Stephen A. Smith Issues Warning to ESPN as NFL Teams Circle Dan Orlovsky

Stephen A. Smith urged ESPN to value employees like Dan Orlovsky more otherwise they have skills and qualities to secure a lucrative job elsewhere.

Stephen A. Smith Issues Warning to ESPN as NFL Teams Circle Dan Orlovsky

Stephen A. Smith and Dan Orlovsky (Image via IMAGO)

In Short
  • Stephen A. Smith warns ESPN to value Dan Orlovsky and other analysts before NFL teams recruit them.
  • Orlovsky joined ESPN in 2018 and signed a multi-year contract extension in 2025.
  • Smith's comments come after ESPN removed Orlovsky from their Monday Night Football booth B-team.

Stephen A. Smith dropped a curious hint about Dan Orlovsky’s future on ESPN on Monday. Although Orlovsky’s place in the network does not appear to be in immediate danger, Smith made it clear that he wants to see the longtime contributor continue on his duties as an analyst on the channel.

Orlovsky joined ESPN in 2018, right after retiring from pro football. Initially, he was part of the large group of experts who covered college football. Later, he was tasked to analyze NFL games. In 2025, the 42-year-old reportedly signed a multi-year contract extension, cementing his place beside Smith, Ryan Clark, Louis Riddick, Rex Ryan, Damien Woody, and Michael Tannenbaum.

Still, Smith’s recent comments about Orlovsky have made people wonder what his future on network TV will be. He said:

I’m gonna say this on national television to the bosses at ESPN… We need to cherish the people that we have. I don’t think Dan [Orlovsky’s] gonna be here too much longer, because this man knows his damn football, and somebody gonna get smart enough and scoop him up.

Smith also included Clark and Riddick in his monologue, whom he believes could be hired by NFL teams. Earlier this year, Riddick was in the running to become general manager in the league. Moreover, Smith in full faith suggested Clark’s name for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ head coaching gig before the AFC North franchise hired Mike McCarthy. He argued:

Somebody is gonna come to their damn senses and give Louis Riddick a GM job… Somebody is gonna scoop up Ryan Clark, who is obviously a brilliant football analyst. They’re gonna scoop him up! We have very elite minds here in the sport of football, right here at this network.

Orlovsky may not have had a successful career at the pro level, but he possesses enough knowledge to get a job as a coach’s assistant if he decides to pursue it. Regardless, the timing of Smith’s statement is interesting. It comes after ESPN removed Orlovsky from their Monday Night Football booth B-team following the massive $3 billion takeover of the NFL Network.

Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported that ESPN will no longer have Monday night doubleheaders, among seven other extra games included in the deal. Those seven games are likely to be international matchups.

Stephen A. Smith reflects on the departure of Molly Qerim from First Take

Even though Molly Qerim hasn’t appeared on First Take for nearly six months, social media is still hung up on her time on the show and the channel. Qerim held the position of a host for a decade until her departure toward the end of 2025.

Stephen A. Smith Issues Warning to ESPN as NFL Teams Circle Dan Orlovsky molly qerim
Stephen A. Smith (Image via IMAGO)

Qerim announced her departure through a lengthy message on Instagram. She wrote:

After much reflection, I’ve decided it’s time to close this incredible chapter and step away from First Take. Hosting this show has been one of the greatest honors of my career. Every morning, I had the privilege of sharing the desk with some of the most brilliant, passionate, and entertaining voices in sports — and with all of you, the best fans in the world.

Fans of the show believed that Stephen A. Smith had a hand in Qerim quitting the network. Smith recently addressed those rumors on the Brandon Tierney YouTube channel Unleashed. Smith claimed that Qerim wasn’t just a host and colleague, but a dear friend, and no amount of negative publicity on social media will change that fact.

I will always support her because it’s beyond the professional.

Meanwhile, Stephan A. signed a five-year $100 million+ contract with ESPN, making him one of the highest-paid broadcasters on television.

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