Robert Mays
@robertmays.bsky.social
Host of The Athletic Football Show. Formerly of Grantland and The Ringer.
On today's Athletic Football Show, @natetice.bsky.social joined me to highlight 10 characters who've quietly shaped the 2025 NFL season.
Innovative coaches. Players representing larger ideas.
And Jackson Hawes. A lot of Jackson Hawes.
A fun time, if you can believe it.
Full show: pod.fo/e/34c682
Innovative coaches. Players representing larger ideas.
And Jackson Hawes. A lot of Jackson Hawes.
A fun time, if you can believe it.
Full show: pod.fo/e/34c682
November 6, 2025 at 3:45 PM
On today's Athletic Football Show, @natetice.bsky.social joined me to highlight 10 characters who've quietly shaped the 2025 NFL season.
Innovative coaches. Players representing larger ideas.
And Jackson Hawes. A lot of Jackson Hawes.
A fun time, if you can believe it.
Full show: pod.fo/e/34c682
Innovative coaches. Players representing larger ideas.
And Jackson Hawes. A lot of Jackson Hawes.
A fun time, if you can believe it.
Full show: pod.fo/e/34c682
I have listened to this song about 10,000 times in the past week.
You could use it to power your car.
You could use it to power your car.
November 1, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I have listened to this song about 10,000 times in the past week.
You could use it to power your car.
You could use it to power your car.
Today's Hangover was more ... existential than normal.
Rumination on the first 24 starts of Caleb Williams' career, the Texans attempts to figure it out on offense, and how much the Rattler-Shough decision really matters for the Saints.
Full show: pod.fo/e/345a2a
Rumination on the first 24 starts of Caleb Williams' career, the Texans attempts to figure it out on offense, and how much the Rattler-Shough decision really matters for the Saints.
Full show: pod.fo/e/345a2a
October 28, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Today's Hangover was more ... existential than normal.
Rumination on the first 24 starts of Caleb Williams' career, the Texans attempts to figure it out on offense, and how much the Rattler-Shough decision really matters for the Saints.
Full show: pod.fo/e/345a2a
Rumination on the first 24 starts of Caleb Williams' career, the Texans attempts to figure it out on offense, and how much the Rattler-Shough decision really matters for the Saints.
Full show: pod.fo/e/345a2a
Today...we go to the movies.
September 26, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Today...we go to the movies.
Oh, hello.
(The upside to my having no awareness of the NFL schedule in a given week is that every Monday is a fun surprise.)
(The upside to my having no awareness of the NFL schedule in a given week is that every Monday is a fun surprise.)
September 15, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Oh, hello.
(The upside to my having no awareness of the NFL schedule in a given week is that every Monday is a fun surprise.)
(The upside to my having no awareness of the NFL schedule in a given week is that every Monday is a fun surprise.)
A week into the season, the Chiefs are a home dog for the first time in years, with an offense that's already straining.
We dove into Eagles-Chiefs and the other great matchups from the weekend on the Athletic Football Show's Week 2 preview.
Full show: pod.fo/e/3295a6
We dove into Eagles-Chiefs and the other great matchups from the weekend on the Athletic Football Show's Week 2 preview.
Full show: pod.fo/e/3295a6
September 12, 2025 at 6:19 PM
A week into the season, the Chiefs are a home dog for the first time in years, with an offense that's already straining.
We dove into Eagles-Chiefs and the other great matchups from the weekend on the Athletic Football Show's Week 2 preview.
Full show: pod.fo/e/3295a6
We dove into Eagles-Chiefs and the other great matchups from the weekend on the Athletic Football Show's Week 2 preview.
Full show: pod.fo/e/3295a6
On today's Athletic Football Show, @danpizzuta.bsky.social joined me to run through our first impressions of some new units and faces from around the NFL.
That includes Cam Ward. Who I will be watching every week, just to feel alive.
Full show: pod.fo/e/328a87
That includes Cam Ward. Who I will be watching every week, just to feel alive.
