The Athletic Football Show: 2025 AFC South Preview

Date: August 25, 2025
Host: Robert Mays
Co-Host: Derek (Derrik) Klassen
Absent: Dave Helman

Episode Overview

In this detailed AFC South preview, Robert Mays and Derek Klassen break down each team’s offseason moves, key roster swings, coaching changes, and the critical questions heading into 2025. Drawing on firsthand training camp observations and data-driven insights, the hosts dig into the Texans’ star-studded defense, the Colts’ quarterback controversy, the Jags’ offensive transformation, and the Titans’ hopes for rookie QB Cam Ward. The conversation is equal parts analytical, candid, and full of genuine football geekery.

Houston Texans

Offseason Recap (03:42)

• Hired Rams pass game coordinator Nick Kaylee as OC.
• Extended Derek Stingley & Jalen Pitre.
• Traded for Christian Kirk, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and Ed Ingram.
• Key losses: Traded Laremy Tunsil (to WAS), lost Stefon Diggs (to NE).
• Drafted WR Jaden Higgins (2nd), WR Jalen Noel (3rd), and more.
• Swapping out most of the OL, added Nick Chubb at RB.

What Excites Us (04:44)

• Derrik Klassen:
  “The defense might be the best in the league... Two Ferraris off the edge... best one-two punch... Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. both top-8 in pressure rate.”
  — (04:44)

• Robert Mays:
  “When I saw Will Anderson on the practice field for the Texans, I was like, that guy looks different... we could see better versions of those two guys [Hunter & Anderson] this year than last.”
  — (05:33)

• Young, hard-hitting secondary led by Stingley, Kamari Lassiter, and Pitre.

Season Swing Points (13:53)

• Derrik: "Do any of these pass catchers…give them something? Nico Collins [is] a top-seven receiver... But, two day-two rookies, Christian Kirk coming off injury. If those don’t hit, that’s a problem."
  — (14:09)

• Robert: “Can this team run the ball? ...this almost feels like, based on the fact that we’re likely going to see five new starters [OL], plus we’re removing Joe Mixon…truly a test of how much the construction of the run game matters.”
  — (17:26)

Key Concerns / What Keeps Us Up at Night

Offensive Line & Run Game:

• "Five new starters at all these spots... These are not: ‘premium, this will solve the problem,’ types of players."
  — Derek (20:27)
• The OL changes and RB downgrade (Chubb replacing Mixon) compound the run-game concern.

CJ Stroud’s Regression:

• “Does what happened last year linger with CJ Stroud?... The pocket movement, navigation, comfort... really started to deteriorate. I hope better circumstances erase that, but that anxiety lingers."
  — Robert (24:02)

Defensive Depth (esp. in the middle):

• Concern about safety and LB coverage depth, especially after C.J. Gardner-Johnson injury.

What to Watch First Month (28:19)

• Derrik: CJ Stroud finally being handed full autonomy at the line: “He does seem like a guy who the give-a-shit factor is insanely high. Those are the guys I want to hand the keys to the car to.”
  — (28:19)
• Robert: How Nick Kaylee blends NE pre-snap complexity with LA progression-based designs in the new offense. Also, how much autonomy is actually given to Stroud.​
  — (29:21, 30:41)

Success Looks Like... (31:55)

• "Win the division more convincingly…defense maintains its level and the offense looks functional again." — Derek (31:55)
• "Win the AFC South and just steady the ship on offense. Is the structure/plan right? Are we setting ourselves up for the next couple years?" — Robert (32:04)

Indianapolis Colts

Offseason Recap (36:26)

• Hired Lou Anarumo (DC), Chris Hewitt (pass game), signed Cam Bynum at S, Charvarius Ward at CB, Daniel Jones at QB (1 yr, $14M).
• Lost Will Fries, Dio Odeyingbo, Ryan Kelly (all to NFC North).
• Drafted TE Tyler Warren (1st), DE J.T. Tuimoloau (2nd), CB Justin Walley (3rd, now out for season).

The Swing Point: The Daniel Jones Decision (37:40)

• Derrik: "Starting Daniel Jones over Richardson feels like rolling over to die… But maybe it’s less volatile for a staff trying to save their jobs."
  — (37:40)

• Robert: "They just wanted something consistent, even if underwhelming. I think the Daniel Jones line is a flat line; the Richardson line would be a sign graph. And they didn’t want that anymore."
  — (38:33)

• On Richardson: "I just don’t think…the operational elements have come along…combined with issues about buy in, work habits, and plays like that missed hot in preseason. For a coaching staff out of time, it's just too risky." — Robert (39:12)

Reasons for Hope: Defense and Pass Catchers (44:44)

• Lou Anarumo may maximize a "pretty good" and deep defensive front (Buckner, Grover Stewart, Latu Latu, Zaire Franklin).

