ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky runs out of another endzone with Fernando Mendoza-Ty Simpson take

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: ESPN Broadcaster Dan Orlovsky speaks before the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium on September 22, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) | Getty Images On October 12, 2008, then-Detroit Lions quarterback Dan Orlovsky made one of the most memorable blunders in NFL history when he, facing pressure from Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, ran out of the back of the Lions’ own endzone for a safety. On Tuesday, now-ESPN NFL analyst Orlovsky made a similar blunder when he, facing pressure from fellow ESPN television personality and former Colts punter Pat McAfee, asked the latter to specify which “biggest games” Indiana quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner Big Ten champion, Rose Bowl champion, Peach Bowl champion and, last but not least, national champion Fernando Mendoza played in this past season.

Fernando Mendoza is QB1 #PMSLive pic. twitter. com/xAebgf77Ix — Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 24, 2026 Orlovsky, one of the network’s most visible NFL analysts, recently shared his thoughts on the 2026 NFL Draft class, specifically his belief that Alabama’s Ty Simpson is the best quarterback available, notably over Mendoza, the favorite to be selected No.

1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders. Now, look, it’s one thing for Orlovsky to share his thoughts on two of the top names in the coming draft. That’s his job, it’s what ESPN pays him to do.

It’s a different thing to ask which “biggest games” he played in. McAfee, speaking with Orlovsky about his take on his show on Tuesday, mentioned how he’d watched Mendoza in some of the biggest games before Orlovsky asked him to name which games. When the excruciatingly obvious point that McAfee was referring to the, uh, College Football Playoff was raised, Orlovsky went on defense, asking if he was allowed to raise questions.