What did Dan Orlovsky get for his 42nd birthday from his ESPN colleagues?
How about some criticism of his past and current professional careers?
The opening segment of Monday’s episode of First Take featured Orlovsky, Stephen A. Smith, Mike Tannenbaum and Adam Schefter debating Dillon Gabriel’s preseason debut with the Cleveland Browns. And as Orovsky gushed over the Oregon product’s 13-for-18, 143-yard showing, Smith questioned how he could have such a positive evaluation over a performance that also included a pick-6 interception and a fumble.
But as Orlovsky attempted to downplay the significance of the fumble and Schefter pointed out that Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski placed the blame for the interception on Cleveland’s receivers, Smith wasn’t having it. In fact, ESPN’s $100 million man even went as far as to question whether the former Detroit Lions quarterback is willing to evaluate players the position through anything but rose-colored lenses.
“If there is a silver lining to discover about a quarterback — to all of the quarterbacks in college, in pros, damn it, in prep: if there is an explanation to assuage concerns about you at the quarterback position, Dan Orlovsky will find it,” Smith said. “I mean, this brother doesn’t have objectivity when it comes to quarterbacks.”
“Yes I do!” Orlovsky insisted. “Yes I do!”
Schefter, meanwhile, had the former UConn star’s back. Well, kind of.
“I believe Dan is objective. He’s speaking his mind about quarterbacks,” the NFL insider stated. “Listen, he is much better at evaluating quarterbacks than he is at playing quarterback.”
“That is 100 percent true,” Orlovsky concurred.
Adam Schefter: “I believe Dan is objective. He’s speaking his mind about quarterbacks. Listen, he is much better at evaluating quarterbacks than he is at playing quarterback.”
Orlovsky: “That’s 100 percent true” pic.twitter.com/bU7KhmMDy9
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) August 18, 2025
Ultimately, Smith isn’t wrong that Orlovsky’s quarterback analysis typically comes with a positive slant, but that’s not necessarily the same thing as lacking objectivity. Sure, the NFL Live star might give Matthew Stafford, Baker Mayfield or any number of quarterbacks more benefit of the doubt than most. But he’s also been willing to call out poor play when he sees it. Just ask Deshaun Watson.
While this was largely a good natured back and forth, it’s not every day you hear an ESPN star questioning a co-worker’s lack of objectivity — especially on his birthday. Offering both a defense of himself and transition to the next segment, Orlovsky remained unfazed, stealing a quote from Gabriel by stating “there’s entertainers and there’s competitors.”
That, however, only opened up a whole other can of worms.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.