The Pat McAfee Show PMS 2.0 #1392 - August 20, 2025

Substitute Host: Peter Schrager
Guests: Damien Woody, Andrew Hawkins, Jason McCourty, Darius Butler, AJ Hawk, regular cast (Boston Connor, Ty Schmidt, Tone Diggs, Bruce)

Overview

In this lively football-heavy edition, Peter Schrager steps in as host and leads Pat McAfee’s crew through a jam-packed show that covers NFL headlines, deep dives into the Dallas Cowboys' drama, the new Jerry Jones documentary, roster moves, and the evolving landscape of football through tech and coaching changes. The episode features a rotation of expert guests who provide honest, passionate, and sometimes hilarious insight on the league as training camps heat up, draft talk simmers, and preseason chatter buzzes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jerry Jones, Dallas Cowboys & the Doc (00:01–13:24)

• The crew binge-discusses Netflix’s Cowboys documentary, laughing over Jerry Jones’ oil gusher story and reflecting on his "riverboat gambler" approach to ownership and business.
• Peter Schrager: Contextualizes Jerry's refusal to extend Micah Parsons, connecting it to the doc’s portrayal of Jones as fiercely independent, un-bullied, and maverick.
  • "If you think you're dealing with a rational or standard ... this is a totally different individual ... he is a gambler ... he's a maverick." (06:00)
• Tone Diggs, Ty Schmidt, and Boston Connor analyze the shifting public perception of Jerry, the shock of his firing Tom Landry, the Herschel Walker trade, and what this means for Parsons, invoking broader themes of loyalty, family, and risk-taking.
• Quote Highlight:
  “No one makes megatrades like this anymore. ... If someone offers two first-round picks and a starter, I wouldn’t be surprised, especially if Schefter's saying a divorce is on the way.” – Peter Schrager (12:46)

2. Micah Parsons Stalemate & Cowboys Locker Room Impact (10:00–18:05)

• Panel debates whether Jerry is handling the Parsons extension uniquely poorly, when compared to his history of "taking care of his guys" (Zeke, Dak, Zack Martin).
• The "handshake agreement" lore is dissected, with skepticism that an 80-year-old billionaire trusts a handshake with a 24-year-old star.
• Discussion turns to the silence from star teammates in publicly supporting Parsons, with Damien Woody (remote guest) adding that Jerry’s world is different, and many Cowboys are “corporate players,” less likely to speak up or challenge authority.
  • "Micah Parsons is unlike any other guy in that building ... that's part of the disconnect." – Damien Woody (18:56)

3. Around the League: Preseason & Team Outlooks

Belichick at UNC, Vrabel at Patriots, and Rookie QBs (22:11–27:10)

• Damien Woody bullish on Belichick's transition to college (“biggest story in college football,” 22:11) and praises new Patriots regime under Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels.
  • "I think New England's going to have a damn good defense and ... be in the playoffs this year." – Damien Woody (24:05)

Steelers, Jets, and AFC Outlook (27:10–34:23)

• Steelers discussed as potential contenders, contingent on OL improvement and running game. Big test for Arthur Smith’s offense and Rodgers’ durability.
• Jets preview: new offensive line, Justin Fields at QB, reliance on running game, defensive mentality with Aaron Glenn.
  • Woody: "They're going to be disciplined, they're going to play tough ... let the chips fall where they may." (31:22)

Sleepers & the Broncos Surge (32:06–34:23)

• Woody singles out the Broncos as a serious sleeper in the AFC ("Denver is legit ... contender," 33:58). Panel discusses whether they're true threats given the Chiefs’ dominance.

4. Cleveland Browns’ QB Situation & Rookies (40:47–44:17)

• Andrew Hawkins discusses Browns quarterback “competition” – Flacco named starter for stability, Shadour Sanders as a promising but low-drafted rookie who must earn it.
• Browns management gets credit for steady roster build and adding Isaiah Bond as a key undrafted weapon.

5. Tech & Football: AI, Analytics, and the Sideline (50:12–55:57)

• Fascinating chat on Microsoft’s AI integration for NFL sideline communications. Hawkins explains that AI will replace human tendencies-spotters, notes coaches’ superstitions as a barrier, and summarizes:
  • "Most of the coaches ... would rather use a lucky pair of draws than any data... AI will be able to do all of that in real time." – Andrew Hawkins (51:02)

6. NFL Division Rundown & QB Pressure Rankings

NFC North Quarterback Pressure (66:41–70:41)

• Panel ranks NFC North QBs by pressure: Jared Goff (“most to prove post-Ben Johnson”), Caleb Williams (“#1 pick, huge expectations”), J.J. McCarthy (“handed keys after Darnold’s big year”), Jordan Love (“got paid, must deliver”).

Team Odds and Division Outlooks (71:27–78:31)

• Deep dive into NFC North and West odds, skepticism about perennial darlings, challenges of preseason hype, and the annual “can anyone actually dethrone the Chiefs” debate.

