Claim OwnershipThis is Football with Kevin Clark
Subscribed: 159Played: 14,269
Subscribe
© Copyright 2026, ESPN. All Rights Reserved.
Description
"This Is Football" is a digital show and podcast that runs multiple times per week through the NFL season. It's where you'll find fun and insightful interviews with some of the top NFL players, pundits and coaches with stories and nuggets you won't find anywhere else.
325 Episodes
Reverse
Ted Nguyen from The Athletic joins Kevin Clark to break down the biggest winners and losers from the first wave of NFL free agency. They dive deep into scheme fit, roster building, and why certain signings matter more than others.
Ted explains how these players actually fit into offensive and defensive systems, from the Raiders’ investment in the offensive line to the Rams fixing their secondary.
They also discuss Fernando Mendoza’s potential with the Raiders, the Titans’ Patriots-style rebuild around Cam Ward, and why the Chargers may have quietly made one of the most important signings of free agency.
Plus: which move might be the most overrated contract so far.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kevin Clark sits down with Trevor Sikkema, Lead NFL Draft Analyst for Pro Football Focus, for a deep dive into the future of the league. They break down this year’s NFL Draft class and explore how the college football transfer portal has dramatically increased the overall depth of talent available to teams. With more player movement than ever, franchises are seeing more experienced, pro-ready prospects enter the draft pool. They also examine how the 2026 linebacker class could shape the NFL for the next decade — including why Sonny Styles may be the best overall player in the 2026 Draft. The conversation highlights a clear shift in today’s game: speed is taking precedence over traditional size and strength, redefining what teams value at nearly every position. Plus, they predict when the wide receiver run could begin in this year’s draft and which teams may trigger the domino effect.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kevin is joined by Andy Staples and they take a deep dive into the changing landscape of College Football. They break down the evolution of college football recruiting - how NIL, the transfer portal and modern scouting have completely reshaped roster building. Andy is high on NFL Draft Prospect Gennings Dunker. That brought up the topic, what makes a “plug-and-play” NFL Lineman in today’s game. And the biggest question they tackled was, Who is next year’s Fernando Mendoza? Kevin and Andy volleyed back and forth on who the elite Quarterbacks of college football will be next season.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kevin Clark is joined by Lindsay Jones, Senior NFL Editor at The Ringer, to break down the biggest storylines shaping the 2026 NFL offseason.
They dive into:
Why this coaching cycle could change the league for years (19 new offensive coordinators?!)
Whether teams are learning the wrong lessons from last season
The rise of the “Seattle model”, can you win big without an elite QB?
What’s next for the Bills, Ravens, Chiefs, and Bengals
The pressure on Brandon Beane and Buffalo’s skill positions
Why a major WR trade (A.J. Brown?) could swing the AFC
Should the Raiders finally trade Maxx Crosby?
The Chargers hype train (again), is this the year?
The QB carousel: Kyler Murray, Mac Jones, Malik Willis, and more
Then Kevin is joined by Jeremiyah Love who details what the NFL team that drafts him will be getting. He also offers insight into what makes Marcus Freeman tick & gives aglowing report on CJ Carr's future.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Matt Ryan joins Kevin Clark to discuss his recent move to the front office of the team that he spent his playing days with. Matt explains why now was the time to make the jump to the front office with the Atlanta Falcons, and the role that Arthur Blank played in it. Matt pinpoints rosters that he'll aim to emulate in building the Falcons. Plus, his thoughts on quarterback development in the NFL.
WWE Superstar CM Punk joins Kevin Clark to discuss his love for the Bears and why he hates the idea of the team moving out of Chicago. Punk places the blame on ownership for not being able to secure a stadium in Chicago. Plus, the most bada** wrestler he's ever been around and his thoughts on his upcoming match at Wrestlemania with Roman Reigns.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kirk Herbstreit joins Kevin Clark to discuss how presumptive #1 pick in the NFL Draft Fernando Mendoza compares to previous QBs who have gone first overall in recent years. Kirk explains why sometimes it's prudent for players to stay in school and get more experience at the college level before entering the NFL Draft. Plus, why Patrick Mahomes' pro success was a bit of a surprise for Kirk after watching him in college at Texas Tech.
Then WWE Superstar Seth Rollins joins to discuss how he's made the move into football analysis. Hear what he thinks the Bears need to do next season to reach the Super Bowl in Los Angeles. Plus, Seth also shares the match that got him into professional wrestling.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In the final football reaction show until September, Kevin Clark breaks down the Seahawks’ shocking Super Bowl win, what it says about team-building in today’s NFL, and why this title felt like a throwback to the early 2000s.
