The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3

Date: January 5, 2026
Guests: Gary Danielson (retiring CBS College Football Analyst), Steve Young (NFL Hall of Famer/Analyst)
Host: Dan Patrick

Overview

In the final hour of this episode, Dan Patrick welcomes two A-list guests: Gary Danielson, fresh off his final broadcast for CBS as a college football analyst, and NFL Hall of Famer Steve Young. The hour is packed with candid reflections on the state of college football, NFL playoff narratives, the evolution of the sport, and lighthearted banter about athletic legacies and life after football.

Segment 1: Gary Danielson Reflects on His Career & the State of College Football

Timestamps: 00:02–14:29

Key Points

• Retirement Reflections:

  • Danielson shares that retirement hasn't fully set in since he is accustomed to long offseason breaks, but expresses deep gratitude for CBS's efforts to honor his legacy (02:21).
  • Highlights the specialness of the Army-Navy game and the responsibility he felt sending off players who serve their country (02:57).

• College Football Playoff Critique:

  • Danielson agrees that the current playoff committee "got it right" but points out the gap between qualifying teams is thinning (04:04).
  • Advocates for home-field advantage in playoff formats, reflecting opinions of various coaches (04:40).
  • Predicts the playoff field will continue expanding – possibly to 16 or even 24 teams, due to money and competitiveness (05:25, 06:07).

• On Parity and Player Opportunity:

  • Welcomes the spread of talent as NIL and transfer portal movements let more players impact major programs, rather than being sequestered at elite schools (07:10).

• Best College Player He’s Seen:

  • Names Cam Newton as the single greatest college player he witnessed, with Tim Tebow as the top for potential NIL earnings (11:11).
    • "I would have to say Cam Newton...if I had to pick one in one season, what he did, I thought Cam was amazing in that year." – Gary Danielson (11:11)

• The Need (or Not) for a College Football Commissioner:

  • Danielson notes it would be extremely difficult to unify the sport under one commissioner due to conference power dynamics (12:03).

• What Danielson Wished He’d Said in His Final CBS Sign-off:

  • Shares regret over not having enough time to thank his “football families” and CBS crew (13:25).
  • Offers well-wishes and advice to Charles Davis, his successor (14:00).
    • "These people will all do the same work for you. Good luck, Charles. It's a great seat to have." – Gary Danielson (13:52)

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “In a world that's so transactional...these are all players that have dedicated their life to something more than just themselves and their careers.” – Gary Danielson (02:57)
• “Freedom and capitalism have a great way of figuring things out.” – Gary Danielson on playoff expansion and NIL effects (06:10)

Segment 2: Steve Young on NFL Legacies, Playoff Races, and Quarterback “GOAT” Debates

Timestamps: 17:11–35:00

Key Points

• High School Football & Self-Deprecation:

  • Lighthearted banter about Steve Young's Greenwich High School days, being outplayed in a championship (17:11–18:14).

• NFC Playoff Contenders:

  • Young sees both the Seahawks and Rams as formidable due to their defensive stinginess and quarterback strengths.
    • "Seahawks...defensively...they’re just vicious. And then the way they're running the football in bad weather...As long as Sam doesn't turn it over, they're going to be just fine." – Steve Young (18:41)

• Greatest Defensive Players Discussion:

  • Considers Lawrence Taylor (LT) and Reggie White as the two greatest defensive players ever; describes Reggie’s sheer dominance and presence.
    • "To know Reggie...you had to meet Reggie to know that he was 6'6", 340...He was just—all of it ... and then there, you know, there he was." – Steve Young (19:51)

• The Intangibles of Reggie White:

  • Reggie’s impact was larger than stats; he was a physical and vocal force, and Young’s personal friendship shines through anecdotes.
    • "He'd be like 'Steve, how you doing?' I'm like, 'Bro, I'm not feeling very good right now.'" – Steve Young (22:02)

• On Coaching Changes & NFL Reality:

  • Analyzes the Pete Carroll firing, highlighting the supremacy of innovative offensive coaching minds in today’s NFL: Sean Payton, Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, Andy Reid.
    • "The game is dominated by innovative young offensive minds." – Steve Young (23:53)
  • Critiques persistent franchise dysfunction linked to ownership, not just coaching or management (25:00).

• On New QBs and Project Prospects:

  • Discusses the challenge of coaching when facing uncertainty at quarterback (Shador Sanders): innovation and proper development are key (25:49).

• NFL’s Era of Parity & Close Games:

  • Emphasizes that the league’s abundance of three-point games is by design, increasing viewer engagement (26:58–27:14).
    • "That's kind of where the game is today. It’s wide open, it’s wild, it’s awesome." – Steve Young (27:14)

• Tongue-in-Cheek: Could He Still Play?

