Cowboys strike three-year deal with Kyle Orton

Posted by Evan Silva on March 14, 2012, 1:28 PM EDT
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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Cowboys have struck a three-year agreement with quarterback Kyle Orton.

Along with free agent cornerback Brandon Carr, Orton was visiting Cowboys headquarters as of Tuesday. Carr is expected to sign with the team eventually. The Orton deal is done.

Orton replaces Jon Kitna as Tony Romo’s primary clipboard holder. Orton, 29, has a 35-34 career record as a starter and an 80:57 touchdown-to-interception ratio entering his seventh season in the league.

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54 responses to “Cowboys strike three-year deal with Kyle Orton”

  4. Mr Romo…you ,sir, have officially been put on notice by the guy that always “stands behind you” in the media…hahaha

  12. I didn’t know the cowboys were looking to replace romo….but i guess it’s about time.

  14. Surprised Orton/Cambell didnt wait till MIA/CLE missed out on a QB and signed on there to compete for starting job. I guess some guys like to hold the clipboard

  15. A GREAT pickup at backup QB. He will be a very able replacement in the event Romo does miss games. Strong arm, makes good decisions, and he is very capable. Great signing for the Cowboys, and a MUCH better addition than some 3rd or 4th round rookie, IMO.

  16. xxwhodatxx says:
    Mar 14, 2012 1:32 PM
    They finally replaced Romo?

    _____________
    Not initially but as much as I hate the Cowboys, this is a good pickup. Romo takes a lot of hits and while Kitna did OK, Neckbeard is an upgrade.

  18. Good luck with ole Jer down there.At least the cheerleaders are nice looking as opposed to JJ.

  20. Iam a HUGE CHIEFS FAN and can honestly say Iam very sad to see him go. He only played in 3 games for the Chiefs but in those 3 games he played like a true champion. We won 2 of those games and lost the 3rd one in overtime. So I can truly say that the Cowboys fans should not be critical of Orton as he is a darn good QB.

  21. Jerry Jones proving yet again that he knows nothing about being an effective GM. Why even have McGee on the team?

  24. NICE!

    Not only does he suck, but now there is a possibility to see..KO VS the Real RGIII !!!

    (Kyle Orton vs Rex Grossman the 3rd, yes he has the same initials)

    Battle of the bears ex qb’s that are now backups else where and equally suck!

    SHould be epic

  26. So sign someone to backup Romo when he gets hurt instead of signing someone to protect Romo from getting hurt… I am truly sorry cowboy fans.

  27. drunkenjunk wrote:

    couldn’t we of just drafted someone in the 3rd or 4th round.
    ==========
    Are you drunk? You want a rookie ready to go in if, ahem, WHEN Romo goes down for a game or two? If we were happy doing junk like that, we’d have just promoted McGee to 2nd stringer.

  29. xxwhodatxx says:
    Mar 14, 2012 1:32 PM
    They finally replaced Romo?
    —–

    Reading is FUNDAMENTAL!

  31. Shouldnt we be looking for def orton only shuts down wideout when he throws last I check we let go newman and havent pick up another db.

  32. xxwhodatxx
    ————————————————–
    when Orton put up the numbers Romo put up, Maybe, Naw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  34. So he would rather go to a team that he might never start for than go to a team where he could be the starter in week 1, like the Chiefs.

    Scott Pioli must have a terrible pitch.

  35. Would have preferred promoting McGee to # 2, drafted a #3, and spent available other $ on OL and CB. I know Nicks got away, but Ben Grubbs and Steve Hutchinson are still there.
    And I’m banking on them getting Carr @ CB.

  36. deshackle says: Mar 14, 2012 1:52 PM

    Kyle Orton is now the best backup QB in NFL history.

    ——————————

    Earl Morrall would beg to differ.

  38. Even Orton himself knows he’s a backup.

    Some of you guys are late to the party.

  39. I am suprised Indianapolis didn’t sign him. He could have started if Luck needed to learn the system and He could have backed up Luck if needed.

  40. Kyle Orton is now the best backup QB in NFL history

    Not better than Steve Grogan let alone Steve Young.

  41. For all the jokes, this is a nice signing by the Cowboys. Orton isn’t a superstar, but he’s a solid backup and every team needs one. Ask the Colts.

  42. deshackle says: Mar 14, 2012 1:52 PM

    Kyle Orton is now the best backup QB in NFL history.

    ——————————

    And he will be coached by the best 3rd string QB in NFL history.

  44. Wonder what didn’t work out in KC. Seems like he’d have a viable chance to either start there or come in at some point.

    If the Chiefs both lose Orton and lose out on the Manning race, suddenly they seem very vulnerable again at a key position. Par for the course in their division, but right now this seems odd.

  45. Orton is a huge upgrade at the backup spot. jokes are good and all but Orton is better than more than a couple starters in the league and every team needs a backup this was a good signing.

  46. What Dallas needs is an offensive line. If the quarterback isn’t protected and isn’t given the time to run the play it doesn’t matter who you have as your quarterback.

  47. I’d bet you cold Bud that if Orton really shines in pre-season, you’ll see a lot of McGee and even less of Orton. Can’t let anybody prove that they can be better than Romo. Image, you know. And speaking of image, Jones needs to get a new face for the Cowboys. That wrinkled puss of his is an embarrassment even if he is owner and has more money than God.

  48. If Kyle Orton could now settle as a backup after the Timmy Tebow mess, why wouldn’t he go back to Chicago where he knew the system, the fans liked him, and he had a better chance to succeed? Jason Cambell or Kyle Orton, I’d take Orton in a heartbeat! Even if he just wants to hold a clipboard, coast, and take the money and run. Screw me, I’ll screw you! Way to go Kyle!

  51. Just noticed that they have Romo under contract for 2 years, and now Orton for 3. Hmm…

  52. Look the Cowboys are going NO WHERE in 2012 let’s face it! Stephen OR perhaps Jerreh had his face, finger’s and FEET in the salary cap pie last year because the NFL’s Cyclops change counter could not get the Dallas Cowboys vending machine to balance coming up $10,000,000.00 dollars short. CYCLOPS NOTICED this when the money was short and player’s missing from the automatic spiral tines that dump players down into the retrieval bin after selecting your choice of letters.
    *
    Short on money, in need of players EVERYWHERE could Orton simply be a piece off the board that might be bartered in excess, or above his value to a team in the hunt with a need once the season begins?? We have seen Orton get the job done.. Plus the Cowboys still think McGhee has a little something?? This is just a WHAT IF..

  54. Orton’s figured out the best QB strategy in the league. Career backup, only have to take the hits when #1 goes down, and then only have to play pretty good, with none of the pressure. Kitna played a long time that way, with a few unremarkable years as a starter. “A man needs to know his limitations.” I like it.

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