The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL
The Athletic's flagship NFL podcast, hosted by Robert Mays alongside co-hosts Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman, delivers in-depth coverage of the league. The show breaks down the biggest stories, analyzes Xs and Os, and explores roster building. It also features year-round draft coverage with expert Dane Brugler. The podcast provides a comprehensive look at all things NFL, blending expertise with entertainment.
Episodes
Nine players who quietly defined the 2025 season
For every Will Anderson Jr. and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, there's a Robert Spillane and Parker Washington. In other words, for every superstar who clearly left his mark on a given season, there's a role player who also helped define what the league was, and were it could be going. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen highlight the players who quietly defined the 2025 season on this episode of The Athletic Foo
Was Jayden Daniels' injury really behind the Commanders 2025 collapse? That, and more lingering questions
In the first installment of Lingering Questions this offseason, we cheated by asking the same question about four then-rookie quarterbacks. Now, we're kicking this thing off for real. We still have questions about the Cowboys, Commanders, and 49ers. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen ask - and try to answer - those lingering questions in today's episode of The Athletic Football Show.Rundown:0:00 Welco
Which NFC team has the best supporting cast around its quarterback?
In the second and final edition of our annual Supporting Casts miniseries, we flip our attention over to the NFC where, frankly, things are a whole lot more loaded. Is it as obvious as it might seem at the top? Who was the breakthrough team from last season? How many different times will Derrik Klassen shock Robert Mays? The guys rank the 16 NFC supporting casts on this episode of The Athletic Foo
How "all in" is too far all in?
They say if you give an NFL team an inch (drafting Ty Simpson), they'll take a mile (trading the farm for Myles Garrett)...isn't that what they say? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen get to the bottom of just how aggressive is TOO aggressive in today's NFL on this mailbag episode of The Athletic Football Show. They also discuss the most toxic potential pairings for this upcoming season, how to build
Inside the TE revolution — from someone living it
Tight end Charlie Kolar caught 10 passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns last season. In the offseason, he signed a three-year deal with the Chargers that guaranteed him $17 million and put him inside the top-20 earners at the position based on annual average value. How does a guy who puts up in a season what Brock Bowers does in a good week end up as one of the most important players at the posi
Which second-year QB showed the most promise entering 2026?
Our Lingering Questions series is back, and we kick it off this year with a doozy. Four rookie quarterbacks had at least 250 dropbacks last season, and at least three of them will start in 2026. So, what really were the rookie seasons for Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Shedeur Sanders? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into all four on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Rundown (
Which AFC team has the best supporting cast around its quarterback?
Last season's Seahawks became the latest team to prove that you don't need an elite quarterback to win the Super Bowl. An elite supporting cast can do just as much heavy lifting as a quarterback who appears headed for a gold jacket. So, which teams have the best supporting casts in the league? Which teams have the worst? We'll explore those questions over two episodes, divided between AFC and NFC.
BREAKING NEWS: Myles Garrett traded to Rams
The NFL certainly has a way of grabbing the spotlight, doesn't it? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen break down the stunning trade of Myles Garrett to the Rams on this special live edition of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik KlassenExecutive Producer: Michael BellerSenior Producer: Katy DuffySocial Producer: Scott KrinchFollow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.socialFoll
Who is the best true utility player in the NFL?
You ever think about where an elite middle linebacker of yesteryear might play in today's NFL? You ever find yourself pondering who the best true utility player in the league might be? You ever wish that smart football folks had a bit more skepticism around coaching hires that look great on paper? Then this edition of The Athletic Football Show's mailbag is for you! Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen
Offseason beliefs we won't live to regret (unless we do)
As we get closer to June 1 and the true beginning of the summer, the earliest thought embers of what we think about the 2026 season are beginning to glow. However, as those beliefs take shape, we fully understand that optimism doesn't automatically translate into results. Derrik Klassen welcomes Dan Pizzuta of FTN onto this episode of The Athletic Football Show to share with one another the belief
Dart throws from the 2026 NFL Draft that will actually make a difference
Let's be honest, a lot of sixth and seventh round NFL Draft picks never come back into our consciousness after draft night...but a few are primed to actually make a difference for their teams in the 2027 season. Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen discuss the picks that could see the field and make an impact on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Timestamps are approximate:0:00 Welcome to the sh
Which current NFL quarterbacks are worth acquiring for the #1 pick?
