Why Dan Orlovsky continues to trash Fernando Mendoza's name and favor Ty Simpson, according to NFL online sleuths

As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, few prospects have generated as much buzz as Fernando Mendoza. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner, who led Indiana to a remarkable championship season, is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick-most notably by the Las Vegas Raiders. However, not everyone is aligned with that consensus, especially Dan Orlovsky, an analyst for ESPN.

Orlovsky sparked widespread debate after publicly ranking Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson ahead of Mendoza in this year's draft class.

Speaking on the Get Up show, Orlovsky made his stance clear. "I think Ty Simpson is QB1," he said. "I think Ty Simpson is the best quarterback in this class."

He continued by emphasizing the differences in responsibility between the two players. "I think when you look at the body of work and what was asked of these two quarterbacks, you have to start with the question, who needed to do more to carry their football team to play well? Ty Simpson, and it's not close."

The critique didn't stop there. "Between those two quarterbacks who took more games over throughout the course of the season? Ty Simpson, it's not even close.

"And if we're asking like, 'okay, we're trying to see what you are as a player in college and what you're going to be asked to do in the NFL, and what translates'. I start with, what do you do in moments of panic with the football? Because that's really what separates good [from] great."

Fans question the Simpson narrative

While bold draft opinions are nothing new, Orlovsky's take quickly drew backlash across social media.

Many fans pushed back on the idea that Mendoza - fresh off a dominant season - could be ranked below Simpson, whose résumé has not matched the same level of production or spotlight.

But the reaction didn't stop at disagreement. Online sleuths began digging deeper, suggesting that Orlovsky's stance might be influenced by off-field connections.

Specifically, fans noted that both Orlovsky and Simpson are represented by CAA, the sports management agency, while Mendoza is signed with Excel Sports Management.

According to those findings, Orlovsky works with CAA Sports Media agent Matt Olson, while Simpson is represented by CAA Sports for player negotiations.

While there is no evidence to suggest that these relationships have influenced his analysis, the overlap has fueled speculation among fans eager to understand the reasoning behind such a controversial ranking.

Orlovsky later responded on the Pat McAfee show, saying: "There's no ulterior motive behind this."

Meanwhile, the Raiders remain at the center of the draft conversation.

Holding the No. 1 overall pick, the franchise has been consistently linked to Mendoza, despite his decision not to throw at the scouting combine in Indianapolis.

Mendoza ticks the Raiders' boxes

Leadership within the organization, including minority owner Tom Brady and general manager John Spytek, has yet to publicly reveal its intentions.

However, Spytek did outline the qualities he values in a franchise quarterback: "It's such a hard game, your competitive spirit has to run really high," Spytek told reporters in Indianapolis.

"You've got to be willing to play through, you know, tough circumstances and to me, it always goes back to the love of the game.

"The guys that truly love football, they love to practice, they love to prepare, they love to watch film, they love to play hurt, so I think those things are kind of uncompromising."

By most evaluations, Mendoza checks every one of those boxes. His 2025 season at Indiana was nothing short of historic.

Highlights include a perfect 16-0 record and signature moments such as a game-winning throw against Penn State and a decisive quarterback sneak in the national title game versus Miami.

Statistically, he was just as dominant, throwing for 3,535 yards with an FBS-leading 41 touchdowns against only six interceptions.

As draft day nears, the debate surrounding Mendoza and Simpson is unlikely to fade. Whether Orlovsky's evaluation proves prophetic or controversial in hindsight, the spotlight on this quarterback class is only getting brighter.