The Pat McAfee Show 2.0, Ep. 1477 — Merry Christmas Eve, NFL Christmas Day/Week 17 Preview, Mike McCarthy, JJ Watt, & AJ Hawk

Date: December 24, 2025
Host: Pat McAfee
Co-hosts & Guests: AJ Hawk, Ty Schmidt, Conman, Tone Digs, Coach Mike McCarthy, JJ Watt

Episode Overview

On this festive Christmas Eve episode, Pat and the boys gather for a holly, jolly edition of their sports talk showcase. The main theme revolves around the unprecedented NFL Christmas Day schedule, which has games airing on Netflix and Prime, essentially challenging the NBA’s traditional holiday TV dominance. The crew previews Week 17’s slate, discusses breaking news about stadium deals (notably the Chiefs’ move to Kansas), and dives deep into football culture, league parity, coaching insights, and some zany Christmas wishes for the world of football. Special guests Coach Mike McCarthy and JJ Watt join the panel, bringing expert takes, personal anecdotes, and plenty of holiday cheer.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFL Christmas Day Slate & The Streaming Wars

• Christmas on Netflix/Prime: NFL games will be broadcast on Netflix and Amazon Prime in a major shift from the NBA’s decades-long Christmas dominance.
• Matchups:
  • Cowboys vs. Commanders (Netflix)
  • Lions vs. Vikings (Netflix)
  • Broncos vs. Chiefs (Prime)
• Media Strategy: Discussion on streaming platforms using live sports as anchor events to keep users engaged with other content.
• NBA Counter-programming: NBA offering a big Knicks game with Disney-infused, kid-friendly “Mickey Mouse Watch Along” productions.
• Christmas Tradition Building: NFL aiming to make holiday football a tradition like Thanksgiving, focusing on brands and storylines.

“The NFL thought, okay, they had a Christmas Day home run. Absolutely. And how could you not?”
— Pat McAfee, [03:13]

2. Kansas City Chiefs’ Move Across State Lines

• Breaking News: The Chiefs are moving from Missouri to Kansas, with Kansas offering a $3B investment (via “star bonds”) to build a "Kansas City Chiefs Town."
• Taxpayer Fallout: Robust discussion about whether taxpayers are really coming out ahead — or if, as Pat wryly puts it, "the State of Kansas just got hos[ed]."
• Business Consequences: The guys joke about Taylor Swift being the real draw (“She might have a restaurant!”), and compare the project to Green Bay’s Lambeau Field attraction model.

“Kansas said, you know what? Welcome home, Kansas City Chiefs. That’s what they said... here's $3 billion.”
— Pat McAfee, [05:09]

3. Parity in the NFL and the Ups and Downs of ‘Super Bowl Contenders’

• Parity Stats: The NFL has had at least four new playoff teams in 36 consecutive seasons (“from outhouse to penthouse”).
• Preseason vs. Reality: Many teams featured in the Christmas games were pegged as Super Bowl contenders, but only one remains in that conversation.
• McCarthy’s Coach POV: McCarthy credits league parity, late-season divisional games, and handling injuries. He spotlights the importance of health and streaks heading into the playoffs.

“It’s hard to project these games. Definitely harder today than it was probably 15, 20 years ago.”
— Coach Mike McCarthy, [18:05]

4. Philadelphia Eagles, O-line Excellence, and the AFC North Ethos

• Eagles Repeat as NFC East Champs: NFL’s most competitive division, “changing almost yearly,” now sees the Eagles win back-to-back — first time in 21 years.
• Trenches Talk: McCarthy, a Pittsburgh native, and Pat discuss why Western PA coaches emphasize O-line/D-line play.
• Winning Formula: “It’s hard to win a championship if you don’t have a defense, ...regulating those football games for you.”

“Those battles up front are critical to your success... the defense is the thermostat of your football team.”
— Coach Mike McCarthy, [23:06]

5. Defenses Catching Up to Offenses in the Modern NFL

• Rule Changes: Safety rules have altered coaching and player development — “heads-up football” is now embedded in young players’ DNA.
• ‘Four Ones’ Trend: If you want a winning D-line, “four number one picks is kind of the norm.”
• Intelligent Fanbase & Gambling: Gambler’s interest is increasing fan understanding of nuanced aspects of the game.

“If you don’t have four number one picks on your D-line... you’re behind at times.”
— Coach Mike McCarthy, [25:03]

6. QB Command & Leadership Stories

• Aaron Rodgers Play Breakdown: McAfee and McCarthy dissect a viral play where Rodgers literally draws up a winning route “in the dirt,” showing elite processing and communication.
• Teammate Buy-In: Leadership is about bringing others along and building trust: “When you’re publicly putting people over, they know you’re on their side.”
• Kenny Gainwell Example: “That’s quarterback play... a big part of [Rodgers’] greatness.” — Coach Mike McCarthy [33:20]

7. Coaching Longevity & Steelers Culture

• Mike Tomlin’s Record: 19 straight years without a losing season in Pittsburgh; “Hall of Famer, in my view.”
• McCarthy’s Christmas Wish: A Super Bowl for Pittsburgh, “had that 70s vibe to it... would be awesome to see these guys go on a run.”

8. Pro Bowl, Its Decline, and Ideas to Save It

• The Pro Bowl Problem: Once more prestigious, now “just turned into a shit show.”
• Best Memories: McCarthy recalls Peyton Manning running the show in Hawaii.
• Saving the Game: Suggestions: more skills contests, return to Hawaii, embrace content opportunities.

“The game was really secondary. The post-game party… people looked forward to that more.”
— Coach Mike McCarthy, [47:00]

9. Managing Teams That Have Clinched (or Sunk)

• Rest or Play? Debate over resting stars after clinching playoffs.
• McCarthy’s Experience: “No wrong decision… comes down to the individual, where he is, how healthy he is.”