Full show: pod.fo/e/328a87
September 11, 2025 at 5:54 PM
On today's Athletic Football Show, @danpizzuta.bsky.social joined me to run through our first impressions of some new units and faces from around the NFL.
That includes Cam Ward. Who I will be watching every week, just to feel alive.
Full show: pod.fo/e/328a87
That includes Cam Ward. Who I will be watching every week, just to feel alive.
Full show: pod.fo/e/328a87
This season, we'll also be moving our flagship shows IN PERSON for the first time ever — coming to you guys from our new Athletic Football Show studio in Chicago.
Podcasts are better in person. And we're so excited to bring a new look and feel to our shows all year.
Podcasts are better in person. And we're so excited to bring a new look and feel to our shows all year.
September 4, 2025 at 1:14 PM
This season, we'll also be moving our flagship shows IN PERSON for the first time ever — coming to you guys from our new Athletic Football Show studio in Chicago.
Podcasts are better in person. And we're so excited to bring a new look and feel to our shows all year.
Podcasts are better in person. And we're so excited to bring a new look and feel to our shows all year.
It's season 6 of The Athletic Football Show, and this year is going to look and feel different than ever before.
@davehelman.bsky.social is officially joining @qbklass.bsky.social and I for our weekly recap and preview shows, along with hosting Building The Beast w/ Dane Brugler every Wednesday.
@davehelman.bsky.social is officially joining @qbklass.bsky.social and I for our weekly recap and preview shows, along with hosting Building The Beast w/ Dane Brugler every Wednesday.
September 4, 2025 at 1:14 PM
It's season 6 of The Athletic Football Show, and this year is going to look and feel different than ever before.
@davehelman.bsky.social is officially joining @qbklass.bsky.social and I for our weekly recap and preview shows, along with hosting Building The Beast w/ Dane Brugler every Wednesday.
@davehelman.bsky.social is officially joining @qbklass.bsky.social and I for our weekly recap and preview shows, along with hosting Building The Beast w/ Dane Brugler every Wednesday.
Enjoying a lazy Sunday?
There are full previews for every division in the NFL waiting in The Athletic Football Show feed (or YouTube channel).
Your ideal grilling-yardwork-lay around the house companion for a long weekend.
youtube.com/@TAFootballS...
There are full previews for every division in the NFL waiting in The Athletic Football Show feed (or YouTube channel).
Your ideal grilling-yardwork-lay around the house companion for a long weekend.
youtube.com/@TAFootballS...
August 31, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Enjoying a lazy Sunday?
There are full previews for every division in the NFL waiting in The Athletic Football Show feed (or YouTube channel).
Your ideal grilling-yardwork-lay around the house companion for a long weekend.
youtube.com/@TAFootballS...
There are full previews for every division in the NFL waiting in The Athletic Football Show feed (or YouTube channel).
Your ideal grilling-yardwork-lay around the house companion for a long weekend.
youtube.com/@TAFootballS...
Trying to burn a couple hours before Texas-Ohio St?
There are full previews for every division in the NFL waiting in The Athletic Football Show feed (or YouTube channel).
Your ideal grilling-yardwork-lay around the house companion for a long weekend.
youtube.com/@TAFootballS...
There are full previews for every division in the NFL waiting in The Athletic Football Show feed (or YouTube channel).
Your ideal grilling-yardwork-lay around the house companion for a long weekend.
youtube.com/@TAFootballS...
August 30, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Trying to burn a couple hours before Texas-Ohio St?
There are full previews for every division in the NFL waiting in The Athletic Football Show feed (or YouTube channel).
Your ideal grilling-yardwork-lay around the house companion for a long weekend.
youtube.com/@TAFootballS...
There are full previews for every division in the NFL waiting in The Athletic Football Show feed (or YouTube channel).
Your ideal grilling-yardwork-lay around the house companion for a long weekend.
youtube.com/@TAFootballS...
We made it.
Our final division preview on The Athletic Football Show.
Today, it's the AFC North.
Is it finally the Ravens year? Can Aaron Rodgers turn back the clock? Can the Bengals defense be *anything.* And...the Browns.
