The Dan Patrick Show (Hour 3): Chicago Bears To Indiana Connection?
Date: February 19, 2026
Guests/Hosts: Jonas Knox, LaVar Arrington (in for Dan Patrick)
Episode Overview
This hour of The Dan Patrick Show, hosted by Jonas Knox and LaVar Arrington filling in, centers on two major sports stories:
- NFL Rumors and the Chicago Bears' Potential Stadium Move to Indiana: Examining the stadium saga, implications for Bears fans, and the dysfunction in team operations.
- NBA Tanking & Gambling Dynamics: A discussion of Mark Cuban's comments on tanking, Adam Silver’s crackdown, and the growing influence of gambling on league decisions. The hosts banter with lively humor and tackle tangents from cooking tips to candy. The show closes with "The Leftovers," covering quirky sports news and pop culture tidbits.
Key Discussion Points
1. NFL Rumors: Max Crosby–Bears and the Chicago Stadium Relocation
Crosby-Bears Speculation
- [05:25] Jumping from food chat, the hosts revisit a story where Max Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders) and Caleb Williams exchange compliments, fueling speculation about Crosby joining the Bears. Jonas notes, “If this was sort of laying the groundwork... for Max Crosby joining the Chicago Bears...”
- Trade Rumors: Reports (cited Adam Schefter) suggest the Raiders would demand “two first-round picks and a position player” for Crosby, similar to the Micah Parsons deal.
- Player Value Comparison:
- Jonas: "Micah Parsons is a better pass rusher. Parsons is younger, Max Crosby's 29. He's coming off the injury. ...the effort he gives you, he’s a game wrecker.” [06:21]
- LaVar: “Max Crosby is that type of talent where you'd have to assume you could get a good four to five years just based off his will to compete...” [06:48]
Chicago Bears New Stadium—Indiana Possibility
- [09:18] Jonas cues up the big topic: the Bears’ stadium plans and the Indiana angle.
- Recent Statement: Jonas reads the official Bears statement about progress on a stadium in Hammond, Indiana. “We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana…” [10:06]
- Indiana Governor Mike Braun also released a statement supporting the legislative move (SB27) to facilitate the deal.
- Controversy:
- Jonas: “Here we go again with this crap… they tried this garbage years ago… showing up in Gary, Indiana with a gas mask.” [11:44]
- Chicago Reactions: The emotional and historical ties to Soldier Field, plus fans’ speculated uproar if the team leaves Chicago proper for Indiana.
Analysis: Real Estate, Taxes, and Fanbase Impact
- LaVar’s Take:
- “Soldier Field is one of the smallest stadiums... they want to dome it, do year-round mega events… there’s the idea of the taxes... what are you paying in taxes in Chicago? What are you paying in Indiana? ...I would assume taxes are probably a bit more lighter in Indiana than they are in Chicago.” [12:05–13:15]
- On proximity and fan engagement: “If I'm a Chicago Bears fan and my home team... are playing six hours away, I’ll never go to that game. ...You're cutting yourself off.” [13:41]
- Jonas Corrects: Wolf Lake/Hammond is only about 40 minutes from downtown Chicago, not several hours. [16:09]
- “The Giants and Jets don’t play in New York; they play in New Jersey. …So if it’s a better deal, what do I care?” [16:32]
- Dysfunction in Chicago Leadership:
- Jonas: “Some teams cannot figure out how to have success. …They can't get out of their own way.” [17:51]
- LaVar notes similarity with Washington (Commanders), where relationships among ownership and local government prevented stadium progress for decades.
- “Is there relationship friction between people that are running Chicago … Is there a long-standing beef between ownership and relationships…?” [20:53]
Notable Quotes
- Jonas, on Bears dysfunction:
“You finally won a playoff game... then somebody knocks on your door and says, ‘Oh, by the way, here's more dysfunction for you— you're going to go to Indiana because we still can’t figure out how to get an effing stadium done.’” [17:51]
- LaVar, on real estate:
“It’s really a real estate play, is what it is, of course.” [15:43]
- LaVar, on DC parallels:
“I wonder how much relationships are driving why it’s so difficult for Chicago to get this project done.” [19:48]
2. NBA Tanking, Gambling, and Mark Cuban’s Controversial Take
NBA All-Star Aftermath and Tanking Penalties
- [29:43] Jonas introduces the NBA segment, mentioning Adam Silver fining the Utah Jazz $500,000 for benching two top players during a winnable game—viewed as a blatant tanking episode.
