Overview of PMS 2.0 1497 — Pat McAfee Podcast (Jan 29, 2026)
This episode is a Super Bowl–season edition mixing NFL playoff/Super Bowl commentary with high-profile interviews and pop-culture sports (WWE). Pat previews Super Bowl matchups and Radio Row, then hosts interviews with Logan Paul (WWE/Royal Rumble), new Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter, Trinity Rodman (USWNT / NWSL star), Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady, and a live check-in with AJ Hawk. Episode themes: coaching hires and philosophies, elite-player windows (Lamar Jackson/Josh Allen/Drake May), growth in women’s sports, pro wrestling crossover, and league/award controversies (Hall of Fame voting).
Episode structure & main guests
- Opening and Super Bowl / Radio Row talk — Pat frames the week ahead (Super Bowl, Radio Row coverage, betting trends).
- Logan Paul (remote from Saudi Arabia) — WWE Royal Rumble promotion; status with The Vision and Paul Heyman; ambition to win the Rumble and become WWE champion.
- Jesse Minter — New Baltimore Ravens head coach: staff building, philosophy for coaching Lamar Jackson, defensive emphasis, culture/ownership (Steve Bisciotti).
- Trinity Rodman — Newly signed $2M/year NWSL contract (highest team salary in women’s pro sports, per Pat’s research), USWNT captaincy, growth of women’s sports/NWSL and role-model conversation.
- Joe Brady — New Buffalo Bills head coach: interview about hiring, working with GM Brandon Bean and Josh Allen, calling plays as HC, building staff/culture.
- AJ Hawk — Reaction to Steelers hires and general NFL coaching/roster talk.
- Additional coverage: Browns/Schwartz drama, Jets coaching chaos, Hall of Fame voting controversy around Bill Belichick, NBA/Cavs/LeBron emotional tribute, college hockey/stadium series, Royal Rumble streaming/platform confusion.
Key takeaways by guest / segment
Super Bowl & broader NFL context
- Patriots (home team by rotation) vs. Seahawks: Seahawks favored by bettors and point spread (~4.5); many analysts (11/11 cited) leaned Seattle but Pat emphasized adjustments coaching (Josh McDaniels) and rookie QB development (Drake May).
- Mic’d-up championship moments highlighted Josh McDaniels’ leadership and the Patriots’ second-half adjustments.
- Radio Row plans: Pat’s crew will broadcast live from San Francisco next week with many guests.
Logan Paul (WWE — Royal Rumble)
- Fully committed to wrestling; training daily; aligned with Paul Heyman’s faction “The Vision” (Austin Theory, Bronson Reed, Bron Breaker).
- Strategy: Vision is dominant; internal plan acknowledges they will eventually have to feud internally when members rise.
- Concern: Brock Lesnar’s presence changes the dynamic — Logan acknowledges but is confident.
- Promotion: Royal Rumble (Saudi Arabia) is a major event; Logan projects himself as a top contender.
Jesse Minter — Baltimore Ravens (new HC)
- Emphasized relationships with players and building the staff; returning to a familiar culture in Baltimore.
- Philosophy: Build around Lamar Jackson, marry Ravens’ identity (defense + running game) with creative offense tailored to Lamar’s strengths.
- Wants an OC who is a connector, innovator, and scheme-builder that complements Lamar and the franchise.
- Confident in pieces already on defense (Kyle Hamilton, Roquan Smith); wants to preserve strong culture while improving.
Trinity Rodman — NWSL / USWNT
- Signed a 3-year, $2M/year NWSL contract — framed as a milestone for women’s sports salaries in the U.S.
- Named USWNT captain for a match and scored, celebrating with her “Sexy Dexy” dance — energetic, marketable leader.
- Views contract as a step forward for keeping top talent in the NWSL and growing the league’s competitiveness and visibility.
- Practical notes: preseason in March; majority of NWSL players are American but international presence is rising.
Joe Brady — Buffalo Bills (new HC)
- Excited to take the job; praised ownership (Brandon Bean) and the collaborative interview process.
- Will be Head Coach and call plays; intends to integrate defensive and special teams coaches into a unified organizational vision.
- Emphasized culture, diverse staff personalities, and the need to evolve the offense while maximizing Josh Allen, James Cook, and a strong offensive line.
- Stressed accountability and high expectations — not shying from the pressure of a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations.
AJ Hawk / Steelers & other coaching hires
- Patrick Graham (new Steelers DC): praised for doing more with less, scheme flexibility and player-focused approach.
- Scott Tolzien discussed as potential OC; backup-QB-to-coach pipeline noted as fertile for future HC candidates.
- Aaron Rodgers rumors and QB futures remain open; Steelers roster/coaching changes under scrutiny.
Notable broader stories discussed
- Browns coaching mess: confusion around who wanted the job (Joe vs Schwartz), Myles Garrett publicly displeased; conversation about front-office/owner decisions (Haslam).
- Jets drama: reported miscommunications over defensive play-calling and coaching hires (Wink Martindale situation).
- Hall of Fame voting controversy: Bill Belichick not selected; debate about voter choices, Bill Polian’s public statement and the secrecy/ethics of the process.
- LeBron James emotional tribute in Cleveland: Pat defended the human moment amid online criticism.
- Royal Rumble streaming/platform confusion: WWE in Saudi broadcast on ESPN/streaming platforms; viewers may face complexity with ESPN+ / Disney bundle / “Unlimited” tiers.
Notable quotes / moments
- On young QBs: “Drake May hasn’t thrown the best playoff stats, but he’s doing what he needs to do to win.”
- Jesse Minter: “Being the head coach of the team that has the best player in the National Football League is pretty exciting.”
- Joe Brady: “I’m not the offensive coordinator anymore… I’m a head coach. I want the defense to know I’m in it with them.”
- Logan Paul: “I’m a sponge… I’m really a student of the game.” (on learning from Paul Heyman)
- Trinity Rodman: framed her contract as “another stepping stone” for women’s sports and keeping talent in the NWSL.
Practical info / calls to action
- Radio Row: Pat and crew will broadcast live from San Francisco next week (Wednesday–Friday) during Super Bowl week.
- WWE Royal Rumble: airing Saturday (Saudi Arabia). Pat referenced “ESPN Unlimited” / ESPN+ tiers — listeners should confirm platform details (may require Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle or ESPN+ “Unlimited” add-on).
- PrizePicks promo mentioned (sponsored read in episode): code TPMS gives $50 in site credits with $5 play (terms apply).
Quick episode highlights / recommended clip timestamps (approx. order)
- Super Bowl & mic’d-up coaching analysis — opening segment
- Logan Paul interview (Royal Rumble, The Vision) — early in the hour
- Jesse Minter interview (Ravens HC) — main coaching deep-dive (~mid-episode)
- Trinity Rodman interview (NWSL / USWNT) — following Minter
- Joe Brady interview (Bills HC) — late in the hour
- AJ Hawk discussion and wrap (Steelers + league notes) — closing segments
Bottom line / why it matters
- This episode ties together Super Bowl narrative (coaching chess, young QBs) with major franchise leadership changes (Minter, Brady) and cultural shifts in sport: the growth and monetization of women’s soccer (Trinity Rodman) and crossover entertainment-sport dynamics (Logan Paul/WWE). It’s valuable for listeners tracking NFL coaching trends, franchise windows around elite QBs, and the ongoing commercial evolution of women’s professional sports — plus a lively primer for WWE’s Royal Rumble.