Imagine watching an NFL pregame show without Randy Moss breaking down wide receiver play or Dan Orlovsky getting animated about quarterback mechanics. Feels off, right? ESPN’s lineup isn’t just a bunch of talking heads—they’re former pros who lived the game, making Sundays feel like you’re sitting in a bar with football royalty.
That’s why this past weekend was a rollercoaster of emotions for NFL fans. Randy Moss made his triumphant return after battling cancer, while Dan Orlovsky quietly dropped the bomb that he’s stepping away from TV. One legend back in the chair, another walking away.
If you tuned into First Take expecting a passionate Dan rant about quarterbacks, you probably weren’t ready for what came next.“I’m taking a break, won’t be on TV for a long time… never know what the future holds… just want to say thank you,” he said.
Just In: Dan Orlovsky hints at moving on from ESPN while signing off from his final appearance on First Take this NFL season:
“I’m taking a break, won’t be on TV for a long time… never know what the future holds… just want to say thank you. Appreciate you guys so much.”… pic.twitter.com/Npa6cb82ZA
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 10, 2025
See, back in January, a fan on Twitter suggested Orlovsky should go for the Packers’ QB coach job. His response? “Would be an honor.” A harmless reply at the time—but now? With longtime Packers QB coach Tom Clements retiring, this feels like more than a coincidence.
Green Bay isn’t the only name being thrown around, either. Some fans think Orlovsky could reunite with Kellen Moore, too. So, what this farewell means is still up in the air. While Orlovsky is out the door, Randy Moss is walking right back in. And his return isn’t just any return—it’s the kind of moment that reminds you why sports hit different.
Back in December, Moss stepped away from Sunday NFL Countdown, and the news that followed hit like a gut punch: cancer. Doctors found it between his pancreas and liver, and he needed surgery to get a liver stent placed. Just like that, one of the biggest personalities in football was fighting for his life.
Fast forward to Super Bowl weekend, and there he was—healthy, smiling, back on TV where he belonged. The NFL world showed up for him in a big way. Tom Brady, Jerry Rice, Kevin Garnett, and even Bill Belichick sent their love. “You’ve impressed and inspired us more than anything you’ve done on the field,” Brady told him. Jerry Rice called him “the GOAT.”
ESPN is definitely giving us the classic ‘one door closes; another one opens’ moment. While Moss’ return is being celebrated, Dan’s exit has fans chattering.
Dan Orlovsky’s departure sparks speculation about his next move
Speculation is running wild, and fans across the internet are convinced Dan Orlovsky is heading to coaching. “He might be getting a coaching gig, I heard,” one fan posted, while another confidently declared, “He’s going into coaching 1000%.” Many believe this isn’t just a break from TV but a full-blown career switch. “He has talked about this for some time. He isn’t retiring from TV—he’s switching careers,” another fan pointed out. Some are even digging for clues. “I think he’s getting another job back in the league. I’ll look for the story I saw in passing,” one user shared. But is it Green Bay, or could another team be in the mix? “Saints new OC,” a hopeful fan posted, sparking fresh theories.
He’d be an interesting addition to Kellen Moore’s staff if the Saints do land the Eagles’ offensive coordinator. Orlovsky and Moore go way back, having once competed for a backup QB spot in Detroit. The two have remained close, texting throughout the season, with Moore even confiding in Dan last October about his belief in Saquon Barkley’s record-breaking potential. Orlovsky, in turn, backed Moore for the Saints’ head coaching job. Could this friendship turn into a coaching partnership?
It’s a fun thought, especially with Moore’s offensive mind and Orlovsky’s deep understanding of QB play. What role Orlovsky might take remains unclear, but he’d likely start as an offensive assistant before earning a bigger role. That said, NFL teams have approached him about coaching before, and his 13-year playing career makes him an attractive candidate. He’s always maintained that it would take the perfect situation to lure him from the studio—and maybe, just maybe, that situation is just around the corner.
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