Dan Orlovsky, the quarterback-turned-analyst, has become a familiar face for NFL fans.
After retiring from a 12-season playing career in 2017, Orlovsky joined ESPN, where he’s been one of the network’s most utilized analysts. But now, the former quarterback may not be on TVs for some time.
Following the end of the NFL’s 2024 season, Orlovsky shared a message on “First Take” Monday that signaled he’d be stepping away from the camera, but for how long?
Here’s what to know about Orlovsky potentially leaving ESPN and whether he could get into coaching.
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Is Dan Orlovsky leaving ESPN?
Orlovsky first offered his insight into the result of Super Bowl 59 on Monday, appearing on ESPN’s “Get Up” and “First Take.” In the closing moments of his time on “First Take,” though, Orlovsky said he would be “taking a break” from being on TV.
“Never know what the future holds, but I’m taking a break,” Orlovsky said. “Just want to say thank you. Appreciate you guys so much.”
Dan Orlovsky hints at an uncertain future at ESPN while signing off from his final appearance on First Take during the NFL season.
“I’m taking a break, won’t be on TV for a long time… never know what the future holds but I’m taking a break… just want to say thank you.… pic.twitter.com/aeuNti2uPz
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 10, 2025
Front Office Sports reported Monday that Orlovsky’s three-year contract with ESPN expires this summer, and the company wants to sign him to an extension. The report added that Orlovsky has “options,” including a step into coaching or even joining another network.
However, a source in the report told Front Office Sports that Orlovsky’s comments on “First Take” were about a long upcoming vacation he’ll be taking with family before draft season.
Orlovsky’s future appears to be up in the air though, and given that he’s only 41 years old and already one of the most well-known former quarterbacks holding an NFL analyst role, there could be other career avenues for him.
Dan Orlovsky coaching rumors
There’s nothing set in stone, but Orlovsky has expressed interest in NFL coaching jobs in the past.
In January, he had an exchange on social media in which he said it would “be an honor” to become the Packers’ quarterbacks coach, which is an open role with Tom Clements set to retire. Orlovsky has also been in the same building as head coach Matt LeFleur before, as LeFleur was his coach twice during his playing career.
According to CT Insider, Orlovsky has also had discussions with the Panthers and Colts for offensive coaching roles in past years.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently said on “The Pat McAfee Show” that Orlovsky has been “talking to some teams” and “seeing if there’s something that interests him.”
“I think Dan aspires to be a head coach in time. And that’s what he’d like to do. And so he’s been talking to people to see if there’s a spot that would work for him. It’s not automatic,” Schefter said, per On3. “He does a great job on TV. Obviously he could stay in TV and do that for the rest of his career if that’s what he wanted. But I think at his core, I think he misses being part of a football team.”
Dan Orlovsky playing career
Orlovsky, who spent all four of his collegiate season at UConn, was primarily a backup throughout his NFL career. The Lions selected him in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft.
Orlovsky started in 12 career games, all of which came between the 2008 and 2011 seasons. Here’s a look at his year-by-year numbers in the NFL:
| Season | Team | Games | Games started | Record | Completions-attempts | Completion percentage | Passing yards | AVG | Passing TDs | INTs |
| 2005 | Lions | 2 | 0 | – | 7-17 | 41.2% | 63 | 3.7 | 0 | 0 |
| 2006 | Lions | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2007 | Lions | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2008 | Lions | 10 | 7 | 0-7 | 143-255 | 56.1% | 1,616 | 6.3 | 8 | 8 |
| 2009 | Texans | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2010 | Texans | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2011 | Colts | 8 | 5 | 2-3 | 122-193 | 63.2% | 1,201 | 6.2 | 6 | 4 |
| 2012 | Buccaneers | 1 | 0 | – | 4-7 | 57.1% | 51 | 7.3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | Buccaneers | 2 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2014 | Lions | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2015 | Lions | 2 | 0 | – | 22-40 | 55.0% | 201 | 5.0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2016 | Lions | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Totals: | – | 26 | 12 | 2-10 | 298-512 | 58.2% | 3,132 | 6.1 | 15 | 13 |
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Dan Orlovsky coaching career
Orlovsky has not coached football before. After he retired from playing in 2017, he joined ESPN, where he’s been an analyst since.