  • Steve jokes about playing quarterback at his age, ranking over-55 QBs, and who’d win a “senior draft" with Aikman, Marino, Montana, and Favre (28:34–33:27).
    • “If it was that or die, okay.” – Steve Young, on returning to the field (28:34)
    • "Yeah, I am number—like, in the supplemental draft, I'm number one." – Steve Young (29:22)

• Why More Former Players Should Input on Personnel:

  • Questions why player insight isn’t used more in scouting and team-building: “How is it we know that? [if a draft pick can play]” – Steve Young (30:10)
  • Shares Roger Staubach's advice to “run away” from football after retiring (31:38).

Notable Quotes

• “He had a voice, like...you can’t go that deep [(speaking as Reggie White)]. It was great. He was a friend...all the time we played, he didn’t give me an inch.” – Steve Young (22:02)
• “The most viable people in America are the quarterback number one, the coach number two, and the general manager number three. And the guy that cannot be fired is...the owner.” – Steve Young (24:17)

Memorable Moments

• Hilarious "who is the best QB over 55" debate including Young, Aikman, Marino, Favre, and Montana, with Young calling himself “supplemental draft, number one” (29:22).
• “Roger [Staubach] told me ... the game will never leave you, but you’ve got to leave it.” – Steve Young (31:52)

Segment 3: Listener Calls & Wrap-Up

Timestamps: 35:00–42:31

Highlights:

• NFL Parity & Close Game Stats:

  • Dan cites 73 games decided by three points or less (the second-most in NFL history), fueling discussion on the league’s push for parity and the design of late-game excitement (35:01–36:24).

• Listener Reactions:

  • Callers debate the value of nail-biter games, resting playoff-bound players, and the impact of new overtime rules and elite kickers (38:25–39:46).
  • On Draymond Green’s post-holiday conduct: comparisons to Bill Laimbeer and concerns his “extra stuff” now overshadows on-court talent (40:36–41:44).

• Show Recap:

  • Quick roundtable of what everyone learned, playful jabs about Fairfield County football rivalries, and fun facts about the show’s movies and guests (41:46–42:21).

Timestamps for Notable Segments

| Segment/Topic | Start | Notable Quotes/Speakers | |---------------------------------------------------|---------|-----------------------------------------------| | Gary Danielson on Army-Navy & career | 02:21 | “...dedicated their lives to their country.” – Danielson (02:57) | | CFP Playoff debate & future of CFB playoffs | 04:00 | “I think for the most part, everybody...took it seriously.” – Danielson (04:30) | | NIL & player opportunity, spread of talent | 07:10 | “There's more opportunity...” – Danielson | | Best college player seen: Cam Newton/Tebow | 11:11 | “I would have to say Cam Newton...” – Danielson | | On a college football commissioner | 12:03 | “That’s a great question. And I don’t know...” – Danielson | | Steve Young on defensive legends | 19:51 | “Reggie...He was, he shouldn't play quarterback.” – Young | | Modern NFL parity and late-game drama | 26:58 | “That’s kind of where the game is today. It’s wide open, it’s wild, it’s awesome.” – Young | | “Senior” QB draft: Young vs. Aikman, Favre, etc. | 28:34 | “Yeah, I am number—like, in the supplemental draft, I'm number one.” – Young (29:22) | | Roger Staubach's retirement advice | 31:52 | “...the game will never leave you, but you've got to leave it.” – Young |

Tone & Atmosphere

• Conversational, playful, and occasionally introspective.
• Both Danielson and Young blend sharp sports insight with personal stories and humor.
• Dan Patrick keeps the pace moving, alternating between serious sports journalism and light-hearted banter.

Summary of Notable Quotes

• Gary Danielson:

  • “In a world that's so transactional...These are all players that have dedicated their life to something more than just themselves and their careers.” (02:57)
  • “Freedom and capitalism have a great way of figuring things out.” (06:10)
  • “I would have to say Cam Newton...if I had to pick one in one season, what he did, I thought Cam was amazing in that year.” (11:11)
  • “That’s a great question. And I don’t know...” (12:03, on whether college football could have a commissioner)

• Steve Young:

  • "The game is dominated by innovative young offensive minds." (23:53)
  • "Seahawks...defensively...they’re just vicious." (18:41)
  • "He (Reggie White) had a voice, like...you can’t go that deep." (22:02)
  • "Yeah, I am number—like, in the supplemental draft, I'm number one." (29:22)
  • “Roger [Staubach] told me...the game will never leave you, but you’ve got to leave it.” (31:52)

Final Thoughts

This hour is a lively survey of turning points in college and pro football, guided by two insiders with decades of experience. Danielson’s goodbye is gracious and characteristically philosophical, while Young’s analysis and humor spotlight why both continue to resonate with fans well beyond their active careers.

For those who missed the episode:
Expect insight into playoff controversies, the evolution and future of college football, what makes an NFL defense or quarterback truly great, and plenty of good-natured quarterback boasting from a Hall of Famer.