The Inner Circle

Terry Fontenot - 20+ Year NFL Front Office Executive

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2532744/fan_mail/new] With the NFL Draft approaching, The Inner Circle Podcast goes inside one of the most fascinating and misunderstood processes in pro sports with former Atlanta Falcons GM Terry Fontenot. Fontenot spent more than 20 years inside NFL front offices, rising from scouting assistant with the New Orleans Saints to Falcons general manager. In this episode, he gives a rare, honest look at what really happens in the weeks leading up to the draft, how boards are built, how much teams actually pay attention to mock drafts, why private visits matter, and how front offices sort through film, analytics, medicals, interviews, and background research to separate great players from risky picks. Terry also explains why teams can get fooled by combine performances, why some elite college players still slide, and how a player like Xavier Watts can be undervalued despite dominant tape. He breaks down the traits that make a great scout, why evaluating quarterbacks is the hardest job in sports, and how organizations try to balance best player available versus team need. The conversation also goes deeper than football. Fontenot shares what teams are really looking for in a player’s character, why consistency in evaluation matters, and how someone who never played the game can still rise to the top of an NFL front office. It’s an especially revealing segment for anyone interested in the future of women in football leadership and the many paths into the league beyond playing. And of course, there are plenty of great stories along the way — including negotiating with Todd France, the nightmare of trying to stop Aaron Donald, what draft rooms are really like when the clock is ticking, and how NFL teams think through franchise-changing quarterback decisions. https://www.youtube.com/@TheInnerCirclePod https://open.spotify.com/show/2HYa5USGooRmeXxKKGyT0l?si=4a20e67b0b864b8b https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-inner-circle/id1837695806

The Science of NFL Speed with Les Spellman

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2532744/fan_mail/new] This week on The Inner Circle Podcast, one of the top speed coaches in the country joins the show for a fascinating look at what really goes into making elite athletes faster. Les Spellman has trained Olympians, first-round draft picks, and some of the most explosive prospects in football and in this episode he pulls back the curtain on the world of speed development, NFL Combine prep, and the tiny details that can change a player’s future. Spellman shares his unique path into the profession, from a devastating high school injury that left him unable to walk, to becoming obsessed with movement, biomechanics, and the science of speed. That journey eventually led him from Division I track to working with Olympic teams and, later, some of the biggest names preparing for the NFL Draft. The conversation explores how players train for the 40-yard dash, why technique matters so much, and how improvements of just a few fractions of a second can dramatically impact draft stock and earnings. There is also a deep dive into the purpose behind the Combine drills, the difference between playing fast and testing fast, and how top prospects are evaluated through a combination of film, measurables, and athletic testing. Spellman explains how he builds individualized training plans for every athlete, using video analysis, GPS tracking, force data, and years of experience to identify flaws and maximize performance. He also discusses the challenge of keeping players healthy during an intense pre-draft window, the importance of timing and recovery, and how athletes are mentally prepared for one of the most high-pressure job interviews in sports. It is an insightful and entertaining episode packed with behind-the-scenes stories from Combine season, expert analysis on speed and performance, and practical advice for athletes at every level. Whether you are a football fan, a parent, a coach, or just curious about what separates elite athletes from everyone else, this episode offers a rare inside look at the science and strategy behind speed. https://www.youtube.com/@TheInnerCirclePod https://open.spotify.com/show/2HYa5USGooRmeXxKKGyT0l?si=4a20e67b0b864b8b https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-inner-circle/id1837695806

