
Heed the Call with Dan Hanzus & Marc Sessler
Heroes never die — they just change platforms. Dan Hanzus and Marc Sessler are back with Heed The Call, a new NFL podcast that takes you around the league with depth, clarity… and just a touch of mirth. Dan, Marc and a collection of familiar friends cover every game and storyline, providing fans with an elite listening experience the Football Cognoscenti doesn’t want you to hear.
Latest episodes

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 9min
100 Bold Predictions for the 2025 NFL Season
Dan Hanzus & Marc Sessler are joined by Conor Orr to look at Conor's recent column for Sports Illustrated: 100 Bold Predictions for the 2025 NFL Season! And we hit the HTC Mailbag to close out the show.
0:00 It’s Conor’s Birthday
10:16 100 Bold Predictions for the 2025 NFL Season
11:13 Derek Carr returning from retirement?
14:15 Kyler Murray on a new team?
22:56 49ers bounce back?
29:09 Caleb Williams noise
33:08 Lions taking a step back?
38:20 NFL moving to draft lottery system?
42:30 The end of a beloved fan icon?
50:21 HTC Mailbag
1:05:50 Wrap Up
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Check out Conor's article here: https://www.si.com/nfl/100-bold-predictions-2025-nfl-season
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Jun 3, 2025 • 1h 1min
Russell Wilson’s Confidence, Defending Stefon Diggs & Other NFL Hot Topics
Dan Hanzus & Marc Sessler are joined by Conor Orr to catch up on some news from around the league. We are officially post-June 1, which means we could see a ramp up in league activity (5:12). Frank Ragnow surprisingly announced his retirement from pro football (13:14), Kyle Pitts is drawing trade interest (17:15), Stefon Diggs could be a Patriots cut candidate (22:41) but we have a special guest on to speak in his defense (25:49), Russell Wilson believes in greatness (35:55), Jason Kelce has the perfect solution for our Olympic Flag Football debate (42:43), the Eagles have traded Bryce Huff to the 49ers (50:10), and we hold a funeral for an NFL sh*tposter (51:41).
0:00 Intro
5:12 Post-June 1st in the NFL
6:54 NFL News
13:14 Frank Ragnow announces his retirement
17:15 Kyle Pitts draws trade interest
22:41 Stefon Diggs a possible cut candidate?
25:49 Our Special Guest joins
35:55 Russell Wilson believes in greatness
42:43 Jason Kelce has the Olympics Flag Football solution
50:10 49ers trade for DE Bryce Huff
51:41 A Funeral
57:03 Wrap Up
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May 28, 2025 • 1h 15min
Trope Alerts Abound at NFL OTAs
Dan Hanzus & Marc Sessler are joined by Conor Orr to catch up on some news as Organized Team Activities are underway across the NFL! To start, we cover the Trope Alerts you need to be looking out for (2:18) before diving into the news (12:16): the Steelers quarterback situation is still unsettled (13:37), some top players are missing from OTA practices (26:23), Stefon Diggs might be having a little too much fun on a boat (29:39), the NFL's VP of Broadcast Planning & Scheduling responds to Joe Burrow's schedule comments (40:06). Then, we check in on Conor Orr's well-being after a strange phone call over the weekend (46:47). After that, did Shedeur Sanders really spend $500,000 on a Rolls Royce (50:54)? And we debate the merits of NFL players joining the United States Olympic Flag Football team (58:55).
0:00 Intro
2:18 Offseason Tropes in Full Swing
12:16 NFL News
13:37 Steelers QB Situation
26:23 Players Absent from OTAs
29:39 Stefon Diggs on a Boat
35:13 Break
40:06 NFL Responds to Joe Burrow’s Comments
46:47 Checking in on Conor’s wellbeing
50:54 Shedeur Sanders’ Rolls Royce
58:55 NFL and Flag Football Olympics
1:11:30 Wrap Up
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May 20, 2025 • 1h 18min
Brock Purdy's Payday + Caleb Williams Drama & Boom or Bust Players for 2025
Dan Hanzus & Marc Sessler are joined by Conor Orr & James Palmer to run through some NFL headlines and discuss the biggest boom or bust players for the 2025 NFL season. But first, Marc recounts his weekend acting role (2:03). Then, we get into the news (8:18): Nick Sirianni and the Eagles have agreed to a multi-year extension (8:49), NFL owners will vote this week on the proposal to ban the Tush Push and other potential rule changes (17:28), Brock Purdy is officially a franchise quarterback (20:39), Shedeur Sanders wouldn't swap jerseys with Cam Ward at the NFLPA rookie event (34:22), and a dramatic Caleb Williams story is included in a new book by Seth Wickersham (41:40). Finally, we get to our biggest boom our bust players for the 2025 NFL season (51:25), including Anthony Richardson, Christian McCaffrey, and more!
