Rephonic
Artwork for The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

The Athletic
NFL
NFL Draft
Buffalo Bills
Seattle Seahawks
Baltimore Ravens
Tennessee Titans
Philadelphia Eagles
Green Bay Packers
Dallas Cowboys
Cincinnati Bengals
Kansas City Chiefs
Denver Broncos
New England Patriots
Los Angeles Rams
Washington Commanders
Pittsburgh Steelers
New York Giants
Minnesota Vikings
Super Bowl
Chicago Bears

The Athletic’s flagship NFL podcast covers the league like only The Athletic can. Host Robert Mays and co-hosts Derrik Klassen and Dave Helman dive into the biggest stories, break down the Xs and Os, and tackle the ins and outs of roster building. They meticulously 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 N... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1364Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsFootball

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL

Latest Episodes

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 a... more

icture 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 yo... more

YouTube

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'... more

YouTube

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 jo... more

Key Facts

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

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Fran Duffy
Fran Duffy from AllCity Network, guest on this episode
AllCITY Network
Episode: Now that you've slept on it...NFL Draft takeaways
EJ Snyder
Guest, Bootleg Football Podcast host
Bootleg Football Podcast
Episode: Which Fringe Prospects Will SNEAK Into the First Round?
Brett Kollmann
Guest, Bootleg Football Podcast co-host
Bootleg Football Podcast
Episode: Which Fringe Prospects Will SNEAK Into the First Round?
Derrik Klassen
Contributor/analyst joining the show for this episode
The Athletic
Episode: Why we're planting our flags for these day 2 & 3 prospects
Bryan Broaddus
Longtime NFL personnel evaluator and analyst
Crown Global Media / Cowboys radio
Episode: The Beast is Built! Hidden gems in the 2026 NFL Draft class
Lance Zierlein
NFL Media and nfl.com analyst
NFL Media / nfl.com
Episode: On the Clock: Why picks 13-18 are a run on pass-catchers, and the guys who try to stop them
Trevor Sikkema
Draft analyst, NFL Stock Exchange and PFF
NFL Stock Exchange, PFF
Episode: On the Clock, 2026 NFL Draft picks one through six: Certainty at the very top, and then...
Dave Helman
Draft analyst, Building the Beast
Building the Beast
Episode: An Idiot's GUIDE to the 2026 NFL Draft
Dane Brugler
NFL draft expert
The Athletic
Episode: How much better—or worse—is each NFC team after the first wave of free agency?

Hosts

Robert Mays
Host of The Athletic Football Show, known for insightful analysis and engaging discussions about the NFL.
Derrik Klassen
Co-host known for his analytical approach and insightful perspectives on football.
Dave Helman
Co-host providing commentary and insights on NFL topics with a fresh perspective.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 7.4k ratings
  • Best NFL football show bar none

    This is the best football podcast with the best host and best contributors. Period.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IsamuM
    Japan11 days ago
  • Hall of Pretty Good Podcast

    They have their blind spots and unwillingness to go to certain places but they’re good. Although inevitably every season they’ll start talking up Packers, Ravens, and Justin Herbert + Trevor Lawrence specifically. When that happens as I listen I make rather crude and insulting hand gestures as is required when glazing occurs. They fundamentally think about a certain segment of QBs very differently from me and I can’t bring myself to get their view point.

    Edit: They’re also currently doing a pr... more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Shugo_shin
    United States14 days ago
  • Smart knowledgeable analysis.

    These guys have ruined sports reporters for me. After their intelligent analysis I can’t listen to local sportswriters asking inane questions at press conferences and making analysis fitting for a second grader.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Eyeman 52
    United States15 days ago
  • The best

    Simply the best podcast on football. Organized and intelligent. Doesn’t get bogged down in stupidity. Doesn’t have dead air

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mellison76
    United Statesa month ago
  • Great show! But…

    Frustrating that Bryan would pose a question to y’all then talk over you while you’re attempting to answer, like he was totally dismissive as to what you guys had to say.. love y’all but glad that Bryan guy isn’t a repeat guest, he needs to talk less.. Great job on the Beast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Buc fan in Charlotte
    United Statesa month ago

Listeners Say

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

There are mixed reviews regarding some hosting styles and ad frequency, with some wishing for less interruptions during discussions.
Overall, the show is regarded as a top-tier source of NFL content, particularly for fans who enjoy thoughtful commentary and expert opinions.
Listeners appreciate the insightful breakdowns and in-depth analysis of NFL strategies and team dynamics.

Chart Rankings

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

Spotify
#33
United States/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#8
United States/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#27
United States/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#2
United Kingdom/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#3
Canada/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#51
Canada/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Are we wrong about running back value?
Q: Has the running game changed enough for us to value running backs in such a way that you can draft a running back forth overall and feel good about it, especially in a draft like this?
They discuss how offenses and defenses have evolved, making backfield production more dependent on surrounding infrastructure (OL, play-action, scheme) and on the back's ability to create explosive plays. The consensus is that while it can be viable in certain cases, it's highly draft-specific and requires a back who can contribute in the passing game and adapt to current NFL realities.
Are we wrong about running back value?
Q: Is this true? Like do we feel like you can get running backs later on based on the numbers and based on history to the point that you shouldn't draft one in the top five?
They argue that while there are historical examples of late-round or later picks turning into solid backs, the modern game still presents a mix of scarcity and value in the top half of the first round, especially if the player brings elite explosiveness and passing-game impact. The conversation emphasizes that there isn't a simple, one-size-fits-all rule, and context like cap dynamics and offensive infrastructure matters when deciding if a top-five back is worth the risk.
Which offensive lineman has the highest ceiling in the 2026 NFL Draft class?
Q: Who is the number one offensive tackle in the 2026 draft based on the panel's view?
Dane Brugler names Spencer Fano as OT1 due to movement skills and potential trajectory, while Brandon Thorn emphasizes that the top spot is debatable and heavily dependent on how teams value the versatility and scheme fit of multiple top prospects.
On the Clock, picks 19-25: How many offensive linemen will be taken in the first round?
Q: Mike, how you doing, man?
Renner replies that he's fantastic and confirms he's ready to break down picks 19 through 25, setting the stage for the on-the-clock exercise.
Mailbag Monday: How many true #1 pass rushers are there in the NFL?
Q: Is there a clear line of demarcation for true number one pass rushers, and who would be on that list?
There appears to be a working boundary with around ten players who fit a true number-one edge rusher profile, with a market tier starting around $30 million annually, though opinions vary on whether some players belong in that top tier.

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 This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A comprehensive exploration of the NFL, this show provides listeners with in-depth analysis of league stories, roster dynamics, and the intricate nuances of the game. Expect a focus on key topics such as trades, draft evaluations, and player performances, often featuring contributions from experts and insiders who provide valuable perspectives. The conversational format among the hosts adds an engaging layer to the content, promising not just information but also entertainment for football enthusiasts. Whether covering game strategies, offseason developments, or player narratives, it captures the essence of what drives the love of football, making it a must-listen for dedicated fans.

Where can I find podcast stats for this podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to this podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does this podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for this podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for this podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for this podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does this podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers this podcast 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.

Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Ringer NFL Show
2. Football 301 with Nate Tice
3. The Bill Barnwell Show
4. The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny
5. NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 1364 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 this podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for this podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for this podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for this podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of this podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Fran Duffy
2. EJ Snyder
3. Brett Kollmann
4. Derrik Klassen
5. Bryan Broaddus
6. Lance Zierlein
7. Trevor Sikkema
8. Dave Helman

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days