The Pat McAfee Show 2.0, Episode 1468 – Summary

Date: December 10, 2025
Host: Pat McAfee (with AJ Hawk, the Toxic Table: Boston Conner & Ty Schmidt, Tone Diggs, Darius Butler, AQ Shipley, and guests Vince Wilfork, JJ Watt, Jake Paul)

Episode Overview

This episode—dubbed “Watt Wednesday”—dives into the latest bombshell in NFL news: Philip Rivers, at age 44, coming out of retirement to start for the Indianapolis Colts in a wild push for the playoffs. The crew offers an in-depth, hilarious, and candid breakdown of Rivers’ return, explores the perils and hopes of old QBs, debates the state of several NFL franchises, celebrates college coaching hires, and delivers high-octane segments with NFL legends and combat sports star Jake Paul. It’s a full-throttle ride, brimming with insider wisdom, genuine football love, and the irrepressible humor and energy that’s made the show a staple in sports talk.

Key Segments & Discussions

1. Philip Rivers’ Shocking NFL Comeback

[00:00 – 08:30]

• Pat announces the headline: Philip Rivers, now 44 and fresh off coaching his son’s high school team, is starting for the Colts.
• The crew breaks down why this wild move is happening—Colts in playoff contention but desperate at QB, Rivers knows Steichen’s offense inside-out, and is beloved by the franchise.
• Pat’s take:

  “If Phil Rivers comes off the couch after five years and plays well against these defenses… you gotta tip your cap to old man Phil Rivers and you gotta say, shout out to Chris Ballard for not just punting on the earth.” [01:30]

• Everyone weighs risk vs. hope: Rivers’ competitive fire and Hall of Fame-caliber mind vs. the brutal upcoming schedule (Seahawks, 49ers, Jags, Texans—all top 11 defenses).
• Pat on memes of Grandpa Rivers:

  “Old Phil Rivers holding a grandbaby in one hand and a football in another while wearing an Indianapolis Colts uniform.” [00:30]

• Darius Butler tempers expectations:

  “Yesterday I was negative. Maybe a bit too negative… If he does this, resets the clock, goes on a run—first ballot Hall of Famer Philip Rivers.” [06:12]

• The crew jokes about Rivers practicing throws to his many kids in the backyard, “lining them up every 10 yards” to check his arm.
• AJ Hawk and others speculate on what the gameplan must be: heavy Jonathan Taylor runs, quick releases, avoid exposing Rivers’ immobility.

2. Colts, Quarterbacks, and the Ghosts of Jeff Saturday

[03:23 – 08:43]

• Pat recalls the infamous Jeff Saturday interim coaching stint and his own role defending him against critics (Bill Cowher, Joe Thomas)—and admits how spectacularly sideways that went for the team.
• Pat:

  “I was blindly behind him. They beat the Raiders, I come in again… And then we proceed to give up the biggest lead in the history of the game.” [04:13]

• The group draws parallels: Is Rivers’ comeback another “just crazy enough to work” move? Or another embarrassment brewing? But as Pat notes, “It was already going bad. So why not?”

3. Insider Colts Analysis & Betting Angles

[08:43 – 13:25]

• Tone Diggs updates on the betting market: “Colts are the biggest underdogs of the weekend at +13.5 in Seattle.”
• Conner and AQ Shipley discuss strategy: keep it “not laughable,” manage risk, don’t let Rivers try to do too much—“hammer Jonathan Taylor.”
• Pat:

  “Phil Rivers is not allowing himself to be seen in public with a bad arm." [12:07]

• Playbook talk: Expect quick out passes, heavy shotgun, screens, and protection packages to minimize Rivers’ exposure to hits.
• AQ Shipley’s X’s and O’s:

  “The ball needs to get out quick. Both tackles should be cutting.” [17:46]

4. Colts’ Future & Riley Leonard’s Connection to Rivers

[09:03 – 10:25]

• Discussion shifts to Colts’ rookie backup Riley Leonard, who has trained extensively with Rivers (they’re almost neighbors), and how Rivers’ presence is also an investment in Leonard’s development.
• Pat:

  “Maybe even brings out even more out of Riley Leonard in this whole thing.” [09:55]

5. NFL Coaching Carousel & College Football Talk

[24:49 – 29:03]

• Penn State hires Matt Campbell from Iowa State; crew calls it a “home run hire” after prior chaos and leaks in the search process.
• Oklahoma cancels classes on game day for student spirit ahead of playoff.
• Debates if Oregon could fall victim to a “trap game” vs. JMU; potential playoff upsets discussed.

6. Vince Wilfork Interview: USO Tour & NFL Trenches

[32:24 – 52:43] Notable Quotes:

• On visiting troops:

  “Just a little bit of our time during the holiday season, to bring them a little joy… they do the dirty work, make sacrifices daily for us to have the life we have.” – Wilfork [33:02]

• Battle in the trenches:

  “Start up front—you have to start in the trenches, offensive and defensive line if you want to be successful.” [38:35]

• Huge praise for defense-centered head coaches (D'Amico Ryans, Mike Vrabel) and the value of investing in OL/DL, not just “elite skill positions.”
• Highlights stories from his playing days: learning to play nose tackle, game prep, weight cutting tricks, and swimming to preserve his body.

