The Pat McAfee Show 2.0 #1486 — Detailed Episode Summary

Date: January 14, 2026
Host: Pat McAfee (PM), with co-hosts AJ Hawk, AQ Shipley, Darius Butler, Tone Digs, “The Toxic Table”
Guests: Dan Orlovsky (ESPN), Chris Richards (USMNT Player of the Year), JJ Watt (CBS), others

Overview

This lively episode came at a pivotal moment in sports, tackling breaking NFL coaching changes, playoff implications, and the culture-shifting moves in two of football’s most storied franchises: the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. In signature “Thunderdome” style, Pat and the gang break down the latest football news with humor, insider analysis, and direct conversations with top figures including Dan Orlovsky, Chris Richards, and JJ Watt. Highlights include insights on the AFC North upheaval, USMNT honors, ticket giveaways, coaching trends, and a mix of personal stories and off-the-rails banter.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Opening and Setting the NFL Table (00:00–09:30)

• Primary Focus:

  • Mike Tomlin’s historic step down after 19 years as Steelers’ head coach.
  • The AFC North’s unprecedented turnover, with Harbaugh also leaving the Ravens.

• Ex-Players Reflect:

  • AQ Shipley, drafted by Tomlin, expresses heartfelt gratitude:
    “Mike Tomlin changed my life. I love this man. Thank you.” (03:16)
  • Discussion on Tomlin’s consistency (never had a losing season) and the unique expectations in Pittsburgh.

• Steelers Fans’ Perspective:

  • Tone Digs voice of Pittsburgh:
    “We had a lot of good times with Coach Tomlin. Now it’s excitement.” (05:12)

2. Steelers, Coaching Expectations, and Tomlin's Next Steps (09:30–14:00)

• Fan and Organization Expectations:

  • Debating how much leeway the next Steelers coach will get ("Tomlin expectations" weigh heavy vs. rebuild patience).

• Tomlin’s Possible Future:

  • TV career widely predicted, with jokes about his "170–0 on the microphone" record. Speculation on a Sean Payton-style return via trade.
  • Adam Schefter report: Tomlin not coaching in 2026, almost certainly heading to TV.

• AFC North Transformation:

  • 3/4 head coaching jobs now open; only Zac Taylor remains.
  • Darius Butler on old-school football and the emotional, businesslike turnover in pro football.

3. The Owner’s Mic: Ravens’ Steve Bisciotti’s Press Conference (14:35–23:19)

• Bisciotti Candidacy:

  • Baltimore owner Steve Bisciotti delivers a rare and widely praised press conference.
  • Notable lines:
    “I care about my players very much, but I can't give them power.” – Steve Bisciotti (15:59)
    “I'm determined not to pass it down to my family. I've seen families feud over these damn teams.” (18:04)
  • Universal praise for transparency and humor; potential to become a public star, à la Jerry Jones.

• Ravens’ Coaching Search:

  • Open about casting a wide net, not afraid to hire someone with past failures elsewhere.
  • Interviewing a diverse set, including big defensive names.

4. Dan Orlovsky Segment: Coaching Openings, OC Philosophy (24:27–48:01)

• Best Coaching Vacancies:

  • Orlovsky: Atlanta is the best “win-now” job based on talent, but the QB situation looms large.
  • Atlanta’s new structure (Matt Ryan as president of football).

• Philosophy and Trends in OC Hires:

  • Eagles’ struggles pinned largely on predictable, uninspired OC Kevin Petullo.
  • Orlovsky on Jalen Hurts:
    “Jalen is not ever going to be a top five or seven passing quarterback. But to say he’s the reason that offense stinks? Nah, lazy way to think about it.” (29:46)
  • OC jobs: Chargers are the best for a playcaller, followed by Lions (with a humorous, self-aware exchange about why he didn’t overly promote the Detroit job on air).

• Attacking Top Defenses:

  • How to scheme against Houston’s ferocious defense: “You have to take shots at their safeties.”
    “You’re not going to drive the length of the field against this defense… They’re too fast, too physical.” (49:10)

5. Chris Richards Named USMNT Player of the Year (68:36–74:43)

• Richards Joins Live, Receives the Honor:
  • Chris Richards, Crystal Palace (EPL) and US national team, surprised on-air with USMNT Player of the Year.
  • Reaction:
    “Pressure builds diamonds, and that’s what we do — Americans fight and scrap.” (71:02)
  • Panel discusses importance of strong, defensive leadership as US heads into the World Cup (June 12: USA vs. Paraguay).

6. JJ Watt Extended Chat: AFC North Upheaval, Coaching Carousel, Texans Defense (77:08–91:42 and onward)

• Steelers Legacy and What Comes Next:

  • JJ: “Even if you know it’s coming, when change actually happens with Pittsburgh, it’s shocking.” (79:58)
  • Discusses new challenges for the division with so many vacancies and stresses the limited supply of truly great head coaches.

• Mike Tomlin’s Legacy:

  • “The consistency… is what makes him so great.” (81:32)
  • TV vs. coaching future, comparisons to Bill Cowher.

• Texans as Defensive Juggernaut:

  • Watt praises Houston’s young defense:
    “Texans defense looks like a bunch of velociraptors holding machine guns – 11 of them coming at you!” (89:13)
  • Defensive coordinator Matt Burke and his under-the-radar head coach potential.

