The Dan Patrick Show: Hour 3 – Pete Prisco Stops By

Date: April 14, 2026
Hosts: LaVar Arrington & Jonas Knox (in for Dan Patrick)
Guest: Pete Prisco (Senior NFL Columnist, CBS Sports)

Episode Overview

This hour delivers a dynamic, insider-focused NFL discussion as LaVar Arrington and Jonas Knox (filling in for Dan Patrick) welcome their frequent collaborator, CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco, for a lively breakdown of top football headlines and narratives building toward the NFL Draft. The crew debates news surrounding players’ draft stocks, front office transparency, the implications of international NFL games, and more—with humor, candid opinions, and a few classic gripes about sports fandom. The episode closes with "The Leftovers," highlighting quirky headlines and under-the-radar sports news.

Key Themes & Discussion Points

1. Introduction & Chemistry Check (02:01–03:50)

• Jonas and LaVar introduce Pete Prisco with playful banter about “being called up to the big leagues” and missing regular co-host Brady Quinn.
• Quote [Pete Prisco, 03:12]:
  “It’s amazing. People carrying our bags and everything. It’s awesome… That’s, you can’t complain about that.”

2. Reuben Bain Jr. and the Impact of Off-Field Incidents on Draft Stock (03:50–04:40)

• LaVar asks Pete about the 2024 crash involving Bain and its potential NFL Draft implications.
• Pete sees zero impact:
  [Pete Prisco, 04:14]:
  “Every team in the league knew about that and… I don’t think it’s going to be an issue. The family has to deal with that, he has to deal with that, but in terms of where it impacts his draft status, I don't think it does.”

3. Mike Vrabel/Press Conference Controversy and the Importance of Transparency (04:40–08:00)

• Discussion of the ongoing Mike Vrabel story and his skipped press conference, amidst rumors and recent events in Sedona.
• Pete strongly advocates for early, honest responses from leadership in PR crises:
  • [Pete Prisco, 05:53]:
    “I am a big proponent of: The sooner you get to it, the better off you are… If you don’t address it, it continues to be a nonstop story… He doesn’t owe the public anything, but he owes his organization and his players.”
• LaVar wonders if Vrabel’s earlier statements (via Diana Russini) felt insubstantial:
  • [Pete Prisco, 07:35]:
    “The pictures are damning… They do have some explaining to do… I think they need to address it more so than anybody else.”

4. Texans, C.J. Stroud & Fifth-Year Options: A Vote of Confidence? (08:00–11:31)

• Jonas transitions to the Texans exercising C.J. Stroud’s 5th-year option (worth $25.9M). Is this true confidence, or just hedging?
• Pete draws a parallel with the risks of “rushing contracts” (re: Tua Tagovailoa) and underscores the organizational logic in waiting:
  • [Pete Prisco, 09:20]:
    “They need to see more from them… If you were the Texans, based on what you saw last year, wouldn’t you want to see more?”
• Debate ties Stroud’s trajectory to head coach DeMeco Ryans’ job security. Pete suggests Ryans is currently safe, but missing the playoffs could change that.

5. Jaguars: Travis Hunter’s Role & the Cost of Draft Capital (11:31–13:35)

• Addressing reports Jaguars want Travis Hunter as a “full-time cornerback, part-time WR,” Prisco claims he broke this news last season and Hunter’s role will expand.
• Pete’s take on Jaguars “giving up too much”: jury’s still out but “right now I say it’s a trade. When you look at this draft… I certainly don’t think they gave up too much.”

6. NFL International Games: September 11 & the ‘America’s Game’ Dilemma (13:35–17:57; revisited at 30:01–36:28)

• The crew discusses the controversial 49ers-Rams season opener scheduled in Australia—on the Australian September 11 (US September 10).
• LaVar and Jonas spar over the emotional/political optics of America’s game being played abroad on 9/11, with Pete dismissing deeper meaning:
  • [Pete Prisco, 15:21]:
    “I don’t think it’s that big a deal.”
• Pete forecasts even more international games as the NFL expands business overseas:
  • [Pete Prisco, 15:26]:
    “Get ready for it… there’s going to be a lot more games overseas coming up. It’s all about the bottom line.”
• Extensive debate ensues on whether the NFL is losing touch with average American fans by shifting abroad and pricing out regular families:
  • Pete reflects on childhood affordability and fan experience.
  • All agree: NFL is “a great TV sport” now, with less incentive to attend in person.
• Classic sports radio bickering about ticket prices, fan rituals, and stadium rowdiness:
  • [Pete Prisco, 19:34]:
    “Going to the game… you got to park, you got to deal with idiots, you got to have drunk people around you… C’mon.”

