The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3 – NFL GMs Speak, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Date: February 25, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick, with Fritzi, Seaton, Marvin, and Paulie
Network: iHeartPodcasts / Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

The third hour of the show delves into the latest news and drama surrounding NFL GMs during the combine—including quarterback controversies, tricky trade scenarios, and the sometimes empty "word salad" of front office speak. The crew mixes in their usual humor and pop culture tangents, most notably a detailed run-through of the 2026 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees, debating the meaning of “rock and roll” in music’s preeminent Hall and making their personal picks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL General Managers—Quarterback Uncertainty & “Word Salads”

(Segment starts at ~08:00)

• Poll Discussion: The crew debates the most “awkward situations” facing NFL teams:

  • Raiders/Max Crosby
  • Cardinals/Kyler Murray
  • Dolphins/Tua Tagovailoa
  • Vikings/J.J. McCarthy

• Arizona Cardinals QB Situation:

  • Dan plays a noncommittal soundbite from Cardinals GM about Kyler Murray.
  • Consensus: "Sounds like a mess." Dan doubts Kyler will remain in Arizona, noting the lack of direct support from management.
  • Dan: “You got three quarterbacks. You don’t have one quarterback.” (11:18)

• Las Vegas Raiders & Max Crosby:

  • Discussion about why Crosby was sidelined late in season—suggesting the Raiders were tanking to lock up a top draft pick.
  • Dan is adamant the Raiders should trade Crosby:
    • "If I could get, you know, another first-round pick, a second-round pick… I would do that." (14:40)
    • Argues that a great edge rusher is wasted without a solid offensive line and franchise QB.
  • Fritzi quips: “That’s a lot of words to say nothing, and I appreciate saying a lot of words and nothing of substance.” (13:42)

• Dolphins & Tua Tagovailoa:

  • New GM adds more generalized platitudes, with Dan calling it a classic “word salad.”
  • Is Tua “the guy,” or just marking time? No one seems fully committed.

• Steelers Quarterback Room:

  • Brief mention that Steelers might take Ty Simpson or bring in Malik Willis, but the situation remains in flux.

2. NFL QB Market—Malik Willis, Kyler Murray, and the Vikings

(~24:30)

• Dan advocates for Malik Willis: “I think he’s a starter in the league.” Predicts he could be a quick-impact signing, with Miami or Pittsburgh as likely suitors.
• Marvin: Suggests Willis to the Vikings; Dan questions trust in J.J. McCarthy, citing playbook restrictions and limited middle-field throws.
• Ongoing narrative—teams are impatient, drafting QBs with quick hooks if they don’t work out within three years.

3. NFL Parity, Over/Under Win Totals, and the Kicker Revolution

(Segment starts at ~34:50)

• Dan marvels at the 10 NFL teams with Over/Under set at 10.5 wins. Suggests "penthouse version of parity"—lots of solid teams grouped at the top, a few clearly struggling.
• Placekickers’ increasing importance, with Brandon Aubrey’s next contract set to reshape the value of the position.
  • Dan: “He is a weapon, and not just a luxury.” (36:20)
• Dallas Cowboys’ locker room: Insider info reports about Micah Parsons not being universally liked—focus shifting to brand-building over performance.
  • Parsons trade market and Cowboys’ lack of regret after his departure.
  • Dan: “The sense I got… was the Cowboys were fine with moving on. Better than fine.” (39:20)

4. Deshaun Watson and the Browns’ QB Dilemma

(~46:00)

• Dan argues the Browns should start Deshaun Watson, despite his off-field baggage and large salary, because alternatives (Shador Sanders, Dylan Gabriel) aren’t ready.
  • Points out it's been six years since Watson played well but, “He should be better than the quarterbacks they have there.”
  • Paulie notes the Browns GM is also giving non-answers: “We want to compete at the quarterback position with everybody.” (51:18)
• "Awkward visuals" abound for Cleveland—high-priced QB potentially standing idle while young QBs try to develop.

5. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nominees 2026

(Segment starts at ~01:00:00)

• Annual game: Crew gets one vote from the 2026 nominees.

