The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL
The Athletic
The Athletic’s flagship NFL podcast covers the league like only The Athletic can. Host Robert Mays and co-hosts Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive into the biggest stories, break down the Xs and Os, and tackle the ins and outs of roster building. They meticulously 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. You want year-round draft coverage? You'll get that here, too, with draft expert Dane Brugler. 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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
19 snips
Feb 4, 2026 • 1h 2min
The Super Bowl LX characters who changed their stories this season
They unpack the players and coaches who rewrote their 2025 narratives, from bargain signings and breakout pass-catchers to coaching hires reshaping philosophies. Conversations touch on quarterback revivals, defensive architects turned head-coach candidates, and late-career surges that altered team identities. Threads about roster construction and drafting redemption run throughout.
58 snips
Feb 3, 2026 • 59min
The Patriots' one-season about-face meets the Seahawks' ruthless climb to the top of the league in Super Bowl LX
Michael-Shawn Dugar, Seattle beat writer who tracked the Seahawks’ offensive rebuild and coaching rise. Chad Graff, New England beat writer who chronicled the Patriots’ one-season turnaround. They break down New England’s aggressive offseason hits and coaching influence. They trace Seattle’s trades, playmakers, and Mike McDonald’s culture. Short takes on key role players, scheme shifts, and playoff moments.
Feb 2, 2026 • 55min
Building the Beast Senior Bowl Recap: Winners, takeaways, and effects on the draft
A rapid Senior Bowl recap highlighting players who rose during the week. Quarterback returns to form and how that shifts draft pecking order. Breakouts at edge rush, interior defensive tackle, and offensive line spots. Shining moments from running backs, receivers, tight ends, and versatile defensive backs. Final notes on kickers and what the performances mean for draft positioning.
36 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 1h 42min
The coaching cycle that just won't quit
Zach Berman, The Athletic’s Eagles reporter, offers a concise take on Philly’s stalled offensive coordinator search. Joe Biscaglia, The Athletic’s Bills reporter, explains Buffalo’s promotion of Joe Brady and roster implications. They dig into coaching churn around the league. Short, punchy conversations about hires, candidate hesitations, and organizational context.
41 snips
Jan 29, 2026 • 1h 28min
Lessons learned from this season's conference title game participants
Bill Barnwell, ESPN writer known for data-driven league analysis, and Nate Tice, Yahoo film-focused analyst, break down what made this season's final four teams click. They discuss explosive-play differential, field-position and special-teams swings, tight ends who block, interior defensive line importance, formation tactics like empty/base to force coverage, and multiple roster paths to winning.
Jan 28, 2026 • 40min
Building the Beast: Who's turning heads at the Senior Bowl?
Dane Brugler, draft expert who scouts all-star events like the Senior Bowl, reports from Mobile. He highlights standout edge rushers, tackle one-on-one concerns, standout small-school QBs and receivers, and interior power players. Short takes on linebackers, corners, and under-the-radar prospects round out the scouting tour.
18 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 1h 19min
What's next for the Rams and Broncos after falling just short of the Super Bowl?
They dissect what the Rams and Broncos should do next after nearly reaching the Super Bowl. Conversations cover roster construction, cap strategy, and targeted upgrades at receiver, running back, and linebacker. The Rams’ Matthew Stafford decision and quarterback contingencies get heavy focus. They also react to recent coaching hires and how staff turnover could reshape team trajectories.
66 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 1h 9min
Conference Championship Games Recap: Patriots and Seahawks advance to Super Bowl LX
A thrilling recap of the Seahawks’ nail-biting win over the Rams and the Patriots’ snowy victory over the Broncos. Deep dives into Sam Darnold’s clutch third-down throws, Seattle’s red-zone scheming, and Kenneth Walker’s breakout plays. Breakdown of Denver’s controversial fourth-and-one, protection breakdowns, and special teams swings that shifted momentum.
31 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 1h 10min
Conference Championship Sunday Preview: Rams-Seahawks III meets the rise of the Broncos and Patriots
Championship Weekend is heating up with a classic showdown between the Broncos and Patriots, highlighting their surprising rebirths. Meanwhile, the Rams face the Seahawks for the third time this season, showcasing a historic rivalry. The hosts explore the impact of Sean Payton in Denver and rookie Drake May's pivotal role in New England's resurgence. They break down offensive strategies and player matchups, including Jared Stidham's accuracy and Stafford's ability to exploit defenses. Expect intense gameplay and strategic depth in these crucial matchups.
34 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 1h 12min
The duality of this cycle's coaching hires, and the moves still to come, with Jourdan Rodrigue
Jourdan Rodrigue, Senior NFL writer at The Athletic, joins to dissect the latest coaching hires in the league. They analyze why some hires, like John Harbaugh to the Giants, have potential while others, like Kevin Stefanski to the Falcons, may repeat past mistakes. The conversation shifts to the Cardinals and Bills, highlighting the pressures and challenges unique to each job. The duo also debates the best candidates for open positions, offering insights on defensive hires and their potential pitfalls.
