Amid rumors he’ll retire, quarterback Kyle Orton has yet to show up for offseason workouts in Dallas. As Stephen Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas/Ft. Worth, the Cowboys expect him to eventually arrive.
And for good reason. More accurately, for a good three million reasons.
Orton’s five-year deal, signed in 2012, contained a $5 million signing bonus. With two years down and three to go, Orton would have to pay back $3 million if he retires.
He’d also be missing out on $3.25 million in 2014 salary, if he walks away.
It’s unclear why Orton has stayed away. He could be miffed at the decision to sign Brandon Weeden, who could eventually supplant Orton as the primary backup to Tony Romo. Or maybe Orton wants a raise. Or maybe he’s hoping that, if the Cowboys are going to cut Orton sooner or later, they’ll do it sooner rather than later.
Either way, Orton would have to write a big check to Jerry Jones if Orton decides to walk away. Which means Orton surely won’t.