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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes
Apr 10, 2025 • 1h 12min
Abdul Carter, Mason Graham, and a loaded defensive line draft class
Dane Brugler has been telling us for months that this is a good draft to need defensive players. That's exemplified by a defensive line class that features 28 players inside the top 100 of The Beast. Dane and Fran Duffy from the ALLCITY Network join Robert Mays on this episode of The Athletic Football Show to break down the DL class in the 2025 NFL Draft.RundownAbdul CarterMason GrahamMykel WilliamsJalon WalkerWalter NolenDerrick HarmonShemar StewartMike GreenJames Pearce Jr.Kenneth GrantLandon JacksonGet The Beast: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/the-beast/2025/Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenWith: Dane Brugler and Fran DuffyExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show...AppleSpotifyYouTubeFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Dane on Bluesky: @danebrugler.bsky.socialFollow Fran on Bluesky: @fduffy.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassFollow Dane on X: @dpbruglerFollow Fran on X: @FDuffyNFLTheme 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.
Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 11min
The most polarizing players in the 2025 NFL Draft
Everyone likes Travis Hunter and Abdul Carter. There's a widespread consensus that Cam Ward deserves to be the top quarterback on the board. After that, though, opinions vary more so than in most drafts in recent memory. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dane Brugler dig into the players driving that disagreement on this episode of The Athletic Football Show, breaking down the most polarizing players in the 2025 NFL Draft.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 Dane on Bluesky: @danebrugler.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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 8, 2025 • 1h 2min
On the Clock, picks 13-18: Teams chasing needs, teams chasing dreams
We're back On the Clock on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Ben Solak from ESPN joins Robert Mays to make picks 13 through 18 in the 2025 NFL Draft. That covers first-round picks for the Dolphins, Colts, Falcons, Cardinals, Bengals and Seahawks. The Dolphins and Bengals get some offensive line help! The Falcons take another swing at ending the John Abraham bit! The Seahawks bring in another receiver for Sam Darnold! Come and join the draft fun.Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenWith: Ben SolakExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show...AppleSpotifyYouTubeFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Ben on Bluesky: @benjaminsolak.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassFollow Ben on X: @BenjaminSolakTheme 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.
Apr 7, 2025 • 1h 8min
Monday Mailbag: Head coach trades, the case against Travis Hunter, the most fun trade-up scenarios in the first round, and more
The TAFS mailbag is once again chock full of great questions from all of you out there. This time around, the mail carrier brought us questions on head coach trades, GM job security, the Lions' approach to the regular season, the most fun trade-ups that could happen in this year's draft, and a whole lot more.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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 4, 2025 • 1h 22min
Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, and the deepest running back draft class in years
You know Ashton Jeanty. You know Omarion Hampton. You know Kaleb Johnson and TreVeyon Henderson. And if you know all of them, chances are you know that this is the deepest running back draft class in years. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dane Brugler dig deep into that class on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Fill out The Athletic's listener survey. Three people will win $100 in vouchers at Amazon: theathletic.com/athletic/survey25Host: 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 Dane on Bluesky: @danebrugler.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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 2, 2025 • 1h 14min
The teams with the most at stake in the 2025 NFL Draft
The draft matters for all 32 teams in the NFL...but it matters for some teams more than others. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen identify the teams with the most at stake in the 2025 NFL Draft on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Fill out The Athletic's listener survey. Three people will win $100 in vouchers at Amazon: theathletic.com/athletic/survey25Host: 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 1, 2025 • 1h 10min
On the Clock, picks 7-12: The Panthers and 49ers swing our first trade!
We're back On the Clock on this episode of The Athletic Football Show. Danny Kelly from The Ringer joins Robert Mays to make picks seven through 12 in the 2025 NFL Draft. That covers first-round picks for the Jets, Panthers, Saints, Bears, 49ers and Cowboys. The Panthers and Niners make a deal! Ashton Jeanty comes off the board! The Saints have us confused! Again!! Come and join the draft fun.Fill out The Athletic's listener survey. Three people will win $100 in vouchers at Amazon: theathletic.com/athletic/survey25Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenWith: Danny KellyExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show...AppleSpotifyYouTubeFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Danny on Bluesky: @dannybkelly.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassFollow Danny on X: @DannyBKellyTheme 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.
Mar 31, 2025 • 1h 9min
Monday Mailbag: Draft day trade charts, aesthetically pleasing players, rebuilding vs. retooling, and more
Once again, the TAFS mailbag was jam-packed with great questions from all of you out there. On this edition of the mailbag, Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen tackled questions on what a draft day trade chart looks like in a "down" year, prioritizing pass-catchers or pass protection for an elite quarterback, the best way to rebuild a scuffling team, current players who would've thrived in an earlier era, and more.Fill out The Athletic's listener survey. Three people will win $100 in vouchers at Amazon: theathletic.com/athletic/survey25Host: 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 27, 2025 • 1h 37min
The best-case scenarios and biggest flaws for the 2025 quarterback draft class
We've enjoyed two straight drafts with star-studded quarterback classes. This year's class...is not that. Still, it provides its fair share of intrigue. The Titans seem to have settled on Cam Ward as the top pick in the draft. Shedeur Sanders could go with the second pick, or in the second round. Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Jalen Milroe all could find themselves in advantageous spots this summer. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dane Brugler dig deep into the 2025 quarterback class on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.The guys also discuss the Russell Wilson and Stefon Diggs signings, and how those moves affect the draft.RundownRussell Wilson signs with the GiantsStefon Diggs signs with the PatriotsCam WardShedeur SandersJaxson DartTyler ShoughJalen MilroeFill out The Athletic's listener survey. Three people will win $100 in vouchers at Amazon: theathletic.com/athletic/survey25Host: 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 26, 2025 • 54min
How much does college production matter for edge prospects?
We're likely to see six or seven edge players selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Some of them, like Abdul Carter, were wildly productive in college. Others, like Mykel Williams and Shemar Stewart, weren't. That reality naturally leads to this question...how much does college production matter for edge prospects when it comes to their effectiveness at the NFL level? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Justis Mosqueda from Acme Packing Company dive deep into that question on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.The Athletic's listener survey: theathletic.com/athletic/survey25Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenWith: Justis MosquedaExecutive Producer: Michael BellerProducer: Michael BellerSubscribe to The Athletic Football Show...AppleSpotifyYouTubeFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFollow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.socialFollow Justis on Bluesky: @jumosq.bsky.socialFollow Robert on X: @robertmaysFollow Derrik on X: @QBKlassFollow Justis on X: @JuMosqTheme 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.
