• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Dan Orlovsky’s ESPN Deal Expiring As He Explores NFL Options

ESPN wants to sign Dan Orlovsky to a contract extension. But the former QB also has “options,” notes a source familiar with his situation.

Dan Orlovsky and Ryan Clark
Brooke Sutton / ESPN Images

The 41-year-old NFL analyst’s current three-year deal expires this summer, sources tell Front Office Sports. ESPN wants to sign him to a contract extension. But whether Orlovsky re-ups is still up in the air.

ESPN management loves the work ethic of the former quarterback. He’s a mainstay on the network’s NFL shoulder programming as well as studio shows like Stephen A. Smith’s First Take and Mike Greenberg’s Get Up. Orlovsky is also a homegrown talent, much like Kirk Herbstreit and Ryan Clark. He’s the kind of hardworking, team-first player that ESPN likes to retain. Following a contract impasse and some public negotiating, Clark signed a contract extension last February.

On the other hand, Orlovsky also has “options,” notes a source familiar with his situation. Rumors have been swirling that the 12-year NFL veteran will leave TV for a coaching position this offseason. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter recently addressed the rumors on The Pat McAfee Show.

“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.”

Rival Fox Sports was also rumored to be trying to poach Orlovsky several years ago, according to sources. I could see Fox slotting in Orlovsky as a game analyst behind Tom Brady and Greg Olsen, or giving him a chair on one of its two NFL pregame shows. An elaborate tribute to Jimmy Johnson during Fox’s Super Bowl LIX pregame show fueled speculation the 81-year-old former Cowboys coach is poised to step down from top-rated Fox NFL Sunday, though the network denies that is the case.

During Monday’s episode of First Take, Orlovsky raised eyebrows by thanking Smith, Clark, Shannon Sharpe, and Molly Qerim for a great season together.

“Never know what the future holds,” he told them. When an X/Twitter user asked whether his comments amounted to a goodbye speech, Orlovsky was evasive. “Lotta decision to be made. See what happens. I’m grateful for it all,” he tweeted back.

Orlovsky’s future with ESPN is undecided. My sources tell me his First Take comments were referencing a long family vacation he plans to take before returning for ESPN’s coverage of the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine and Draft. 

Orlovsky fans hope he signs a new deal. But you never know. The former QB turned analyst could be one of those football talents like Jon Gruden, Bill Parcells, and Urban Meyer who shuttle back and forth between the media and football. ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday left for an interim head coaching job with the Colts in 2022—only to return to the network in 2023. Other ESPN NFL analysts such as Rex Ryan and Louis Riddick are also candidates for NFL jobs this offseason, sources say. 

ESPN declined to comment for this story.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

exclusive

Stan Verrett Joining FanDuel Sports Network in Multiple Roles

The former ESPN “SportsCenter” anchor has found a new home.

ESPN Draws Highest ‘MNF’ Doubleheader Audience Since 2015

Buccaneers–Texans and Chargers–Raiders averaged 13.5 million viewers.

Stephen A. Smith on MNF Role, Inside the NBA, Molly Qerim Departure

Smith told FOS he will work “at least” three games this season.
Brian Flores

Brian Flores Says NFL Arbitrator Is Stalling in Discrimination Case

A new filing says the arbitrator has done nothing for a year.

Featured Today

Adriunna Brown

Business Is Booming for WNBA’s Top Beauty Pros

A network of stylists is shaping how players look, feel, and perform.
Premier Lacrosse League
September 14, 2025

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
Tush Push

Why Fox’s Dean Blandino Is ‘Done’ With the Tush Push

The NFL rules analyst outlines why the play should be banned.
September 17, 2025

Silver: My Comments About Basketball Highlights Were ‘Misconstrued’

The NBA commissioner spoke at the Front Office Sports Tuned in summit.
September 17, 2025

Bethpage Black Joins Trend of Hosting Top Men’s, Women’s Tournaments

The 2028 Women’s PGA Championship will be there for the first time.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
September 17, 2025

Netflix Boxing Ratings Spark New Fight Over Streaming Metrics

The streamer used a non-accredited process to measure the boxing match.
Apr 24, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Malik Beasley (5) dribbles on New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the second half during game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena.
September 17, 2025

Adam Silver: NBA’s Problems With Gambling ‘Have Been Predictable’

Silver originally advocated for legalized sports betting in a 2014 op-ed.
September 17, 2025

CFB TV Ratings Stay Hot As Georgia-Tennessee Sets ABC High of 12.6M

ABC has had four games that have topped 10 million viewers this season.
Maria Taylor
September 17, 2025

Maria Taylor Talks About ‘Moving Differently’ in ESPN-NBC Jump

Taylor will be NBC Sports’ lead NBA and WNBA studio host.