Podcast Summary: The Athletic Football Show — Training Camp Conversations with Vikings, Rams, Patriots, and Broncos Beat Writers

Date: August 23, 2025
Host: Robert Mays
Guests: Alec Lewis (Vikings), Jordan Rodrigue (formerly Rams), Chad Graff (Patriots), Nick Kosmider (Broncos)

Episode Overview

In this training camp notebook edition, Robert Mays wraps up his summer tour around the NFL with interviews featuring four beat writers from The Athletic (and a former beat, now national writer). The episode delivers deep-dive conversations on the latest team developments, roster moves, coaching trends, and lingering questions facing the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, and Denver Broncos as they approach the 2025 season.

Each segment is a focused, insider look at where each club stands coming out of camp, key positional battles, philosophies around roster building, and the specific obstacles and ambitions of 2025.

Minnesota Vikings: Roster Readiness & Quarterback Calculus

Guest: Alec Lewis
Timestamps: 03:33 – 35:08

Key Discussion Points

• Vikings in a New Window

  • Roster deemed ready to win, paired with unproven rookie J.J. McCarthy at QB.
  • Heavy focus on infrastructure: investments across the O-line, defensive front, and skill positions.
  • Sense this is a two-year quarterback development window.

• J.J. McCarthy’s Camp Progress

  • “My evaluation of JJ this entire camp has been pretty definitive and clear cut. There have been some ups, there have been some downs. Not crazy highs, not crazy lows.” (Alec Lewis, 05:30)
  • Importance of the talent and stability around McCarthy to help him play efficiently without excessive burden.

• Offensive Line Revamp & Run Game

  • Full overhaul of the interior OL: Ryan Kelly (C), Will Fry (RG), rookie Donovan Jackson (LG).
  • Emphasis on a functional, diversified run game (Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason).
  • Watching Christian Darrisaw’s health closely for Week 1.

• Roster Construction & Free Agency

  • Excellent track record augmenting roster via free agency: Blake Cashman, Byron Murphy, Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard.
  • “Their free agency batting average over the last three, four, five years... They’ve done a very good job picking the right guys from the veteran pool for where they’ve wanted to go.” (Mays, 10:10)

• Expectations & Timelines

  • Team leadership realistic about being in Year 1 of a “new window.”
  • “The end of the road, what they’re building toward is what this team is next year, not what this team is this year... that was always the timeline that made the most sense.” (Mays, 12:01)

• Defensive Overhaul

  • Massive upgrades on the defensive interior: adding Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
  • Bet: Defensive front can “paper over” cheaper options at CB.
  • “The idea that they went super expensive on the two defensive tackles and super cheap on the two corners, in their minds it’s... we’ll always go front first.” (Mays, 21:46)
  • Developing more man coverage looks, with younger, more athletic secondary.

• Year Three for O’Connell & Adofo-Mensah

  • “They have not won a playoff game... you start to get to the point... this is a results, bottom line thing... now it is incumbent upon them to compete.” (Lewis, 10:47)

• Run Game and Flexibility

  • The ability for the team to win in a variety of ways is paramount — a lesson after two years of underwhelming OL/run-game performance.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I have a creeping feeling we might be doing [Giants] again depending on how their season goes... But today, our last four beat writer conversations...” — Robert Mays, 01:33
• “[JJ McCarthy]—if this doesn’t work out, it’s because he wasn’t good enough, not because he’s not made of the right stuff.” (Mays, 17:49)
• “If the front can cause enough havoc... then it probably works out. My question is, how much more inventory defensively is there going to be?” (Lewis, 24:21)

Los Angeles Rams: Dreams, Depth, and the Stafford Variable

Guest: Jordan Rodrigue
Timestamps: 39:13 – 68:53

Key Discussion Points

• Stafford’s Back and Offensive Fragility

  • Stafford’s back injury: “You could sneeze wrong and that thing starts acting up... I’m worried about it from that perspective...” (Rodrigue, 40:37)
  • Rams’ skill talent is top-tier, but team’s offensive ceiling is tightly linked to Stafford’s health.

• Depth Moves & Raising the Floor

  • Jimmy Garoppolo as high-grade backup (“Sean McVay knows and believes he can win games with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback.”); also depth at RB, OL.
  • “When things go terribly wrong, they’re trying to raise the floor of what this offense can be.” (Rodrigue, 44:31)
  • Trauma-informed team-building after prior seasons’ collapse due to injuries.

• Alaric Jackson’s Health & Impact

  • “Actually seeing Alaric Jackson participating in the walkthroughs to me was a real sign of his progress.” (Rodrigue, 45:39)
  • D.J. Humphries positioned as insurance at LT.