From John Schneider’s masterclass roster reset and the Russell Wilson trade fallout, to Mike Macdonald’s defensive clinic and Sam Darnold’s improbable redemption arc, this episode dives deep into how Seattle pulled off one of the most unexpected Super Bowl runs in recent history.
Kevin also explains why the end of football season is uniquely depressing, why the Seahawks are not a dynasty (sorry), what went wrong for the Patriots and Drake Maye, and why this result should frustrate every AFC contender. Plus: thoughts on the Bad Bunny halftime show and what 25 NFL teams should be learning from this championship.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kevin Clark is joined by 3 Hall Of Famers on his final day at radio row.
Deion Sanders details his solution for selecting members of the Pro Football Hall Of Fame.
Tony Gonzalez details how being a two sport athlete helped him during his career.
Emmitt Smith delivers an impassioned rant on why Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Joe Burrow shouldn't be considered elite.
Nakobe Dean shares an amazing story about the level of dedication Kirby Smart expects from his players.
And finally, Bo Jackson opens up about why he won't let his grandson play football.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
A plethora of guests join Kevin Clark Thursday from Radio Row in San Francisco.
Ryan Fitzpatrick helps explain what goes into a QB being able to succeed.
Chris 'Mad Dog' Russo delivers an incredible rant on why the pro football hall of fame voting process is broken.
Sauce Gardner explains the difference between the Jets & Colts organizations.
Kirk Cousins & Kevin exchange notes on their favorite things to do in Orlando
Bijan Robinson delivers a message to new Falcons president Matt Ryan
Amon-Ra St. Brown picks the toughest DB he's had to go against
Tetairoa McMillan details what surprised him during his rookie season
Aidan Hutchinson explains why his diet is a huge part of what helps make him great
DJ Moore shares his favorite play from this season with the Bears, plus the one rep he wants back
Finally, Stephen A. Smith explains why he's not a fan of the Super Bowl being in San Francisco
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kevin Clark hits radio row with a wide range of conversations with various football figures. Chris Long explains what it's actually like for players during Super Bowl week.
Joe Flacco shares why he thinks quarterbacks get too much protection.
Tony Dungy tells an incredible Peyton Manning Story.
Taylor Lewan & Will Compton give insight into what makes Mike Vrabel such a great head coach.
Cooper DeJean explains what the Eagles do to help young players grow.
And finally, Terrell Davis shares his favorite RB to watch and the one play he'd like back from his career.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Danny McBride & Keegan-Michael Key join Kevin Clark in advance of the premiere of their Super Bowl commercial with State Farm. Danny details how his football fandom has evolved while Keegan lays out what the Lions need to do in the offseason to get back to where they've been the past few years.
Plus, why he takes some credit along with Peyton Manning for the Lions turning things around. Danny & Keegan give the case for their favorite sports movies and Keegan unveils his controversial take on why Field Of Dreams shouldn't be considered a sports movie.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kevin Clark is joined by Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic for a wide-ranging Super Bowl week conversation. The two dive into the evolution of NFL coaching trees, from Shanahan and McVay to the rise of Mike McDonald, and why the league may be running out of coaches. They break down Seattle’s defensive transformation, the Kubiak offensive lineage, and why certain “outlier” coaches simply can’t be replicated.
Jourdan also explains why two-running-back systems are officially back, how defenses are catching up to modern offenses, and what this hiring cycle reveals about how owners are thinking. Plus: early contenders for the 2026 Super Bowl, Chargers optimism (with caveats), Broncos belief, Panthers intrigue, and why chasing trends keeps getting teams in trouble.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Domonique Foxworth joins Kevin Clark to dig into whether defense is actually “back” in the NFL, what this postseason really tells us about roster construction, and why great defenses never actually went anywhere.
Foxworth breaks down what makes the Seahawks defense so hard to play against, explains how teams actually evaluate head coaching candidates, and weighs in on the Mike McCarthy-to-Steelers discourse that NFL Twitter can’t stop arguing about.
The conversation also hits:
The hidden challenges of hiring offensive-minded head coaches
How players experience losses differently than fans
Steelers stability, Ravens structure, and modern coaching myths
Live Show Tickets: FoxworthLivePod.com | Strand Theater, San Francisco | February 5th 6 PT | Featuring Domonique Foxworth, Kevin Clark, Mina Kimes, Marcus Spears & Charlie Kravitz | Proceeds benefit Special Olympics
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Super Bowl LX is set: Patriots vs. Seahawks, and Kevin Clark dives in on how we got here.