Memorable Moment:

• Pat, Ty, and AQ roast each other about NFL weigh-ins:

  “If you catch me two hours after this weigh-in, you might be shocked.” – Wilfork [51:09]

• Vince Wilfork’s refusal to come out of retirement:

  “My mind says yeah. My body tells me different.” [49:09]

• Wilfork on grilling:

  “Come on, man. That’s all I do, daddy. I am the grill.” [52:46]

7. NFL Week 14 Offensive Line Rankings with AQ Shipley

[53:21 – 58:40, 141:31+]

• “In the Trenches” breaks down the top O-lines of the week:
  1. Los Angeles Rams
  2. Miami Dolphins
  3. Tennessee Titans
  4. Denver Broncos
  5. Green Bay Packers
• Takes: Rams are “hands down the best group of the week,” and Broncos/Titans have paid their O lines massively.
• Pat:

  “Top five OL correlates with who’s a real Super Bowl threat.”

8. AJ Hawk, JJ Watt, and the NFL Roundtable

[58:40 – 116:43]

• JJ Watt joins for lively banter, NFL matchups, and more Rivers/Colts talk.
  • On Rivers’ comeback:

    “For the rest of us out here in the world, this is fun… as long as there’s no injuries.” [75:00] “If Phil balls out, how many retired guys—Drew Brees, etc.—start thinking, ‘I could do it too?’” [80:48]

• Pat and crew reflect on QB toughness, sideline media debates (Justin Herbert postgame interview), and NFL atmospheres.

9. Nick Saban’s Hall of Fame Induction & College Football Legacy

[63:07 – 68:01]

• McAfee and Butler reminisce about Saban as “GOAT,” his ability to relate to players, and West Virginia’s wild Thursday night history.
• The segment features shoutouts to Mountaineer legends Steve Slaton and Pat White.

10. Defense Wins Championships: Everything DB with Darius Butler

[159:33+]

• Butler highlights Devin Witherspoon (Seahawks) and Jalen Pitre (Texans) as dynamic, versatile defenders.
• Breakdown of key game-changing plays: blitz timing, zone drops to picks, forced turnovers.
• Shows the difference-makers on Houston, LA Chargers, Seattle.

11. Jake Paul Previews His Showdown with Anthony Joshua

[174:36 – 188:14]

• Jake Paul, in classic confidence, hypes his upcoming bout with "Goliath" Anthony Joshua, explaining why he took the massive challenge of fighting at heavyweight, 50 pounds above his normal weight class.
• Jake Paul:

  “I see holes in his [Joshua’s] game… I see the shot that can knock him out.” [179:44]

  • “I’m here to show kids what’s possible… go from zero to the top of a sport in five years.” [182:58]
• Discusses sparring with legit heavyweights, his investment/fund, and why he wants to inspire kids to chase wild dreams.

Notable Quotes & Moments

Pat McAfee:

• “Old man Rivers… holding a football and a grandbaby… is the state of the Colts. Why not?” [00:35]
• “Why are we letting narratives dictate how we feel? Ball is chaos.” [11:30]

Darius Butler:

• “If Phil resets the clock and gets us to the dance—first ballot Hall of Famer.” [06:12]

Vince Wilfork:
On USO tours:

“We’re not all military, but we can all support.” [34:38]
On football:
“I want to always spend my money in the trenches if I’m building a team.” [41:12]

JJ Watt:
On Rivers’ comeback:

“It’s fun for all of us—but for the Colts, this has to be their best chance to win.” [76:28]

Jake Paul:
On fighting Joshua:

“I see the shot that can knock him out… This could be the biggest upset in the history of boxing.” [179:44]
On the haters:
“Don’t respect me for getting in there. Respect me when I beat his ass.” [185:44]

Other Highlights

• Hilarious U Ball (office mini-basketball) drama—Darius Butler’s team “Bone and Butt” (now “D Block”) wins the championship, leading to great storytelling and trash talk.
• Extended segments on college football playoff chaos, potential “trap games” for Oregon, and smaller programs rising.
• Quick fun on non-NFL sports: soccer trophies (“World Cup really isn’t a cup!”), NBA merch, and a run-in with 2 Chainz at the Hawks game.
• The show's final quarter devolves into high-spirited rants about NFTs, Metaverse “real estate”, and failed sports business fads.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:13-08:43 — Colts sign Rivers & immediate reactions
• 08:43-13:25 — Betting angles, Colts’ outlook
• 24:49-29:03 — College football, coaching moves
• 32:24-52:43 — Vince Wilfork interview (USO, trenches talk)
• 53:21+ / 141:31+ — Top 5 offensive lines ("In the Trenches")
• 58:40-116:43 — JJ Watt joins, Rivers debate continues, media/player relationships
• 159:33+ — “Everything DB” defensive breakdowns with Darius Butler
• 174:36-188:14 — Jake Paul interview: Anthony Joshua fight
• 188:15–END — Riffs on NFTs, Metaverse, merch, final gags

Tone and Language

True to Pat’s style: irreverent, unfiltered, deeply passionate about football, peppered with locker-room banter, unexpected segues, and real-life wisdom from NFL vets. Each host and guest speaks with authenticity—never shying from tough truths or the ridiculousness of sport.

Listener’s Takeaway

Even if you missed this episode, you’ll feel caught up: Philip Rivers’ return is the talk of the NFL; the Colts are swinging wild for a playoff miracle. The show's regulars dissect the move like real insiders—but never lose sight of football’s unpredictability and their own comic mortality as fans. Interviews with Wilfork and Jake Paul add depth and star-power, making this episode a must for those wanting both expert insight and a genuinely great time in sports entertainment.

Best enjoyed with a sense of humor, a love of football, and an appreciation for the chaos of live sports.

End summary.