Cognitive dissonance in the way we talk about Mike Tomlin and Nick Sirianni? Top-five football heartbreaks? The worst QB the Raiders would've been willing to acquire in exchange for this year's number one pick? Yup, it's another edition of The Athletic Football Show's mailbag. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen tackle those questions, and more, on this episode.Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Derrik KlassenE
Buy or Sell Their Offseasons: The Contenders
Our Buy or Sell Their Offseasons series wraps up, as it always does, with The Contenders. You could fairly quibble with one or two of the teams we have among this octet, but you cannot argue with the idea that each of these eight teams clearly has what it takes to make a deep playoff run. Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen make buy-or-sell calls on the offseasons of the 49ers, Chiefs, Chargers, Patrio
Our surprisingly intrusive NFL thoughts
From genuine interest in the Steelers offense to enduring power of the league's evolutionary instincts, Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen find themselves thinking certain things in mid-May that they didn't necessarily anticipate. They dig into all those things on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik KlassenExecutive Producer: Michael BellerSenior Producer: Katy
Are coaches more valuable than non-QB players in today's NFL?
Opening up the mailbag this week felt like opening up Pandora's Box. But, you know, the NFL version of Pandora's Box. In this case, it was filled with questions about Baker Mayfield, fullbacks vs tight ends in 13 personnel, Dave Canales and Brad Idzik, and a theoretical draft including NFL head coaches. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, and Dave Helman follow in Pandora's footsteps on this episode of T
Buy or Sell Their Offseasons: Playoff Hopefuls
OK, this is where the Buy or Sell Their Offseasons series gets really good. We've reached the portion of the proceedings where every team in an episode enters the 2026 season harboring real playoff hopes. The eight teams in this episode aren't the upper-crust Super Bowl contenders, but that doesn't mean that one of them can't punch through and put find themselves in Los Angeles next February. Thes
The sneaky offseason additions shaping the 2026 NFL season
Sure, Dexter Lawrence got traded to the Cincinnati Bengals. Yeah, Kenneth Walker III signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Okay, Mike Evans left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the San Francisco 49ers. Who the hell cares?! We’re getting into the sneaky additions that will shape the upcoming NFL season on today’s episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave He
Position groups that got a facelift in 2026
In a league with as much turnover as the NFL, teams are always going to look different from season to season. What's striking, though, is when a team completely remakes a single position group in one offseason. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive into those rooms on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecutive Producer:
Which NFL division has the best quarterbacks in 2026?
It's Mailbag Monday, we're in May, and the questions are only getting goofier. This week, the guys discuss which divisions have the best of each position group, ask themselves how we should think about o-line prospects, whether the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets have a chance at a title, and much more. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, and Dave Helman answer all your questions.Host: Robert MaysCo-H
Revisiting our coldest takes from the 2025 NFL season
Picture this: you're in the warm air of the offseason, you're listening to players talk about how they're in the "best shape of their life," you're watching training camp highlights set to instrumental rock music. It's easy to get carried away with your NFL takes in that environment - and get carried away, we did. Robert Mays, Dave Helman, and Derrik Klassen revisit their coldest takes of the 2025
Is the fifth-year option still a viable option for team building?
The 2023 Draft class is proving to be a conundrum at the fifth-year option milestone. Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, and Bijan Robinson highlight some of the players with exercised options. But why did the Detroit Lions choose not to exercise Jack Campbell's option? And what can the NFL's decisions around this class tell us about the state of fifth-year options as a whole? Robert Mays and Dave Helman dis
Buy or sell their offseasons: The Middle Class
Our Buy or Sell Their Offseasons series moves on to The Middle Class, which features a couple of playoff teams from last season. Those teams, the Panthers and Steelers, are outside of the top two groups of teams for understandable reasons. They're joined here by the Saints, Commanders, Colts, Vikings, Buccaneers and Bengals. Did those eight teams do well for themselves during the player-acquisitio
How long can an NFL team sustain an elite defense?
