The Dan Patrick Show – Hour 3: Steve Young Interview

Date: February 3, 2026
Host: Dan Patrick
Guest: Steve Young, Hall of Fame Quarterback
Podcast Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

Episode Overview

In the final hour of this episode, Dan Patrick welcomes NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young for an in-depth conversation. The discussion ranges from Hall of Fame voting controversies (especially around Bill Belichick), NFL officiating transparency, changes in the quarterback position, the allure (or lack thereof) of the Pro Bowl, and the evolving landscape of youth flag football. Steve shares personal stories, strong opinions, and characteristic humor while also discussing his work with Sutter Health and the Forever Young Foundation. The hour wraps with typical show banter and audience calls.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Atmosphere & Show Banter (01:09–04:27)

• Dan and the crew joke about the strong aroma of secondhand smoke wafting into the studio and argue over the merits of American vs. Iowa pork chops.
• Poll question update: Notable poll includes "Is there an anti-Patriots bias in the Hall of Fame voting?"

2. Analyst Commentary & Hall of Fame Bias (04:51–08:47)

• Caller suggests Ross Tucker as a better analyst than Tony Romo and as a potential Dan Patrick successor, sparking a comparison between current NFL analysts.
• Dan stresses the importance of doing your homework as games and players change:
  "The further you get away from the game and the players that you coached or played against... the tougher it's going to be." (06:50)

3. Hall of Fame Anomalies & Age Discussion (07:46–08:47)

• Debate over athletes like Steve Young, whose Hall of Fame credentials are built in their 30s, unlike most who peak earlier.
• Staubach, whose career was delayed by military service, noted as a rare parallel.

4. Raiders’ New Coaching Staff & NFL Perception (08:47–10:57)

• Dan discusses perception vs. reality for new Raiders head coach Clint Kubiak:
  "It's going to be a referendum on Sam Darnold first and foremost. And then, you know, it'll be with Clint Kubiak as well." (10:53)

5. Roger Goodell’s Press Conference: 18-Game Schedule & Officiating (10:57–14:00)

• Goodell downplays imminent expansion to an 18-game NFL season, though Dan suspects behind-the-scenes talks.
• On officials, Goodell praises their abilities and suggests greater use of technology, but Dan pushes for more transparency in replay reviews due to high-stakes gambling:
  "We want to be in behind the curtain... Even after the fact... say, this is how they came to this conclusion." (14:19)
• Dan calls for more openness in Hall of Fame voting, especially given recent controversies over Belichick and Kraft's candidacy, and exposes how assumptions led to neither being voted in.

FEATURE INTERVIEW: Steve Young (20:34–35:58)

Getting Connected & The Need for DP Show Swag (20:34–21:04)

• Steve humorously laments not receiving any official DP Show apparel: "I want it to say The Dan Patrick Show... I feel connected to the show!" (20:44)

Quarterback Evolution & Ball Prep Changes (21:06–23:33)

• Steve contrasts eras: improvements in ball preparation post-2006 have made things easier for today's QBs.
• Deep nostalgia as he reflects:
  "Our hands would be orange from all the preservative off the ball... it's just... what I could have been!" (23:31)

Hall of Fame Criteria & Belichick Debate (23:33–25:44)

• Steve resists a universal Hall of Fame standard, citing context and team dependence.
• On Belichick:
  "Bill Belichick had two Hall of Fame careers... even if you take Spygate and put it away, he wins three more Super Bowls." (24:40)
• Steve suggests skipping first-ballot honors may be a symbolic "punishment" but inevitable admission will come.

Dion’s “First Ballot” Jacket Idea & Football’s Nature (25:44–26:33)

• Suggests distinguishing Hall members undermines football’s collective ethos:
  "If you're kind of distinguished, you're being distinguished amongst a big group... at some point, it's antithetical to the sport." (25:54)

On Athletic Marvels: Bo Jackson vs. Deion Sanders (26:33–29:06)

• Steve describes Deion as having on-field speed that “defied my eye,” while Bo commanded presence and raw power.
• "Bo is in a unique class of athletes that makes people just go... I don't..." (27:57)

Sutter Health Partnership & Youth Flag Football (29:23–30:56)

• Steve discusses promoting flag football, especially for girls, with Sutter Health, emphasizing prevention and activity.
• "I'm all about getting that opportunity... excited about it." (30:56)

The Decline of the Pro Bowl & The Rise of Flag Football (30:56–33:01)

• Steve:
  "The biggest beatings I’ve ever taken in my football career were at the Pro Bowl... irrational ... couldn't be sustained." (30:59)
• As flag football rises in popularity and competitive quality, he foresees it overtaking the Pro Bowl as a meaningful football event.

