The Dan Patrick Show: Episode Summary

Hour 3 – Boomer Esiason, Robert Griffin III
Date: January 15, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick (iHeartPodcasts / Dan Patrick Podcast Network)
Guests: Boomer Esiason, Robert Griffin III

Episode Theme

This hour of the Dan Patrick Show dives deep into current NFL headlines—coach hirings (especially John Harbaugh to the Giants), quarterback futures, playoff predictions, and broader reflections on franchise cultures, player development, and the pressures of legacy. The episode balances expert insider opinions (Boomer Esiason and RG3) with Dan’s humor and the show’s trademark blend of banter and analysis.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Chicago Bears and the '85 Legacy (01:12–01:43)

• Lighthearted banter about the 1985 Bears, their cultural impact, and the hope the current 2025 Bears give Chicago.
• Discussion of a new Bears T-shirt ("85 Bears, 86 Super Bowl") available while the team is still alive in the postseason.

2. John Harbaugh Hired by the New York Giants (02:17–04:53)

Boomer Esiason’s Take (02:42):

• "Happy Harbaugh Day here in New York. For sure. The Giants got this one right... they needed instant credibility."
• Harbaugh’s hiring is described as restoring credibility and stability to a needy franchise, giving hope to ownership (particularly John Mara, who’s been unwell).

On Todd Monken (02:55/04:03):

• Boomer singles out OC Todd Monken as the ideal play-caller for QB Jackson Dart, referencing Monken’s success with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore.

Describing the Impact (03:52):

• Boomer breaks down the Giants’ strengths (Malik Nabers, Andrew Thomas, RB tandem, Dart) and worries (defense; who will be DC?).
• "Expectations would be high here... Offense is pretty solid. I think they'll probably add a wide receiver in the Draft, but their defense is really what needs the most work."

3. Giants QB Jackson Dart and Player Development (04:53–05:51)

• Discussion on Dart’s “youthful inexperience,” his play style compared to Josh Allen, and the importance of learning to avoid reckless play without losing his competitive spark.
  • Boomer: "I don't want to take the inner football player out of him because that's what makes him so special." (06:13)

4. Jets Organizational Dysfunction & QB Future (06:33–10:43)

Why the Jets Struggle (06:37):

• Boomer: "It always starts at ownership... until they find a quarterback, they're going to be stuck in neutral..."

Draft Strategy with the #2 Pick (07:40):

• Praises Dante Moore’s choice to return to Oregon, even wagering $50M on himself.
• Suggests Jets should trade down for more picks unless a top defender or WR fits; calls the draft a “lottery.”

QB “Gap Year” Ideas (08:38–10:43):

• Questions if QBs like Malik Willis or Mac Jones even want to join the Jets.
• Suggests the team might be better off having another bad year to draft top talent in ’27.
• Boomer on franchise stability: "If you keep changing... you’re going to take two steps forward, three steps back."

5. This Weekend’s Playoff Surprises (10:43–11:36)

• Boomer sticks with bold Texans–Rams Super Bowl picks.
• Considers Patriots-over-Texans and San Francisco-over-Seattle as potential surprises, while questioning 49ers’ health with Kittle injured and depleted supporting cast.
  • "If San Francisco wins, that would also be a surprise given what Seattle did to them the last time they played." (11:02)

6. Facing Historic Defenses (85 Bears/86 Giants) (11:41–14:03)

• Boomer recalls the psychological and physical challenge of facing legendary defenses.
  • "Stepping up there, man, you got to have your chin strap buttoned." (12:55)
• Paulie shares Boomer’s painful statline against the ’86 Bears (13:06): 14/32, 112 yds, 1 TD, 4 INT, 3 sacks – “I was running for my life.”

7. Mac Jones’ (and Others’) Career Decisions (15:41–15:59)

• Debate around whether it’s better to be a 49ers backup (with a competent staff) than a Jets starter, with ~69% siding with being a bench player in a winning environment.

8. RG3’s Entry — Facing NFL Legends (20:09–21:47)

• RG3 talks about the awe of lining up against his childhood heroes, including Brian Urlacher, DeMarcus Ware, Ed Reed, and Ronde Barber.
  • "To play against them... those moments really hit me." (21:32)

9. Giants with John Harbaugh – RG3’s Perspective (21:50–22:34)

• “It’s a plus hire with John Harbaugh. He’s the best coach I ever played for in the NFL.” (21:50)
• RG3 praises identity and development potential for the Giants: QB (Jackson Dart), RB (Cam Scotterboo), WR (Malik Nabers), young defense. "They just need direction." (22:29)

10. Steelers & Falcons Coaching Openings (22:34–24:54)

• Steelers: RG3 notes the prestige but calls the roster “aging” and lacking a QB: "It's not a great roster because it's aging and you don't have a quarterback." (22:59)
• Prefers Atlanta gig over Pittsburgh for roster/talent and a weaker division.

11. Mike Tomlin’s Future (24:54–25:42)

• RG3 predicts Tomlin will go to TV: "Every time I've heard him talk, he teaches you something... I think he's the total package."