7. NFL Draft Insights & “Better Than” Team (21:11–22:26)

• Jonas asks Pete for any surprise moves near the draft’s top.
• Pete expects potential trade-ups if a pass rusher slides, plugs his annual “Better Than” team—players he rates higher than consensus, naming R. Mason Thomas (Oklahoma) as captain.
  • [Pete Prisco, 21:27]:
    “I’ve been doing that for 16, 17 years… Guys I think are better than the scouts… Captain this year is R. Mason Thomas from Oklahoma. Watch him.”

8. The Leftovers: Quirky and Feel-Good Sports News (49:00–51:38)

• Toronto Raptors Drake ‘Ice’ Seats: Seats iced over courtside as a nod to Drake’s new album “Iceman.”
• UCLA Women’s Basketball: Five players drafted in round one of the WNBA—a historic feat for their championship squad.

9. NBA Injury News: Tyrese Halliburton’s Struggles (38:08–44:33)

• Jonas summarizes NBA injury comebacks: Tatum (Achilles), Halliburton (Achilles/shingles), Lillard (All-Star Weekend).
• Halliburton describes his lingering, painful battle with shingles and associated weight gain:
  • [Tyrese Halliburton, 38:08]:
    “I’ve lost part of my eyebrow… My eye’s always swollen… been taking unbelievable amounts of medication to try to get rid of it… It’s obviously caused me to like, gain weight and look a little bigger…”
• LaVar & Jonas emphasize how medications/social media scrutiny can worsen athlete struggles.

Notable Quotes

• On addressing controversies quickly:
  “The sooner you get to it, the better off you are.” (Pete Prisco, 05:53)

• On NFL abroad and 9/11:
  “I don’t think it’s that big a deal.” (Pete Prisco, 15:21)
  “You can’t ever lose the feeling of what 9/11 felt like.” (Jonas Knox, 32:00)

• On NFL as a TV sport:
  “It’s a TV sport… And going to the game, you got to go there, you gotta park, you got to deal with idiots…” (Pete Prisco, 19:34)

• On the “Better Than” Team:
  “Guys I think are better than the scouts… Captain this year is R. Mason Thomas from Oklahoma.” (Pete Prisco, 21:27)

• On player struggles with illness:
  “I've lost part of my eyebrow… My eye’s always swollen… It’s obviously caused me to like, gain weight and look a little bigger.” (Tyrese Halliburton, 38:08)

Memorable Moments & Banter

• Pete sings “Schembechler’s 1 and 7” from his unruly Rose Bowl youth, drawing laughs and nostalgia. (20:50)
• Extended, playful arguments over the semantics of the NFL’s global expansion, fan experience, & stadium nostalgia.
• Pete’s annual “Better Than” Team gets a plug—LaVar and Jonas treat it like an insider draft Easter egg.

Key Timestamps

• 03:05 — Pete Prisco joins the show.
• 04:14 — Bain Jr. controversy and effect on draft.
• 05:53 — Vrabel press conference and “get ahead of the story.”
• 09:20 — C.J. Stroud’s contract/draft option with Texans.
• 11:31 — Travis Hunter’s fit and value for the Jaguars.
• 13:35 — 49ers opening season in Australia (tied to Sept 11/12).
• 19:34 — NFL as a TV sport, fan experience debate.
• 21:27 — Pete plugs his “Better Than” draft sleeper team.
• 38:08 — Tyrese Halliburton details shingles battle.
• 49:00 — The Leftovers: Raptors’ “ice” seats for Drake; UCLA WBB draft record.

Tone & Style

Fast-paced, witty, and irreverent—a blend of serious NFL analysis and locker-room radio energy. Pete Prisco brings seasoned, inside-scout evaluation (and curmudgeonly candor), while LaVar and Jonas keep the discussion relatable to everyday fans, with a blend of nostalgia, skepticism, and humor.

For Listeners Who Missed the Show

You'll get candid updates on the latest NFL controversies, the logic behind team and player decisions just ahead of the draft, debates on what makes football “America’s game”, and a glimpse at how off-field stories and illness can impact athletes way beyond stats. Plus, some sports radio laughs: from frozen courtside seats to singing Rose Bowl battle hymns. This hour brings the week’s hot topics and solid perspective for hardcore fans and casual listeners alike.