Podcast Summary: The Best of Covino & Rich Hosted by Dan Beyer & Monse Bolanos

Podcast: The Dan Patrick Show (iHeartPodcasts & Dan Patrick Podcast Network)
Episode: The Best of Covino & Rich Hosted by Dan Beyer & Monse Bolanos
Date: September 1, 2025

Episode Overview

This special Labor Day episode features Dan Beyer and Monse Bolanos stepping in for Covino & Rich (and Dan Patrick), bringing a high-energy mix of NFL and college football hot takes, pop culture reflections, and discussion of memorable sports and TV farewells. With executive producer Jason Stewart and technical producer Chris Perfett joining the conversation, the hosts tackle major recent NFL moves—including the blockbuster Micah Parsons trade—set expectations for the new season, and share thoughts on the power of “goodbye” moments in sports and media.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Micah Parsons Trade: Packers Go All-In

Segment: [04:26]–[13:42]

• Dan Beyer announces the headline: Micah Parsons (formerly Cowboys) is now a Green Bay Packer—an aggressive move signaling Green Bay’s “win big now” mindset.
  • “Bonafide superstar Micah Parsons now lining up on defense for the Packers.” (Dan Beyer, [04:26])
• Monse Bolanos says the NFC North is the Packers’ to lose—even before this trade. Now, with Parsons: “You better come out of the NFC as a number one seed.” ([06:05])
• Discussion on division rivals' uncertainties: Lions adjusting to new coordinators, Vikings fielding a new (sort-of-rookie) QB, Bears’ unknowns.
• Both agree the Packers have “the target on their back”; no more excuses.

Notable Quote

“When you push in your chips like that... you are now in win BIG now mode.”
—Dan Beyer [06:05]

2. The Pressure on Green Bay & Lessons from Aaron Rodgers Era

Segment: [08:11]–[11:41]

• Dan reflects on how the Packers’ roster-building has shifted post-Rodgers: finally drafting a WR (Matthew Golden) in Round One, stocking up for Jordan Love’s offense.
• Impact of injuries in Green Bay’s WR corps (Watson, Reed, Dobbs).
• Parallels drawn: Eagles have rebuilt; Packers are “literally running it back and then some.”
• Debate about just how urgent Super Bowl success is this season.

Notable Quote

“If Green Bay doesn't win it this year... it's a complete fail because now you're dealing with Micah Parsons.”
—Dan Beyer [10:44]

3. Micah Parsons' Health & Cowboys' Trade Motivations

Segment: [13:22]–[19:58]

• Concerns raised about Parsons’ back injury; debates over resting him for Week 1.
• Producer Jason Stewart recalls Parsons’ camp taking offense at Jerry Jones’ “dirty pool” over injury talk in negotiations.
• Reflection on Cowboys' perspective: Did Dallas know more about Parsons’ health? Was Jerry Jones savvy or emotional in pulling the trigger?
  • “That's the problem with Jerry though... you can't be that emotional and Jerry is.” (Dan Beyer, [19:26])
• Both hosts agree Cowboys could have negotiated a better return.

Notable Quote

“Something happened where there was a switch for Jerry Jones... like, ‘Cool, go ahead, send him on his merry way. Shove it up that agent's ass.’”
—Monse Bolanos [19:26]

4. The Importance of “Farewells” in Sports & Pop Culture

Segment: [31:53]–[56:25]

• Lee Corso’s College GameDay Farewell: ESPN & FOX joined to air Corso’s send-off, cementing his importance to college football broadcasting.
• Discussion expands to most memorable "farewell" moments in sports and TV: Kobe Bryant’s last game, Vin Scully’s final Dodgers broadcast, Mariano Rivera’s mound exit with Jeter and Pettit, and TV endings (Friends, The Office, Cheers, Sopranos).
  • Montse shares the emotional resonance of Rachel “getting off the plane” in Friends.
  • Jason Stewart spotlights the emotional gravity of saying goodbye to icons like Vin Scully and Kobe Bryant.
• The hosts and contributors debate open-ended finales versus ones with closure, with Sopranos cited as the “most memorable” for sparking endless discussion.

