The Dan Patrick Show

Hour 3 – Quarterback Draft Class, Mike Golic
Date: December 16, 2025
Host: Dan Patrick
Guest: Mike Golic Sr.

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the uncertain landscape of the upcoming quarterback draft class in the NFL and its implications for key franchises. Dan and the crew discuss coaching hot seats, the impact of player transfers, trends in the NFL draft, and stadium surfaces. A featured interview with Mike Golic Sr. brings an insider perspective on playoff contenders, the Steelers' leadership, NFL field conditions, and what teams need at quarterback.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. State of College Quarterbacks and the NFL Draft

• Arch Manning and Other Prospects:
  • Arch Manning returns to Texas for another year—a move Dan and Paulie agree is wise given his limited college starts and the value scouts place on experience ("Scouts want to have more than 30 starts. Ideally, they'd like more than 35." – Dan, 06:45).
  • Discussion about the increase of quarterback transfers and how it has become a path to the Heisman (e.g., Jaden Daniels at LSU).
• Draft Value and Risk:
  • Teams are wary of taking a QB with limited starts—previous cautionary tales like Zach Wilson and Trey Lance are cited ("That's where it gets dangerous... Potential gets you fired." – Dan, 08:10).
  • Bo Nix and Jaden Daniels are cited as good examples due to their many college starts ("Bo Nix, 61 starts in college—not just at Incarnate Word, but Auburn and Oregon." – Paulie, 09:01).

Notable Quote

"[Arch Manning] would be a top 10 pick, easily. And he doesn't need the money... but he needs to play."
— Paulie, [07:21]

2. NFL Draft Order & Quarterback Needs

• Giants currently hold the first pick; debate if they would take a QB, with consensus that they won’t due to their faith in Jackson Dart.
• Raiders, Jets, Cardinals, and Browns all need quarterbacks (12:58–13:42).
  • The crew discusses which teams would be preferable for a top QB prospect, favoring the Raiders for their indoor stadium and supporting cast (Dan, 14:08).
  • Jets are avoided for their harsh media and unpredictability.
  • Browns have draft capital but a legacy of instability ("Nobody's wanted to go to the Browns for 20 years." – Dan, 14:50).

Poll Results

• If you could choose, where would you want to go as a top QB prospect? Majority chose the Raiders (“63% of the audience say the Raiders.” – Dan, 14:08).

3. Mike Tomlin’s Future & The Coaching Hot Seat

• Referencing college football’s "hot seat" culture—e.g., Dabo Swinney at Clemson—Dan and Golic discuss whether an NFL team is ever really ready to replace a long-term coach like Tomlin (25:27).
• Both agree stability and proven results are hard to replace, citing cautionary tales like Penn State and Marty Schottenheimer in the NFL.

Notable Quote

"At the end of the day, what are you going to get out there that's better?"
— Mike Golic Sr., [25:47]

4. Mike Golic Sr. Interview: Dolphins, Steelers, and NFL Playoff Outlook

• Dolphins QB Situation:
  • Tua’s future is uncertain—if they cut ties, the dead money is significant, but starting over with a draft pick/veteran isn't simple ("Mike McDaniel may have saved his job, which seems weird, but he may still be around." – Golic, 24:26)
• Steelers Playoff Potential:
  • The Steelers’ run game and defense are off their usual standard. Even if they sneak in, Golic doubts they can make a deep run ("I don't think they can do much... I could find a flaw in every division leader." – Golic, 24:34–25:41)

5. NFL Stadium Surfaces and Player Safety

• Golic reminisces about terrible old field conditions, especially Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium ("It was like playing on a 20-year-old carpet over concrete... You could literally stand on that turf and your back would be just so hurt after the game." – Golic, 30:25).
• Discussion about whether owner resistance to change and costs are short-sighted, especially with a pending 18-game schedule ("Feels like the commissioner should say: Let's protect these players." – Dan, 32:02).

Notable Quote

"Every visiting team filed a grievance with the NFL before their game in Philadelphia. Never went anywhere."
— Mike Golic Sr., [30:42]

6. Fan Calls & Proposed NFL Changes

• Fans suggest dome stadiums with natural grass to improve player safety, but the crew notes the resistance from traditional teams ("Buffalo doesn't want a dome stadium. Green Bay wouldn't want a dome stadium." – Dan, 35:58).
• A call for the NFL to allow drafting of players who plan to return to college, as the Celtics did with Larry Bird ("It would make a very interesting draft... just like the Celtics did with Larry Bird." – Billy in New Orleans, 39:54).

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Dan on the media pressure for QBs:
  "There's certain guys where you go, you know, he seems like a nice guy. Don't do that to him. Go to the Jets." (14:03)
• On NFL Owners and artificial turf:
  "How about we bring the owners out, and somebody tackles them, and let them land on the field?" (31:44)
• Golic on learning from past coaching firings:
  "I remember... Marty Schottenheimer went to a couple of AFC title games in Cleveland... and got fired. Well, where's Cleveland been?" (25:47)
• On sustainability of "winning close games":
  "I always say I go against teams that win a lot of one-score games the following year... you can't sustain that." (34:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Arch Manning, Draft Class, and QB Transfers: 03:00 – 11:00
• Draft Order, Team QB Needs & Poll: 12:04 – 15:40
• QB Dreams & Franchise Fits: 13:16 – 15:29
• Dan & Crew banter (Word Up, 50 Cent): 17:46 – 18:51
• Mike Golic Sr. Interview: 22:41 – 35:06
  • Dolphins/Tua discussion: 23:06 – 24:26
  • Steelers Playoff Potential/Coach Hot Seat: 24:26 – 28:38
  • Draft Outliers & Field Conditions: 29:03 – 33:14
  • Greatest NFL teams right now & odds: 33:14 – 35:06
• Fan Calls (Domes, 18-game season, Larry Bird draft): 35:21 – 40:44

Tone and Style

• The tone is genial, insightful, and comfortably humorous—the hallmark of The Dan Patrick Show. Banter among the crew lightens dense topics, while Golic’s directness lends authority to in-depth NFL breakdowns.
• Dan frequently zooms out to broader "organizational thinking" about coaching, team-building, and league policy, keeping the show both speculative and grounded.

Conclusion

Hour 3 delivers a comprehensive look at the dilemmas facing teams seeking quarterback stability amidst a shaky draft class, offering veteran insights from Dan, the crew, and Mike Golic Sr. The episode is rich with perspective on the state of the NFL, both on the field and in the front office, balancing speculation, humor, and candid critique.