ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith used his platform Monday to deliver a direct message to network executives about retaining top NFL talent. Speaking on First Take, Smith openly questioned whether ESPN is doing enough to keep some of its most respected football analysts. His comments were centered around a discussion where he felt the Dallas Cowboys should have done more to keep ESPN Monday Night Football analyst Troy Aikman within the family of the Cowboys.
Instead, Aikman signed on in an advisor role with the Miami Dolphins. Smith then used the discussion to pivot his comments towards ESPN and several of it’s NFL analysts, including Dan Orlovsky, while also highlighting Ryan Clark and Louis Riddick.
“I’ll say this on national television to the bosses at ESPN. We need to cherish the people that we have,” Smith said. “I don’t think Dan [Orlovsky] is going to be here too much longer, to be quite honest, here in the years to come. Because this man knows his damn football.”
Smith continued by warning his network that competitors could target ESPN’s talent pool. He pointed to Orlovsky’s football acumen as a trait that will draw outside interest.
The longtime host expanded his comments beyond Orlovsky. He suggested that other ESPN analysts could also attract opportunities outside Bristol. Smith specifically mentioned Riddick as a candidate for a front office role in the NFL.
“Somebody is gonna come to their damn senses and give Louis Riddick a GM job or a head of football operations,” Smith said. “He deserves it.”
Smith also praised Clark’s work as an analyst. He described him as one of several high-level football minds currently on ESPN’s roster.
“They’re gonna scoop him up,” Smith said. “We have very elite minds here in the sport of football, right here at this network.”
Orlovsky signed a multi-year extension with ESPN in July of last year. Riddick and Clark are also signed to agreements with the network within the past few years.
However, Smith’s remarks reflect a growing industry trend. Networks face increasing competition for on-air talent as media companies expand their NFL coverage. Streaming platforms and league-affiliated outlets continue to invest in recognizable voices. Smith framed the issue as both urgent and strategic. He made it clear that retaining top analysts should be a priority for ESPN as competition intensifies.
ESPN has not publicly addressed the contract status of its NFL talent.
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