• Cam Bynum is the perfect fit for safety problem-solving in this scheme.

• Exciting pass catcher room: Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce, Josh Downs (“would be a Pro Bowl player with the 18th best QB play”), AD Mitchell, and 1st-round TE Tyler Warren.

  • “His best 10 plays in a season look as good as anybody…” — Derek on AD Mitchell (50:27)

Key Concerns

• OL Down the Middle: Center/right guard turnover after losing Kelly & Fries; can the Colts’ OL development track record hold up?
  — (52:00, 52:50 Robert)
• Existential Vibes: "No matter how this goes, it’s already over. This is a self-preservation year. With new ownership, I'm not sure any of this regime survives." — Robert (54:19)
• WR/TE Consistency & Depth, Injuries (CB Justin Walley).

What to Watch First Month (56:32)

• Evolution of Shane Steichen without a dynamic/dangerous QB and new x-factor (Tyler Warren):
  • "Play-caller who doesn’t have to show you how smart he is...but he’ll now have to push creative levers."
    — Robert (57:14)
• How the CB2 spot shakes out after Walley’s injury
• Can Daniel Jones keep the offense functional and maximize new pass catchers?

Success Looks Like... (60:59)

• "Can you picture it? If they make the playoffs, and we all agree they're truly a QB away, if skill groups and defense click and Steichen is clearly a plus play-caller—then maybe you justify keeping the regime, even with no long-term QB. But the path is extremely narrow." — Robert, paraphrased (61:06)

Jacksonville Jaguars

Offseason Recap (63:14)

• New GM James Gladstone (from Rams), Liam Coen (HC), Grant Udinski (OC), Anthony Campanile (DC), Shane Waldron (pass-game).
• Signed: Patrick Mekari, Jordan Lewis, Robert Hainsey, Eric Murray, Diami Brown.
• Traded Christian Kirk (to HOU), lost Evan Engram / Andre Cisco.
• Traded up for Travis Hunter (2nd overall), also drafted OG Wyatt Milum, RB Bashal Tutin.

What Excites Us (64:36)

• Derrik: "I’m very excited to see Trevor Lawrence in an offense that doesn’t put him in a box...just give him a proper chance to show who he is." — (64:36, 66:45)

• Robert: Transition from a “hard” offense to a “frictionless” one under Liam Coen, similar to what TB did for Baker Mayfield. Coaches working on Lawrence’s mechanics, especially footwork & accuracy.
  — (65:48, 67:31)

• Skill Players:
  “I’m really excited to watch Brian Thomas Jr. & Travis Hunter play football together. It’s a perfect marriage of skillsets—BTJ as the X, Travis Hunter in motion, in space, on schemes.”
  — Robert (71:49, 72:20)

Swing Points (74:50)

• Derrik: Secondary quality, especially how much/where Travis Hunter is deployed, plus questions about depth and injuries (Tyson Campbell).

• Both line & secondary built as "weak-link" systems—prone to issues if even one piece falters.
  — (75:56)

• Robert: Interior D-line health/quality could undermine the defense as a whole.
  — (78:52)

What Keeps Us Up at Night

• Talent gap between Tampa Bay and JAX:
  "The offensive talent (esp. OL) outside of the receivers is so much lower than what Cohen had in Tampa…You’re not going to be able to do what you did in TB last year."
  — Derek (82:03)

• Inexperience:
  "A first year GM younger than me; first-year HC, first-year OC, first-year DC...a lot of green running the show. When the inevitable adversity hits, who steadies the ship?"
  — Robert (85:28)

What to Watch First Month (89:15)

• Derrik: How the RB room develops amidst transparency about weaknesses (pass pro for Bigsby/Etienne), and explosive but raw rookie Bashal Tutin.
• Robert: "Is Liam Coen still dialed in as a play-caller, as he was for the Bucs last year?"