7. Jackson Dart, Giants, and Rookie Standouts (34:23–36:38, 80:00–90:19)

• Giants rookie Jackson Dart gets rave leadership marks; team identified as a potential overperformer if defense holds leads.
• Jason McCourty discusses the rookie Travis Hunter’s impact for the Jaguars ("I expect him to play both ways"), and pegs Baron (Broncos) and other young DBs as names to watch.

8. More Team Snapshots & Coaching Philosophies

• Steelers defense with acquisition of Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay; McCourty excited by their versatility and questions how stars will share roles.
• Patriots with Vrabel: “all football, not afraid to call anyone out ... loves personal connection with his guys." – Jason McCourty (93:09)
• Belichick at UNC: “Either they’re going to find a way to win games, or ... it’s going to be a train wreck.” – McCourty (95:04)

9. Youth Sports, Little League, and Pop Culture Mashup (97:01–98:43)

• Fun, authentic moments: stories of coaching kids in youth football and basketball, panel’s obsession with Little League World Series, and cultural references (AI, iRobot, Instagram, Dr. Pepper, Madison Beer’s connection to Justin Herbert).

10. NFL Draft 2026 Way-Too-Early Talk & College Prospects (103:00–109:08)

• First mock draft dissected; quarterbacks heavy at the top: Arch Manning, Lenora Sellers, Cade Klubnik.
• Debate on Arch’s standing and NFL readiness – is the consensus real, or just preseason hype? Manning’s family legacy and likelihood of declaring early discussed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (by Timestamp)

• Jerry Jones Doc:
  "It actually screams... and it started spitting like any mammal would spit... and with that single well, I made out with a hundred million dollar. ...I said to myself, Jerry, you just bought the Dallas Cowboys. Bam, Bam, bam, bam.” – Jerry Jones in doc, recounted at (01:40–02:55)
• On Micah Parsons Drama:
  “He is a landman, he is a gambler, he is a maverick... Do you think Jerry Jones is backing down or intimidated by us being critical...?" – Peter Schrager (06:00)
• On the Cowboys Locker Room:
  “If you look at the players down in Jerry's world, there's a lot of corporate players. ...Micah is unlike any other guys in that building.” – Damien Woody (18:56)
• On the Broncos as Sleepers:
  “I think the Denver Broncos to me are a team that not enough people are talking about. ...They could have the best defense in the league.” – Damien Woody (33:31)
• On AI Disrupting Football:
  “AI will be able to... tell you exactly what's going to happen, because we're still human. And every time the bullets are flying, we're going to go back to what we know.” – Hawkins (51:02)
• On Pressure in the NFC North:
  "Jordan Love, he can go one way or the other. ...the most pressure." – AJ Hawk (67:34)
• On Football Culture & Coaching:
  "Vrabel is a guy that very much loves that personal connection with his guys... all football with him, and he expects guys to know what they're doing." – McCourty (93:09)
• On Giants Rookie QB Jackson Dart:
  “Dart is carrying himself like he belongs. ...there was like a carefree feel ...could be the perfect situation.” – Schrager (35:34)
• On Youth Sports:
  "If you want to coach some competitive people, coach some girls, fifth and sixth grade basketball..." – AJ Hawk (102:03)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Cowboys Documentary Deep Dive & Jerry Jones: 00:01–13:24
• Micah Parsons Standoff: 10:00–18:05
• Damien Woody Joins (Belichick, Vrabel, AFC, Broncos): 18:32–38:47
• NFL Team Outlooks (Steelers, Jets, Broncos): 27:10–38:47
• Andrew Hawkins Joins (Browns QB, Tech & AI): 40:47–55:57
• NFC North & Quarterback Pressure: 66:41–70:41
• Division Odds, Preseason Hype: 71:27–78:31
• Jason McCourty Joins (Giants, Jags, Coaching, Pats): 80:00–96:41
• NFL Draft/College QBs, Arch Manning Debate: 103:00–109:08
• Youth Coaching, Little League, and Closing Out: 97:01–116:39

Closing Notes & Episode Vibe

The episode showcases the show’s strengths: authentic, spontaneous banter; an insider’s grasp of NFL news; and a seamless mix of X's and O's football talk, humor, and cultural sidebars. Schrager fits in energetically as host, adeptly moderating discussions from hard football to technology to youth coaching. The Micah Parsons contract saga, Jerry Jones doc, and team outlooks dominate, but honest debates about team-building, player personalities, and the ever-encroaching world of tech analytics keep the show fresh.

Original tone maintained: Informal, candid, football-obsessed, comedic, sometimes irreverent—but backed by years of gridiron experience.

[TEAM ON ME, TEAM ON THREE] (148:59)

The crew signs off, slightly off-beat but in classic Thunderdome camaraderie.

Rich in opinions but always relatable: a must-listen for fans seeking more than just the sports headlines.