The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3: Philip Rivers Comeback Is ON, Rob Gronkowski

Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick & the Danettes
Guest: Rob Gronkowski

Episode Overview

This hour of The Dan Patrick Show blends classic Dan Patrick humor and insight with hot sports topics of the season. Dan and the Danettes dig into the unexpected Philip Rivers comeback news, debate college football playoff controversies, and enjoy a wide-ranging visit with NFL star Rob Gronkowski. The show intersperses lighthearted personal stories and callers with analysis and topical discussion, making for a dynamic, engaging listen.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Philip Rivers' Comeback: Speculation and Reactions

[04:53 – 07:01]

• Poll Question: "Would you rather see Philip Rivers play great or poorly in his comeback?" Most listeners hoped he’d play well, though 13% admitted to rooting for him to struggle.
• Dan’s Take (04:53):
  "I'm rooting for him to play... if he plays well, great. If he doesn't play well, I'm not going to be surprised."
• Dan jokes about Rivers' age (44) and his large family:
  "He's got to be one of the youngest grandpas in America though, right? ...He's 44. How many grandpas are 44?" (07:01)
• Playful banter about Rivers' family size, tying in Sound of Music and Julie Andrews nostalgia.

2. College Football Playoff Drama & Michigan Gossip

[11:02 – 16:25]

• Dan comments on the ongoing Michigan scandal—nothing new to report yet but promises updates if news breaks.
• Caller Q&A: One caller asks why sources share insider information with Dan. Dan replies:
  "They're fans of the show, they're friends of the show, and they want to make sure that I have the information, the correct information... I try to always give you the right information." (11:59)
• Jon Gruden as a possible Michigan head coach? Dan and Paulie discuss his NFL baggage, lack of college experience, and current light Barstool gig—conclusion: unlikely and not "squeaky clean."
• "Conference championship losers" ranking debate: Dan cites history—conference championship losers usually fall in the polls and says Alabama shouldn't have remained so highly ranked after a loss.

3. More Playoff Talk and Vegas Perspective

[17:45 – 20:35]

• Debate over whether Alabama deserved their playoff spot and how they’d fare compared to Miami or Notre Dame, referencing Vegas odds.
  "Notre Dame is one of the top five teams in the country" according to betting lines. (20:09)

4. Listener Calls & Danettes’ Banter

[25:30 – 29:05]

• Lighthearted segment where callers discuss childhood crushes (Julie Andrews, Heather Locklear, Dorothy Hamill) and ask if Danette Todd/Fritzy is okay (he is; just has a stiff neck).
• Appreciation for Dan’s content creation and mentions of his impact in the sports media landscape.

Featured Guest: Rob Gronkowski

[29:45 – 39:45]

Gronk's Segment Highlights

Setting & Personal Life

• Gronk joins from Vail, Colorado, accompanied by his French bulldog ("Ralphie").
• Ballpark banter about naming pets after teammates: "Chan. Chandler Jones. Straight up, Chan. That's pretty good." (30:20)

Fan Encounters

• Gronk on fan requests:
  "A lot of people sometimes come up to me and like, put their hand down on the ground and I'm like, what's going on right now?... Trust me. Like, I used to go versus 280-pound defensive ends on a daily basis... Sometimes also, people are like, yo, let's arm wrestle. ...I never actually take the offer." (30:34)

Physical Aftereffects of Playing Career

• "If I don't take care of myself... my knee aches a little bit, my back will go out ... But if I truly take care of myself... usually nothing hurts then, and that's great." (31:14)

