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Check the Mic with Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson

The 33rd Team
NFL
NFL Draft
Seattle Seahawks
Kansas City Chiefs
New England Patriots
Baltimore Ravens
Miami Dolphins
Dallas Cowboys
Pittsburgh Steelers
Green Bay Packers
Cincinnati Bengals
Buffalo Bills
Cleveland Browns
New York Jets
Los Angeles Rams
Detroit Lions
Tennessee Titans
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New York Giants
Chicago Bears

Check the Mic with Steve Palazzolo and Sam Monson is the ultimate NFL podcast for the dedicated football fan. Join Steve & Sam as they bring their unique perspectives and unmatched football expertise to dive deep into the game. They’ll preview and review every single NFL game and break down every team building decision from your favorite NFL team. In partnership with The 33rd Team and their unriva... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes309Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Check the Mic

Latest Episodes

Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson go through EVERY First Round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, discussing how the year 3 players will perform in the 2026 season.

00:00 Intro

00:26 Programming Note

3:06 Bryce Young

13:13 CJ Stroud

25:25 Will Anderson Jr... more

Sam Monson is joined by injury expert Vic Troha and break down the main injury concerns for EVERY NFL team.

00:00 Intro

3:55 Buffalo Bills

5:45 Miami Dolphins

9:20 New England Patriots

11:25 Baltimore Ravens

19:04 Cincinnati Bengals

24:12 Clev... more

Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson go through EVERY First Round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft, discussing how the year 3 players will perform in the 2026 season.

00:00 Intro

3:13 Caleb Williams

16:05 Jayden Daniels

26:04 Drake Maye

35:44 Marvin Harrison J... more

Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson go pick by pick through the 2025 NFL Draft, reviewing each of the selections and projecting each player's year 2 outlook.

00:00 Intro

1:21 Cam Ward

8:20 Travis Hunter

18:30 Abdul Carter

22:58 Will Campbell

32:58 Mason ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Nate Tice
NFL analyst and writer
Yahoo Sports, NFL Network (past)
Episode: Nate Tice: The NFL Trends That Will Define 2026
Brett Kollmann
Football analyst, Bootleg Football contributor
Bootleg Football
Episode: 2026 NFL Draft Philosophy w/ Bootleg Football
EJ Snyder
Football analyst, front-office perspective
Episode: 2026 NFL Draft Philosophy w/ Bootleg Football
Jon Ledyard
Edge rush breakdown analyst
Audibles and Analytics
Episode: Ranking the BEST Edge Rusher Draft Prospects w/ Jon Ledyard
JJ Zachariason
The late-round QB, fantasy analyst
Late Round Fantasy Football Podcast
Episode: 2026 NFL Draft RB Rankings + Fantasy Breakdown with JJ Zachariason
Greg Cosell
Executive NFL analyst, expert on QB evaluation
NFL Films / Media analyst
Episode: 2026 NFL Draft QB Rankings w/ Greg Cosell + 3-Round Jets Mock Draft!
Mel Kiper
Hall of Fame draft analyst, ESPN analyst
ESPN
Episode: Mock Draft Monday: Mel Kiper vs. Daniel Jeremiah
Daniel Jeremiah
NFL analyst, former scout and coach
NFL Network
Episode: Mock Draft Monday: Mel Kiper vs. Daniel Jeremiah
Marcus Whitman
That Franchise Guy, mock-draft content creator
That Franchise Guy / YouTube
Episode: Mock Draft: Post-Free Agency Edition w/ Marcus Whitman (That Franchise Guy)

Hosts

Steve Palazzolo
Host of Check the Mic w/ Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson; co-host of the show with a long-running presence in NFL analysis.
Sam Monson
Co-host of Check the Mic; longtime NFL analyst with deep dive capacity and strong drafting/dissection insight.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Takes itself WAY too seriously

    A lot of good info here but it’s just football and when Monson started shouting “THEY’RE ALL 3 YEAR DEALS” in regards to free agent contracts in general and Diego Pavia’s specifically, I checked out. Give it a rest, pal.