• Skill Position Upgrades

  • Davante Adams: first true X receiver of this era. Allows for more “tilt” in three-by-one formational looks, alternative to Cup.
  • “If Kyren Williams gets hurt, we still have Kyren Williams.” (Mays, 49:58) — On why they drafted Blake Corum.

• 12 Personnel & Tight End Multiplicity

  • Will they actually lean into heavier personnel sets? Despite roster moves and intent, there’s a track record of reverting to 11.
  • “Every year in the spring... it’s totally certain Sean McVay is going to move toward more 12 personnel... and then all of a sudden you’re back in 11 personnel for most of the year.” (Rodrigue, 54:00)

• Defense: Scheme Evolution and Secondary Concerns

  • The front (Turner, Allen, Myers) is seen as championship-level and particularly synergy-driven.
  • “Who is going to be in the Michael Hoecht role...?” (Rodrigue, 59:25) — hints at creative use of pieces in cheetah/off edge packages.
  • Secondary stability is a worry: “Should I be itchy? I think you should be itchy.” (Rodrigue, 62:59) — Expressing concern over lack of urgency at CB, reliance on aging/weaker outside corners.
  • “They really believe that... if they improve their pass rush enough, they don’t have to worry about being plus-plus on the perimeters because the quarterback is not going to get the ball there.” (Rodrigue, 63:37)

• On Nate Landman at Linebacker

  • Not a star, but helps organize. Defense will “put a big safety down low to help you so you don’t have to move side to side as often.” (Rodrigue, 66:20)
  • LB heavily supported by more Big Nickel looks, lots of safety depth, new schematic trends.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I'm honored... I'm such a sicko. They can't keep me away [from Rams practice.]” (Rodrigue, 39:53)
• “This is Sean McVay trauma response... he’s going to make it to where, okay, my starting running back who I love is not playing right now, and what’s the worst-case scenario?” (Rodrigue, 48:12)
• “It's an annual tradition that I look forward to every time the calendar turns to September: to ignore every red flag about [the Rams] and choose to believe they're going to be good again.” (Mays, 68:33)

New England Patriots: Rock Bottom and a Hopeful Rebuild

Guest: Chad Graff
Timestamps: 71:06 – 94:04

Key Discussion Points

• Offensive Line Overhaul

  • 2024 Patriots OL was “one of the worst I’ve watched since I started covering the NFL.” (Mays, 72:14)
  • New look: rookies Will Campbell, Jerry Wilson added to left side, Garrett Bradbury and Morgan Moses as vets.
  • “I think a fair expectation is like the 25th best O-line in the NFL... and yet [that] is progress.” (Graff, 72:59)
  • Run game and RB Travion Henderson bring long-missing explosiveness.

• Pass Catchers and Explosiveness

  • Emphasis on new skill types: deep-threat rookie Kyle Williams, big outside WR Mack Hollins.
  • “So much of this draft was ‘let’s get what we just flat-out have not had’... a deep play guy.” (Graff, 75:22)
  • Short-term: expect Hollins, Stefon Diggs, and Demario Douglas to start as top three WRs, with Williams coming on midseason.

• Stefon Diggs as WR1 Despite Injury

  • Diggs is healthy, expected to get significant targets as top option after ACL recovery.
  • “They look at it like, ‘Hey, he was on pace for 1000 yards in Houston, he comes here, we’re going to give him a ton of targets.’” (Graff, 78:34)

• Trayvon Henderson: Breakout Star

  • “I take it all back. I was dead wrong... finally they have some juice and explosiveness.” (Graff, 72:59)
  • Expect him to split carries or even outpace Rhamondre Stevenson in touches.

• Josh McDaniels Offense Return

  • Structure will echo older Pats O’s, with heavier personnel, run-heavy base, but training wheels on for Drake Maye.
  • Early focus: conservative approach, “don’t turn the ball over,” but hope is to eventually “let him do Josh Allen things.” (Graff, 85:01)

• Defense: Man Coverage & Edge Worries

  • Team will use man coverage heavily with Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis.
  • “Are they able to get any sort of pressure off the edge?” — Big uncertainty with Chaseon, Harold Landry, Keion White as X-factors.
  • If Keion White emerges (“the skeleton key”), could unlock “annoying” defense.

• Front Office Moves & Kyle Dugger’s Uncertain Status

  • Recent FA contracts (Godchaux, Dugger, Stevenson) already questionable; potentially about to move on from Dugger not long after re-signing.
  • “That Kyle Dugger one might be among the worst of them when it looks like he’s about to get cut.” (Graff, 92:44)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “After the last couple years, this is at least something you can work with... finally, like, that’s better than it has been.” (Graff, 81:20)
• “Ken White had five sacks through the first three games last season... then none after that. So, yes, whether it’s him or Harold Landry or Chase on or anybody, like they just need somebody there.” (Graff, 89:44)

Denver Broncos: From Afterthoughts to Contenders?

