The Dan Patrick Show – Best Of (August 25, 2025)

Overview

This episode of The Dan Patrick Show brings together in-depth sports discussion, NFL and college football insights, and humorous rapport between Dan Patrick, his Danettes, and high-profile guests. The episode's central focus is on the transition from preseason to the regular NFL season, rookie quarterback challenges, Tommy Fleetwood's breakthrough PGA win, and evolving dynamics in college football with guest analysts Chris Collinsworth and Rick Neuheisel.

Highlights & Key Discussion Points

1. Rookie Quarterbacks: Preseason Lessons & Growing Pains

Timestamps: 04:17–13:26, 28:27–32:26, 56:05–58:47

• Dan opens with observations from NFL preseason, cautioning against overreacting to preseason performances.
• Main Points:
  • Young QBs like Shador Sanders, Caleb Williams, and Jackson Dart are under scrutiny.
  • The main challenge: rookie QBs often hold the ball too long, a habit formed in college.
  • Brady Quinn’s analysis: Young QBs “rule out one side of the field” by their mechanics, narrowing options and inviting defensive pressure.
  • Dan relays insight from Browns staff about evaluating players' mental makeup, not just performance.
• Quote:
  • “With preseason, it’s about evaluation, not prophecy.” – Dan Patrick [07:42]
  • “[Shador Sanders] holds on to the ball longer than any quarterback in preseason… you have to take your losses, you have to get rid of the football.” – Dan Patrick [09:25]
• Chris Collinsworth Analysis:
  • He underscores that QBs must adapt and get the ball out quickly; “At this level, you’ve got to get it out of your hand… all you’re doing is inviting more pressure [by holding it].” [28:58]

2. Tommy Fleetwood’s PGA Win & Mental Resilience in Sports

Timestamps: 04:17–13:26

• Dan recaps Tommy Fleetwood’s long-awaited first PGA win and the drama surrounding it.
• Shares behind-the-scenes chat with Charles Barkley, whose bet rode on Fleetwood.
• Praises Fleetwood’s poise in both victory and defeat, contrasting it with other athletes who avoid the media after losses.
• Quote:
  • “When you have the potential, you have the expectation… people have been waiting for him… He did that yesterday and did so in dramatic fashion.” – Dan Patrick [05:37]
  • “How you respond sometimes says a lot about you.” – Dan Patrick, on Fleetwood facing the media after losses [13:10]

3. NFL Contracts & Player Holdouts

Timestamps: 17:51–34:29

• Chris Collinsworth and Dan discuss the impending regular season opener: Cowboys vs. Eagles, and unresolved contract situations for players like Micah Parsons.
• Collinsworth advises against players personally negotiating with NFL owners:
  • “As an agent, there is no way I’m letting Micah Parsons anywhere near Jerry Jones… these guys are trained killers, right? They are billionaires; they know how to negotiate deals.” [33:03]
• Discussion on how late contract signings can affect early season health and performance.

4. The Evolution of NFL Offenses & Quarterback Rankings

Timestamps: 34:04–43:32

• Dan and Chris explore how modern NFL teams now build offenses to suit their quarterbacks' skills (ex: Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes).
• Jalen Hurts’ path from Alabama benching to NFL stardom praised for resilience and mental toughness.
• Quote:
  • “He’s probably the most serious-minded football player I’ve ever met… he’s all in for his teammates… Would I want him as my quarterback? I would take him all day long.” – Chris Collinsworth, on Jalen Hurts [35:49]
• Trend: NFL increasingly values QBs who can adapt, escape pressure, and convert in critical situations.

5. Most Intriguing NFL Team & Under Center vs. Shotgun Debate

Timestamps: 39:44–43:32

• Collinsworth selects the Bears as his most intriguing team to watch: can Caleb Williams transition to a pro-style, under-center offense after shotgun-heavy college experience?
• Dan raises the question: why don’t more QBs play under center, given its tactical advantages?

6. College Football Deep Dive with Rick Neuheisel

Timestamps: 49:33–59:39

• Opening week blockbuster: Ohio State vs. Texas, both breaking tradition by facing a top opponent immediately.
• Big Ten Prediction: “If not now, when?” – Penn State has the pieces and favorable schedule [50:10].
• SEC Pick: LSU, betting on QB Garrett Nussmeier’s emergence [50:52].
• Playoff Expansion:
  • Big Ten floated 24-28 team playoff to nudge compromise at 16 teams.
  • “As I like to say, the answer is money. Now what was the question?” – Rick Neuheisel [51:29]
• Notre Dame’s Playoff Path:
  • Remain independent, go 10-2 each year, will likely always make the playoff due to their brand [55:16].
• NCAA’s punishment of Michigan characterized as “much ado about nothing”; real consequences did not reach main actors like Jim Harbaugh [54:06].
• Ongoing adaptation to new playoff, conference schedules, and automatic qualifiers.

7. Final QB Segment: Bad Habits & Transition to NFL

Timestamps: 56:05–58:47

• Dan and Rick dissect how college QBs develop poor footwork and anticipation habits due to "backyard football" and lax coaching.
• Emphasis on the importance of rhythmic, anticipatory play—citing Dylan Gabriel as a positive example.
• Quote:
  • “You have to have anticipation, which means there has to be a metronome in your footwork, and they don’t possess it.” – Rick Neuheisel [57:37]

Memorable Moments, Quotes, and Banter

• On slow play in golf:
  “Patrick Cantlay. Just hit the freaking ball. Oh, my goodness…Paulie goes: ‘I thought my TV froze.’” – Dan Patrick [12:09]
• On Jalen Hurts’ mental toughness:
  “There is no way, mentally or emotionally, he comes back from this. Goes off to Oklahoma…he is all in.” – Chris Collinsworth [34:29]
• On football’s evolving schemes:
  “The league is about finding guys who can make those plays, who can escape pass rush, who can gain and convert third downs, strong enough to take a hit, smart enough to know how to run an offense.” – Chris Collinsworth [39:09]
• On playoff expansion logic
  “Sometimes if compromise is where we’re going to be, compromise now goes to 16… the answer is money. Now what was the question?” – Rick Neuheisel [51:29]

Notable Segments & Timestamps

| Segment / Topic | Guests | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------|--------------------|:--------------:| | Rookie QB Habits & Preseason Takeaways | Dan + Danettes | 04:17–13:26 | | Tommy Fleetwood’s Win & Athlete Media Responsibility | Dan + Danettes | 04:17–16:05 | | Collinsworth on NFL Holdouts and Contracts | Chris Collinsworth | 17:51–34:29 | | Roster Construction & QB Play Evolution | Chris Collinsworth | 34:04–43:32 | | College Football Season & Playoff Debate | Rick Neuheisel | 49:33–59:41 |

Episode Tone & Style

The episode maintains The Dan Patrick Show’s classic blend of insider access, playful banter, reasoned analysis, and a reverence for the nuances of sports beyond just the headlines. The rapport between Dan and his guests balances insight with entertainment, making complex football topics accessible and engaging.

In Summary

This “Best Of” episode stands out for:

• Its thorough breakdown of the preseason “rookie quarterback trap”: don’t mistake preseason hype (or struggles) for finished product.
• Dissection of Tommy Fleetwood’s win as a metaphor for perseverance in sports.
• Detailed look at evolving NFL offenses and the increasing demand for adaptable, quick-thinking QBs.
• A rich college football preview that goes beyond surface-level rankings, scrutinizing schedules, playoff expansion politics, and the business undercurrent of college athletics.
• Excellent quotes from Collinsworth and Neuheisel that provide both humor and depth.

Listeners leave well-prepped for week one of both the NFL and college football, reminded of the sport’s mental and strategic complexity—while still enjoying a good laugh at slow golfers.