ESPN's Adam Schefter

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2532744/fan_mail/new] This week one of the most plugged-in and respected insiders in all of sports media, Adam Schefter, enters the circle.  Schefter joins the show fresh off breaking news, which is exactly how this episode begins... with plenty of laughs about his late arrival after being pulled into the nonstop chaos of NFL insider life. From there, the conversation turns into a fascinating, candid look at what it really takes to be the man at the center of the NFL news cycle. Adam opens up about the relentless pace of his job, the pressure of being first versus being right, and how information truly moves around the league. He explains why the public often misunderstands where stories come from, why there is no simple go-to person for sourcing, and how relationships with teams, agents, owners, coaches, and players all matter at different times of the year. The guys also dive into the realities of modern media and social media, including how breaking news has changed forever in the age of X, why misinformation spreads so quickly, and the challenge of maintaining trust and credibility when everyone is racing to post first. Schefter shares stories from behind the scenes, including trade talks that surprised him, moments when stories came together faster than expected, and the personal toll of living in a world where the next major NFL development can happen at any second. Aaron and Todd bring their own unique perspectives to the conversation, making this much more than a media interview. Todd breaks down how major NFL news impacts players, agents, and negotiations in real time, while Aaron talks about the “gift and curse” of living a career so fully that it consumes your life. The discussion expands into work ethic, balance, family, and the sacrifices that come with striving to be great in any profession. Schefter also reflects on his longevity, his love for the work, why he still thrives on the adrenaline of a big story, and whether he can ever really turn it off. There are funny moments, honest moments, and plenty of insight into the business of football, journalism, and relationships at the highest level. This episode is part insider masterclass, part life conversation, and part locker room hang... packed with stories, laughs, and real talk about the NFL, media, trust, timing, and what it takes to stay at the top. As always, thanks for you support and enjoy the latest episode of the Inner Circle Podcast  https://www.youtube.com/@TheInnerCirclePod https://open.spotify.com/show/2HYa5USGooRmeXxKKGyT0l?si=4a20e67b0b864b8b https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-inner-circle/id1837695806

Inside the NFL Combine: Aaron Donald’s 40 Story + Todd France’s Indy Intel

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2532744/fan_mail/new] Coming to you from Indianapolis at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, the crew brings you for a real behind-the-scenes look at the biggest “job interview” in football. Aaron takes you back to his own Combine experience, the months of prep, the nerves on the start line, and the moment he lost focus for a split second when a familiar coach talked trash right before his 40. AD shares what he trained for, what teams actually cared about, how the process felt inside an empty stadium, and why the Combine is about far more than one headline time. Todd breaks down what most fans never see: the tens of thousands of dollars that go into preparing a top prospect, the specialized team behind each player (speed, strength, nutrition, interview prep, position work), and why teams are obsessed with details like the 10-yard split. They also dig into the grueling reality of Combine week — early-morning testing, medical exams, MRIs, late-night work sessions, and how one medical grade can reshape a player’s draft weekend. Plus, Todd opens the curtain on the business side of Indy: the nonstop meetings with teams, gathering intel on roster plans, extensions, and how clubs are viewing positional value heading into the offseason. If you’ve ever wondered what the Combine is really like and what teams are actually trying to learn... this episode is for you. https://www.youtube.com/@TheInnerCirclePod https://open.spotify.com/show/2HYa5USGooRmeXxKKGyT0l?si=4a20e67b0b864b8b https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-inner-circle/id1837695806

Eric DeCosta - Baltimore Ravens GM

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2532744/fan_mail/new] This week on the Inner Circle Podcast, Aaron Donald, Zach Klein and Todd France  sit down with Baltimore Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta, one of the longest tenured executives in the NFL and a two time Super Bowl champion who has helped shape a modern powerhouse through the draft, development, and relentless standards. Eric opens with a story that perfectly sums up how long he and Todd have been in the grind together, dating back to the Blue Gray game days when a young Todd was roaming the sidelines trying to get someone to listen. From there, DeCosta takes us inside his rise in Baltimore, from being the third choice for a scouting job in 1996 to earning Ozzie Newsome’s trust, stacking responsibilities, and eventually becoming the GM. Along the way, he shares what it was like learning in a building that included future football leaders like Marvin Lewis, Kirk Ferentz, Jim Schwartz, and Eric Mangini. DeCosta also walks through a head coach search that felt like a “speed draft” for the most important hire in the organization, including marathon Zoom interviews, the pressure of juggling draft prep at the same time, and what he prioritized most when evaluating coaching candidates. He explains why leadership, teaching, and player development still separate the best from the rest, even in an era where every assistant coach seems to have an agent and a negotiation. Then the conversation shifts to DeCosta’s specialty: the draft and the hardest position to get right, quarterback. He breaks down what he looks for when projecting NFL passers, why “planet players” matter, and how unique traits show up across positions, including the “computer breakers” who transcend measurements. He also shares what the combine actually does for his process, why workouts can fool you, and how the interview rooms help reveal who can really learn football under pressure. Aaron brings it home with a masterclass on self scouting, film study, and leadership, including how he watched games immediately, what angles mattered most for his preparation, and why the standard only holds if the best players live it every day. Plus, you will hear plenty of laughs, a few classic Inner Circle jabs, and even a wild idea about Aaron Donald taking Team USA bobsled into the next decade. https://www.youtube.com/@TheInnerCirclePod https://open.spotify.com/show/2HYa5USGooRmeXxKKGyT0l?si=4a20e67b0b864b8b https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-inner-circle/id1837695806