Dan Orlovsky – legit Cowboys hater or just a rage-click baiter?

Former NFL quarterback, and current ESPN talking head, Dan Orlovsky has had some interesting takes recently involving the Dallas Cowboys.

Most of them have Cowboys Nation slapping the label “Cowboys Hater” on Orlovsky. But is it really that simple?

It could be Orlovsky is engaging in some good old-fashioned rage-baiting here.

Or is he actually worse at being a talking head than he was as an NFL quarterback?

The sad thing is, that’s actually a low bar to clear.

A Journeyman Backup

Orlovsky’s 12-year playing career began in 2005 with the Lions, where he stayed for four seasons.

He spent two years in Houston, a season in Indianapolis, two seasons in Tampa Bay, and then returned to Detroit for three years.

He was mostly a back-up journeyman. Orlovsky played in just 26 games, starting in 12, with a 2-10 record.

In five of his 12 seasons, this was how he spent his time on game days.

In 2008, he started seven games for the Lions during their abysmal 0-16 campaign. He threw eight touchdowns and eight interceptions and finished with 1,616 yards passing.

He did a little better in five starts with the Colts, going 2-3 as their starter.

But overall, Orlovsky won’t be on anyone’s Top 300 QB list. In fact, as a player, he’s more known for accidentally running out the back of the endzone on a play.

As a talking head on television, somehow he managed to be even worse.

Say What, Danny?

Considered his hottest of hot takes, Orlovsky back in 2019 insisted that Georgia’s Jake Fromm was the next Patrick Mahomes.

Mahomes has three rings as an NFL quarterback. Fromm went 0-2 and played in three games for the Giants in 2021.

Fromm has not played in the NFL since.

Orlovsky had an obvious bias toward Carson Wentz.

As most regular readers here know, I’m a North Dakota State guy. And back in 2016 I was hoping the Cowboys would move up and take Wentz.

But by 2020, even I knew Wentz was never going to be the same after his leg injury, nor would he be an elite quarterback.

Orlovsky never got that memo.

While his takes are mostly atrocious, he can break down film. Anyone who has reached the NFL as a quarterback should be able to do that.

The problem is, he doesn’t stick to game films. And he really should – at least in place of talking about the Cowboys.

His takes concerning Dallas is where you have to wonder if he’s trolling for attention (i.e. ratings) or if he’s really that much of a hater.

The Hottest Of Takes

Orlovsky has since moved on from Wentz and has jumped on the bandwagon of Matthew Stafford. At least he’s backing a Super Bowl champion now.

Recently, Orlovsky ranked his top five NFC quarterbacks.

He listed Stafford at the top. The remaining four were: Jordan Love, Brock Purdy, Kirk Cousins, and Jared Goff.

Nowhere do you see the name Dak Prescott.

Orlovsky got called on it but didn’t back down.

Yes, long-time readers know I’ve been hard on Prescott too. But as a regular season quarterback, Prescott should have been second on this list.

If this were ranking the best playoff quarterbacks, Orlovsky would have been on firmer ground.

Orlovsky has been riding the Cowboys’ front office this offseason too. He’s also called them the cheapest team in the NFL.

He also said the team (front office) would “rather be relevant than remembered.” Unsurprisingly, these comments have not been well received by the Cowboys fan base.

Does that make him a “hater”?

Or, is he just stirring the pot – filled with low-hanging fruit — to get viewers to watch him on ESPN, or clicking on his social media?

It Isn’t Always Hate

People love to confuse criticism with hate. Especially when the criticism is justified.

Boy, can I attest to that.

Some of Orlovsky’s points are valid. Other points he’s made seem silly.

It doesn’t make him a hater. It makes him opinionated.

Which is what he’s paid to do.

Offer an opinion – or an observation – on topics connected to the NFL.

The fact that people are talking about what he says means he’s good at what he does. Something one couldn’t say about his NFL playing days.

So no, he’s not a hater.

But he does appear to be a future Hall of Fame baiter. Especially when it comes to topics connected to the Cowboys.