The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

What do NFL executives think about the 32 draft classes? Mike Sando joins Robert Mays to discuss the unfiltered conversations he had with teams across the league. Is everyone really applauding the Ravens? Should the Titans have tried to trade Derrick Henry instead? They dive into the executives' evaluations as well as Tom Brady's contract with Fox and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lindsay Jones is this week's Mailbag guest as she and Robert Mays answer your questions regarding which team is the 'Rich Strike' of the upcoming NFL season as a Super Bowl long shot, which current NFL coaches could be Pro Football Hall of Fame worthy, a question regarding the QB saturation around the league, insight as to how the postgame episodes of TAFS are produced and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does star player movement impact the locker room? After an offseason and draft full of big trades, Mitchell Schwartz joins Robert Mays to explain how these deals are viewed among the team heading into a new season. They also dive deeper into the WR market as they break down the Eagles' trade for A. J. Brown. Plus, what is the typical dynamic between a veteran and rookie in a position room? Mitchell discusses his experience in both roles on the offensive line. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Mays and Lindsay Jones ask some big lingering questions that are still present following the NFL Draft, from who catches passes in Chicago, to the development of Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson, the Seahawks and Broncos strategies for this year and beyond and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dane Brugler and NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein wrap up their 2022 NFL Draft coverage by discussing their favorite picks, biggest surprises and overall takeaways. Plus, they break down what happened with the QBs and rank their favorite draft classes.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What lessons can we take from the 2022 NFL Draft? Robert Mays and Nate Tice discuss what happened with the QBs and how a surplus of WRs is impacting teams' decision making. They also talk about the Eagles' roster building, the Ravens ability to pivot, the Vikings all-in plan and much more from across the league.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL Draft has officially wrapped for 2022. Lindsay Jones is joined by Nate Tice and Dane Brugler from The Athletic Draft House to review their favorite day 3 picks and Lindsay's superlatives questions for Dane and Nate, including their biggest surprises, best value picks, who won the draft and tons more NFL draft rewind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Athletic's Robert Mays, Dane Brugler and Nate Tice analyze each and every pick of rounds 2 and 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft LIVE from Las Vegas, NV. Download Dane Brugler's draft guide THE BEAST at theathletic.com/footballshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Round 1 of the 2022 NFL draft is in the books, and Robert Mays, Dane Brugler and Nate Tice covered every pick live. Hear their reactions to the selections, jaw-dropping trades, and everything else round 1 had to offer NFL fans. Watch on YouTube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Mays teams up with The Athletic's NFL beat writers for a top 10 mock draft. Will Travon Walker go No. 1? How will the Jets and Giants use their two picks? Will the Panthers take a QB? Tune in to hear Greg Auman, Chris Burke, Aaron Reiss, Connor Hughes, Dan Duggan, Joe Person, Josh Kendall and Michael-Shawn Dugar break it all down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does a successful draft look like for all 32 teams in the league? From teams looking to make runs at a Super Bowl in 2022, to others resetting with new regimes or stockpiling assets for future years, there's no shortage of storylines to follow with what's on the line this season. Sheil and Robert bring their top priorities for each team and what they hope to see happen by the end of the weekend. How many of the hopes will come to fruition? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Draft week is finally here! Robert Mays sits down with Nate Tice and Dane Brugler to break down the top 20 biggest questions ahead of Thursday night. They talk about the QBs, teams with two first-round picks, who they believe could be the next Pro Bowler and prospects who could fall. They also give their favorite picks, bold predictions and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do GMs know when it's time to pull the trigger and draft their next QB? What impact do position coaches play in drafting players for their position groups? Former Vikings GM Rick Spielman shares details of his draft process in Minnesota and the thought process that went into trading up for QB Teddy Bridgewater, then former Patriots o-line coach Dante Scarnecchia brings insight on what it's like to draft alongside Bill Belichick and how position coaches get their voices heard in the draft room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

