The Dan Patrick Show

Hour 3 – Bengals Need a QB, Rick Neuheisel
Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode centers around football's biggest weekend headlines, with a heavy focus on the Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback situation following an injury to Joe Burrow. Dan and the Danettes dissect NFL and college football storylines, discuss the expansion of international NFL games, spotlight fans' best and worst moments from the weekend, and welcome CBS Sports’ Rick Neuheisel for a deep dive into the latest college football chaos, including intriguing coaching narratives and player spotlights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cincinnati Bengals: Quarterback Crisis and Playoff Hopes

[02:38]

• Dan raises the question: With Joe Burrow hurt, should the Bengals make a bold move to bring in an experienced QB like Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins?

• The AFC North landscape is shifting: Ravens underachieving, Steelers steady, Browns struggling.

• Debate on ROI: Is it worth investing in a QB upgrade for a playoff push when Burrow could come back late in the season?

  “Can you upgrade? Should you upgrade? …It feels like you’re going to lose a season here. Kirk Cousins is going to cost you more, but I would still take a run at Russell Wilson.” — Dan Patrick, [04:55]

• Dan proposes that a mid-tier veteran QB could revive the Bengals’ hopes, leading to a “good problem” if Burrow returns healthy late in the season.

  “Would I rather have that scenario where I'm going to play or I'm going to be a backup with the Giants or the Falcons?” — Dan Patrick, [05:53]

2. NFL International Games: The Vikings Abroad

[01:19]

• Vikings fans are expected to dominate crowd numbers in Ireland and London, part of the NFL’s global expansion strategy.

• Dan predicts all teams will eventually play at least one international game per year, with streaming giants like Amazon or Netflix likely vying for exclusive rights.

  “They’re going to sell this to the TV networks, they’re going to sell this separately. And that’s where Amazon, Netflix, somebody is going to go, ‘Hey, we’ll take all of those international games.’” — Dan Patrick, [02:03]

3. Weekend’s Best and Worst: Listeners Call In

[12:27] Listeners share highlights and heartbreaks:

• Virginia Football Fan’s High:

  • Appreciates ESPN and ACC's transparency on game replays.

  • Drops a quirky stat: Florida State should never play Virginia in Charlottesville in years ending in 5.

  • Dan lauds the ACC for broadcasting ref-replay communications.

    “Give us transparency when you’re doing replay. Let us know what they’re discussing. And I applaud the ACC to be the first to jump into that.” — Dan Patrick, [18:24]

• Alabama vs. Georgia:

  • Kirby Smart’s 1-7 record against Bama discussed.
  • Quote from Smart post-loss:

    “I don’t lose sleep over that because those games have been like championship caliber games…That’s not going to affect me.” — Kirby Smart, [22:06]

• Field Goal Shootout to Prevent Ties:

  • Listeners lament NFL ties and propose novel overtime solutions.

    “I think you should start the field goal, the kickoff maybe on the 50 yard line, then you could incrementally go 5 yards. …It’s still a bummer because it feels like the game was all for naught.” — Dan Patrick, [31:18]

4. NFL Notes and Stats

[35:47]

• Giants become the first 0-3 team to beat a 3-0 team since 2008.
• Rams’ Matthew Stafford’s 88-yard TD pass cited as the longest game-winning scrimmage TD in the final two minutes since 1960.

5. College Football Talk with Rick Neuheisel (CBS Sports)

[47:14] Wide-ranging, spirited college football conversation:

• Alabama’s Win is the Weekend’s Biggest:

  • “The most important win of the weekend was turned in by Alabama.” — Rick Neuheisel, [47:55]
  • Renewed faith in new Bama coach Kalen DeBoer and recognition for QB Ty Simpson.

• Ohio State Dominates at Washington:

  • Neuheisel credits Matt Patricia’s defensive acumen.
  • “He just basically suffocated Demond Williams…”

• No Truly Great Team Right Now:

  • Makes for exciting, unpredictable postseason.
  • “No one’s dominant, which makes the postseason…so juicy.” — Rick Neuheisel [50:33]

• Is ‘Good’ Good Enough at Penn State?

