Sports
Emotional Lampard: Coventry promotion 'right up there' in my achievements
Lampard celebrates Coventry's return to the Premier League after 25 years!
Sky Sports1 min read
Sports
Dan Orlovsky drops ‘nonsense’ slam on favoritism accusations between Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson
TL;DR
Dan Orlovsky dismissed accusations of favoritism in his evaluation of Ty Simpson, labeling the claims as 'nonsense.' This response comes amid a growing debate regarding Fernando Mendoza and Orlovsky's social media backlash.
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
Dan Orlovsky has firmly rejected accusations of favoritism in his evaluation of Ty Simpson, calling the narrative “nonsense” amid ongoing debate around Fernando Mendoza.
The discussion gained traction after Orlovsky’s assessment of Simpson sparked backlash across social media.
What followed was a shift away from football analysis and toward questions about bias, something the ESPN analyst has now addressed directly.
Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images
Dan Orlovsky responds to favoritism claims
Speaking in a recent interview shared via the Ross Tucker Football podcast, Orlovsky dismissed suggestions that his evaluation of Simpson was influenced by external relationships.
“Well, it started last year with the MVP race, and everyone was like, ‘Oh, Matthew Stafford’s represented by CAA.’ So was Drake May. Had no clue until people were pointing out to me that CAA also represented Drake May,” Orlovsky said.
He added, “So yeah, it’s a bunch of nonsense. I’ve said this, CAA; you know this; you don’t work for them. They work for you. That’s not meant to be in a disparaging way.
“The agent works for the talent… They are an employee of yours. CAA has never asked me to say anything. So yeah, I mean, I don’t get it, but people make up narratives.”
The comments directly address claims that his connection to Simpson’s agency played a role in his evaluation.
Instead, Orlovsky made it clear he views those accusations as detached from how player analysis actually works.
Ty Simpson’s evaluation clarified by Dan Orlovsky
The broader debate initially stemmed from Orlovsky’s rating of Simpson highly, even as Fernando Mendoza’s profile continued to rise.
“I would tell everybody that if we were going over all the guys that are the best in the league over an extended period of time, there are different levels.
“I don’t believe I’ve stated that I’m putting Ty Simpson into that very rare group of the Lamars, Joshs, Patricks, and Joes and whatnot, but I believe that he’s a starting quarterback in the NFL,” he concluded.
That distinction is central to his stance. Orlovsky is not placing Simpson among elite quarterbacks, but he does see him as capable of reaching starter level.
The clarification reframes the original take, shifting it from a comparison with top-tier names to a projection based on long-term development.
As the debate settles, Orlovsky’s response reinforces his position that evaluations should stand on football reasoning rather than external narratives.
Read more:
Q&A
What did Dan Orlovsky say about favoritism in evaluating Ty Simpson?
Dan Orlovsky rejected favoritism accusations, calling the narrative surrounding his evaluation of Ty Simpson 'nonsense.'
Why did Dan Orlovsky face backlash on social media?
Orlovsky faced backlash after his assessment of Ty Simpson led to discussions about potential bias, particularly in relation to Fernando Mendoza.
What is the ongoing debate involving Fernando Mendoza and Ty Simpson?
The debate centers around perceived favoritism in evaluations, with Orlovsky's comments on Simpson triggering discussions about Mendoza's standing.