The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Quarterback Orlovsky reaches deal with Rams
Dan Orlovsky isn’t done playing football just yet. The Los Angeles Rams agreed to a one-year contract with the former UConn star quarterback, sportsspectrum.com reported Thursday.
Dan Orlovsky isn’t done playing football just yet.
The Los Angeles Rams have agreed to a one-year contract with the former UConn star quarterback, sportsspectrum.com reported Thursday.
Orlovsky, who will turn 34 next month, has made his mark mostly as a backup since entering the league in 2005 with the Detroit Lions. He’s made 12 career starts with the Lions, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Orlovsky had been contemplating his future ever since the Lions opted not to re-sign him at the conclusion of last season. The Shelton native recently told Hearst Connecticut Media that he had spoken with a few teams during the spring about playing another season, but was also considering going into broadcasting or coaching if things didn’t work out.
“In the big picture, seven months isn’t a long time. But for me, the last seven months have felt like forever. I’ve had football in my life since I was 9, and the past seven months ... I hadn’t had it,” Orlovsky said Thursday in a statement to sportsspectrum. com. “That time allowed me to truly look down into my heart, and my faith, and see where I placed Jesus. It challenged me, daily. It made me ask questions I never had before, and find answers maybe I didn’t like.
“In the last 24 hours, football and I have reconnected, as I have agreed to play this season with the LA Rams.”
With head coach Randy Edsall back at UConn, Orlovsky returned to Storrs in the spring. The school leader in completions (916), passing attempts (1,567), passing yards (10,706) and touchdown passes (84) served as a student assistant for the football team while completing his degree.
In Los Angeles, Orlovsky is expected to serve as a mentor to Jared Goff, the first overall pick in 2016, and Sean Mannion, a third-round pick in 2015. In 12 years in the NFL, Orlovsky has thrown for 3,132 yards, 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Orlovsky last played for UConn in 2004, throwing for 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions for the Motor City Bowl champions.