News broke on Wednesday that Deebo Samuel is seeking a trade from the 49ers. Friend of the show Bill Barnwell is already here, so he and Robert Mays react to the news before diving into the topic of the day, how the 2016 draft class explains the NFL, from Jared Goff to Jalen Ramsey, Ezekiel Elliott and Joey Bosa, they spend the pod digging into the ripple effect of these moves across the league. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dane Brugler and NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein examine smoke screens in the news leading up to the NFL Draft. Do front offices create these bluffs to mislead other teams? Or is it just a creation of guesswork? They weigh in on what's deception vs. reality and discuss how much of an impact these rumors could have on the draft. They wrap by power ranking the position groups of this year's class.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former NFL head coach Marvin Lewis sits down with Robert Mays to talk about creating alignment between the front office and coaching staff during the draft process. They discuss Lewis' experiences in Cincinnati, the importance of communication and working through disagreements. Then, Eagles & NFL analyst Fran Duffy joins the show to break down the 2022 CB class. Fran explains the traits he's most excited/worried about and the scheme he believes is best for players like Sauce Gardner, Derek Stingley Jr., Andrew Booth Jr., Trent McDuffie and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the 2022 NFL Draft class being ripe with pass rush talent, what is the true value of modern linebackers in today's game? Our own Diante Lee sits down with Robert Mays to analyze the position ahead of the Draft and dig into some of his favorite prospects before they play a game of Star-Starter-Bust with the defensive end class. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Mays and NFL analytics consultant Sean Clement discuss how teams are incorporating data driven thinking into their draft processes. They talk about the use of GPS data, player evaluation vs. positional value, The Loser's Curse and much more. Then, The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue joins the show to talk about the Rams' analytical approach to the draft and how the ‘F them picks' mindset has sparked a change across the NFL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Mays and Lindsay Jones welcome The Athletic's Ben Standig to discuss the latest with the investigation into Dan Snyder and the Washington Commanders. Then, Robert and Lindsay talk about Derek Carr's contract extension with the Raiders, their thoughts on the deal and what is says about the QB market. Plus, Trench Warfare's Brandon Thorn joins the show to break down the offensive lineman in the 2022 draft class. Brandon shares his thoughts on the top tackles, where Tyler Linderbaum will go, why he loves Zion Johnson and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the 2022 NFL Draft inches closer, Dane Brugler talks with NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein about his latest mock draft. Lance explains why he believes Travon Walker could go No. 1, how the QBs could fall out of the top 10 and more. Then, they discuss several players who could provide teams a big bargain late in the draft compared to similar first round talent.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The storylines of the 2022 NFL Draft go beyond just the prospects. It could be pivotal for several teams around the NFL when it comes to setting a tone for a new coaching staff, correcting a previous wrong, digging out of a hole, or any number of other situations these franchises find themselves in. Robert Mays and Nate Tice bring their picks for their Teams with the Most at Stake during the draft before Rhiannon Walker stops by to share her experience with former Washington and Steelers QB Dwayne Haskins following his tragic passing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL's hiring practices again came under fire this week as former head coach Mike Mularkey fanned the flames with his comments regarding the Rooney Rule. Now NY's Attorney General is considering opening an investigation. Former GM Randy Mueller and our own Mike Sando bring their unique insight to the subject after they break down Randy's favorite RBs and TEs coming out in the 2022 NFL Draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Beast is back! Dane Brugler discusses his 2022 NFL Draft Guide with NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein. They also break down Derek Stingley Jr.'s pro day as well as the Saints trade with the Eagles and how it impacts the first round. Then, The Athletic's Bruce Feldman joins the show to talk about his mock draft, the QBs and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2022 NFL Draft class seems to be a good one for teams in need of quality wide receivers. But where do these guys fit best, what are their strengths & weaknesses and which players do they remind us of? Nate Tice and Robert Mays dig into Nate's top 6 WRs in this class, including Drake London, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and more, plus some outside-the-top favorites of Nate's that you should keep an eye on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What lessons can be learned from the 2021 draft class ahead of this years draft? Robert Mays and Lindsay Jones talk about QB infrastructure, the importance of a multi-year plan and a new era of pass catchers. They also discuss why chemistry matters, injury red flags, second-round tackles and much more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Saints and Eagles shook up the 2022 NFL Draft on Monday as they swapped picks in the first round - but what is the thinking behind the move for both sides? THE ATHLETIC'S Nate Tice and Diante Lee join Robert Mays to react to the news and discuss how the offensive and defensive scheme trends we've seen in the recent past might inform several team's thinking this draft season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Mays returns with Nate Tice for some more digging into the 