Cowboys’ QB Kyle Orton Expected to Retire
The Dallas Cowboys thought they had a solid plan at backup quarterback behind Tony Romo. That may no longer be the case. Per reports, backup Kyle Orton had been taking his time to make a decision over the course of the offseason, and has decided to retire.
Orton was Romo’s top backup in 2013 after signing a three-year deal and looked solid in the week 17 season finale, throwing for 358 yards and two touchdowns as the Cowboys narrowly missed out on the playoffs. Romo was unavailable due to a back injury, which is exactly why the Cowboys wanted a stable, competent backup in the first place.
With Romo still mending from offseason back surgery, Orton’s veteran presence was needed more than ever heading into camp. However, Orton apparently is done with football at just 31 years old, although no distinct reasoning for his desire to hang’em up has yet been given.
Orton may face a bit of a roadblock in his effort to end his career, however, as he’s still under contract with the ‘Boys for two more seasons. Should be commit to retiring, he’d owe Dallas roughly $3 million. Whether or not he can afford to pay that money back or whether or not the Cowboys will honor his retirement by settling with him remains to be determined.
For now, it looks like Orton has no interest in continuing his playing career. That would leave Dallas with subpar backup options in Brandon Weeden and Caleb Hanie. Needless to say, either would represent a significant downgrade behind Romo.
It’s fairly shocking to see Orton ready to walk away at just 31, as he’s very much in the prime of his career as a quarterback. In fact, it was just three seasons ago that Orton was a fairly effective starter for the Denver Broncos. Orton produced back to back 20+ touchdown seasons in Denver, while also putting up 18 touchdowns with the Chicago Bears.
Orton is famously remembered as being a part of the Jay Cutler traded that sent Cutler to Chicago, while he also helped Denver get off to an unlikely 6-0 start with Josh McDaniels in 2009. Just one year later, Orton was knee-deep in Tebowmania and was traded again, that time to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rather than chase down another starting opportunity following the 2011 season, Orton latched on with the Cowboys in 2012 and has attempted just 61 total passes since.
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