7. Ticket Giveaway Hijinks and Word Search (57:04 and throughout hour 2)

• Massive National Championship Ticket Giveaway:
  • $50,000 spent on tickets the crew is giving away.
  • Interactive word search contest, chaos on set as hosts can’t help but point out answers.
    “This is supposed to be difficult, the whole thing!” – Pat (94:18)

8. Coaching Hot Seats and Trends (96:01–100:00)

• CEO vs. Playcaller Head Coaches:
  • Panel agrees the best head coaches blend “CEO” skills with schematic knowledge, but the ability to connect and set culture trumps Xs and Os.
  • “You have to be the tough ass sometimes, that’s hard to do… takes a strong personality, a strong person.” – JJ Watt (96:01)

9. NFL and CFB Playoff Preview — Key Games, Quarterback Storylines (108:19–113:50)

• Divisional Round Intrigue:

  • Texans vs. Patriots top-watched game for JJ.
  • Bears as must-watch TV, Soldier Field nostalgia, battle of CEO-type head coaches: Vrabel (Patriots) and DeMeco Ryans (Texans).

• National Championship Preview:

  • Miami vs. IU, “Hoosier invasion” predicted.
  • JJ excited to watch “Fernando Mendoza, a science experiment” and Miami’s power offense.

10. Dan Orlovsky, Coaching Gossip, and Draft Declares (162:16–165:06 and other points)

• Kirk Cousins’ “Uncertain” Future:

  • Orlovsky hints at coming free agency movement, with Atlanta as a possible strong destination for him.

• Dante Moore (Oregon QB) Stays in School:

  • Breaking news: decides to return for another year at Oregon despite being a potential #2 draft pick; impact on NFL teams and QB market.

11. Signature Segments: In the Trenches & Everything DB

In the Trenches (AQ Shipley — Offensive Line Rankings) (134:32–141:45)

• Top O-line units from Wild Card Weekend:
  • #1 Houston Texans: “Gave themselves a shot by running and playing defense.”
  • #2 Chicago Bears, #3 Los Angeles Rams — playoff teams that controlled the line of scrimmage.

Everything DB (Darius Butler — Defensive Play Highlights & Breakdowns) (149:15–206:25)

• Outstanding Defensive Plays:
  • Tips and interceptions from Shaq Thompson, Tre’Davious White, Cole Bishop, etc.
  • Texans’ secondary identified as perhaps the NFL’s best coverage group.

12. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Owner Transparency:

  • “That guy, if I'm a head coach, I want to head over to Baltimore for that guy.” – Pat (18:56)

• On Tomlin’s Future:

  • “He'll be 170–0 on the microphone. Can't wait for that.” – Pat (01:20)
  • “The greats don't cover their ass. The greats kick ass. That’s the separator.” – Pat (31:02)

• Bisciotti’s Realness:

  • “They have opinions and I want them all. I care about my players very much. But I can't give them power.” – Steve Bisciotti (15:59)

• JJ Watt on the AFC North coaching carousels:

  • “There aren't that many good coaches in the NFL to fill these jobs... so much shake-up left.” (81:07)
  • “The consistency that makes [Tomlin] so great.” (81:32)

• On Texans defense:

  • "They're just hyenas out there, just flying and killing people. It moves different, it shakes different, it hits different." – JJ (89:39)

13. Running Themes and Tone

• Insider Access: Behind-the-scenes “how the sausage is made” on coaching searches and NFL business.
• Levity and Camaraderie: Frequent side stories (e.g., rookie symposium skits, shared hardships of NFL life, childhood TV).
• Self-Aware Humor: Teasing each other for giveaways, word searches, and their lack of editorial discipline.
• Steady Focus on ‘Good for Ball’: Emphasizing that honest, passionate, football-loving people are what makes both sports media and franchises thrive.

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp (approximate) | |----------------------------------------|-------------------------| | Steelers/Tomlin Step Down | 00:00 – 09:30 | | Bisciotti press conference | 14:35 – 23:19 | | Dan Orlovsky on NFL Jobs/OC Roles | 24:27 – 48:01 | | Chris Richards USMNT Award | 68:36 – 74:43 | | JJ Watt on AFC North & Texans D | 77:08 – 91:42 | | Ticket Giveaway Mayhem | 57:04, ongoing Hour 2 | | In the Trenches: O-line Review | 134:32 – 141:45 | | Everything DB: Defensive Review | 149:15 – 206:25 | | Dante Moore Draft Decision | 151:54 – 156:14 |

Conclusion

This episode stands as a snapshot of NFL transition in full swing—era-defining coach departures, GM/owner philosophies laid bare, and teams looking for the elusive combination of winning culture and innovation. Pat McAfee and crew, with a mix of ex-pros and current insiders, deliver both real-time news analysis and the joyfully ridiculous energy that defines “PMS 2.0.”

End Note:

"Be a friend, tell a friend, something nice. Might change your life. Team on three… one, two, three — team. Goodbye." (207:30)

For football fans, sports culture junkies, and anyone eager for a mix of insider access and relatable laughs, this is must-listen (or must-read) content as playoffs and coaching carousels heat up.