Full show: pod.fo/e/320a33
Our final division preview on The Athletic Football Show.
Today, it's the AFC North.
Is it finally the Ravens year? Can Aaron Rodgers turn back the clock? Can the Bengals defense be *anything.* And...the Browns.
Full show: pod.fo/e/320a33
August 29, 2025 at 12:27 PM
We made it.
Our final division preview on The Athletic Football Show.
Today, it's the AFC North.
Is it finally the Ravens year? Can Aaron Rodgers turn back the clock? Can the Bengals defense be *anything.* And...the Browns.
Full show: pod.fo/e/320a33
Our final division preview on The Athletic Football Show.
Today, it's the AFC North.
Is it finally the Ravens year? Can Aaron Rodgers turn back the clock? Can the Bengals defense be *anything.* And...the Browns.
Full show: pod.fo/e/320a33
Don't know if it's the best division, but it might be the most compelling.
AZ's playoff push. Stafford's last ride? The Niners trying to bounce back. Seattle's gamble on a new offense.
It's the Athletic Football Show's NFC West preview.
Full show: pod.fo/e/31f8b0
AZ's playoff push. Stafford's last ride? The Niners trying to bounce back. Seattle's gamble on a new offense.
It's the Athletic Football Show's NFC West preview.
Full show: pod.fo/e/31f8b0
August 28, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Don't know if it's the best division, but it might be the most compelling.
AZ's playoff push. Stafford's last ride? The Niners trying to bounce back. Seattle's gamble on a new offense.
It's the Athletic Football Show's NFC West preview.
Full show: pod.fo/e/31f8b0
AZ's playoff push. Stafford's last ride? The Niners trying to bounce back. Seattle's gamble on a new offense.
It's the Athletic Football Show's NFC West preview.
Full show: pod.fo/e/31f8b0
The NFC North preview kinda feels like the Athletic Football Show's unofficial birthday.
First show we ever did. And still one of my favorites every year.
@qbklass.bsky.social and @davehelman.bsky.social join me for deep dive into the division of my youth.
Full show: pod.fo/e/31da55
First show we ever did. And still one of my favorites every year.
@qbklass.bsky.social and @davehelman.bsky.social join me for deep dive into the division of my youth.
Full show: pod.fo/e/31da55
August 26, 2025 at 5:58 PM
The NFC North preview kinda feels like the Athletic Football Show's unofficial birthday.
First show we ever did. And still one of my favorites every year.
@qbklass.bsky.social and @davehelman.bsky.social join me for deep dive into the division of my youth.
Full show: pod.fo/e/31da55
First show we ever did. And still one of my favorites every year.
@qbklass.bsky.social and @davehelman.bsky.social join me for deep dive into the division of my youth.
Full show: pod.fo/e/31da55
Today, it's the AFC South preview on The Athletic Football Show.
@qbklass.bsky.social joins me for a deep dive into a division with tons of questions.
Full show: pod.fo/e/31c96d
@qbklass.bsky.social joins me for a deep dive into a division with tons of questions.
Full show: pod.fo/e/31c96d
August 25, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Today, it's the AFC South preview on The Athletic Football Show.
@qbklass.bsky.social joins me for a deep dive into a division with tons of questions.
Full show: pod.fo/e/31c96d
@qbklass.bsky.social joins me for a deep dive into a division with tons of questions.
Full show: pod.fo/e/31c96d
The annual graffiti and mural competition in Chicago happened on what is essentially our street this weekend. The results were extremely cool.
August 25, 2025 at 1:45 PM
The annual graffiti and mural competition in Chicago happened on what is essentially our street this weekend. The results were extremely cool.
In case you missed it, yesterday was our final training camp notebook of the summer.
Great conversations with:
@aleclewis.bsky.social (Vikings)
@jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social (Rams)
@chadgraff.bsky.social (Patriots)
@nickkosmider.bsky.social (Broncos)
Full show: pod.fo/e/31b1fe
Great conversations with:
@aleclewis.bsky.social (Vikings)
@jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social (Rams)
@chadgraff.bsky.social (Patriots)
@nickkosmider.bsky.social (Broncos)
Full show: pod.fo/e/31b1fe
August 25, 2025 at 1:12 AM
In case you missed it, yesterday was our final training camp notebook of the summer.