It's May, dear TAFS listener, and you know what that means: The real NFL offseason is here. We kick it off by opening up the mailbag, and you all delivered once again. Robert Mays and Dave Helman answer questions on the durability of elite defenses, hypothetical teams built entirely of one draft class, possible trades involving non-star players that could move the needle for 2026, and a whole lot
Buy or sell their offseason: The Rebuilders
Every team in the NFL is going to have its own approach to the offseason, in part defined by where it sees itself fitting into the league's hierarchy. We in the media must treat their respective offseasons with that same degree of nuance. After all, the Cardinals—coming off an ugly 3-14 season with no plausible case for considering itself a serious contender in 2026—are going to think about the of
The 2026 NFL Draft dust has settled, but we still have questions
OK, the 2026 NFL Draft is comfortably in the rear-view mirror. We've done in-the-moment reactions, and now-that-we've-slept-on-it reactions. It's done, it's over. So now it's time to ask ourselves, 'If this is what the 32 teams are, what questions do we still have about all of them?' Robert Mays and Dave Helman pose those questions, and then work through them, on this episode of The Athletic Footb
Now that you've slept on it...NFL Draft takeaways
One hundred picks were made across the first two nights of the draft, with each one coming right on the heels of the one that happened before it. When you're reacting to those pick-by-pick, you don't have a ton of time to fully sit with your thoughts. By time you get into the middle of the following week, though, you have had that time to reconsider some of what you thought as the draft was unfold
The messages teams sent in the 2026 NFL Draft
Sometimes, a draft class is more than a draft class. Sometimes, a draft class can tell the entire NFL world what you think about your team. Robert Mays and Dave Helman zero in on the messages some teams sent with their respective 2026 draft classes on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Dave HelmanExecutive Producer: Michael BellerSenior Producer: Katy DuffySocial
Full recap of the 2026 NFL Draft
The NFL Draft has come and gone - or rather, it was on it's way out the door as we sat down to record this episode - and we have much to discuss. Robert Mays, Dane Brugler, Derrik Klassen, and Dave Helman break down why Jermod McCoy and Garrett Nussmeier slid so far down the Draft board. Plus, which NFL teams earned spots among our favorite Draft classes...and our least favorites? That and more on
2026 NFL Draft night two recap
Night two of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books and, once again, we implore you to go check out our full, pick-by-pick recap on our YouTube channel. If you don't have time for that, though, allow this truncated version to be your guide. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen Dave Helman and Dane Brugler recap the second and third rounds of the draft on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Robert
2026 NFL Draft first round recap
Did you miss our first-round livestream on Thursday night? Welp, go ahead and watch it on YouTube. But if you want the Reader's Digest version, we've got it here for you. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, Dave Helman, Dane Brugler and Bruce Feldman recap the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanGuests: D
Our final questions before the 2026 NFL Draft
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft may be mere moments away, but we still have time to squeeze in a last few questions before Roger Goodell takes the stage in Pittsburgh. So come join Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen, Dave Helman and Dane Brugler for a few final queries on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen, Dave Helman, Dane BruglerExecutive Produce
Are we wrong about running back value?
The NFL Draft is right on our doorstep, and it's looking likely that some team is going to make Jeremiyah Love a top-five pick. That's right, the running back value discussion is back. But never fear, this is the good version of it. Robert Mays and Bill Barnwell trot out the old chestnut in a new way on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Robert MaysGuest: Bill BarnwellExecutive Produ
Which Fringe Prospects Will SNEAK Into the First Round?
There's something soothing about finishing a mock draft...even a mock draft done by six different people. With just picks 26 through 32 remaining, EJ Snyder and Brett Kollmann join Robert Mays to discuss who might sneak into the first round. Who will the defending champ Seattle Seahawks add to their war chest? Who goes to the powerhouse Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Houston Texans, Kansas Ci
Are "bad" drafts an advantage for the NFL's best or worst teams?
Another Monday, another time opening up the mailbag. This week, Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen answer your questions about whether NFL GM's are judged on their best or worst picks, whether we should judge prospects on traits or production, the value of special teamers in the draft, and more. But first, Robert Mays interrupts his PTO to break down the Dexter Lawrence trade...why does this make sens
Why we're planting our flags for these day 2 & 3 prospects
Jalon Kilgore, Riley Nowakowski, Reggie Virgil, Peter Woods...what do these guys have in common? They're OUR guys. A week ahead of the draft, we're officially planting the flags for our favorite players in the 2026 NFL Draft. Dave Helman, Dane Brugler, and Derrik Klassen call their shot on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Dave HelmanCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dane BruglerExecutiv
Which offensive lineman has the highest ceiling in the 2026 NFL Draft class?