Notable Quotes

“Lee Corso, an absolute staple. You put Mount Rushmore of like these iconic media personalities... and Lee Corso’s on that.”
—Dan Beyer [33:46]

“Most athletes never get that chance... and it reminds me of the Patriots. I thought that Bob Kraft did Belichick dirty.”
—Jason Stewart [46:11]

“The most memorable is Sopranos, just for... the conversation that just continued because of the lack of closure.”
—Dan Beyer [51:01]

5. NFL Preview Fun: Oddball Questions & Player Focus

Segment: [25:52]–[26:48], [59:30]–[63:06]

• The team draws “preview” questions from a hat. Tongue firmly in cheek, topics include:
  • Will Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift secretly get married this season?
    • “No, because Travis Kelce has committed to focusing on this season...What an awful look to think that you're going to get married between now and February.”
      —Dan Beyer [26:19]
  • Will Shedeur Sanders give a postgame interview for a game he didn’t play in? (Consensus: He shouldn’t, but wouldn’t rule it out.)
• Discussion of NFL team attitudes: chemistry, leadership, and the impact of player celebrations.

6. Tom Brady on Quarterback Leadership & Winning as a Team

Segment: [63:07]–[66:26]

• Tom Brady (via a PFF podcast clip) explains he always celebrated TDs by finding his offensive linemen; saw that as more intimidating and team-focused than self-promotion.
  • “I told the linemen we're all running the end zone and celebrating as a team... winning in football is about a team.” —Tom Brady [63:54]
• Montse and Dan praise Brady’s leadership, highlighting how small gestures after a play can reveal team chemistry and future success.
• Montse connects to other moments where team (or lack of team) unity showed—like Anthony Davis’s tepid reaction to LeBron’s record.

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Dan Beyer on the Packers’ Aggressiveness
  “[Green Bay] are now in win big now mode... no more excuses.” [06:05]
• Montse Bolanos on Pressure
  “You better come out of the NFC as the number one seed.” [06:05]
• Jason Stewart on Jerry Jones
  “He wanted to make the trade happen yesterday. And that's why he was like two first round picks. Cool. Go ahead, send him on his merry way. Shove it up that agent's ass.” [19:26]
• Dan Beyer on Lee Corso’s Farewell
  “Lee Corso an absolute staple... Mount Rushmore of iconic media personalities.” [33:46]
• Jason Stewart comparing farewells
  “Most athletes never get that chance... reminds me of the Patriots. I thought that Bob Kraft did Belichick dirty.” [46:11]
• Dan Beyer on the Soprano’s ending
  “The most memorable is Sopranos, just for... the conversation that just continued because of the lack of closure.” [51:01]
• Tom Brady on Team Attitude
  “That's what I look for all the time... winning in football is about a team. Always a team attitude first.” [63:54]

Notable Timestamps for Important Segments

• Parsons Trade & Packers’ All-In Mentality: [04:26]–[13:42]
• Packers’ Offensive Questions & WR Health: [08:11], [11:41]
• Cowboys’ Perspective & Jerry Jones Analysis: [13:22], [19:26]
• NFL Preview Fun (Kelce/Swift, Sanders): [25:52], [59:30]
• Farewells in Sports & TV/Pop Culture: [31:53]–[56:25]
• Tom Brady on Leadership: [63:07]
• Final NFL Preview Segment: [59:30+]

Tone & Style

The episode blends the candor and chemistry of a live sports radio show with good humor and doses of nostalgia. The hosts engage in lively debate, inject sharp pop culture references, and seamlessly transition between NFL analysis and broader musings about legacy, farewells, and the value of teamwork.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

• The Packers are “all in,” making a major bet with the Micah Parsons trade—raising both expectations and questions (especially about Parsons’ health).
• The NFC is wide open, but hosts place the target squarely on Green Bay’s back, with “no more excuses.”
• The team draws fun, sometimes silly NFL preview questions, blending on-field analysis with celebrity gossip for levity.
• A moving middle section details the power and cultural impact of unforgettable “farewell” moments in both sports history and TV—expect strong opinions on which ones did it best (and which ones missed).
• Tom Brady’s leadership and attitude toward team play becomes a model for how NFL leaders should set the tone for success.

Recommended for anyone seeking sharp NFL insights, sports pop culture reflection, and great radio chemistry.