Is Orton The Bears' Savior?
By Benjy Lipsman in News on Nov 23, 2011 2:30PM
Kyle Orton, as we prefer to remember him.
Could Captain Neckbeard be returning to the Bears in a Movember miracle to save the team from doom, now that Jay Cutler has been lost to a broken thumb?
Recently demoted behind Tim Tebow, the Broncos granted Kyle Orton's request and waived the quarterback on Tuesday. The Denver Post reported that Orton and his agent approached Broncos officials about being release after learning about Cutler's injury, and let it be known that he'd be interested in re-joining the Bears.
Bears head coach Lovie Smith on Monday said the team was looking to add a veteran QB with Cutler undergoing the knife; J.T. O'Sullivan and Josh McCown were among the names floated because they had previously played in Martz's offense. We'd have to think they also put out feelers to Marc Bulger, even if he insisted he was done with football — hadn't Carson Palmer said the same thing? Some even think the Bears should reach out to Brett Favre!
Orton presents another interesting option should he be available. But with the Bears' 7-3 mark, a number of other teams would be able to claim Orton before the Bears, notably the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, who both recently lost their starting QBs. Orton makes the most sense for the Bears. Given that he's three years removed from Chicago, never played under Martz and only took the field previously with Matt Fotre and Devin Hester, Bears fans shouldn't expect to find Orton under center ahead of Caleb Hanie. But he'd be a much more reassuring back-up than Nate Enderle should Hanie get hurt or prove ineffective.
We'll learn at 3 p.m. whose claim is granted or if Orton becomes a free agent and can sign anywhere. By claiming Orton off waivers, any team who grabs him would owe him about $2.58 million for the rest of the season. Were he to clear, a team could sign him for any amount.
Orton made a name for himself in Chicago as a replacement QB when Rex Grossman was injured during the preseason in 2005. A fourth round draft pick, the rookie stepped in and led the Bears to a 10-5 record before Grossman's return in the final week of the regular season. After backing up Sexy Rexy in 2006 during the team's Super Bowl run, he reclaimed the starting job near the end of the 2007 season and started all but one game for the Bears in '08. Following that season, he was shipped to Denver as part of a trade for Cutler. Now, the two might be teammates on the Bears. And his presence on the sidelines may make Bears fans feel a bit better about the team's chances without their starting QB.