The Dan Patrick Show Hour 3: Albert Breer Stops By
Date: January 2, 2026
Hosts: Jonas Knox & Brady Quinn (in for Dan Patrick)
Guest: Albert Breer, Senior NFL Reporter & Lead Content Strategist for The MMQB

Episode Overview

This hour features an in-depth conversation with Albert Breer, focusing on college football's major storylines and NFL playoff implications. The hosts and Breer blend humor, candid analysis, and authentic fan perspectives while diving into the fate of storied programs like Ohio State, discussing remarkable coaching jobs in college football, and breaking down pressing NFL topics: MVP voting, quarterback injuries, coaching hot seats, and player-team controversies. The show closes with the trademark "Leftovers" segment, delivering rapid takes on trending sports news.

Key Topics & Insights

1. College Football: Ohio State and Playoff Reflections

[03:54–08:59]

• Ohio State’s Loss to Miami:
  Albert Breer and the hosts break down Ohio State's disappointing postseason, focusing on their struggles on offense and key injuries.

  • Breer on the turning point:
    "The offensive line, they were managing an issue at right guard all year... it really blew up on them... then I think the left tackle, from what I understand, was hurt, but I don’t think he was playing very well anyway." [05:25]
  • The switch to backup O-linemen at halftime is highlighted as highly unusual and telling.
  • Breer laments the team’s slow offensive pace when needing a comeback.

• “Natty or Rivalry?”
  Breer is asked whether he’d trade a victory over Michigan for a national title.

  • "Last year. I want the Natty. I mean, like, I've heard that question before. It sucks that... losing to Michigan... but I would take the Natty over beating Michigan for sure." [07:33]

2. College Football Parity: Indiana’s Rise

[08:59–11:22]

• The hosts and Breer compare Indiana’s unprecedented success to historical NFL turnarounds.
• Breer calls coach Curt Cignetti’s transformation of Indiana football:
  “The best coaching job I've ever seen in any sport in my lifetime. Unbelievable.” [11:22]

3. NFL Headlines

A. Lamar Jackson’s Injury & Ravens’ Contract Awkwardness

[11:22–14:19]

• Breer attributes public confusion around Lamar Jackson’s health and playing status to Jackson’s lack of an agent:
  “So much of it stems from him not having an agent... it can make things awkward... when this guy is hurt, there isn’t someone out there giving clarity, explaining where he’s at.” [11:48]
• John Harbaugh’s unusually detailed public injury updates seen as an olive branch to Jackson.
• Breer: “His injury history is now relatively extensive. His workload is historic. No quarterback has ever taken on the sort of workload he has in the run game…” [13:30]

B. NFL Coaching Hot Seats

[14:19–16:54]

• Breer runs through the league’s likely coaching changes and uncertain situations:
  • Miami Dolphins: “I think Miami’s a coin toss right now… Ownership really likes Mike McDaniel.” [14:44]
  • Cleveland, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Seattle, Atlanta, Arizona, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Tampa: Each gets a snapshot of their coaching situation, with particular intrigue around Pete Carroll and Tom Brady’s future roles.

4. NFL MVP Discussion

[17:10–19:23]

• Albert Breer hints about his MVP vote but keeps the pick secret due to voting rules. Admits two front-runners emerge as favorites but several other players (McCaffrey, Allen, Herbert, Bijan Robinson) deserve consideration.
• "McCaffrey’s case to me is pretty good based on just the amount of moving parts around him and how they've won 12 games. He’s the one constant." [18:51]

5. Maxx Crosby & The Raiders Controversy

[19:42–22:13]

• Breer reports ongoing tension around Maxx Crosby’s injury, the team’s attempt to shut him down, and Crosby’s pursuit of playing through the pain.
• "This, to me, is as close as we've come to Maxx potentially asking for a trade...” [21:47]

6. Joe Burrow’s Frustrations & the Bengals’ Future

[22:13–26:55]

