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, bre...
On the Clock, picks one through six: A quarterback goes first...and second
Welcome to the debut of On the Clock, a new draft exercise on The Athletic Football Show. Every week, a draft analyst will join Robert Mays to cover six or seven picks in the 2025 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. Jordan Reid of ESPN is Robert's guest for the maiden voyage of On the Clock.
Host: Robert Mays
Co-Host: Derrik Klassen
With: Jordan Reid
Executive Producer: Michael Beller
Producer: Michael Beller
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Theme song: Haunted
Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs
Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC
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59:38
Monday Mailbag: Rule change proposals, 'can't-miss prospects' that miss, the shifting dynamics of fandom, and more
With free agency fully in the rear-view mirror, we're back to our normal schedule on TAFS. And that means we're back to opening up the mailbag on Mondays! Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into questions about the recent rule change proposals, why it's hard to find difference-making off-ball linebackers, supposed can't-miss prospects who end up missing, building through the draft vs. making big swings, and a whole lot more.
Host: Robert Mays
Co-Host: Derrik Klassen
Executive Producer: Michael Beller
Producer: Michael Beller
Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show...
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YouTube
Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social
Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social
Follow Robert on X: @robertmays
Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass
Theme song: Haunted
Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs
Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:23:16
Biggest remaining team needs after the first wave of free agency
Plenty of team needs were addressed when the free agency period opened, but not every team can fill every hole by signing players off the market. So what are the biggest needs that remain as we put the first wave of free agency behind us and turn our attention to the draft? Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen dig into that question—considering Patriots left tackle, Chargers wide receiver, Bengals defensive line, and more—on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.
Host: Robert Mays
Co-Host: Derrik Klassen
Executive Producer: Michael Beller
Producer: Michael Beller
Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show...
Apple
Spotify
YouTube
Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social
Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social
Follow Robert on X: @robertmays
Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass
Theme song: Haunted
Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs
Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:07:42
How the moves made in free agency this year affected the draft, with Dane Brugler
The effects of free agency are felt long before teams take the field in September. Hopes are up in certain fanbases. Not so much in others. Teams are making plans that they couldn't consider a few weeks ago because of this player or that one. And, of course, teams can now plunge headlong into the draft knowing exactly what their needs are. So how did free agency affect the draft? Dane Brugler joins Robert Mays to dive into that question on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.
Host: Robert Mays
Co-Host: Derrik Klassen
Executive Producer: Michael Beller
Producer: Michael Beller
Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show...
Apple
Spotify
YouTube
Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social
Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social
Follow Robert on X: @robertmays
Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass
Follow Dane on X: @dpbrugler
Theme song: Haunted
Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs
Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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1:14:05
How much better are these NFC teams really?
Teams like the Vikings, Giants and Seahawks have been active in free agency. There's no doubt about that. But how much better are they really? That's exactly the question Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen strive to answer on this episode of The Athletic Football Show.
The guys also discuss the extensions for Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Derek Stingley.
Rundown
Bengals lock up Chase and Higgins
Derek Stingley signs an extension with the Texans
Vikings
Seahawks
Giants
Panthers
Rams
Cardinals
Bears
Buccaneers
Packers
Saints
Commanders
Host: Robert Mays
Co-Host: Derrik Klassen
Executive Producer: Michael Beller
Producer: Michael Beller
Subscribe to The Athletic Football Show...
Apple
Spotify
YouTube
Follow Robert on Bluesky: @robertmays.bsky.social
Follow Derrik on Bluesky: @qbklass.bsky.social
Follow Robert on X: @robertmays
Follow Derrik on X: @QBKlass
Theme song: Haunted
Written by Dylan Slocum, Trevor Dietrich, Ruben Duarte, Kyle McAulay, and Meredith VanWoert / Performed by Spanish Love Songs
Courtesy of Pure Noise / By arrangement with Bank Robber Music, LLC
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
About 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.