    And of course there’s the inane and ludicrous talk about “war rooms” and “when the bullets start flying.” In case the podcasters forgot, there’s actual bullets flying in real wars and people getting killed in real life.

    It’s a game, guys. Enjoy it and talk about it but do it w... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Yankee Doodle 30
    United States2 months ago
  • The hate CJ Stroud show

    It is getting to be all you can hear is the CJ sucks but Bryce is awesome! Wow hypocrisy anyone?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Another SEC podcast
    United States2 months ago
  • Good work

    Never boring and always give me something to listen I was amazed in how much I learned on the rookies this year just keep talking and they never curse

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Dantevius Micilroe the 3rd
    United States3 months ago
  • GREAT!

    These guys know football. They are blunt and don't add any fluff which makes this an easy listen.

    Audible
    5
    Just Another Dude
    United States3 months ago
  • Done

    The actual podcast is fine, but having your listening interrupted by prolife commercials means I won’t be listening or subscribing anymore. The market is far too flooded with football minded podcasts for me to waste my time supporting something I vehemently disagree with.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    bumbuddha
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Sound quality has been critiqued in at least one episode.
Draft coverage and rookie insights are frequently appreciated.
Chemistry and banter between hosts is a highlight; some perceive bias.
Listeners praise deep, detailed NFL analysis and honesty.
Some dislike political ads and long episodes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#239
United States/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#26
United Kingdom/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#149
Canada/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#35
France/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#68
Germany/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#92
Italy/Sports/Football

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ranking the BEST Edge Rusher Draft Prospects w/ Jon Ledyard
Q: What about Arvell Reese, is he more of a linebacker or edge rusher at the NFL level?
He is exceptionally talented with linebacker traits, but his edge potential exists if he transitions. The challenge is finding a role where he can use his physical tools to rush the passer while not compromising his strengths at linebacker.
NFL Conference Championships Preview & Picks
Q: Which team is favored to win and cover the spread?
New England is favored by four and a half points against Denver, but opinions are mixed on who will cover the spread.
NFL Wild Card Round Preview & Picks
Q: How does the addition of DK Metcalf impact the Steelers' offense?
His presence elevates the entire offense, creating opportunities for deep, explosive plays, which may help them in a crucial playoff matchup.
NFL Wild Card Round Preview & Picks
Q: Are we seeing any additional coach firings?
No major firings within the last 24 hours, aside from Todd Bowles being confirmed back with the Bucs.
Top 5 NFL Defenses w/ Cody Alexander
Q: What do you think accounts for the defensive resurgence this season?
Cody discusses the increase in blitz rates and innovative defensive strategies that force offenses to adapt quickly.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Check the Mic

What is Check the Mic about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two NFL-focused hosts share data-driven breakdowns of teams, schedules, and player development, blending analytics with candid takes and banter. Episodes frequently explore coaching changes, quarterback health, and roster construction, often linking schedule dynamics and rest disparity to team outcomes. A notable strength is their willingness to challenge conventional wisdom with both statistical framing and accessible storytelling, plus regular interviews with former players and personnel when available. The show consistently covers game previews, team-building decisions, and draft-related topics, making it especially valuable for listeners who want thoughtful, numbers-informed perspectives alongside entertaining host dynamics.

Where can I find podcast stats for Check the Mic?

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How many listeners does Check the Mic get?

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What are the audience demographics for Check the Mic?

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How many subscribers and views does Check the Mic have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Check the Mic has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

How many episodes of Check the Mic are there?

Check the Mic launched 2 years ago and published 309 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Check the Mic?

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What guests have appeared on Check the Mic?

Recent guests on Check the Mic include:

1. Nate Tice
2. Brett Kollmann
3. EJ Snyder
4. Jon Ledyard
5. JJ Zachariason
6. Greg Cosell
7. Mel Kiper
8. Daniel Jeremiah

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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