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Dan Orlovsky staying at ESPN after flirting with CBS

Danby:Daniel Hager•06/10/25•

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Dan-Orlovsky-staying-ESPN-after-flirting-with-CBS
ESPN's Dan Orlovsky (Photo via ESPN)

After flirting with CBS and hinting that he could possibly explore other ventures, NFL/college football analyst Dan Orlovsky is staying at ESPN. The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported Orlovsky has not signed the new deal yet, but it has been agreed to.

Orlovsky, who played 11 seasons in the NFL (2005-2016), has been a prominent figure on ESPN programming since 2018.

The news comes after months of mystery around the former pro. On the February 10, 2025 edition of “First Take” (the morning after Super Bowl LIX), Orlovsky revealed that he would be taking time off and didn’t know when he would be returning to television.

“You guys know this is the end of the season for me, certainly for [Ryan Clark] as well,” Orlovsky said. “I’m taking a break, and I won’t be on TV for a long time. Just want to say thank you to you guys… Stephen A. [Smith], Molly [Qerim], and Shannon [Sharpe] for a great season. Love being with you guys, love y’all. Never know what the future holds but I’m taking a break, I’m sure RC is as well. Just want to say thank you. Appreciate you guys so much.”

Orlovsky flirted with CBS, but no deal was made

Following weeks of silence other than a few posts to his X account, he suddenly reappeared on ESPN programming three weeks later.

The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand had reported that Orlovsky was in talks to replace the retiring Gary Danielson on CBS’ Big Ten broadcast, but this never happened. The 12-year backup quarterback will has now solidified his spot at ESPN and will continue to appear on “NFL Live”, the second team on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” broadcasts and sporadic shows such as “Get Up” and “First Take.”

Orlovsky was hired at ESPN after retiring from the NFL in 2017 following a brief practice squad stint with the Los Angeles Rams. The former UConn Huskie was selected in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, where he’d spend his first four seasons. He then made sporadic trips around the league with the Houston Texas, the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before returning to Detroit for his final three seasons.

In 26 career games, Orlovsky passed for 3,132 yards, 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. His television career, which has certainly panned out better than his professional career has, will now continue to grow since re-upping with ESPN. His last contract, which was signed in 2022, was a three-year deal.