The Dan Patrick Show

Episode: Hour 3 – Cramping Issues & Eagle Returns
Date: February 20, 2026
Guests/Co-hosts: Levar Arrington, Brady Quinn, Jonas Knox (in for Dan and the guys)
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show focuses on breaking sports news and big-picture issues in NCAA basketball and the NFL, blending insider perspective and humor. Key topics include Sidney Crosby's injury and its impact on the Olympics and the NHL season, the ongoing debate around “one-and-done” eligibility rules in college basketball and football, the shifting function of college sports amid Name/Image/Likeness (NIL) deals, and what the Philadelphia Eagles’ offseason might look like with Lane Johnson's return and A.J. Brown's future. The hosts trade sharp takes, friendly jabs, and some playful moments around Olympic speed skating coverage.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Olympic Hockey Update: Sidney Crosby’s Injury

Timestamps: 02:44–04:01

• News: Sidney Crosby will not play in the men’s hockey semifinal for Canada due to a lower-body injury.
• Implications: Raises questions about Crosby's future, not just for Team Canada but for the Pittsburgh Penguins, with concerns for the remainder of the NHL season.
• Quote (Levar Arrington, 02:57):

  “No Sid the kid for Canada as they get ready to try and advance to the gold medal game... if he's injured enough that he wouldn't play in this game feels a little bit troubling for the extent of the injury, especially with how tough hockey players are.”

2. Pop Culture Meets the Olympics: Speed Skating

Timestamps: 04:01–05:03

• The group banters about the prominence of the Netherlands in speed skating and the aftermath of races, keeping it lighthearted.
• Notable Quote (Dan Patrick, 04:26):

  “The Netherlands seems to always be at the top... Some of them have, like, taken a second guess about [unzipping the suit], like, now they’re not doing that.”

3. Darren Peterson, Soft Tissue Injuries, and “Cramping” in College Basketball

Timestamps: 05:03–11:01

• Background: Kansas star and projected NBA #1 pick Darren Peterson is under scrutiny for limited play, amid rumors he’s "saving himself" for the draft due to injury/cramps.
• Debate: Is it a bad look for Peterson to pull himself out, or should future pros focus on their careers (and money) over college regular seasons?
• Insight (Levar Arrington, 05:20):

  “I get the concerns... but there's some players who are different that maybe don't need to go through the same thing.”

• Brady Quinn (06:39):

  “If you have a cramp issue, why are you pulling yourself out of a game? Shouldn't your medical staff be pulling you out of the game?”

4. Fixing NCAA Eligibility Rules & The “One-and-Done” Debate

Timestamps: 11:01–22:06

• Dan’s Take: Do away with one-and-done; let high schoolers jump straight to the NBA. College sports should be for those who want both sports and education.
• NIL is keeping kids in school longer, ironically aging the average NCAA rosters.
• The current system incentivizes top college athletes to go through the motions, risking nothing but eligibility.
• Notable Quote (Dan Patrick, 13:53):

  “Why are you making a kid go to college for half a year where they're really not going to class and they're playing a sport to make some money before they can go on to the NBA?”

• Concerns around bad advice/career missteps ("can't save everyone"), with nods to how quickly careers can derail if prospects jump too soon.

5. Opting Out, Athlete Decision-Making, and College Football Parallels

Timestamps: 17:03–22:06

• Increasing player “opt-outs” for non-championship college football games seen as smart career management, despite disappointing fans and teammates.
• Context around NFL draftee ages, NIL impacts, and the shifting value of college “development.”
• Brady Quinn (19:15):

  “If I'm... too big of a name, you got too much potential... there's nothing more for you to prove here. Wrap it up. Sorry. Love my teammates... but if we're talking business, why would you not opt out?”

6. Meta-Discussion: College Sports' Lost Educational Mission

Timestamps: 20:39–22:06

• Dan worries that college sports now focus almost exclusively on money, with little emphasis on education.
• Advocates for revised eligibility/entry rules to protect both athlete and academic interests.

7. Philadelphia Eagles Update: Lane Johnson Returns, A.J. Brown’s Status

Timestamps: 29:37–37:46

• Lane Johnson: Confirms return for 14th season. The guys highlight the dramatic impact of his presence on the Eagles’ win/loss record.
• A.J. Brown Trade Rumors: Assess persistent speculation and the effect of wide receiver personality and satisfaction on locker room dynamics.
• Humorous Analogy (Dan Patrick, 31:51):

  “It's like Leonardo DiCaprio and dating... around 25, he just moves on. Like, that's kind of how teams are when guys turn 30.”

• The difficulty with managing elite (often “diva”) wide receivers and their perennial complaints about targets/touches.

8. Olympic Speed Skating – Cameras & Banter

Timestamps: 40:26–41:01

• Light quips about Olympic camera angles and the Netherlands’ dominance, blending sports with playful, pop-culture humor.

9. Weekly Game: “Worst Thing You Heard This Week”

Timestamps: 41:42–46:52

• Segment featuring three “bad”/memorable sound bytes:
  • (a) Poker player Justin Smith tearing an ACL during a celebration.
    Quote (Levar Arrington, 43:02): “Oh, he got Grammatica.”
  • (b) College hoops coach Doug Gottlieb’s officiating rant.
  • (c) Ex-President Donald Trump's odd remarks about young, handsome men.
• Hosts vote on the “worst”: Poker incident and Trump both get nods.
  • Brady Quinn, 46:09: “It’s gotta be the president. I’m sorry.”
  • Levar Arrington, 46:30: “I'm gonna go with the poker player tearing his ACL—like, that's unacceptable.”

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Levar Arrington on egos in the NBA/NFL:
  “The problem is... some of these guys aren’t happy no matter what. Maybe it’s not the offensive coordinator or the quarterback... you’ve seen the same thing multiple years in a row.” (32:18)
• Dan Patrick on career-altering advice:

  “How many kids are getting bad advice now in college to go to the portal and transfer somewhere else?” (14:29)

• Brady Quinn on wide receiver mindset:

  “Wide receivers are wired different. They’re divas. They always feel they’re open.” (37:44)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Sidney Crosby/Olympic Hockey News: 02:44–04:01
• Speed Skating Banter: 04:01–05:03, 40:26–41:01
• Darren Peterson & NBA Draft Debate: 05:03–11:01
• “One-and-Done”/College Eligibility Discussion: 11:01–22:06
• NFL “Opt Outs” & College Football: 17:03–22:06
• Eagles – Lane Johnson & A.J. Brown: 29:37–37:46
• Weekly “Worst Thing You Heard”: 41:42–46:52

The Show’s Tone and Style

• Conversational: Natural back-and-forth between Quinn, Arrington, and Knox, with Dan Patrick’s steady, dry humor and guidance.
• Informative, yet playful: Earnest sports debate punctuated by pop culture references (e.g., DiCaprio's dating life), running jokes about “diva” wide receivers, and Olympic color commentary.
• Candid: No hesitation in challenging fans, coaches, or the NCAA for outdated systems or hypocrisy.
• Interactive: Uses audience engagement segments and hypothetical scenarios to keep the discussion lively.

Useful for Listeners Who Missed the Episode:

• Get the latest on Crosby’s Olympic absence and implications for the NHL.
• Understand the ongoing “one-and-done” debate, with fresh perspectives on NIL and pro eligibility.
• Hear clear, reasoned opinions on college athlete “opt outs”—why and when they make sense.
• Gain insight into the Philadelphia Eagles’ offseason concerns and the psychology of NFL wide receivers.
• Sample the show’s trademark blend of serious analysis and tongue-in-cheek banter with the “Worst Thing You Heard This Week.”