Thanks to their deal with ESPN, the NFL has gradually started including two games on Monday Night Football on special occasions. This week turned out to be one such event, as they hosted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Detroit Lions at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Houston Texans facing the Seattle Seahawks at 10 p.m. ET.
For the latter game, though, the network had a unique combination at the broadcasting booth in mind. Unfortunately, one of the new commentators did not go over well with the wider football world. As he repeatedly made the same mistake, fans began to grow frustrated, before eventually pleading for Dan Orlovsky to be fired from the role.
Fans Annoyed by Subpar Effort From Dan Orlovsky
A former quarterback in the league for the Detroit Lions, Orlovsky has transitioned to a life in sports media since calling it a career. A regular on ESPN, he is all over the network with their NFL coverage, appearing on shows like “Get Up,” “NFL Live” and “First Take” regularly.
However, with the doubleheader format, his role increased, as he joined the announcers booth as a color commentator. Unfortunately, his performance left a lot to be desired, with fans quickly growing frustrated with him.
The main source of their vitriol, though, was understandable, as the former NFL starter constantly called Seattle head coach Mike Macdonald by the wrong name, referring to him as Mike McDaniel, who is the current head coach of the Miami Dolphins.
Dan orlovsky has referred to Seattle Coach Mike Mcdonald as “Mike McDaniel” at least 5 times now
— AL (@coach_soos) October 21, 2025
Fans pointed out his error quickly, with one fan noting, “Dan orlovsky has referred to Seattle Coach Mike Mcdonald as ‘Mike McDaniel’ at least 5 times now,” with others quickly gravitating towards memes.
Orlovsky calling McDonald Mike McDaniel pic.twitter.com/ovLblzr5GA
— Carter Donnick (@CDonnick1) October 21, 2025
Others believed the elevation of Orlovsky was a direct result of the doubleheader format on Monday. As a result, one fan suggested, “Petition to stop having two Monday night games simply so I never have to hear Dan Orlovsky talk about football again. This announcer booth is BRUTAL. ESPN used to be great.”
Petition to stop having two Monday night games simply so I never have to hear Dan Orlovsky talk about football again. This announcer booth is BRUTAL.
ESPN used to be great.
— Kameron P. Nettleton (@kamtheman7) October 14, 2025
But for a majority of the fan base, though, the overall work from him was underwhelming at best, and downright bad at worst. One fan even joked, “Dan Orlovsky is the only human who actually likes to hear him talk.”
They got Dan Orlovsky calling this 2nd MNF game…… pic.twitter.com/5E8TXXyj3a
— Dallas Trashboys (@VernonHalton) October 21, 2025
Others, too, joined in on the humor. While some hoped, “Can someone please put a muzzle on Dan Orlovsky please?!” Others believed the matter needed to go up the command chain all the way to commissioner Roger Goodell himself.
Can someone please put a muzzle on Dan Orlovsky please?! @espn #MNF #texansseahawks
— Angel Jimenez (@Ajsinista) October 21, 2025
“Someone should do something to roger goodell for letting orlovsky call a game.” The overall assertion was remarkably simple. “Why does Dan Orlovsky do color for #NFL? This guy sucks.”
Someone should do something to roger goodell for letting orlovsky call a game
— Phantom (@Phantom_slice7) October 21, 2025
Overall, the experiment for a doubleheader on Monday isn’t one that has gone over well with the football world.
But the announcing booth not doing a good enough job is only going to magnify those problems even more.
