The Pat McAfee Show 2.0, Episode 1390

NFL Preseason Week 2 Recap
Hosted by Ian Rapoport (filling in for Pat McAfee), August 18, 2025

Overview

This episode, guest-hosted by NFL insider Ian Rapoport, centers on the hottest stories from NFL preseason week 2. The panel dives deep into high-profile player contract disputes (Micah Parsons, Terry McLaurin, Trey Hendrickson), trade and roster speculation, emerging young quarterbacks, and key preseason performances and injuries. Regulars Boston Connor, Ty Schmidt, Tone Diggs, and Darius Butler bring humor, analysis, and personal anecdotes. The show features interviews with Dan Orlovsky (ESPN/NFL analyst), Harry Douglas (former NFL WR/analyst), and Jeff Passan (MLB insider). Sidebars on golf, MLB, and personal stories add the show’s trademark levity.

Panel & Guests

• Host: Ian Rapoport
• Regulars: Boston Connor, Ty Schmidt, Tone Diggs, Darius Butler
• Guests:
  • Dan Orlovsky (NFL Analyst) – [11:04, 12:23]
  • Harry Douglas (Analyst, former NFL WR) – [74:19]
  • Jeff Passan (ESPN MLB Insider) – [101:20]

Key Segments & Insights

1. Opening Banter, Host Lineup [00:02-02:23]

• Ian Rapoport intros show, filling in for Pat, amid banter about Pat’s mysterious WWE-related absence.
• “I try to do it properly, but it was—you did good. Better than the previous times.” – Tone Diggs (00:14)
• Playful ranking of favorite corners covered in the NFL; Rapoport jokes Darius Butler is his favorite after Devin McCourty converted to safety.

2. Major Trade/Contract Speculation [02:24-11:04]

Micah Parsons, Terry McLaurin, Trey Hendrickson

• Parsons: If available, would require a Khalil Mack-level haul (multiple first-rounders). [03:55]
• Terry McLaurin: Desire for ~$33M/year; Commanders offering just under $30M. “There’s a deal to be made somewhere.” – Rapoport [07:12]
  • Darius Butler: “Terry McLaurin…hasn’t missed a game in like five years. We always say your best ability is availability in the National Football League…he is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.” [06:08]
• Trey Hendrickson: Bengals reluctant to move him but open if the offer improves the team elsewhere.
  • “If you’re good, why do you trade a good player? Same thing with the Commanders.” – Rapoport [09:00-09:52]

3. QB Battles, Preseason Standouts – Dan Orlovsky Segment [11:04–34:49]

Young Quarterbacks: Williams, Gabriel, Richardson

• Caleb Williams:
  • “He was flawless…he’s seeing it, he’s confident, he knows what he’s doing with the football.” – Dan Orlovsky [13:49]
  • Coaching in Chicago is drawing praise for quick development.
• Dylan Gabriel (Browns):
  • “Tight coverage, elite ball placement…makes the Cleveland QB decision very interesting.” – Orlovsky [15:15]
• Anthony Richardson:
  • “I can’t quit Anthony Richardson…he looked really good and played fast.” – Orlovsky [15:54]
  • “If you name Daniel [Jones] the starter, are you dooming AR’s future?” [18:41]
• Locker room knows who won the job; coach’s call should confirm, not surprise. – Darius Butler [18:41]

Justin Fields, Preseason Vanilla Offenses

• Reports of Bears QB struggles, but Orlovsky is holding off on panic:
  • “I would be really surprised if this is the offense schematically they roll out within New York…very little zone read, very little designed QB run.” [21:30]
• “Watching preseason, I don’t know what I’m watching. Is it the real offense or a fake one? That’s why preseason is so frustrating.” – Rapoport [22:30]

Stafford Back Injury Concerns [22:50]

• Orlovsky: “I’m…at a one [very low worry level]. It’s not a capability thing, just pain management. If it gets to next week, maybe I’d worry.” [23:31]
• Breaking News: Stafford returns to practice mid-show; panel downgrades concern. [26:42]
• Butler: “With franchise QBs, missing reps is rare. Each missed day increases concern.” [24:56]

NFC West Dark Horses

• Orlovsky: Seattle and Arizona are overlooked teams primed to outperform expectations; concerns about Niners’ O-line and defense post-free agency. [30:40–33:14]

Orlovsky Birthday

• Closing with playful banter about Dan Orlovsky’s birthday and ages of NFL QBs. [34:03–34:46]

4. Ask Rap Sheet, More NFL Rumors [43:03–54:46]

Micah Parsons Trade Rumors

• Rapoport: “If the Cowboys are gonna trade Micah Parsons, it’s going to be all of the picks.” [44:21]
• No official offers have come in; Packers would be ‘really interested’ if Parsons were available.
• Cowboys’ delayed contract extensions cost significant money (Dak, CeeDee Lamb). Stephen Jones now doing more day-to-day operations, but Jerry still the boss. Team philosophy is ‘pay when we have to,’ not early [47:02, 49:49].
• Butler: “Never see a player like this play on the fifth-year option. Just get the deal done.” [51:56]

Commanders Shopping Brian Robinson?