10. The Football Christmas Wish List

• Segment: Each panelist shares a “Christmas football wish” — ranging from rules changes to outlandish, tongue-in-cheek ideas.
• Sample Wishes:
  • Conman: Surprise-as-runouts for Week 1 free agents/trades (“no one knows who’s on the team until they run out the tunnel”).
  • Ty Schmidt: Micah Parsons magically gets a new knee for the playoffs.
  • Tone: More home-field college football playoff games (“insane atmospheres”).
  • AJ Hawk: “Let defenders land on QBs more,” and bring back some horse-collar tackles.

“I want Micah Parsons to get a new knee this week... I'm up to the task if I need to.”
— Ty Schmidt, [69:00]

• JJ Watt’s Wish: Replay assist (operated by JJ himself) for roughing-the-passer penalties league-wide.
  • “I just sit in a room, every roughing-the-passer flag comes to me, and I decide.”

11. NFL Stadium Explosion, Design Blandness, and Future Directions

• Chiefs & Bears Moves: Stadium deals and politics — are we losing unique stadiums to ‘cookie-cutter’ new builds?
• Lambeau as Model: Keeping history alive and maximizing business with “village” style amenities.
• Minnesota & Buffalo: Cited as new stadiums that still preserve unique character.

12. Soccer Sidetrack & JJ Watt’s Owner Ambitions

• JJ Watt’s European Soccer Update: Espanyol (his club) is on a hot streak and aiming for UEFA’s Europa League.

13. Travel Stories & Mascot Mayhem

• Midnight Yell at A&M: Pat tells his wild story about joining Aggie traditions in the middle of the night.
• JJ’s Rough Landing: JJ’s harrowing Cleveland flight (“Never been more frightened in my life”).
• Plane-trauma bonding: Crew commiserates over nightmare flights.

14. Behind-the-Scenes Drama: Criticism of Pat’s Charity Kicks

• Anonymous Criticism: Unnamed ESPN sources labeled Pat's $1.5M charity field goal contest "bad business."
• JJ Watt Defends: "You’re going to attack someone giving away money to charity? Get the out of here, man."
• Pat’s Take: Emphasizes the joy and impact of using his platform for good, and adapts to haters: “We’re a little bit more hardened. There’s a track record of success now.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On NFL Xmas Parity:
  “You can go from actual outhouse to playoff penthouse. And we have a lot of teams doing that this year.”
  — Pat McAfee, [18:28]

• JJ Watt on Reviewing Roughing-the-Passer:
  “Every roughing the passer flag comes to me, and I decide. No rules or parameters—just what I see.”
  — JJ Watt, [79:57]

• Coach Mike McCarthy on Family & Holidays:
  “The real joy is after the victory... you get that extra time off... more family time on the back end.”
  — Coach Mike McCarthy, [15:39]

• AJ Hawk on Christmas Wishes:
  “I get worried when defenders are trying to unweight themselves as they hit a quarterback—they’re gonna get hurt. Let’s be able to land on them a little more.”
  — AJ Hawk, [75:40]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00–09:55 | NFL on Christmas Day, streaming wars, schedule breakdown
• 10:08–14:54 | Coach McCarthy joins, gifting banter
• 15:05–22:19 | NFL parity, coaching insight, scheduling effects, Eagles
• 23:06–27:24 | Trenches philosophy, defense in the modern NFL
• 30:31–33:31 | Rodgers “draw it up in the dirt” play; QB command
• 34:00–37:34 | Coach Tomlin’s record, Steeler culture, Christmas wish
• 40:37–43:07 | Pro Bowl, how to save it, Peyton Manning stories
• 49:18–54:39 | Managing clinched teams & players, tanking
• 65:50–78:21 | Football Christmas Wishes from the crew
• 79:11–83:46 | JJ Watt’s ‘football dictator’ idea for roughing-the-passer
• 88:13–93:16 | Stadium moves, Arrowhead character, business machinations
• 101:14–103:06 | JJ talks Espanyol, Premier League, and soccer
• 105:34–108:49 | Pat’s Midnight Yell story (A&M), JJ’s Cleveland flight
• 118:00–124:59 | ESPN pushback, inner politics, defending what they do
• 132:20–144:50 | Bonus: Hockey talk, “throwing mitts,” pond hockey and winter life stories
• 145:14–164:09 | Rapid-fire picks for NFL Week 17, preview analysis

Tone & Language

The tone is informal, playful, irreverent, and robust with inside jokes and recurring banter. The crew isn’t afraid to mix insight with outlandish comedy or to take complex news and distill it into relatable, often rowdy discussion. There’s heartfelt gratitude and nostalgia as they embrace the holiday spirit and reflect on family, football, and how the game connects America.

Summary Takeaways

• The NFL’s move to Christmas as a streaming showcase is a landmark shift.
• League parity keeps every fanbase invested.
• Stadium politics, tax deals, and “super atrium” complexes are reshaping the NFL’s physical presence.
• Football’s unique culture—holiday traditions, coaching wisdom, quirks like Midnight Yell—gets celebrated and lampooned.
• Pat’s show, now an ESPN tentpole, still relishes being the sports media “pirates,” delighting in giving back and poking at corporate nonbelievers.
• The crew’s love for ball, family, and a big, blended sports Christmas shines throughout, capped off by a spree of imaginative football wishes for the year to come.

Memorable closing:
“Merry Christmas. Hope it’s the greatest of all time. … Be a friend, tell a friend. Goodbye.”
— Pat McAfee, [end]

This recap captures the big swings, laughs, and football wisdom that make The Pat McAfee Show a unique blend of sports analysis and entertainment—perfect for anyone who missed the broadcast or wants to relive the best of a holiday classic.