Dane Brugler put out his full, seven-round mock for the 2026 NFL Draft, and it included eight offensive linemen going in the first round. That would push the record of nine set in 2024. In other words, it's a good year to need some help in the trenches. So who better than Brandon Thorn from Trench Warfare to dig into the offensive line class with Robert Mays and Dane Brugler? No one, we say. That'
Is Sonny Styles the only standout linebacker in the 2026 Draft class?
Sonny Styles quickly became one of the darlings of this draft class way back in September after Ohio State's first few games. After him, the linebacker class is a mixed bag, as it so often is. Dane Brugler and Dave Helman dig deep into the position on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Dave HelmanCo-Host: Dane BruglerExecutive Producer: Michael BellerSenior Producer: Katy DuffySocial
On the Clock, picks 19-25: How many offensive linemen will be taken in the first round?
We've reached the "Last Season's Playoff Teams" portion of the 2026 NFL Draft on The Athletic Football Show's On The Clock, though it might not feel like it. The first team up on this episode is the Carolina Panthers, a team that won its division at 8-9. They're followed by the Dallas Cowboys, a team that didn't make the playoffs but holds what would have been the Packers pick thanks to the Micah
Mailbag Monday: How many true #1 pass rushers are there in the NFL?
How big is too big, even for a dyed-in-the-wool sizeist like Derrik Klassen? How good are the Ravens at drafting, really? Which NFL jerseys must be protected at all costs, and which need to go now? That's just a smattering of the questions Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Derrik answer on this mailbag episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dave HelmanExecut
The 2026 NFL Draft prospects you're wrong about...and why
Look, we get it. We're wrong sometimes too. But there are at least seven NFL Draft prospects that you, draft analysts, or NFL teams are just plain wrong about. On this episode of The Athletic Football Show, we're correcting those wrong narratives and incorrect evaluations. Bruce Feldman joins Dave Helman and Robert Mays to set you on the right course.Host: Robert MaysCo-Host: Dave HelmanExecutive
Edge rusher draft class breakdown with Dane Brugler
The Beast is loose, and that means we get more Dane Brugler on The Athletic Football Show. It's the ultimate win-win. Dane joins Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen to break down the 2026 defensive line draft class on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Robert MaysCo-Hosts: Derrik Klassen and Dane BruglerExecutive Producer: Michael BellerSenior Producer: Katy DuffySocial Producer: Scott Kr
The Beast is Built! Hidden gems in the 2026 NFL Draft class
April 8 gets the distinction of being Beast Day in 2026, and that's a day worthy of celebration. So how best do we celebrate on The Athletic Football Show? Why by thumbing through The Beast and discussing our favorite hidden gems in this year's draft, of course. That's exactly what Dane Brugler, Dave Helman and friend of the show Bryan Broaddus from 105.3 The Fan in Dallas do on this episode of Th
On the Clock: Why picks 13-18 are a run on pass-catchers, and the guys who try to stop them
Picks 13 through 18 will be an interesting stretch in the draft. You've got consistent contenders, such as the Rams and Ravens, as well as obvious playoff contenders, to varying degrees, in the Buccaneers, Lions and Vikings. Oh, and also the Jets. Lance Zierlein from NFL Media joins Robert Mays to make draft selections for those teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's On the Clock.Ho
Monday Mailbag: The dustbin of history, coaches getting over the hump, and the idea of identity
We've got ourselves another loaded mailbag episode of The Athletic Football Show. Among the questions answered by Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen: Which potentially great teams from previous seasons have been forgotten due to nothing more than bad luck? How do coaches break through after spending six-plus years with one team? Can we really define team identity? And more!Host: Robert Ma
The sneakily fun 2026 WR draft class
There may not be a true ace in this year's wide receiver draft class, but that doesn't mean it's short on talent or intrigue. After all, six of Dane Brugler's top-30 players, and 17 of his top 100, are wide receivers. As always. this position delivers the goods. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman do the same diving deep into the position on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host:
Three questions about the 2026 QB draft class
This is one of the stranger quarterback draft classes we've seen in some time. There's a legitimate top-of-the-draft prospect, a 23-year-old with limited experience who will probably be the second player at the position off the board, and a whole lot of shoulder shrugging after that. So with that in mind, Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen ask and answer three questions about the 2026 QB class: What i
Building the Beast: Why defensive backs are the crown jewel of the 2026 NFL Draft class
The Beast isn't out for another week or so, but we'll spoil one thing for you...you're going to see a lot of defensive backs in the top 50. Like, A LOT of defensive backs. Dave Helman and Dane Brugler dive into a loaded group of corners and safeties on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Connect with The Athletic Football ShowYT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShowPodcasts: https:/
On the Clock, 2026 NFL Draft picks 7-12: Jeremiyah Love's still here...but not for long
Here we are for episode two of this season's On the Clock and th—whoa, wait. Jeremiyah Love is still out there? He didn't get taken by the Cardinals or Titans or Giants? Well then, this episode's guest, Jordan Reid from ESPN, is going to have quite the decision to make. He'll do that, and make five more, as well, with Robert Mays on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Robert MaysWith:
Monday Mailbag: The peak of fandom, breaking losing cycles, Bill and Ted for the NFL, and more
We opened up the TAFS mailbag, and ohhhh buddy did we find some great stuff in there? Like, when during a person's life is their fandom at its peak enjoyment level? Or, how can a team like the Cardinals stop being the Cardinals? Or, if you could Bill and Ted someone from the NFL's past and bring them to the present day, who would it be? Those are just three of the questions Robert Mays, Derrik Kla
Which outliers in the 2026 class are worth drafting?