2022 NFL Draft prospects, this time with a full rundown of the consensus top 5 QBs in this years class - Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis, Matt Corral, Sam Howell, and Desmond Ridder. What are the pros and cons with each guy? Who are some pro comparisons? What's the path to the league for each of them? And most importantly...how does Nate rank them? All that and more QB discussion on today's Athletic Football Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Mays and Lindsay Jones react to Bruce Arians' retirement, the timing of the decision and his legacy as a coach. They also discuss Todd Bowles' promotion to head coach, how he's setup for success in his second stint and what this all means for the 2022 Buccaneers. Plus, they talk about the new overtime rules, what impacted the change and more news and notes from the NFL owners meetings this week.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What percentage of cap space should be devoted to the quarterback? Is Stefon Diggs due for a payday? Where are the Steelers headed over the next several years? Robert Mays and Nate Tice answer your mailbag questions. They also discuss Lamar Jackson's contract, cold-weather stadiums, the value of the center position and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NFL Draft season is officially here, but not all of us are as up-to-date on the upcoming draft class as others. Robert Mays brings in our own Dane Brugler to run us through the highlights of this year's class, from the top 5 QBs to the biggest risers and fallers from a year ago, the positions with the most depth and more as The Athletic Football Show officially kicks off draft time! Get Dane's BEAST Draft Guide when it drops @ theathletic.com/footballshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are several teams around the league that have had GMs and/or head coaches in place for only a season or two. So what did the most recent free agency frenzy teach us about the mentality these teams have right now when building a roster? Sheil Kapadia joins Robert Mays to break down the front office thinking of the Lions, Bears, Falcons, Dolphins, Jets, Giants, Raiders, Broncos, Chargers, & more as they head toward the Draft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The wild NFL offseason continued on Wednesday when the Chiefs sent WR Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins for five draft picks. Robert Mays and Nate Tice break down both sides of the blockbuster trade and Hill's new four-year $120 million deal with Miami. Plus, they dive into why this has been the craziest offseason in recent memory and what we can learn from it moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dane Brugler and NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein break down the Deshaun Watson trade, the picks exchanged and what it means for Houston and Cleveland this season. Plus, they discuss David Ojabo's Achilles injury and how it impacts his draft status. They wrap by reviewing their takeaways from the top pro days.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Colts acquired veteran QB Matt Ryan from the Falcons on Monday. Why does this make the most sense for them right now? Nate Tice and Robert Mays break down the trade they saw coming weeks ago, and what it means for the Colts in the short-term and where the Falcons go from here + reaction to the Urban Meyer story from The Athletic that broke Twitter today, the Bengals adding La'el Collins to strengthen their o-line, what happens now with Jimmy G and more NFL news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lindsay Jones and Mike Sando react to the Texans trade sending Deshaun Watson to the Browns. Plus, Lindsay sits down with The Athletic's Aaron Reiss and New York Times reporter Jenny Vrentas to discuss what's next for Watson's legal case and potential discipline from the NFL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Mays is joined by Mike Sando to break down the latest madness in NFL free agency. They discuss the Packers trade sending Davante Adams to the Raiders. They examine both sides of the move, Adams' new contract and more. Plus, Baker Mayfield wants out of Cleveland. They talk about what's next for the Browns at QB. They wrap by assessing the Rams deal for Allen Robinson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Mays and Nate Tice continue their NFL free agency coverage by breaking down the Bills' big deal for Von Miller. Plus, which teams remain in the running for Deshaun Watson? They discuss the latest with the QB before talking about several moves from the Jets and a quiet week for the Patriots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Free agency continues as the NFL's new league year is officially underway. Robert Mays and Sheil Kapadia discuss Baker Mayfield's message to the city of Cleveland as his future with the Browns remains uncertain. They also talk about the Raiders deal for Chandler Jones and their trade for Rock Ya-Sin, sending Yannick Ngakoue to the Colts. Plus, Za'Darius Smith signs with the Ravens and the Titans are set to release Julio Jones. They recap all of that, their favorite moves and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How has the Russell Wilson trade and the first bit of free agency frenzy impacted the top of the draft and Brugler & Zierlein's mock drafts? They run you through their analysis of the free agent signings before welcoming Brandon Thorn of Bleacher Report to dive into the o-line class and which names could be of value across the league. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another day of free agency in the NFL is nearly in the books, and it's time to recap the highlights of day two with our own Lindsay Jones, from Randy Gregory swerving on the Cowboys and heading to the Broncos, to the numbers coming out on Aaron Rodgers' and Mitch Trubisky's deals, Shaq Mason heading to Tampa Bay, the Jags just keep on spending, CB movement around the league and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Mays and Nate Tice broadcast LIVE on YouTube to react to a crazy day 1 of NFL free agency, from the Jaguars opening up the check book and adding Christian Kirk and Brandon Scherff, to the Bengals shoring up their o-line depth, a big JC Jackson signing by the Chargers and Haason Reddick lands with the Eagles, all that and more on a NEW Athletic Football Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Brady blew up the internet Sunday afternoon as he officially came out of retirement to re-join the Bucs for his 23rd NFL season. What ripple effect will this have on the Buccaneers and the rest of the NFC? Robert Mays and Lindsay Jones react to the news and break down both sides of the Amari Cooper trade for the Cowboys and Browns, Deshaun Watson news that broke over the weekend, the Vikings and Kirk Cousins and more ahead of the OFFICIAL start of 2022 NFL free agency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bill Barnwell returns with Robert Mays as the two of them dive into some breaking reaction to the Khalil Mack trade from the Bears to the Chargers before discussing their Free Agency Lessons of the past few years, what they've learned and what other teams can watch out for when it comes to making mistakes during free agency + Joel Corry of CBS Sports stops by to break down the 2022 salary cap and the creative ways teams find to always stay under the cap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Colts have officially moved on from Carson Wentz. Can the former #2 overall pick be successful in Washington? How should Indy go about replacing him? Nate Tice and Sheil Kapadia join the show to weigh in on more NFL QB news. Plus, another free agency preview! The guys go around the league and put a microscope on the defensive side of the football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Mays, Mike Sando and Lindsay Jones assemble to discuss the impact of the Russell Wilson trade to the Broncos for both the Seahawks and the Broncos. Does this elevate the Broncos to a contender? Where does this leave the Seahawks? Plus, Aaron Rodgers confirms he is staying in Green Bay - is this the outcome we expected? All that and more breaking news reaction on a full day of NFL headlines on The Athletic Football Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert Mays and Nate Tice are kicking off the free agency season with a deep dive on their top offensive free agents for 2022 after discussing the breaking news of Calvin Ridley's gambling suspension. Which teams are in the market for WRs? Which receivers are the best fits for those teams? What about teams in need of o-line help? Robert and Nate have the answers in part 1 of the Athletic Football Show free agency preview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2022 NFL Combine has come and gone, and it's time to recap the highs and lows of the workouts with our own draft guru Dane Brugler and NFL,com's Lance Zierlein. What was the deal with all those ridiculously-fast 40 times? Who were the biggest risers and fallers out of the weekend? Dane and Lance are preparing their next mock drafts and review the Combine through that lens on a new Athletic Football Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who stood out in Combine workouts? What's the deal with "unofficial times?" Who better to talk about it with than our own Dane Brugler? Robert Mays and Dane sit down at the Combine to get Dane's first impressions as workouts press into the weekend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're rounding our our conversations on the teams we feel like have the most interesting offseasons ahead of them with a deep dive on the Broncos with our own Nick Kosmider, discussing if they will ever find their post-Peyton Manning QB, a new head coach & more before Kat Terrell stops by to help Saints fans cope with the loss of Sean Payton & what's ahead for the Dennis Allen-led Saints. Then Dan Duggan, Athletic writer covering the Giants and Robert Mays dig into Brian Daboll's start in New York and why Daniel Jones not being the answer at QB isn't the worst thing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can the newly-named Washington Commanders make a name for themselves with the QB market the way it is in 2022? What do the Jets have to hang their hat on after two years under GM Joe Douglas? And where do the Bucs go from here after Tom Brady steps away from the game? Robert Mays is LIVE at the 2022 NFL Combine and is joined by team writers Ben Standig, Connor Hughes, and Greg Auman of The Athletic to discuss why their teams might have the most interesting storylines this offseason.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2022 NFL Combine is officially underway and the Athletic Football Show is in Indianapolis to cover it all with our stellar group of writers at The Athletic. Robert is joined by Nate Tice to kick off the week with a full preview of what Nate is watching for in the prospect drills and which names you might be hearing more about + Robert is joined by Bo Wulf of Birds With Friends and The Athletic to shed some light on a potential Russell Wilson trade to the Eagles and more offseason notes before Matt Schneidman attempts to clear up some Aaron Rodgers rumors with Robert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices