The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

Diante Lee, a writer at The Ringer, joins to discuss exciting defensive players set to break out in the upcoming NFL season. They shine a light on rising stars like Daiyan Henley and Edgerrin Cooper, analyzing their potential for drastic improvement and Pro Bowl recognition. Lee emphasizes the importance of versatility among defenders and shares insights on how teams can leverage emerging talent for strategic advantages. The conversation is peppered with comparisons to past legends, making it a must-listen for football enthusiasts.

Jake Ciely, senior fantasy writer at The Athletic, joins the conversation about the NFL's biggest offseason moves. The duo discusses how Justin Fields joining the Jets and Davante Adams moving to the Rams can shake up fantasy football strategies. They analyze rookie Ashton Gentry's potential impact and explore the rising value of George Kittle for the 49ers. With insights into various player dynamics and upcoming strategies, Ciely offers listeners valuable tips for navigating the fantasy landscape.

Listeners dive into free agency evaluations, assessing what defines a successful signing. The conversation shifts to the unexpected potential of teams with top-notch play callers. There's an intriguing analysis of Jonathan Gannon's early tenure with the Cardinals. Plus, they explore the pros and cons of a hypothetical NFL ownership scenario, examining billionaire candidates and their impact. Lastly, the discussion touches on the unpredictability surrounding rookie quarterbacks and what experiences best prepare them for the NFL.

Joining the discussion is Mike Sando, an NFL writer for The Athletic, where he provides sharp insights into the league. They dive into the quarterback battles shaping the upcoming season, particularly focusing on Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. Pressure looms over teams like the Giants and Saints as they weigh their QB options amid job security concerns. The conversation also explores roster dynamics in teams like the Steelers and Browns, revealing how strategic decisions could impact their playoff hopes.

The offseason strategies of top NFL contenders are in the spotlight. Key teams like the Rams, 49ers, and Chiefs face pivotal decisions affecting their championship aspirations. The discussion unpacks player acquisitions, coaching changes, and the impact of injuries on performance. Special attention is given to the evolving dynamics within squads like the Lions and Eagles as they seek to enhance their rosters. Strategic debates highlight the balance between immediate gains and long-term planning, leaving fans eager for the upcoming season.

Dive into the intriguing challenges of building an all-rookie NFL team and how inexperienced players might fare. The conversation reveals what makes Justin Jefferson a standout talent and how coaching significantly impacts a player's development. Discover bold trading strategies that shake up traditional approaches and the risks teams face in making innovative hires. Additionally, explore how team personality shapes player fit and speculate on how stars would perform in different environments.

Bryce Young's growth as a quarterback is examined, highlighting his improved performance in the latter half of the season. The discussion reveals the Chargers' talent challenges, questioning their future potential due to offense and defense issues. In contrast, excitement builds around the Seahawks' defense, with insights on their key players and strategies for a breakout season. The conversation tackles quarterback dynamics, play-calling intricacies, and the impact of team composition on performance, offering compelling thoughts for fans and analysts alike.

The hosts dive into the playoff potential of teams like the Chargers and Bengals, making predictions and analyzing offseason strategies. They discuss key player movements and their impact, highlighting the Steelers and Vikings' decisions. The conversation shifts to coaching dynamics affecting young quarterbacks and the Texans' defensive signings. Concerns over aging rosters and defensive investments create a mixed bag of optimism and skepticism for the upcoming season. Overall, there's a thrilling exploration of strategies that could define the fight for the playoffs.

Ever wonder what would be the most beneficial second sport for a future NFL player to play on their way to the league? Ever think about how you'd build your own team brain trust if you couldn't poach anyone currently in the job? Ever consider which current coach could've gotten the most out of Jay Cutler? Good news, this edition of the TAFS mailbag is for you! Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen answer each of those questions, and a whole bunch more.Hosts: Robert Mays and Derrik KlassenWith: Michael BellerExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show...⁠Apple⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠YouTube⁠Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Beller on Bluesky: @mbeller.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassTheme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's only so much time to indulge our curiosities during the NFL season. What that means is that a number of questions we have in the moment go unexamined because we have to, you know, pay attention to the games that are actually happening. May and June, though? That's when we can let our minds wander. And that's exactly what we're going to do in our Lingering Questions series on The Athletic Football Show. In episode one of the series, Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen ask and answer the following questions: What sort of offensive infrastructure is Cam Ward getting dropped into in Tennessee? Why didn't Jordan Love make the leap in 2024? Why did Marvin Harrison Jr. fall short of expectations in his rookie season?Hosts: Robert Mays and Derrik KlassenExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show...⁠Apple⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠YouTube⁠Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassTheme song: HauntedWritten by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love SongsCourtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.