The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

Robert Mays and Lindsay Jones discuss the latest New York Times report on Deshaun Watson and the civil lawsuits against the Browns’ QB. They also talk about Rob Walton’s purchase of the Broncos and Aaron Donald’s new contract. 

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It's our own Sheil Kapadia as the special guest to answer your Mailbag e-mails and voicemails - from the affect Urban Meyer had on the Jags, to which BAD QB is most likely to win a Super Bowl, counting up all the active Hall-of-Fame caliber players, Raiders and Vikings talk and more!

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Robert Mays and Nate Tice begin the show by discussing Ryan Fitzpatrick’s retirement, his 17-year career and their favorite memories of the QB. Then, they transition the conversation to the top GMs in the NFL and who they would want to build a roster from scratch. They each rank their top 10 candidates to oversee a team.

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What lessons can be learned from successful rebuilds across the NFL? Robert Mays, Nate Tice and Mike Sando examine how teams such as the Chiefs, Bills, Seahawks and Rams were able to turn things around over the past decade. They discuss coaching, culture, pass catchers, roster spending and much more. 

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Is there a discernible difference in the huddle depending on which QB is in there? How do jersey swaps really go down after NFL games? Is Mike Evans on a Hall of Fame trajectory? Super Bowl champion Mitchell Schwartz is back to answer your Mailbag questions with Robert Mays on these topics and many more on a new Athletic Football Show.

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The competition in the AFC West heated up this offseason with the additions of Russell Wilson, Davante Adams, Khalil Mack and more. Lindsay Jones takes you inside the division with The Athletic’s Vic Tafur to discuss the Raiders and their new offense under Josh McDaniels. Then, Broncos’ writer Nick Kosmider joins the show to talk about the tone in Denver with Wilson under center. Plus, Nate Taylor explains how the Chiefs look without Tyreek Hill and Daniel Popper talks about Justin Herbert and the Chargers’ revamped defense. 

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Following the 2nd annual Most Valuable QB Draft, Robert Mays, Nate Tice and Lindsay Jones are back to draft the best non-QBs in the NFL. Will Aaron Donald remain at the top of the list? Who from last year falls off? Which position group will have the most players selected? Tune in to find out. 

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Our own defensive guru Diante Lee is this week's Mailbag guest as he answers YOUR emails and voicemails regarding how to learn about defense by watching tape, building the ultimate Frankenstein defensive coordinator, the value of competing for a championship vs. rebuilding, plans for the Eagles and Colts and more with host Robert Mays.

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Where do the 2021 rookie QBs stand after one season? Robert Mays and Nate Tice look back at the film and discuss what we’ve learned, both good and bad, from Trevor Lawrence, Zac Wilson, Justin Fields, Mac Jones, Davis Mills and Trey Lance.

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The most valuable QB draft is back! Robert Mays, Nate Tice and Lindsay Jones draft the NFL’s top QB’s based on traits, age and contract. What did the trio learn from last year? Who will go No. 1? Which QBs didn’t make the cut? Tune in to hear their top 15. 

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The Ringer's Benjamin Solak returns to The Athletic Football Show as Robert Mays opens up the Mailbag, full of Solak-specific questions concerning the Eagles' future, compensation for Sean Payton, the most underrated matchups on the 2022 schedule, the team's viral schedule release videos and much more!

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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. 

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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?

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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