The former quarterback turned media personality has his eyes set on a big future.
Dan Orlovsky has a big decision to make.
On Monday morning, Orlovsky gave an unusual farewell during the closing minute of ESPN’s First Take, that left fans to speculate on his future.
“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, won’t be on TV for a long time.
“I just want to say to thank you to you guys, Stephen A, Molly [Qerim], Shannon [Sharpe] for a great season. I love you all.
“You never know what the future holds, but I’m taking a break. I’m sure R.C. is as well.
“So I just want to say thank you. I appreciate you guys so much.”
Orlovsky’s contract with ESPN is reportedly set to expire later this year, which might explain his vague farewell.
He has been publicly open about what he wants to do in the future.
And that may possibly be wearing a headset on a sideline.
Pat McAfee asked the 41-year-old last month if he had any interest in making the jump to coaching, and Orlovsky expressed his interest.
“If it’s the right place, right time, right people,” Orlovsky said.
“It seems to be a really, really fun experience.”
Fans seem certain that Orlovsky will find his way back on a sideline when his contract with ESPN expires.
“He’ll be a coach somewhere,” one fan wrote on X.
“Gonna be QB coach,’” another fan chimed in.
However, his coaching career may have to be put on hold, as Orlovsky has also expressed his interest on calling a Super Bowl as part of a no.1 broadcast team.
He has called games for ESPN as part of their no.2 team, with Louis Riddick and Chris Fowler, including Super Bowl LIX for ESPN’s broadcast audience in Australia and New Zealand.
But he has noted that he has his eyes set on a bigger role.
“I want to be on the most important stuff at the place that I work,” Orlovsky told Barrett Media.
“What’s the most important stuff? No matter where I am, I want to be on the most important stuff.”
The most important stuff would be on the network’s number one broadcast team, calling the sport’s biggest game with an audience of over 120 million people.
That’s where it seems Orlovsky wants.
Whether that’s with ESPN or somewhere else remains to be seen.
And don’t rule out Orlovsky trading in his microphone for a headset either.