• Rapoport: “There is some legitimacy. If they’re not going to extend him, see what they can get now… I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s dealt, but it’s gutsy.” [55:07]

5. Breaking NFL News & Quick Hits [59:12–74:19]

Joe Flacco Named Browns Starter

• “It is not a surprise, but it is reality.” – Rapoport [59:22]
• Panel: Flacco is the safe starter amid tough early schedule. Unlikely he starts all year, but: “You can’t overlook that ever. And he is a pro’s pro, so let’s see if he’ll figure it out.” – Darius Butler [62:00]

NFL Preseason Parity & Frustration

• “You never know what you’re really watching in the preseason… Both teams’ beat writers will say their side dominated the joint practice.” [128:10]
• Butler: Only 7–10 real “bubble players” in most camps; teams know rosters by week 3. [129:37]

6. Golf & Other Sports Sidelights [63:40–74:19, 98:31–73:55]

• Panel recaps BMW Championship, LIV Golf’s Indy event, golf as both a humbling and bonding activity.
• Humor: “I don’t like to drink when I play golf.” – Rapoport, roasted by Harry Douglas [74:53, 75:00]

7. Harry Douglas Segment: Falcons, Rookie Wideouts, McLaurin [74:19–93:15]

• Browns QB Room:
  • “Would’ve gone with Flacco week one—don’t want a rookie facing that opening schedule.” [75:26]
  • Dylan Gabriel may have edge over Shador Sanders due to turnovers, stresses importance of ball security. [76:96]
• Falcons Outlook:
  • Michael Penix, Jr.’s “gunslinger” mentality and bond with Kyle Pitts will unlock Atlanta’s offense; expects rookie pass rushers to be key. [80:22]
• Rookie WRs To Watch:
  • Matthew Golden (Packers) and Cal Williams (Patriots) highlighted as best bets for year-one impact. [84:06]
• Terry McLaurin & The Commanders:
  • “This might be one of the dumbest situations in the NFL… Without Terry, you’re adding a deficiency to Jaden Daniels’ plate.” [85:05]
  • “Why would you not pay Terry McLaurin for the next three years and extend him when you have this window of your QB on a rookie contract?” [86:51]
  • Says it takes “two and a half, three weeks” for McLaurin to get into football shape if/when he signs. [89:50]

8. MLB with Jeff Passan (and Shower Phone Stands) [101:20–114:32]

• Lighthearted Admission:
  • Both Rapoport and Passan admit to breaking news in the shower, discussing phone waterproofing strategies. “What kind of loser has a stand for his phone in the shower?” – Jeff Passan [101:27]
• Mets State of Play:
  • Mets’ playoff hopes rest on NL mediocrity and pitching’s return to form. Nolan McClain’s call-up is a plus; fans shouldn’t expect much more prospect help in ‘25. [103:37–105:44]
• MLB Expansion/Realignment:
  • Rob Manfred confirms expansion is inevitable, with possible realignment into four-team geographic divisions. “Don’t mess with the ability to have a NY vs NY World Series,” warns Passan [106:37–110:56]
• Zach Wheeler’s Injury:
  • “Big loss for the Phillies… Will it allow [them] to be great? That’s the question.” – Passan [111:38]
• Rapoport reminisces about dumpings by the Mets (“Never should have let him go”).

9. Quick Hitters, NFL Deep Dives [114:33–147:53]

• Discusses insider relationships as former beat writer; how former players/coaches are ascending to big NFL roles.
• Analyzes the head-coaching "hot seat" (Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel; Giants’ Brian Daboll; Titans; etc.)
• Bills/Sean McDermott:
  • “At some point, they may lose Joe Brady to a head coaching gig. Could ownership want an offensive guy for Josh Allen?” [137:52]
  • Butler: “Coaching still matters…scheming, tempo, ‘gotta have it’ plays—all are critical, even with elite QBs.” [141:30]
• Super Bowl Windows, Frustrations:
  • “It has to be like lightning—so much has to go right... That’s why football is the best.” [146:19]

10. Notable Quotes & Humor

• “He’s going to make every throw on the field. I picked the Rams as number one NFC seed.” – Harry Douglas on Matthew Stafford [77:38]
• “If we can weaken our team on the edge, but strengthen our team at guard...maybe that makes sense.” – Rapoport on Bengals’ trade calculus [09:00]
• “Seattle is going to be awesome, man. Clint Kubiak, new OC, they looked fantastic.” – Dan Orlovsky [30:43]
• “Coaching matters. But also, it’s just about getting out healthy in the preseason.” – Darius Butler [129:13]
• [On missing news in the shower] “I have a stand for my phone in the shower…sometimes people will call me and I answer every phone call except Facetimes from Pat.” – Ian Rapoport [100:36]
• [On golf and drinking] “How do you play like that?” – Ian Rapoport
  “It’s called drinking.” – Harry Douglas [74:35–74:39]

Notable Timestamps

• 02:24 – NFL trade speculation (Parsons/Hendrickson/McLaurin)
• 11:04 – Dan Orlovsky joins; QB breakdowns
• 22:50 – Matthew Stafford injury talk
• 43:03 – Ask Rap Sheet: More trade/contract rumors
• 59:12 – Breaking: Joe Flacco named Browns starter
• 74:19 – Harry Douglas joins; Falcons, rookie WRs, McLaurin
• 101:20 – Jeff Passan joins (baseball/expansion/tv rights)
• 128:10 – Roster construction; preseason uncertainty
• 137:52 – Coaching hot seat talk; Bills, Bengals, Dolphins

Conclusion

A jam-packed, entertaining episode with deep dives on NFL contract drama and preseason narratives, standout rookie performances, and the inside scoop from top league insiders. Personal stories and panel banter, plus detours into golf and baseball, keep the tone lively. Insightful guest spots and memorable quotes make this a can't-miss episode for those tracking NFL storylines as the regular season approaches.