth issues.

7. More on NBA Gambling/Mafia Investigation

[45:56]

• Post-press conference, more details:

  • Multiple mafia families (Lucchese, Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese) allegedly ran fixed games.
  • Poker games involved tech to cheat, with pro athletes luring in “fish.”
  • NBA aspect called "Operation Nothing But Net."
  • Jokes about pro athletes being used as bait and the sad decline of “traditional” mob activity:
    • “I remember the good old days when the mafia was shaking down big organizations, not private poker games.” —Fritzy [48:57]

• Ambiguity remains about Chauncey Billups’ exact role—whether he was knowingly involved or used as a lure.

8. “Boring Greats” — Nikola Jokic Debate

[51:26]

• Caller brings up Nikola Jokic as a “boring” NBA great.
• Dan, while acknowledging Jokic’s passing brilliance, playfully refutes the notion of Jokic as boring.
  • “He's awesome. His passing. Top five passer in the league.” —Dan [52:09]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Shedeur Sanders obsession:

  • “We pick and choose and it's unfortunate. And then you're kind of forcing this story. That's what we do.” —Dan Patrick [07:53]

• On the mob poker scam:

  • “They could read the cards face down… victims allegedly cheated out of $7 million in the poker scheme.” —Dan Patrick [45:56]
  • “Sad. I remember the good old days when the mafia was shaking down big organizations, not private poker games.” —Fritzy [48:57]

• On QB development:

  • “Burden is a big thing in football. If you can spread the burden around, one part of your team or one guy on your team doesn't have to win for you every week. That's what the best teams have.” —Jason Garrett [28:44]

• On prepping as a backup:

  • “You have to steal reps any way you can.” —Jason Garrett [32:19]
  • “I learned early on... if you can't function in this environment, they're going to find someone who can.” [30:18]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [04:01] Breaking FBI news: Arrest of Chauncey Billups, Terry Rozier in gambling probe
• [07:01–08:55] Media obsession with Shedeur Sanders and Browns QBs
• [13:10] “Unicorn” poll: Ohtani vs. Wembanyama
• [14:16] Calls about greatest upsets and gambling issues
• [16:16] Gambling industry/risk discussion
• [25:59] Jason Garrett interview begins (in-depth football talk starts here)
• [29:47–34:22] Detailed examination of backup QB practice reps and VR training
• [36:08–40:20] NFL team breakdowns (Packers, Steelers, Chiefs, Cowboys)
• [45:56] FBI update: Mafia, poker scams, NBA involvement
• [51:26] Jokic “boring great” debate and closing banter

Tone & Style

• The conversation is sharp, witty, often playful, but grounded in serious sports journalism.
• Dan Patrick balances insider perspective with a touch of irreverent humor, especially in lighter segments and during the relatable “bad gig of being a backup QB” bits.
• The dialogue allows for banter (especially about the absurdities of sports fandom/media and the ever-present lure of scandal) while remaining information-rich.

This episode is a microcosm of The Dan Patrick Show’s strengths: handling major breaking news, delivering deeply informed football dialogue, and keeping things entertaining with jokes, polls, and audience interaction. Whether you’re looking for hard-hitting updates or behind-the-scenes insights, this hour delivers.