0:00 Intro
2:03 Marc’s First Acting Role
8:18 NFL News
8:49 Nick Sirianni’s Contract Extension
17:28 Tush Push Ban to be voted on this week
20:39 Brock Purdy Gets Paid
34:22 Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders at NFLPA Rookie Event
41:40 Caleb Williams story
51:25 Biggest Boom or Bust Players for 2025
1:13:51 Wrap Up
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May 15, 2025 • 1h 7min
The 2025 NFL Schedule Has Been Released! And Other Stuff Too
Dan Hanzus & Marc Sessler are joined by The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue and Michael-Shawn Dugar to react to the full 2025 NFL schedule! But first, we wonder if the NFL should consider adopting a draft lottery (0:39). Then, we look at the Week 1 matchups (16:00), other schedule notes and the holiday games (27:31), and the international slate (38:53). Finally, we close the show with other NFL headlines (43:56), and Conor Orr pops in to share his thoughts (55:01).
0:00 NFL Schedule Release
0:39 Should the NFL adopt the draft lottery?
10:21 Celebrities at the Knicks game
13:38 NFL Schedule Reaction!
16:00 Week 1
27:31 Other Schedule Notes & Holiday Slate
38:53 International Games
43:56 Other NFL News
55:01 Conor Orr Joins
1:03:13 Wrap Up
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May 13, 2025 • 1h 13min
Making Sense of Derek Carr + Shedeur Sanders & the Right to Dream Big
Dan Hanzus & Marc Sessler are joined by Conor Orr to run through the hottest NFL headlines in mid May! To start, we have an honest conversation about Marc's love for the Browns and the hope of Shedeur Sanders (1:42). After that, we cover the news: Saints QB Derek Carr has announced his retirement from pro football (13:21), Browns LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah will miss the 2025 season (35:27), Giants rookie DE Abdul Carter finally has a number (37:16), Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson has not communicated with the Bengals about a contract extension (43:27), and Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter helped a woman on an airplane (49:30). Before signing off, we check in on Dov Kleiman (54:29) and wrap up with a Zeusser Media Minute (1:03:12).
1:42 Marc likes Shedeur Sanders
12:15 NFL News
13:21 Derek Carr announces retirement
35:27 LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah out for 2025 season
37:16 Abdul Carter has a number
43:27 Trey Hendrickson contract dispute
49:30 Travis Hunter’s act of kindness
54:29 Dov Kleiman Check In
1:03:12 Zeusser Media Minute
1:07:27 Wrap Up
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May 8, 2025 • 1h 13min
NFL Stories That Could Shake Up the Offseason
Dan Hanzus & Marc Sessler are joined by Conor Orr to react to some blockbuster NFL news and look ahead to offseason storylines! To start, we cover the Steelers trading WR George Pickens to the Cowboys (8:57), TE Dallas Goedert's new deal with the Eagles (17:03), and the Jaguars releasing WR Gabe Davis (19:49). After that, the heroes share potential NFL offseason storylines that - if true - would rattle the NFL world (23:04). Crazy? Maybe. Plausible? Absolutely. What if the NFL expands its weekend coverage? What if the international slate extended for the entire season? What if Aaron Rodgers doesn't join the Steelers? What if a prominent NFL reporter is kidnapped? All this and more!