  • Nominees include: Black Crowes, Jeff Buckley, Mariah Carey, Phil Collins, Lauryn Hill, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, New Edition, Oasis, Pink, Sade, Shakira, Wu-Tang Clan, etc.

• Crew choices:

  • Todd: “Definitely going with Phil Collins.” (01:02:20)
  • Seaton: “This is tough…I’m gonna say Mariah Carey.” (01:02:25)
  • Marvin: “New Edition.” (01:02:30)
  • Paulie: “Billy Idol.” (01:02:35)
  • Dan: “If you’re talking real rock and roll, it’s Iron Maiden all day. But Mariah Carey for sheer career achievements.” (01:03:15)

• Debate over what "rock and roll" even means:

  • Seaton: “Nothing rock and roll about Mariah Carey…”
  • Dan: “They should really call it the Music Hall of Fame.”

• Fun pop culture trivia mixed in (Phil Collins already in for Genesis; Eagles’ solo careers after breakup, etc.).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On NFL GMs speaking in circles:
  Todd: “That’s a lot of words of saying nothing, and I, for one, can appreciate saying a lot of words and nothing really of substance…” (13:42)

• On the Raiders’ alleged tanking:
  Dan: “To me, the Raiders were ensuring they were going to get the number one pick in the draft. They tanked right in front of everybody.” (14:15)

• On the Dolphins’ “word salad”:
  Dan: “That’s a word salad.” (19:33)

• Classic sports radio humor:
  Dan: “Ballsy move, Mitch Kupchak.” (23:13; referring to an old inside joke of people being surprised when the answer ‘Mitch Kupchak’ prompted a cup check.)

• On Micah Parsons and branding in sports:
  Marvin: “Do you think maybe this might be a thing for all pro sports guys, building their brand before they win championships and become all pros and all timers?” (38:18)

• On Rock Hall of Fame definition drift:
  Seaton: “There’s nothing rock and roll about Mariah Carey… This is just the Music Hall of Fame now.” (01:03:15)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-------------|------------------------------------------------------| | 08:00–14:00 | NFL awkward team situations — quarterback controversies | | 14:00–18:00 | Cardinals & Kyler Murray; Raiders & Max Crosby | | 18:00–24:00 | Dolphins, Tua “word salad”; Steelers QB situation | | 24:30–33:00 | Malik Willis market; Vikings debate; QB volatility | | 34:50–39:30 | NFL parity and kicker discussion; Cowboys locker room | | 46:00–54:00 | Browns QB situation; Deshaun Watson dilemma | | 1:00:00–1:09:00 | Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominee debate |

Tone & Style

The crew maintains their signature blend of sports analysis, pop culture riffs, irreverent humor, and friendly banter. The language is casual, with plenty of off-the-cuff jokes, callbacks, and playful arguments. They thread informed insights with light-hearted asides—especially when the data or “word salads” from NFL executives leaves room for speculation or mockery.

In Case You Missed It – Recap

• NFL Combine Drama: Most GMs dodged giving real answers about the quarterback spot, breeding more speculation (and jokes) than clarity.
• QB Carousel: Malik Willis could be a hot commodity; most young QBs (esp. Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy) under scrutiny for readiness and fit.
• Kickers & Contracts: Placekickers like Brandon Aubrey are about to redefine their worth in NFL circles—no longer just a “luxury.”
• Cowboys Changes: Insiders suggest no regrets in trading Micah Parsons; star power not always meshing with team culture.
• Rock Hall Nominees: Heated, funny debate on the definition of “rock and roll”—with votes spread over pop, rap, and classic rock acts.
• Statues in Sports: Quick takes on why player/coach statues are fun—and why removing them feels much worse than putting them up.

Final Thoughts

This hour exemplifies the “watercooler” approach Dan Patrick and his crew offer daily: informed yet down-to-earth sports talk, blended with pop culture debates and a sense of show history that makes longtime listeners feel at home. The NFL’s combine smokescreens and the Hall of Fame’s shifting criteria provided plenty for the crew to chew on—and to joke about, both on and off the “field.”