Dan Hanzus, Gregg Rosenthal, Marc Sessler, Chris Wesseling
Genre
Sports, American football
Language
English
Updates
Multiple times per week (varies in offseason)
Length
30-90 minutes
Country of origin
United States
Production
No. of episodes
1600+
Publication
Original release
July 2013– May 2024
Provider
NFL Media
Around the NFL was a sports podcast produced by NFL Media, hosted by Dan Hanzus, Gregg Rosenthal, Marc Sessler, and Chris Wesseling. The show focused on news, analysis, and commentary for the National Football League, delivered with a mix of insight and humor.
All four hosts were writers for NFL.com, and were originally featured on the site’s blog section, Around the League, where they worked alongside fellow writer and media personality Dave Dameshek. Dameshek hosted The Dave Dameshek Football Program, where he frequently invited the writers as guests for segments, analysis, and interviews.
On September 28, 2012, Dameshek debuted a weekly segment titled the Around the League (ATL) Debate Club, featuring Hanzus and Sessler debating current NFL topics.[1]
The segment’s popularity led to the launch of the Around the League Podcast on July 24, 2013, as part of NFL Media’s digital expansion.[2][3]
On August 28, 2014, the show was rebranded as Around the NFL in line with a broader initiative that also introduced a TV program under the same branding.[4]
The program continued under this name for the remainder of its run, producing more than 1,600 episodes. It maintained a consistent release schedule, with multiple episodes per week during the NFL season and reduced output during the offseason. The show ended in May 2024.[5]
Hosts and format
Dan Hanzus – NFL writer and analyst
Gregg Rosenthal – NFL writer and analyst
Marc Sessler – NFL writer and analyst
Chris Wesseling – NFL writer and contributor until 2021
The format combined NFL news and analysis, commentary, interviews, and listener engagement. It was noted for blending serious football coverage with humor and the personal chemistry of the hosts.
Chris Wesseling
Chris Wesseling was a central voice of the podcast, known for his analysis and humor. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2017 and died on February 5, 2021, at the age of 46.[6]
The podcast released several tribute episodes in his honor.[7][8] His influence was frequently acknowledged in later episodes, and his absence was deeply felt by both the hosts and the audience.[9]
End of the podcast and aftermath
On May 21, 2024, Around the NFL aired its final episode and went off the air without advance explanation.[10]
In July 2024, NFL Media announced the program would be replaced by a new show, NFL Daily, anchored by Rosenthal.[11]
Meanwhile, Hanzus and Sessler departed NFL Media and launched an independent football podcast titled Heed the Call.[12]
Impact and legacy
Around the NFL became known for its consistent output, releasing more than 1,600 episodes, and for the chemistry between its hosts.[13]
The show regularly ranked among the top pro football podcasts on Apple Podcasts in the United States and performed strongly in overseas markets. In its final year, it was nominated for iHeartMedia’s Best Sports Podcast and maintained an active fan community on Reddit numbering in the tens of thousands.[14]
Key facts
Years active: July 2013 – May 2024
Number of episodes: Over 1,600
Original hosts: Dan Hanzus, Gregg Rosenthal, Marc Sessler, Chris Wesseling
Successor podcasts: NFL Daily (Rosenthal) and Heed the Call (Hanzus & Sessler)
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