12. Playoff Surprise Predictions (25:51–26:59)

• RG3 picks Bears to upset the Rams, praising the Bears’ momentum and leadership from Caleb Williams.

13. Caleb Williams/Ben Johnson Dynamic (27:08–29:57)

• Discussion on Williams’ growth; Ben Johnson as a QB “teacher” and the importance of coach-player chemistry and mutual trust.
  • "Ben probably wants Caleb to be more like Jared Goff for the first three quarters. In the fourth quarter, you go be Caleb Williams." (27:58)
• RG3: "I'm seeing massive increases in the leadership ability from Caleb Williams, and it's because Ben Johnson has created an environment where he can lead." (29:53)

14. Coaching & ‘Legacy Defining’ Pressure (30:04–31:07)

• RG3 claims if the Bills lose in Denver, Sean McDermott is “gone.”
  • “I've been very adamant and vocal about all the clowns out there that keep saying that this is a legacy-defining playoffs for Josh Allen. I don't think it is.”

15. Game Strategies for Niners, Texans, Patriots (31:10–36:20)

• On Niners: Defensive pressure and vulnerability, especially against blitzes (32:41).
• Texans: RG3 highlights defensive physicality (notably Will Anderson's size) and the need for Houston to run the football.
  • Key stat: Texans are worst in league against QB scrambles; recommends Drake May exploit with his legs.
  • RG3 (34:05): "When you have that situation with your quarterback, you have to play great defense and run the football."
• On Cam Newton vs. Drake May: Disappointed Cam tore down May despite being his idol; “Don’t meet your heroes sometimes.” (35:56)

16. Hall of Fame Snubs – RG3 & Cam Newton (36:56–38:20)

• Neither RG3 nor Cam Newton (as Heisman winners, with iconic college careers) are in the College Football Hall of Fame.
• RG3: "It’d be an honor... I wouldn’t say I’m upset."
• RG3: "Cam should be more upset he’s not in the College Football Hall of Fame... you can make a case—him and Joe Burrow—single greatest year I’ve ever seen." (38:04)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Giants hiring Harbaugh:
  “They needed instant credibility.” — Boomer Esiason (02:42)

• On Jackson Dart’s play style:
  "I don't want to take the inner football player out of him because that's what makes him so special." — Boomer Esiason (06:13)

• On the Jets:
  "Until they find a quarterback, they're going to be stuck in neutral, too." — Boomer Esiason (06:37)

• Facing the 85 Bears:
  "I was running for my life." — Boomer Esiason (14:00)

• RG3 on lining up vs. NFL legends:
  "To play against them... those moments really hit me." — RG3 (21:32)

• On John Harbaugh as a hire:
  “He's the best coach I ever played for in the NFL.” — RG3 (21:50)

• On coaching Atlanta:
  “When your division winner has a losing record every single year, coaches should be falling over themselves to go to Atlanta right now.” — RG3 (24:46)

• On coaching/quarterback chemistry:
  "I'm seeing massive increases in the leadership ability from Caleb Williams, and it's because Ben Johnson has created an environment where he can lead." — RG3 (29:53)

• If Bills lose in Denver:
  "Sean McDermott is gone." — RG3 (30:04)

• Advice for Patriots rookie QB:
  "Drake May has to make the decision to get jiggy with it in the open field." — RG3 (34:06)

• On Heisman guys and the Hall of Fame:
  “Cam should be more upset he's not in the College Football hall of Fame.” — RG3 (38:04)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:17] Giants hire John Harbaugh – Boomer’s take
• [04:53] Teaching/Developing Jackson Dart as QB
• [06:33] Jets’ failures and organizational issues
• [07:40] Jets and the #2 Draft pick
• [08:38] QB market (Malik Willis/Mac Jones)
• [10:43] Playoff upsets to watch
• [11:41] Facing generational defenses (85 Bears/86 Giants)
• [14:00] Boomer recounts his statistical beating from ’86 Bears
• [21:47] RG3’s NFL rookie awe and matchups
• [21:50] RG3 on Harbaugh to Giants
• [22:41] Steelers job assessment
• [24:04] Atlanta job preference
• [24:54] Mike Tomlin’s next move
• [25:51] Playoff upset picks – RG3
• [27:08] Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson relationship
• [30:04] Bills' head coach pressure
• [31:10] Niners strategy breakdown
• [34:06] Patriots/Texans game keys
• [36:56] College Football Hall of Fame snubs

Tone & Style

• Wry, self-deprecating humor (particularly recounting old stats/embarrassments)
• Insider expertise with candid, sometimes blunt, opinions (Boomer and RG3)
• Banter between host, crew, and guests, keeping discussions lively and relatable
• Frequent callbacks to football history and legacy issues

This summary captures the major strategic debates, sharp insights on franchise building and coaching, and offers a rich snapshot of both NFL analysis and the uniquely personal, humorous atmosphere of the Dan Patrick Show, making it a valuable read even for those who missed the episode.