This draft class is a bit unlike most draft classes. We've got off-ball linebackers, safeties and a running back expected to come off the board toward the top of the first round. We've got short-armed edge rushers and offensive tackles. We've got a potential QB2 who made 15 starts in college. How do we make sense of all these outlier cases? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman attempt to do
Who has the most at stake in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The NFL Draft matters to all 32 teams, all 32 GMs, all 32 head coaches and, in some form or fashion, every single player in the league. Any individual draft, however, matters more to certain teams, GMs, coaches and players. So who has the most at stake in the 2026 NFL Draft? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig deep into that question on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Host: Robert MaysCo
Building the Beast: Tight end draft class breakdown
You know the final courtroom scene in My Cousin Vinny when Joe Pesci says "Watch this," and then Marisa Tomei just rattles off the most obscure facts imaginable about 1955 Bel Air Chevrolets and ignition timing? OK, so Dave Helman is Joe Pesci and Dane Brugler is Marisa Tomei on this episode, and all remaining episodes this draft season, of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast. The topi
On the Clock, 2026 NFL Draft picks one through six: Certainty at the very top, and then...
Welcome to the 2026 debut of On the Clock, The Athletic Football Show's annual draft exercise. Every week, a draft analyst will join Robert Mays to cover six or seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, considering a trio of potential decisions for each of the teams in question. By time we get to the end of it, we'll have built an entire first round mock and had some interesting discussions along the way
Mailbag: Are Rookie Contracts TOO IMPORTANT To Team Building?
The TAFS Mailbag rolls along this offseason. This post-free agency episode brings questions about the Tennessee Titans draft strategy, the best coaching staffs in the NFL and...spiders vs rats? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dive in on the latest episode of The Athletic Football Show.Connect with The Athletic Football ShowYT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShowPodcasts: https://podfollow.
An Idiot's GUIDE to the 2026 NFL Draft
We didn't say Robert Mays is an idiot. He said it himself! At least when it comes to the NFL Draft class at this stage of the calendar. Dane Brugler and Dave Helman help bring him up to speed on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Connect with The Athletic Football ShowYT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShowPodcasts: https://podfollow.com/the-athletic-football-show/viewX: http
Lingering questions with the free agency dust settled
Free agency is, for all intents and purposes, over. Sure, meaningful players like Jauan Jennings and Taylor Decker are still out there, but the vast majority of the player movement for the 2026 offseason has happened. So what questions still remain now that all 32 teams have spent most of their money? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen raise some big ones on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.
Building the Beast: How free agency affected the 2026 NFL Draft
Hey, the Chiefs and Saints both need running backs, they could both be potential landing spots for Jeremiyah Love! Ope, guess again. Hey, the Rams need help in the secondary, surely they're going to use at least one of their first-round picks on a corner. Ope, guess not (and so long, say so long to one of those first-round picks, too). Activity in free agency always changes what we think about the
NEWS: Broncos trade for Jaylen Waddle
The Broncos mostly sat out the free agency frenzy last week, but they finally made their presence felt with a huge trade for Jaylen Waddle. What does he bring to the offense? How much more dynamic is this group with Waddle in the fold? And what's next in Miami? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen break it down on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Connect with The Athletic Football ShowYT: 
How much better—or worse—is each NFC team after the first wave of free agency?