0:00 Welcome
8:57 Cowboys trade for WR George Pickens
17:03 Eagles finalizing deal with TE Dallas Goedert
19:49 Jaguars release WR Gabe Davis
23:04 Strange Offseason Storylines That Might Happen
26:46 Story #1
33:52 Story #2
40:19 Story #3
51:47 Rapid-Fire Round of Stories
1:04:36 Wrap Up
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May 6, 2025 • 1h 30min
2025 NFL Team Optimism Rankings
Dan Hanzus & Marc Sessler are joined by Conor Orr to reveal a methodically calculated list of the top ten most optimistic NFL teams for the 2025 season. But first, we hit some news (5:52): the 2027 NFL draft will be held in Washington, D.C. (6:25), QB Matthew Stafford and the Rams finally agreed on a new contract (9:20), DE Abdul Carter is again rejected when attempting to bring a Giants jersey number out of retirement (13:18), the 49ers declined trade offers for TE George Kittle before extending him (21:27), and we have more updates on Bill Belichick's personal life (24:48). Then, we get to the Optimism Rankings (30:52), running through the top ten in reverse order before Marc reveals the five LEAST optimistic teams heading into this season (1:19:46).
0:00 Welcome
5:52 NFL News
6:25 2027 NFL Draft to be held in Washington D.C.
9:20 Matthew Stafford’s new contract
13:18 Abdul Carter still doesn’t have a jersey number
21:27 49ers News
24:48 Bill Belichick-Jordon Hudson Update
28:19 Brunt
30:52 NFL Optimism Rankings for 2025
32:24 #10: Las Vegas Raiders
36:05 #9: New England Patriots
40:09 #8: Denver Broncos
43:31 #7: Baltimore Ravens
45:59 Justin Tucker breaking news
52:13 #6: Buffalo Bills
54:55 #5: Kansas City Chiefs
59:48 #4: Chicago Bears
1:03:18 #3: Washington Commanders
1:08:24 #2: Detroit Lions
1:12:18 #1: Philadelphia Eagles
1:19:46 The Five Least Optimistic Teams
1:25:13 Wrap Up
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May 1, 2025 • 1h 35min
Around The NFC In 48 Minutes
Dan Hanzus & Marc Sessler are joined by Jourdan Rodrigue and Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic to go arooouund the NFC in exactly 48 minutes. Three minutes per team, everything you need to know now that the draft is in the rearview mirror. We start with the NFC East (11:41), move to the NFC North (30:22), then hit the NFC South (48:01), and finally finish with the NFC West (1:13:09).
0:00 Around the NFC in 48 Minutes
0:39 Bill Belichick Drama
10:15 Around the NFC
11:41 Around the NFC East
12:10 Philadelphia Eagles
16:53 Washington Commanders
20:18 Dallas Cowboys
23:49 New York Giants
30:22 NFC North
30:36 Detroit Lions
33:53 Minnesota Vikings
37:37 Green Bay Packers
40:44 Chicago Bears
45:03 Halftime
48:01 NFC South
49:18 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
52:43 Atlanta Falcons
1:04:25 New Orleans Saints
1:07:39 Carolina Panthers
1:13:09 NFC West
1:13:14 Los Angeles Rams
1:16:49 Seattle Seahawks
1:21:16 San Francisco 49ers
1:24:40 Arizona Cardinals
1:30:50 Wrap Up
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Apr 29, 2025 • 1h 21min
Around The AFC In 48 Minutes
Dan Hanzus, Marc Sessler & Conor Orr are joined by Brandon Perna of That's Good Sports to go arooouund the AFC in exactly 48 minutes. Three minutes per team, everything you need to know now that the draft is in the rearview mirror. We start with the AFC West (4:17), move to the AFC East (20:33), then hit the AFC North (39:46), and finally finish with the AFC South (1:00:16).
0:00 Around the AFC in Exactly 48 Minutes
4:17 Around the AFC West
4:49 Las Vegas Raiders
8:03 Los Angeles Chargers
11:22 Kansas City Chiefs
15:05 Denver Broncos
20:33 Around the AFC East
20:40 Miami Dolphins
23:45 New England Patriots
27:07 Buffalo Bills
34:03 New York Jets
39:46 Around the AFC North
39:52 Cincinnati Bengals
43:23 Pittsburgh Steelers
46:34 Cleveland Browns
55:08 Baltimore Ravens
1:00:16 Around the AFC South
1:00:21 Houston Texans
1:03:30 Indianapolis Colts
1:07:35 Jacksonville Jaguars
1:10:51 Tennessee Titans
1:16:46 Wrap Up
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This episode of Heed the Call is brought to you by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/HTC and get on your way to being your best self.
---------
Support the Heed the Call Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/heedthecall
Start playing today on Underdog Fantasy! Sign up with code 'HTC' for up to $1000 in Bonus Cash: https://play.underdogfantasy.com/p-heed-the-call
Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ & MA) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org; NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369
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