With the NFL preseason only a month away, ESPN is poised to up one of its most important football voices.
Analyst Dan Orlovsky is “at the 1-yard line” with the network on a long-term contract extension, say sources briefed on the negotiations. Under the new deal, the NFL and college football analyst will continue to appear on NFL Live, SportsCenter, Get Up, and First Take. He’ll also continue to work as a game analyst for Monday Night Football’s second-string team, alongside Chris Fowler, Louis Riddick and Laura Rutledge.
Orlovsky’s new contract is not yet final, but sources say the two sides have agreed to terms. Orlovsky posted a picture toasting himself before the July 4 holiday weekend on X/Twitter and on his Instagram Story wrote, “Here’s to what’s next.”
Since joining ESPN in 2018, the former NFL quarterback has risen quickly through the ranks. Orlovsky, whose career began in 2005, is known for his expert breakdowns of game film. He’s also a versatile TV talent who’s able to trade quips with Mike Greenberg and Stephen A. Smith before dissecting X’s and O’s.
ESPN’s preference is to develop and retain homegrown talent. Orlovsky fits the mold along with Kirk Herbstreit, Ryan Clark, and his NFL Live castmates Mina Kimes and Marcus Spears. Despite his popularity with management in Bristol, he’s flirted with the idea of leaving for a coaching job in the NFL.
During an interview with Pat McAfee, NFL Insider Adam Schefter said Orlovsky would like to be a head coach someday.
“Dan’s been talking to some teams and seeing if there’s something that interests him and is worthwhile for him,” Schefter told McAfee.
Schefter added: “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. 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.”
Talking about football on ESPN instantly gives coaching candidates credibility and visibility. The ESPN-to-coaching carousel has spun through the years. Jon Gruden, then ESPN’s highest-paid employee, left MNF to become coach of the Raiders in 2018, a decade since he had previously graced the sidelines. Analyst Jeff Saturday left for an interim head coaching job with the Colts in 2022, only to return to the network in 2023.
Front Office Sports first reported Orlovsky was “exploring his options” in February as he faced possible free agency this summer. In June, The Athletic reported he was “expected” to re-up with the network. ESPN declined to comment.
