Kyle Orton Would Like to Return to Chicago Bears
In a surprising move, the Denver Broncos waived quarterback Kyle Orton today, clearing the way for Tim Tebow to run around like a chicken with his head cut off for the Broncos for the rest of the season. The interesting part is that Orton requested to be released after the Jay Cutler injury, hoping for a return ticket to Chicago. This from the Denver Post’s Mike Klis:
"Orton and his agent David Dunn had started talking to Broncos officials about the move after it was learned Chicago Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler suffered a broken thumb on his right passing thumb Sunday that will likely sideline him for the rest of the season.Orton has declined to comment."
Here’s where it gets interesting. Orton has to clear waivers to get to come back to Chicago. The Bears are 30th on the waiver priority list, with only San Francisco and Green Bay behind them. I highly doubt that the Bears would put in a waiver claim, in which case they assume the roughly $2.6 million that Orton is due for the rest of the season. I expect the Bears will not put in a claim and gamble that neither the Niners or Packers will put in a claim. Since Orton has made it know that he wants to be back in Chicago, he would be free to do so, at the Bears’ price, if he clears waivers.
I said this the day the Bears made the trade for Jay Cutler and I’ll repeat it today – I think Kyle Orton is a perfect backup quarterback. He’s a game manager who can make an occasional play and typically won’t make that “oh crap” throw that gets you beat.
Let me be clear about this, Orton should be brought to Chicago only as a backup to Caleb Hanie. Orton would be the doomsday plan in case Hanie gets hurt and Nathan Enderle would be pressing into leading the Bears.
I don’t know about you, but I think Orton to the Bears is going to happen. The Texans, one of the teams thought to be in the discussion, have supposedly bowed out. I think there are plenty of teams that would consider Orton as an upgrade to their present quarterbacking situations but I doubt they think he’s worth the $2.6 mildo for a 6 week rental. If Orton clears waivers, this becomes a slam dunk.
Start growing your neckbeards now Bears fans. Fear the neckbeard!