• The discussion centers on Joe Burrow’s growing impatience with Cincinnati ownership and a possible parallel to Matthew Stafford (Detroit) and Carson Palmer (Bengals’ own past).
• "He wants—he badly wants—to compete for championships... he’s taken such an active role in trying to be a change agent in the organization...” [23:17]
• The Bengals’ facilities and frugality are mocked:
  "If I could pop it with a rusty nail, I don’t know if it counts as, like, big movement in that regard. Jonas and I can go buy a tent at Dick’s Sporting Goods...” [24:40]

7. Picks Against the NFL Spread (with Humorous Banter)

[34:03–46:10]

• The hosts, joined by a remote pick from LaVar Arrington, make their picks for key NFL games: Panthers-Bucs, Seahawks-49ers, Lions-Bears, Commanders-Eagles, Ravens-Steelers.
• Playful jabs and running jokes:
  • “I’m so tired of the NFC South. Can we trade them out for a CFL division?” – Jonas Knox [37:24]
  • Running gag about Arrington only picking “money line” wagers.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Albert Breer on the Indiana turnaround:
  “It is the best coaching, I think maybe the best coaching job I’ve ever seen in any sport in my lifetime. Unbelievable.” [11:22]

• On Bengals’ facilities:
  "I remember going up to Chad Johnson... I said, like, hey, is the thing about the Gatorade true in Cincinnati? And he said, you know about that? ...They actually have the Gatorade mix there. They didn't have, like, the actual gate, you know, like the powder. So that's way back in the day." – Albert Breer [24:57]

• Crosby trade speculation:
  "This, to me, is as close as we've come to Maxx potentially asking for a trade. That hasn't happened yet, but it's certainly something we'll all be keeping an eye on..." [21:47]

• NFL MVP race intrigue:
  "McCaffrey’s case to me is pretty good based on just the amount of moving parts around him and how they've won 12 games. He's the one constant.” [19:14]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ohio State breakdown & playoff questions: 03:54–08:59
• Indiana’s rise/Breer on best coaching job: 08:59–11:22
• Lamar Jackson & Ravens contract story: 11:22–14:19
• Coaching hot seat rundown: 14:19–16:54
• NFL MVP debate: 17:10–19:23
• Maxx Crosby injury & trade tension: 19:42–22:13
• Joe Burrow/Bengals ownership: 22:13–26:55
• "Picks Against the Spread" & banter: 34:03–46:10

The Leftovers: Rapid Fire Sports Headlines

[52:47–55:16]

In the closing “Leftovers” segment, Jonas and Brady react to trending topics:

• 2026 Winter Classic in Miami:
  "That'll be the most attendance the Marlins park has ever seen." – Brady Quinn [53:17]
• NFL free agency:
  Trevon Diggs lands with the Packers after release from the Cowboys.
• Running jokes about Marlins game attendance and "powdered Gatorade" facilities.

Tone & Style

The hour is marked by candid, unfiltered conversation, playful rivalry, and deep-dive journalistic insight. The hosts’ personal fandom blends with behind-the-scenes knowledge, producing a mix of humor and hard sports analysis. The banter is fast-paced and irreverent, but the guest segments—especially with Albert Breer—deliver substantive reporting and contextual league-wide perspectives.

For listeners in a rush:

• Deep dive into Ohio State and Indiana football storylines
• Inside look at Lamar Jackson’s contract tensions with the Ravens
• Rundown of nearly a dozen NFL coaching situations
• Latest on Maxx Crosby vs. the Raiders, and Joe Burrow’s frustrations in Cincinnati
• NFL MVP race intrigue—Breer’s perspective
• Lively betting segment and the latest in sports news (Leftovers)

Classic DP Show flavor: Candid locker-room storytelling, insightful insider info, and no shortage of laughs. Recommended for fans wanting both entertainment and real NFL/college football intelligence.