Between 2005 and 2015, former Detroit Lions, among other teams, signal caller Dan Orlovsky played 26 NFL games, none of which were particularly notable.
But for the last three years, the ex-UConn stalwart has crushed it on both ESPN and social media, delivering incisive gridiron truth bombs, some of which land well and some of which are way off-base. Whether or not you agree with Orlovsky’s takes, he’s always intriguing, so much so that some consider him to be NFL head coach material himself.
Orlovsky isn’t afraid to stir any given pot — he seems to have very few unexpressed opinions, for that matter — so when Kevin Clark of “This is Football” asked him about the Chicago Bears’ hunt for a new head coach, he wasn’t afraid to tell the Ben Johnson truthers that they should consider pumping the brakes.
Dan Orlovsky Urges Pause on Bears-Ben Johnson Union Discussions
Speaking with Clark, Orlovsky called for a more thought-out process behind holding off on a quick-fire Johnson hire from Chicago’s front office. Instead, he made the case for why the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator’s playcalling could be more advantageous for his quarterback Jared Goff’s playing style than Caleb Williams’.
I asked @danorlovsky7 how to save the Bears. He gave the best take I haven't heard before.
Should Ben Johnson be Chicago's first choice?
"I would very much entertain others if I was Kevin Warren."
"Jared plays on time so well…that's not necessarily Caleb's strong point." pic.twitter.com/XVSAcKEbMN
— Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) December 23, 2024
Orlovsky has a point, in that the Bears are in a situation where the right guy on paper might not be the right guy in reality. Nobody will deny that Johnson is a creative, almost innovative offensive mind, but Chicago’s next hire is (or should be) centered on what’s best for the development of their young QB, Williams.
Orlovsky isn’t the only one who’s not fully on Team Johnson; there are plenty of fans who want Chicago to cast a wider coaching net.
Agree with Dan. Caleb will struggle with Johnson’s system because he doesn’t know how to play on time
— Monte Monkey Money (@Patt_Gerhardt) December 23, 2024
“I always thought their #1 candidate should be Kliff,” called out another fan, throwing his support behind Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Kingsbury worked alongside Williams at USC.
Joe Brady is the guy
— joe quixotic (@southsidejoeyb) December 23, 2024
During his Detroit tenure, Johnson has indeed done wonders for his quarterback Goff, helping elevate the former Los Angeles Rams passer into an MVP candidate. That’s all fine and good, but what if he and Williams simply don’t vibe? What if the Xs and Os mesh but their personalities don’t? What if Johnson wants to install an offense that doesn’t jibe with Williams’ vision for himself and the Bears?
What if, what if, what if.
Orlovsky believes that Williams needs a playbook loaded with simple completions, and Johnson isn’t about simplicity, which is why he notes, “Together, is [Johnson and Williams] the perfect marriage? I’m not there yet.”