Guest: Nick Kosmider
Timestamps: 94:05 – 117:44

Key Discussion Points

• Roster Talent Parity in the Division

  • “Going into last year, you said, all right, Pat Surtain is going to be in the top five of those guys... and then who? And now... I’d take this Bronco here, I’d take this Bronco here...” (Kosmider, 96:10)
  • Dramatic progress in overall roster depth and flexibility.

• Offensive Flexibility & Playmakers

  • Evan Engram as “joker” tight end; expected to be the versatile big slot, mismatch creator.
  • “He really is going to be that big slot guy this offense has wanted.” (Kosmider, 97:34)
  • Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin as rising receivers: Franklin especially has made “a real breakthrough” and could be WR2.

• Running Back Redesign

  • RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins expected to form an “A1-A1B” committee with a flexible workload.
  • “They’re going to have a hard time keeping RJ Harvey off the field.” (Kosmider, 103:08)

• Bo Nix’s Growth & Second-Year Leap

  • Bo Nix, for first time since high school, has back-to-back continuity in offensive system, improving huddle and play speed.
  • “Now there is benefit... he’s able to have these kind of micro conversations... at the line of scrimmage.” (Kosmider, 104:35)

• Defense: Depth & Continuity

  • Re-upped defensive front (Zach Allen, DJ Jones, John Franklin-Myers), deep linebacker group, top-tier secondary.
  • Key additions: Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga add toughness in the middle; first-round CB Jayden Barron increases DB flexibility.
  • “Now it’s like, well, do they get injured? That’s something you have to watch. But they’re also more able to withstand injuries now...” (Kosmider, 106:58)

• Granularity of Roster Concerns

  • Beat writers are obsessing over “sixth safety” and OL depth — signs of a healthy top-line roster.
  • “We’re sitting here, you know, at practice, being like, who’s the sixth safety on this team?” (Kosmider, 114:24)

• Super Bowl Contender Aspirations

  • “They think they’re right there and have a chance to win this division. If you do that now, you have the home game, you have the opportunity...” (Kosmider, 112:57)
  • Next step: Consistently beat elite teams, i.e., beyond the Chargers/Raiders.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “If Quinn Miners misses six games this year... they have not really built in a ton of depth with recent mid-round picks. So that’s one of the small areas of, like, relative weakness you could point out.” (Mays, 115:30)

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• “My evaluation of JJ this entire camp has been pretty definitive and clear cut. There have been some ups, some downs. Not crazy highs, not crazy lows.” — Alec Lewis, Vikings, (05:30)
• “If the front can cause enough havoc to where those [young CBs] don’t have to cover for four seconds frequently, then it probably works out.” — Alec Lewis, Vikings, (24:21)
• “You could sneeze wrong and that [Stafford’s] back starts acting up... that’s where I’m worried about it.” — Jordan Rodrigue, Rams, (40:37)
• “They learned from their trauma, right?... how can we think about the worst thing that could possibly happen... and alleviate or lift the floor of that situation.” — Jordan Rodrigue, Rams, (48:12)
• “I think a fair expectation is like the 25th best O-line in the NFL... and yet, that is progress.” — Chad Graff, Patriots, (72:59)
• “After the last couple years, this is at least something you can work with... finally, like, that’s better than it has been.” — Chad Graff, Patriots, (81:20)
• “They're certainly, they've got something percolating... it's kind of wild how far they've come since then... now you look at this roster and you start being like, yeah, I'd take this Bronco here, I'd take this Bronco here.” — Nick Kosmider, Broncos, (96:10)

Key Takeaways & Thematic Threads

• Roster Construction Wisdom: All four organizations are at different stages of the “contention window” but showcase calculated approaches to raising their teams’ floor — be it through savvy signings, depth moves, or defining coaching philosophy.
• Quarterback Development Remains Central: Whether it’s patience with J.J. McCarthy in Minnesota, cyclical dependence on Stafford in LA, the Drake Maye era in New England, or Bo Nix continuity in Denver, the direction of these franchises pivots around the development of their young/prime QBs.
• The Pendulum Swings Back to Defense: Upgraded defensive lines, questions about secondary depth, and the introduction of creative coverage/man-pressure packages are recurring motifs influencing each team’s prospects.
• Flexibility as Identity: All four teams reflect organizational lessons from years prior — shifting their builds to allow for multiple winning scripts, not just one fragile path.
• Granularity is a Good Sign: When the biggest media and internal debates on a roster are about WR6, TE3, or nickel safety, that’s a mark of true contender status.

This episode is essential listening (or reading) for anyone wanting the most current and nuanced look heading into the 2025 NFL season on four compelling franchises, straight from the best-informed voices on the beat.

For more division previews and analysis, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and look out for upcoming episodes as the NFL season approaches.