Super Bowl Impact – The Sam Darnold Arc (33:01–34:21)

• Winning the Super Bowl, Steve reflects, “redefines” a QB’s life and legacy.
• "Sam Darnold has redefined his career... if he plays well in the Super Bowl... that not only redefines his career... I think it puts him in elite state." (33:06)

On Elusive Championships & Dan Marino's Burden (34:21–34:57)

• Steve empathizes with Hall of Famers like Dan Marino still weighed down by lacking a Super Bowl title.

Wrap-Up & Swag Negotiations (34:57–35:58)

• More lighthearted requests for DP Show gear.
• Steve admits he’s more alert when not up at 7am for TV spots, to Dan’s amusement:
  "I like you when you’re dumbed down a little bit..." (35:58)

Notable Quotes & Moments – With Timestamps

• Steve Young on QB Evolution:
  “Back then, our hands would be orange from all the preservative off the ball... Now, the stuff’s gone – you can rip it.” (21:53–23:33)

• On Belichick’s Hall of Fame Candidacy:
  “Bill Belichick had two Hall of Fame careers.” (24:40)

• On Distinguishing First-Ballot Hall of Famers:
  “If you’re kind of distinguished, you’re being distinguished amongst a big group… at some point, it’s antithetical to the sport.” (25:54)

• On Deion Sanders’ Speed:
  “He would do things that belied my eye… It defies my eye. And he’s the one guy I can say that did that.” (27:03–27:39)

• On Bo Jackson’s Presence:
  “When Bo walks in, everybody… you can just feel it. Bo is in a unique class of athletes...” (27:57)

• On the Super Bowl’s Career Impact:
  “The Super Bowl now can be the thing that… you’re a made man right now.” (33:19)

• Steve’s Swag Lament:
  “I want it to say The Dan Patrick Show… I feel connected to the show!” (20:44)

Other Noteworthy Segments

Hall of Fame Voting Transparency (14:19–17:40)

• Dan advocates for more transparency in both replay reviews and Hall of Fame voting, calling out the ambiguity around who supports (or blocks) legendary figures like Belichick.

Audience Call-ins – Pork Chops & Birthday (39:19–41:41)

• Amusing discussions with callers about Iowa pork chops, the nostalgia of listening to Dan Patrick "back in the day," and a whimsical birthday shout-out.

NFL Replay Controversy (41:59–43:11)

• Caller challenges an interception call from the Denver-Buffalo game; Dan dissects how such calls ripple into coaching job security.

Closing Show Notes & Humor (35:58–45:15)

• Typical lighthearted Dan Patrick banter between staff about trashing the studio, living the rock star lifestyle, and show nostalgia.
• Preview of upcoming guests: Mike Tirico, Chris Collinsworth, Robert Griffin III, Will Anderson Jr., Dan Orlovsky.
• Final remarks: "Get Steve Young some merch." (44:48)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Atmosphere & Beginning Banter: 01:09–04:27
• Caller on Ross Tucker vs. Romo: 04:51–05:27
• Hall of Fame Anomaly Discussion: 07:46–08:47
• Roger Goodell on League State: 10:57–12:28
• Hall of Fame Voting Transparency: 14:00–17:40
• Steve Young Interview Begins: 20:34
• On Ball Preparation Changes: 21:26–23:33
• Belichick Hall of Fame Debate: 24:38–25:44
• Athletic Marvels (Bo/Dion): 26:54–29:06
• Flag Football & Sutter Health: 29:24–30:56
• Pro Bowl & Flag Analysis: 30:59–33:01
• Sam Darnold’s Arc: 33:01–34:21
• Dan Marino’s Championship Absence: 34:21–34:57
• Show Wrap: 44:48

Summary & Takeaways

This episode blends classic Dan Patrick wit, audience interactivity, and an insightful, freewheeling interview with Steve Young. Key takeaways include the shifting landscape of the NFL—on the field (easier for QBs today), in the broadcast booth (pressure to stay relevant), and in the halls of history (calls for transparency and reconsideration of what honors mean). Steve Young stands out for his candor, historical insight, and enduring passion for growing football at all levels.