Great conversations with:
@aleclewis.bsky.social (Vikings)
@jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social (Rams)
@chadgraff.bsky.social (Patriots)
@nickkosmider.bsky.social (Broncos)
Full show: pod.fo/e/31b1fe
Great conversations with:
@aleclewis.bsky.social (Vikings)
@jourdanrodrigue.bsky.social (Rams)
@chadgraff.bsky.social (Patriots)
@nickkosmider.bsky.social (Broncos)
Full show: pod.fo/e/31b1fe
Our NFC South preview on the Athletic Football Show, with me,
@qbklass.bsky.social , and @davehelman.bsky.social is LIVE.
If you've missed any of the other previews this week, we've already dropped deep-dive episodes on the NFC East and AFC East.
NFC South: pod.fo/e/31a351
@qbklass.bsky.social , and @davehelman.bsky.social is LIVE.
If you've missed any of the other previews this week, we've already dropped deep-dive episodes on the NFC East and AFC East.
NFC South: pod.fo/e/31a351
August 22, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Our NFC South preview on the Athletic Football Show, with me,
@qbklass.bsky.social , and @davehelman.bsky.social is LIVE.
If you've missed any of the other previews this week, we've already dropped deep-dive episodes on the NFC East and AFC East.
NFC South: pod.fo/e/31a351
@qbklass.bsky.social , and @davehelman.bsky.social is LIVE.
If you've missed any of the other previews this week, we've already dropped deep-dive episodes on the NFC East and AFC East.
NFC South: pod.fo/e/31a351
On today's Athletic Football Show, it's our next beat writer notebook:
@kfishbain.bsky.social on the Bears
@tashanreed.bsky.social on the Raiders
@mattbarrows.bsky.social on the Niners
New regimes in Chicago and Vegas, new blood on the SF defense. Great show.
Full ep: pod.fo/e/3157d6
@kfishbain.bsky.social on the Bears
@tashanreed.bsky.social on the Raiders
@mattbarrows.bsky.social on the Niners
New regimes in Chicago and Vegas, new blood on the SF defense. Great show.
Full ep: pod.fo/e/3157d6
August 17, 2025 at 1:32 PM
On today's Athletic Football Show, it's our next beat writer notebook:
@kfishbain.bsky.social on the Bears
@tashanreed.bsky.social on the Raiders
@mattbarrows.bsky.social on the Niners
New regimes in Chicago and Vegas, new blood on the SF defense. Great show.
Full ep: pod.fo/e/3157d6
@kfishbain.bsky.social on the Bears
@tashanreed.bsky.social on the Raiders
@mattbarrows.bsky.social on the Niners
New regimes in Chicago and Vegas, new blood on the SF defense. Great show.
Full ep: pod.fo/e/3157d6
On today's Athletic Football Show, it's another edition of our beat writer notebooks from training camp:
@pauldehnerjr.bsky.social on the Bengals
@romeovillekid.bsky.social on the Colts
@mattschneidman.bsky.social on the Packers
Full show: pod.fo/e/314e22
@pauldehnerjr.bsky.social on the Bengals
@romeovillekid.bsky.social on the Colts
@mattschneidman.bsky.social on the Packers
Full show: pod.fo/e/314e22
August 16, 2025 at 3:16 PM
On today's Athletic Football Show, it's another edition of our beat writer notebooks from training camp:
@pauldehnerjr.bsky.social on the Bengals
@romeovillekid.bsky.social on the Colts
@mattschneidman.bsky.social on the Packers
Full show: pod.fo/e/314e22
@pauldehnerjr.bsky.social on the Bengals
@romeovillekid.bsky.social on the Colts
@mattschneidman.bsky.social on the Packers
Full show: pod.fo/e/314e22
Super fun Athletic Football Show today.