Mark Cuban’s Thread: Should the NBA Embrace Tanking?
- Cuban argues, “Tanking isn’t the issue. Affordability and quality of the game presentation are.” [29:43]
- Jonas reads Cuban’s key points:
“Fans know their team can’t win every game. ...What fans care about is their team’s record. They want hope...” [29:43]
- Jonas’ View: Prefers ongoing playoff contention over “tanking to get a lottery ticket out of Lithuania.”
- LaVar counters: “Singular players through the draft and... blockbuster trades can profoundly impact... It’s not as complex to build a winning team in basketball as in other sports like football... If you’re tanking to get a generational player, it makes sense in some scenarios.” [31:18, 34:28]
Gambling’s Growing Influence on NBA Policy
- [34:32] Jonas recaps a take from NBA reporter Ben Golliver, who links Silver’s harsh anti-tanking tone to the NBA’s gambling partner interests:
“If you’re not playing guys in the 4th quarter, how many bets is that impacting? ...Player props are at stake... you’re going to have a lot of angry gamblers and a lot of angry gambling companies as well.” [34:32]
- Jonas warns that shaping league policy to appease gambling companies could undermine the league’s integrity.
- LaVar points to tanking complicating bettor calculations, especially for player props and results. “Makes the elements a little bit more difficult in the gambling world if ...you’re benching your best players.” [36:31]
Notable Quotes
- LaVar, on tanking strategy in the NBA:
“If you get one of those generational players... that’s a rising tide for all ships... you’re going to get jersey sales, you’re gonna get that experience Mark Cuban’s talking about...” [32:38]
- Jonas, on gambling’s significance:
“Gambling companies have changed the game. I don’t care if it’s radio, podcasting, sports league... It’s huge.” [37:12] “Gambling is a wonderful thing for sports— it is the hot sauce or condiment for your game...” [39:11]
3. The Leftovers (Rapid-fire, Quirky Talk and Pop Culture)
[42:05] Segment begins
Reese’s Recipe Scandal
- Patrick Suica shares that the grandson of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup inventor accused Hershey of diluting the product with imitation chocolate and “peanut creme” [43:08].
- LaVar and Jonas passionately compare Reese’s Pieces vs. M&Ms:
- LaVar: “Not even close... Reese’s Pieces are it.” [43:38]
- LaVar and Jonas passionately compare Reese’s Pieces vs. M&Ms:
Outlandish Houston Sports Reporter Bet
- Patrick relays journalist John McClain’s proclamation on Twitter that if CJ Stroud were traded from the Texans, “I'll walk naked down Kirby Drive at rush hour.” [45:02]
- Jonas: “CJ Stroud has shown you enough… why would you move on from him?” [45:56]
Show Wrap-Up Banter
- The hosts close with playful ribbing about video quality, personal appearance, and invite listeners to join the next show, maintaining their informal, irreverent tone.
Memorable Moments & Quotes (with Timestamps)
- On shepherd’s pie improving with age:
- LaVar: “Certain foods, just something about it. They taste better the next day. Yeah, gumbo tastes better.” [04:21]
- Nachos tips:
- Jonas: “You gotta layer it… if you just put all the toppings on top, you got bare chips at the bottom.” [08:26]
- LaVar: “I bake mine. ...Then broil... so the cheese is like real nice and burnt...” [08:50]
- Max Crosby comparison:
- Jonas: “The numbers may not be the equivalent… but Max Crosby, the effort he gives you—he’s a game wrecker.” [06:21]
Important Timestamps
| Timestamp | Segment Topic | |----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:25 | Max Crosby to Bears rumors, NFL offseason trade context | | 09:18 | Bears’ stadium move to Indiana, statement from team | | 12:05 –17:00 | Stadium factors (real estate, taxes, fan base, city dynamics) | | 17:26 –21:59 | Dysfunction themes: Bears/Commanders, ownership vs city | | 29:43 –34:32 | NBA Tanking, Mark Cuban’s take, league/fan dynamics | | 34:32 –39:16 | Adam Silver, gambling’s effect on anti-tanking policy | | 42:05 –46:10 | The Leftovers: Reese’s scandal, CJ Stroud trade bet, show close |
Style and Tone
The hosts combine sports insider analysis with a conversational, riff-heavy style and frequent humor. Personal anecdotes, pop culture, and irreverence mix seamlessly with serious inquiry—creating a show that’s engaging for casual and hardcore fans alike.