Most of this year's free agent class is now spoken for, and all 32 teams in the league have made the biggest move they'll make, outside of the draft. So how much better—or worse, as the case may be—is each team now that free agency is mostly behind us? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman answer that question for the 16 NFC teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Connect with Th
How much better—or worse—is each AFC team after the first wave of free agency?
Most of this year's free agent class is now spoken for, and all 32 teams in the league have made the biggest move they'll make, outside of the draft. So how much better—or worse, as the case may be—is each team now that free agency is mostly behind us? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen answer that question for the 16 AFC teams on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Connect with The Athletic Fo
Vikings swing for the fences with Kyler Murray
This isn't supposed to happen. Teams aren't supposed to be able to sign a 28-year-old quarterback who was a first overall pick and previously been a legitimate part of an MVP discussion for the league minimum. Yet that's exactly where we've arrived with Kyler Murray and the Minnesota Vikings. Alec Lewis, The Athletic's Vikings beat reporter, joins Robert Mays to break down the move, what Kyler bri
Free agency wrap: Taking stock of a busy start to the new league year
A few big names remain on the table, but most of the free agent puzzle pieces have fallen into place. So, what were our favorite signings? What signings did we not realize we needed until they happened? What positional market surprised us the most? And which unsigned players are we more intrigued by now than at the start of the week. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman answer those questio
Free agency day three: Maxximum Chaos
Remember those couple days where Maxx Crosby was on the Ravens and the Raiders had two extra first-round picks to work with the in the next two drafts? Crazy, right? Anyway, that's done. Crosby's back with the Raiders—for now—and instead Trey Hendrickson is the newest edge rusher in Baltimore. So yeah, we've got quite a bit to talk about here on The Athletic Football Show on the third day of free
Free agency day two: Perhaps you can go home again
Day two of free agency got off to a bit of a slow start, and then the spigot opened up with a firehose attached. Geno Smith is a Jet again. The Patriots landed a receiver in Romeo Doubs. The Texans beefed up along the offensive line with Braden Smith. Add that to what happened on Monday evening—Devin Lloyd to the Panthers, Travis Kelce's return to the Chiefs, Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean to the Rai
Free agency day one, part two: The edge and DB markets fall into place
NFL teams know a thing or two about tampering, and they proved that to us once again with the league's legal tampering window opening up on Monday. On part one of two of The Athletic Football Show's Free Agency Day One Bonanza, Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman welcome to the show a bunch of friends and break down a bunch of signings, including Odafe Oweh to the Commanders, John Franklin
Free agency day one, part one: Jaelan Phillips to the Panthers, Tyler Linderbaum to the Raiders, Alec Pierce stays in Indy, and more
NFL teams know a thing or two about tampering, and they proved that to us once again with the league's legal tampering window opening up on Monday. On part one of two of The Athletic Football Show's Free Agency Day One Bonanza, Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman welcome to the show a bunch of friends and break down a bunch of signings, including Jaelan Phillips to the Panthers, Tyler Lind
Ravens Maxx Crosby trade highlights a busy weekend on the eve of free agency
When we signed off for the weekend on Friday, we said we'd come back before Monday if the news dictated our sooner return. Welp, the news dictated just that. Maxx Crosby to the Ravens for two first-round picks. Connor McGovern back to the Bills! Taylor Decker released! Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman cover everything that went down over the weekend, and get ready for free agency, on th
2026 Free Agent Superlatives: Favorite Fits, Buyer Beware and more
We are officially on the doorstep of the legal tampering window and thus, the beginning of the 2026 free agency signing period. So, what are our favorite player/team fits? Who do we think can put a contender over the top? Who would we be wary of signing? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dig deep on free agent superlatives on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Connect with The At
2026 free agency doppelgängers
Sayings become sayings for a reason. A particular favorite for us here (or at least for the person writing this description)? History does not repeat, but it does rhyme. So, what free agency signings in the recent past might rhyme with, say, 2026 Jamel Dean or Alec Pierce or Trey Hendrickson. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman remember some guys and project ahead to next week on this epis