  • James Franklin’s 4-21 record against Top 10 teams scrutinized.
  • At schools like Michigan or Ohio State, such a record would cost a coach his job.
  • “They give the home crowd at least enough hope in these games, they’re not trounced…” — Rick Neuheisel, [52:15]

• Quarterback Crushes:

  • Neuheisel praises Julian Sayin (angelic assassin) and Diego Pavia (“Baker Mayfield-like” spark).

• Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss:

  • Discusses the Team’s win, defense concerns, and Brian Kelly’s hot seat at LSU.

    “Lane’s even got his daughter out there doing reconnaissance. …But that was a yeoman effort, and now the hot seat’s Brian Kelly.” — Rick Neuheisel, [55:26]

• Vanderbilt’s Transfer-Powered Turnaround:

  • Coach Clark Lea essentially imports New Mexico State’s staff and QB to huge results.

• USC Morning Games & Coaching Mentality:

  • Lincoln Riley complained about early start times, which Neuheisel deems poor optics:

    “I think that there should be a little bit more protection…But the bottom line is…It only looks like you’re whining.” — Rick Neuheisel, [59:45]

6. Player Safety: Turf vs. Grass

[66:11]

• Odell Beckham tweets about moving all fields to grass after Malik Nabers’s season-ending injury; Dan and Paulie discuss poor maintenance as primary culprit.

  “I don’t think it’s artificial turf or grass. I think it’s how your field is taken care of.” — Paulie, [67:33]

7. Ryder Cup Sportsmanship Debates

[71:25]

• Dan and the Danettes lament increasing hostility at the Ryder Cup, noting fan negativity toward European players.

  “Once again, it’s not an indictment on everybody, but there was enough where it’s not just a couple of people. …We’ve encouraged this kind of behavior…” — Dan Patrick, [74:11]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bengals’ QB Search:
  “I would certainly make a run at that [bringing in Wilson or Cousins].” — Dan Patrick, [05:58]

• Listener Crack on NFL Officiating Transparency:
  “Just give ‘em that. Just say it was out of bounds. ‘Hey, Barney, did you see that one?’ ‘I had no idea…’” — Todd, [18:47]

• On ties in the NFL:
  “But thanks again for taking my call. Go Bills.” — Kevin in Rochester, [29:21]

• On College Football Playoff Parity:
  “No one’s dominant, which makes the postseason…so juicy.” — Rick Neuheisel, [50:33]

• On Lincoln Riley’s Early Start Complaint:
  “It only looks like you’re whining and that’s not a good look for Lincoln.” — Rick Neuheisel, [59:56]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [02:38] – Bengals QB crisis & NFL QB market discussion
• [04:55] – Dan on why a veteran QB might help the Bengals
• [12:27] – Best & worst weekend listener calls begin
• [18:24] – Dan on officiating transparency in ACC football
• [22:06] – Kirby Smart’s post-loss quote
• [31:18] – Innovative listener ideas to prevent NFL ties
• [35:47] – Record-setting game stats; Giants upset, Rams long TD
• [47:14] – Rick Neuheisel joins for college football analysis
• [47:55] – Rick: Alabama’s huge win
• [50:33] – College football parity talk
• [52:15] – Penn State’s coaching situation dissected
• [55:26] – Ole Miss win, Lane Kiffin’s evolving narrative
• [59:45] – Lincoln Riley’s morning game complaints
• [66:11] – Malik Nabers’s injury reignites turf/grass debate
• [74:11] – Ryder Cup fan conduct criticism

Episode Tone & Style

As always, Dan’s approach is candid, insightful, and playfully irreverent. The banter with the Danettes—Paulie, Seaton, Todd, and Marvin—is sharp and familiar, balancing deep football analysis with running gags and genuine listener interactions. Rick Neuheisel’s segment is particularly engaging, mixing coach’s perspective with the casual humor and jargon familiar to devoted fans.

Final Takeaways

• The Bengals’ QB conundrum and NFL’s international ambitions dominate pro football talk.
• Parity and chaos continue to define this college football season, with Rick Neuheisel offering nuanced analysis and a few laughs.
• Fans’ engagement—whether via call-ins, inventive rule-change suggestions, or reflections on sportsmanship—offers a running pulse on the football world.

For football enthusiasts and radio sports fans, this episode delivers a balanced blend of headline-driven analysis, offbeat humor, fan participation, and expert coaching insights.