Kevin breaks down:
What it was really like inside the stadium for the Malcolm Butler pick
Why the Seahawks’ rapid turnaround is a warning to teams considering coaching changes
Mike Macdonald, John Schneider, and the anatomy of a modern NFL rebuild
Jaxson Smith-Njigba’s dominance and why defenses still can’t stop him
Drake Maye’s postseason run and why the Patriots are being underestimated
Why this NFL season is one of the strangest in recent memory
Early thoughts on the Super Bowl matchup and why recency bias matters
Plus: thoughts on the coaching carousel, the Mike McCarthy hire, and why patience still matters in the NFL.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Albert Breer joins Kevin Clark to break down one of the most fascinating weeks in football. They start with the Bills’ awkward ownership press conference and what it signals for Buffalo’s future, Josh Allen, and the coaching search. From there, the conversation expands to the broken college football calendar, NFL owners speaking publicly, and why restraint is often the smartest move.
Breer also explains how Mike Vrabel reshaped the Patriots so quickly, why New England’s roster overhaul actually makes sense, and what separates clear organizational vision from dysfunction. Plus: Jared Stidham’s unlikely playoff moment, why the Seahawks may be the most talented team remaining, how the Rams have redefined their identity, and what’s being overlooked heading into this weekend’s games.
To close, Breer looks ahead to the offseason and explains why quarterback movement could be more unpredictable than usual, even without obvious trade candidates.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kevin Clark is joined by a pair of former All-Pros to help set the table for Sunday's championship games. First, former Broncos CB Chris Harris Jr. joins to discuss the similarities between the current Broncos team and the Super Bowl Champion Broncos from a decade ago. Chris shares his thoughts on how the game has changed and why dominant defenses are suddenly having a resurgence. Plus, his impressions of Seattle's defense and what he thinks Sam Darnold needs to do to get to the Super Bowl.
Then former MVP Shaun Alexander joins to discuss how the Seahawks have been able to return to greatness. Hear what Shaun thinks of the current Seattle secondary and how it compares to the legion of boom. Plus the running backs he enjoys watching the most & incredible stories from his playing days.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Conference Championship Weekend is set, and Kevin Clark breaks down one of the wildest playoff slates we’ve seen in years.
From Caleb Williams’ video-game miracle throw to Sean McVay’s questionable game management, Kevin reacts to Bears-Rams, the state of modern playoff football, and why defense is officially back in the NFL. He dives deep into the decision not to go for two, what Chicago should feel coming out of the loss, and why this game may define how Caleb Williams is viewed going forward.
Plus:• Why Super Bowl odds for the Broncos don’t make sense• Sean McVay coaching “not to lose”• The Texans’ collapse, and why CJ Stroud’s performance may have permanently changed Houston’s franchise outlook• Why the era of paying every quarterback immediately might be over
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Division Round Night One is in the books, and Kevin Clark is reacting to everything that went wrong, especially for Buffalo.
Kevin breaks down the Bills’ devastating playoff loss to the Broncos, the controversial late call that ended the game, and why this might be the most painful loss of the Josh Allen era. Kevin explains why this loss feels different, and why a full organizational audit may finally be unavoidable.
Plus:
What Buffalo must fix this offseason (and why standing pat isn’t an option)
Seahawks-49ers wasn’t complicated and why Seattle looks terrifying
Initial reactions to the latest NFL coaching hires, John Harbaugh to the Giants and Kevin Stefanski to Atlanta
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Courtney Cronin joins Kevin Clark to break down the Bears’ stunning playoff win over the Packers. They dive into Ben Johnson’s immediate impact, Caleb Williams’ development, and whether the Bears are truly changing as a franchise.
From there, Kevin and Courtney zoom out to the rest of the NFL playoffs, which teams are actually built to make a Super Bowl run, coaching edges that matter, and why some contenders are more fragile than they look.
They wrap with a preview of the national title game between Miami and Indiana. Hear how the alums of both schools are feeling about their team headed into Monday night.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Kevin Clark gives his immediate reaction to the news that Mike Tomlin is out in Pittsburgh after 19 years. What might be next for Tomlin and why even some teams that have head coaches should be in the market for him.
Then Kevin is joined by Titans First Team All-Pro Jeffery Simmons to discuss what the Titans have to look forward to following a rough season. Jeff shares what he saw from Cam Ward in year one, and why he believes there's reason for optimism for him in year 2.
Jeff gives insight into what makes the remaining playoff teams uniquely tough. Jeff shares what he saw from the Rams early in the season, reluctantly gives praise to the division rival Texans defense, and why 49ers LT Trent Williams is so tough to go against.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
Late to the party. Superb takes. in my top 3 Pods. A new mist.