
The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL
The Athletic’s flagship NFL podcast covers the league like only The Athletic can. Host Robert Mays and co-host Derrik Klassen dive into the biggest stories, break down the Xs and Os, tackle the ins and outs of roster building, follow the details of why we all love this sport, and have plenty of fun along the way, bringing the expertise necessary to cover the NFL at the highest level. Whether it’s happening on the field or behind the scenes, you’ll get an in-depth look at all things NFL on The Athletic Football Show, available wherever you get your podcasts.
Latest episodes

Mar 11, 2025 • 1h 11min
Free agency day two recap: Vikings spend big, Colts sign Daniel Jones, Giants ink Jevon Holland, and more
The Vikings capped off day one of free agency with a couple of big moves, bringing back Byron Murphy Jr. and bringing in Jonathan Allen. They picked right back up on the morning of day two, signing Will Fries and reportedly agreeing to a deal with Javon Hargrave. They were the big spenders on day two of free agency, but they certainly weren't the only spenders. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive into day two on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. The guys discuss Dre Greenlaw to the Broncos, Daniel Jones to the Colts, Chase Young and Juwan Johnson sticking with the Saints, Najee Harris going to the Chargers, the seeming change that's afoot in San Francisco, and more.Rundown
The Vikings spend big
Jevon Holland to the Giants
Tershawn Wharton to the Panthers
Dre Greenlaw to the Broncos
Daniel Jones to the Colts
Kristian Fulton to the Chiefs
Najee Harris to the Chargers
Texans/Eagles trade
Leonard Floyd to the Falcons
Changing of the times in San Francisco
Small moves from day two
Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 11, 2025 • 1h 28min
Free agency day one recap: Seattle makes over its team, Rams sign Davante Adams, Washington trades for Laremy Tunsil, and more
Geno Smith? Traded! DK Metcalf? Traded! Sam Darnold? Signed! The Seahawks entirely made over their team by the end of day one of free agency, and they weren't alone in completely recalibrating their outlook for 2025. From Davante Adams to the Rams, to Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders, to a defensive spending spree in New England, this offseason's free agency window got off to a roaring start. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen recap it all on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Rundown
The Seahawks remake their team
Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders
Rams sign Davante Adams
The Pats go on a spending spree
A couple of left tackles cash in
Effects on the draft
Justin Fields to the Jets
What all the linebackers staying put could mean
Favorite fits from Monday's moves
Surprise signings from Monday
Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 7, 2025 • 1h 30min
Khalil Mack staying put? Trey Hendrickson to the Packers? It's the defense edition of the TAFS free agency preview
Khalil Mack, Jevon Holland and Josh Sweat headline the available free agent defensive players. Add in a likely Trey Hendrickson trade and a potential Myles Garrett trade, and it could be a fun week for teams that need help on defense. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen preview free agency on the defensive side of the ball on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Then, The Athletic's Lions beat writer Colton Pouncy joins to discuss what it will take for them to get over the hump.Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenWith: Joe BuscagliaExecutive 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 6, 2025 • 1h 35min
Chris Godwin to the Jaguars? Sam Darnold to the Titans? It's the offense edition of the TAFS free agency preview
Are you ready to tamper? The NFL sure is, with the legal tampering window on the horizon and the new league year beginning next week. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen preview free agency on the offensive side of the ball on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Who should make a play for Chris Godwin? Where's a logical landing spot for Sam Darnold? What veteran trades could realistically happen? The guys answer those questions, and a whole lot more.Then, The Athletic's Bills beat writer Joe Buscaglia joins to discuss what it will take for them to get over the hump.Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenWith: Joe BuscagliaExecutive 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 5, 2025 • 1h 44min
Free agency mailbag: Bang for your buck in FA, the next great reclamation QB project, position changes with a new team, and more
The first checkpoint of the offseason—the combine—is now in the rear view mirror. Next up is free agency. We kick off our free agency coverage in earnest by opening up the mailbag on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen tackle questions on reclamation projects at quarterback in this class, players making position changes after signing with a new team, where teams can find bang for their buck on the market, and more.Then, The Athletic's Packers beat writer Matt Schneidman joins Robert to discuss what the Packers need to do to get over the hump.Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenWith: Matt SchneidmanExecutive 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 3, 2025 • 1h 42min
Combine recap with Dane Brugler
Dane Brugler, The Athletic's NFL Draft expert, spent a long month in Indianapolis last week, and we are all the beneficiaries of his dedication. Dane sits down with Robert Mays on this episode of The Athletic Football Show to share his big takeaways from the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenWith: Dane BruglerExecutive 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: @QBKlassFollow Dane on X: @dpbruglerTheme 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 28, 2025 • 1h 27min
Behind the scenes at the combine with ESPN's Dan Graziano; What do the Ravens need to do to get over the hump?
Join ESPN's Dan Graziano, a master in NFL analysis, and Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic's keen Ravens beat writer, as they dive into the bustling Combine in Indianapolis. They dissect the backroom conversations about potential trades involving big names like Matthew Stafford and Tee Higgins. The duo also tackles the Ravens' critical strategies for breaking their playoff barriers, focusing on roster needs and Lamar Jackson's evolution as they aim for championship glory. Get ready for some insightful NFL intel!

Feb 27, 2025 • 1h 15min
The nine most interesting teams of the offseason, Volume 3: Bengals, Vikings and Patriots
Join beat writers Paul Dehner Jr. for the Bengals, Alec Lewis for the Vikings, and Chad Graff for the Patriots as they dive into key offseason strategies. Dehner discusses T. Higgins' contract negotiations and the Bengals' defensive rebuilding efforts. Lewis analyzes the Vikings' quarterback conundrum amid Sam Darnold's potential moves. Graff highlights the Patriots' financial strategy and roster priorities, focusing on strengthening their lines instead of pursuing high-profile receivers. It's a lively look at crucial team dynamics in the NFL.

Feb 26, 2025 • 1h 17min
The nine most interesting teams of the offseason, Volume 2: Commanders, 49ers and Browns
Ben Standig, the Washington Commanders beat writer, shares insights on how the team can build on their recent success. Matt Barrows, who covers the 49ers, discusses the dynamics of an expensive quarterback and lingering uncertainties about key players. Zac Jackson, the expert on the Browns, dives into the complexities of their rebuilding process, highlighting the urgent need for a new quarterback and addressing financial woes. Together, they unravel the offseason strategies and challenges facing these intriguing teams.

Feb 25, 2025 • 1h 31min
The nine most interesting teams of the offseason, Volume 1: Rams, Chargers and Raiders
Jourdan Rodrigue, Rams beat writer for The Athletic, shares insights on Matthew Stafford's uncertain future and the team's push for speed in their offense. Daniel Popper delves into the Chargers' financial flexibility and the implications of restructuring their roster. Tashan Reed discusses the Raiders' new management dynamics, including Tom Brady's role and the vision for a turnaround. The trio reveals strategies for balancing immediate success while planning for the long term as their teams navigate an intriguing offseason.
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