Success Looks Like... (91:07)

• "Can they squeak into the wild card? But more importantly, does everyone stop talking about Trevor Lawrence’s contract and just accept he’s the guy? If he fades out of the discourse, that’s a win.”
  — Robert/Derrik (91:31, 92:15)

Tennessee Titans

Offseason Recap (93:34)

• Signed Dan Moore (LT), Cody Barton (LB), Kevin Zeitler (RG), Draymond Jones (OLB), Tyler Lockett (WR), plus others.
• Traded Kenneth Murray to DAL.
• Drafted Cam Ward (QB, 1st overall), Omi Faimola Dejo (EDGE, 2nd), S Kevin Winston (3rd), WRs Chimdi Chikere & Eric Iamur (4th).

What Excites Us (96:09)

• Derrik: Denard Wilson’s creative, “Rolodex” defense:
  “It was like a bizarro funhouse mirror coverage defense…they did a good job with it. They were 17th in DVOA with maybe two definitively good defensive players.”
  — (96:09, 97:53)

• Robert: “I’m excited to see Cam Ward play in the NFL—his aggressiveness, mental acumen, spatial awareness. Combine that with what Brian Callahan wants to build, I think this offense could surprise.” — (101:28, 104:10)

• Titans focused FA on physicality & communication at LB/Edge, a direct correction to 2024’s roster holes.

Swing Points (105:59 / 108:17)

• Derrik: The DB room, especially faith in Sneed's health; Jarvis Brownlee and others have flashed but have much to prove.
• Robert: Offensive line quality: "If this is the 8th best OL, this offense could be good. If it’s 16th, that changes the calculus."
  — (108:17)

What Keeps Us Up at Night

• Derrik: “They don't have anyone who moves me as a pass rusher on third down. Arden Key can be a good third, but if he's your best edge slash pressure guy, that's a worry.”
  — (111:11)

• Robert: "The pass-catchers not named Calvin Ridley. Lockett, Van Jefferson, Day 3 rookies—a lot of hope needed." — (113:48)

What to Watch First Month (116:08)

• Derrik: Brian Callahan’s offense now “gets to look like he wants it—with a real OL, a QB like Ward, and a bit more skill and speed. Can he take this group up a tier?”
• Robert: "Can this team just not step on as many rakes? Second-worst in the league in EPA lost to turnovers and sacks."
  — (116:50)

Success Looks Like... (118:06)

• "If this franchise makes us stop thinking of them as a mess—if, by next year, we're not even worried about their floor, if there's a sense of identity on and off the field, that’s a win. Don't have to win 10 games. But they have to feel like an organization moving in step, not a punchline.”
  — Robert (118:06–119:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Will Anderson…looked like a superhero. You see them in pads, they just look like a completely different species. Aaron Donald’s like that. Miles Garrett’s like that."
  — Robert (05:33)

• “Starting Daniel Jones over Anthony Richardson is both completely irrational and offers no long-term upside.”
  — Derrik (55:44)

• “Brian Thomas Jr. is as X-Y receiver as it gets...Hunter’s feel for space, ball skills as a perfect complement. That’s beautiful.”
  — Robert (72:20)

• “He [Cam Ward] plays so much on the line...he’s going to throw picks, take bad sacks, but it’s because he’s always pushing. That’s fun.”
  — Derrik (103:06)

• "This team spent the #1 pick for a reason. If the only conversation next summer is, 'Are they building something?' not 'Are they broken?'—that's huge."
  — Robert (118:06)

Segment Time Stamps

• Texans start: (03:42)
• Texans defense deep dive: (04:44–11:45)
• Texans offense & swing points: (11:45–19:11)
• Texans roster construction anxieties: (19:11–29:21)
• Colts start: (36:26)
• Colts QB situation: (37:40–44:31)
• Colts defense / pass catchers: (44:44–52:00)
• Colts existential malaise: (54:19–57:14)
• Jags start: (63:14)
• Jags offensive transition: (64:36–73:23)
• Jags roster questions: (74:50–84:51)
• Titans start: (93:34)
• Titans defense/coaching: (96:09–101:28)
• Cam Ward offense & OL: (101:28–111:05)
• Titans DL/Edge/WR worries: (111:11–116:03)

Tone & Style

The show is analytical but engages fans with clear explanations and personal insights. There's a coach’s-eye focus on roster construction, play-caller tendencies, and young star development, but always delivered with conversational energy and a willingness to admit uncertainty or poke fun at the "vibes."

Use this summary as a comprehensive roadmap to the AFC South in 2025—whether you haven't listened to the episode or want quick reference points for each franchise's outlook, concerns, and what to watch when the season kicks off.