@qbklass.bsky.social and @davehelman.bsky.social joined me for what we're calling "A Seat at the Table."
We picked the 10 real Super Bowl contenders, with plans to revisit and update the list all season.
Full show: pod.fo/e/3121bb
@qbklass.bsky.social and @davehelman.bsky.social joined me for what we're calling "A Seat at the Table."
We picked the 10 real Super Bowl contenders, with plans to revisit and update the list all season.
Full show: pod.fo/e/3121bb
August 13, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Super fun Athletic Football Show today.
@qbklass.bsky.social and @davehelman.bsky.social joined me for what we're calling "A Seat at the Table."
We picked the 10 real Super Bowl contenders, with plans to revisit and update the list all season.
Full show: pod.fo/e/3121bb
@qbklass.bsky.social and @davehelman.bsky.social joined me for what we're calling "A Seat at the Table."
We picked the 10 real Super Bowl contenders, with plans to revisit and update the list all season.
Full show: pod.fo/e/3121bb
ICYMI: On yesterday's Athletic Football Show, we kept our beat writer notebooks rolling with check-ins from:
@zacjacksonwrites.bsky.social (Browns)
@josephperson.bsky.social (Panthers)
@nickijhabvala.bsky.social (Commanders)
Plus, a quick reaction to Shedeur's debut.
Full show: pod.fo/e/30faa4
@zacjacksonwrites.bsky.social (Browns)
@josephperson.bsky.social (Panthers)
@nickijhabvala.bsky.social (Commanders)
Plus, a quick reaction to Shedeur's debut.
Full show: pod.fo/e/30faa4
August 11, 2025 at 12:54 PM
ICYMI: On yesterday's Athletic Football Show, we kept our beat writer notebooks rolling with check-ins from:
@zacjacksonwrites.bsky.social (Browns)
@josephperson.bsky.social (Panthers)
@nickijhabvala.bsky.social (Commanders)
Plus, a quick reaction to Shedeur's debut.
Full show: pod.fo/e/30faa4
@zacjacksonwrites.bsky.social (Browns)
@josephperson.bsky.social (Panthers)
@nickijhabvala.bsky.social (Commanders)
Plus, a quick reaction to Shedeur's debut.
Full show: pod.fo/e/30faa4
On today's Athletic Football Show, it's our latest Training Camp notebook with beat writers @mikedefabo.bsky.social and @joebuscaglia.bsky.social.
Tons of talk about pass catcher usage, key position battles, and new schematic wrinkles we may see in Pittsburgh and Buffalo.
Show: pod.fo/e/30dfec
Tons of talk about pass catcher usage, key position battles, and new schematic wrinkles we may see in Pittsburgh and Buffalo.
Show: pod.fo/e/30dfec
August 9, 2025 at 2:55 PM
On today's Athletic Football Show, it's our latest Training Camp notebook with beat writers @mikedefabo.bsky.social and @joebuscaglia.bsky.social.
Tons of talk about pass catcher usage, key position battles, and new schematic wrinkles we may see in Pittsburgh and Buffalo.
Show: pod.fo/e/30dfec
Tons of talk about pass catcher usage, key position battles, and new schematic wrinkles we may see in Pittsburgh and Buffalo.
Show: pod.fo/e/30dfec
Today’s stop w/the Texans made 18 camps in 18 days.
One of the cooler stretches of my time covering the NFL. Just great football conversations all day, every day. The goal of all this is to bring useful context to TAFS, and this year’s trip has accomplished that more than ever.
One of the cooler stretches of my time covering the NFL. Just great football conversations all day, every day. The goal of all this is to bring useful context to TAFS, and this year’s trip has accomplished that more than ever.
August 8, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Today’s stop w/the Texans made 18 camps in 18 days.
One of the cooler stretches of my time covering the NFL. Just great football conversations all day, every day. The goal of all this is to bring useful context to TAFS, and this year’s trip has accomplished that more than ever.
One of the cooler stretches of my time covering the NFL. Just great football conversations all day, every day. The goal of all this is to bring useful context to TAFS, and this year’s trip has accomplished that more than ever.