Gronk’s Take on Philip Rivers’ Comeback

• Skeptical, but respectful:
  "If I was a betting man... I would go against Philip Rivers. The guy was an unbelievable quarterback... But if I'm a betting man... I would go against it... I just don't see that arm strength being up to par where it needs to be." (32:16)
• Wonders why teams aren't looking to XFL/CFL or recent QBs instead of Rivers.
• On Rivers' busy personal life: "What was he doing over the last four or five years, you know, and also he has 14 kids, approximately. ...How does he even have time to throw 60 passes a day?" (34:15)
• Laughter about Rivers’ number of kids:
  DAN: "Apparently we know what he's been doing in the last five years then."
  GRONK: "Yes. We sure do. At least we know he's in shape." (35:14)

LA Bowl Hosting Duties

• Gronk is the "master of ceremonies" for the LA Bowl (Dec. 13 at SoFi). He gets the fans hyped, interacts with the teams, and shares:
  "The first year I sung the national anthem, I raced the Boise State Broncos’ dog at halftime and I'm only one of the few to ever beat the dog as well!" (35:47)
• Throws playful shade at Washington Huskies coach Jedd Fisch for "betraying" his Arizona Wildcats.

Skiing and Party Life in Vail

• Skiing incognito: "I just go out there. I'm a free man up there. ...I changed my V [voice] when I talk to people because ... I just like being free up here and don't want anyone to know it's me." (38:39)
• On reducing partying due to age and recovery:
  "I don't ever go overboard anymore. ...You get so hammered and stuff and you can't do that anymore. It's just five days to recover. ...But it's very dangerous up here in this elevation." (37:51)

Notable Quotes

• "If any position can do this [make a comeback at 44], it's definitely the quarterback position. ...But I just don't see that arm strength being up to par." — Rob Gronkowski (32:16)
• "I don't see the consistency of that arm being where it needs to be as well. Can he take a hit if he goes in the game? I don't know..." — Rob Gronkowski (32:16)
• "We sure do [know what he's been doing in the last five years]. At least we know he's in shape." — Rob Gronkowski (35:21)

Final Segment Highlights & Quick Hits

Sports News Roundup

• NBA: Spurs surprise the Lakers; Thunder blow out Suns, as SGA keeps resting in the fourth quarter ("would average 36 PPG if prorated," 45:48).

Callers & Danettes’ Wrap-Up Banter

• Humorous listener requests to "fire" Jim Nance for a Marcus Allen reference rather than Walter Payton on a hurdle play.
• Pie-to-the-face and spray-tan wagers among Dan and the Danettes.
• Quick take on potential Michigan coaching candidates, including Kenny Dillingham ("No Michigan ties, no baggage, no NCAA investigations. 35 years old and his quarterback just left," 51:04).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dan Patrick on Sources [11:59]:
  "I just want to make sure that I always give you the right information, the correct information, the information that I trust, instead of taking it from somebody else."
• Rob Gronkowski [32:16]:
  "If I'm a betting man... I would go against [Philip Rivers]."
• Paulie [40:04]:
  "If the aliens come to attack, let's send Gronk out to talk for us because they'll be doing keg stands in an hour."
• Gronk on skiing incognito [38:39]:
  "I just go out there. I’m a free man up there."

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Poll Question—Philip Rivers: 04:53
• Dan’s Source Methods: 11:59
• Jon Gruden/Michigan Rumors: 14:24
• Alabama Playoff/CFP Debate: 17:45
• Gronkowski Interview Start: 29:45
• Gronk on Rivers Comeback: 32:16
• Gronk on LA Bowl & Dog Race: 35:47
• Gronk on Skiing Party Life: 37:37
• Paulie on Gronk’s Alien Negotiations: 40:04
• Potential Michigan Coaches: 51:04

Tone and Style

Conversational, comedic, and occasionally irreverent. The show is characterized by playful ribbing among the Danettes, insightful sports talk, and the unfiltered contagious energy that guests like Gronk bring to the table.

Summary

This hour features in-depth and lighthearted discussions about football’s past, present, and future—highlighted by listener engagement and Rob Gronkowski’s lively guest spot. Dan’s show is as much about camaraderie and sports culture as breaking news, and this episode delivers on all fronts for fans and sports newcomers alike.