Strengths and weaknesses of the 2026 free agent class
Free agency might begin next week, but we already have plenty of player movement news to tackle. The Bears are surprisngly in th emarket for a tackle after Drew Dalman's sudden retirement. The Cardinals will be shopping for a new quarterback next week, and Kyler Murray will be looking for a new home. Daniel Jones (most likely) and Breece Hall are staying put. Thats' where Robert Mays, Derrik Klass
Free agency mailbag: New staffs, Tyler Linderbaum's catbird seat, the cap space tipping point, and more
We're all free agency, all the time over the next two weeks on The Athletic Football Show. And what better way to kick that off than with your questions? Robert Mays and Dave Helman tackle questions on how new coaching and front office staffs handle free agency, the great spot in which Tyler Linderbaum finds himself, the idea of the importance of cap space as potentially outdated, and a whole lot
Takeaways from the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine
Another combine is in the books, and with its closing comes another set of results that will affect the upcoming NFL Draft. Among them? Hello, Sonny Styles and Kenyon Sadiq. Dane Brugler and Dave Helman go a whole lot deeper than that on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Building the Beast.Connect with The Athletic Football ShowYT: https://www.youtube.com/@TAFootballShowPodcasts: h
The Jets-Titans trade, the Malik Willis market, and the rest of the news from combine week
We wrap up our week at the combine with a look at the biggest actual news that happened while the entire NFL world was in Indianapolis. Robert Mays, Dave Helman and Derrik Klassen dig into the Jermaine Johnson/T'Vondre Sweat trade, the Malik Willis market, the rest of the QB carousel, the shifting sands at wide receiver, and plenty more on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Connect with Th
The most interesting teams of the offseason, part 3: Bengals, Ravens and Eagles
We wrap up our combine beat writer series with three teams that suffered through various levels of disappointing seasons in 2025. First, Paul Dehner Jr. joins Robert Mays to break down the offseason facing the Bengals. After that, Jeff Zrebiec hops on with Robert to discuss the Ravens' transition to new coach Jesse Minter. Finally, Zach Berman and Robert dive into how a team coming off consecutive
The most interesting teams of the offseason, part 2: Chiefs, Vikings and Colts
The Chiefs of recent vintage haven't been among the most interesting teams of the offseason because their offseasons have been, "Alright, Pat, let's run it back." That's not the case this year. The Vikings have a massive question at quarterback. The Colts started the season 8-2, lost Daniel Jones to injury, and then didn't win another game. Those three teams comprise part 2 of our Most Interesting
The Chargers, Commanders and Steelers kick off the annual TAFS Most Interesting Teams of the Offseason Series
Combine week brings together the entirety of NFL media, including The Athletic Football Show crew and The Athletic NFL beat writers. That's all the excuse we need to sit down with our beats and to talk about the most interesting teams of the offseason. On this first episode in the three-episode series, Robert Mays welcomes Daniel Popper on the Chargers, Nicki Jhabvala on the Commanders and Mike De
What matters and what doesn't at the combine
The annual NFL Scouting Combine is part NFL convention, part week-long networking event, part exercise in backchannel communication, and part job fair. It's also the legitimate start of that year's NFL Draft season. So what matters and what doesn't at the combine generally, and the 2026 edition specifically? Dave Helman and Dane Brugler dig in on this episode of The Athletic Football Show's Buildi
From the Vikings to the Jets, assessing the open QB situations
Eight or so teams enter the 2026 NFL season with an open quarterback situation, depending on your definition of "open." Which one of those is the best? Which one is the worst? How do the rest fill in between those? Dan Pizzuta joins Derrik Klassen to discuss the Vikings, Jets and all the rest on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.Connect with The Athletic Football ShowBuy our merch! http:/
The TAFS mailbag is back!
We're into the offseason, which means we're once again checking the mail. The TAFS mailbag returns with more than a few questions about what we can learn—or not—from this season's Super Bowl teams. Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman tackle questions on big nickel, attacking Mike Macdonald's meta, teams that experience a one-year turnaround similar to what we just saw from the Patriots, an
Biggest questions of the 2026 NFL offseason
The next season effectively begins the moment the previous season ends, and with that new season comes a whole new set of questions. Such as, what happens on the quarterback carousel? Which big-name players might get traded? How will certain teams in the news—hello, Bengals, Cowboys and Eagles—approach the offseason? Robert Mays, Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman highlight their biggest questions for
