Kyle Orton has signed with the Buffalo Bills, and is expected to back up EJ Manuel, according to ESPN's James Walker. He won't be hanging up his cleats, as it was suggested he might do back in July.
Bills sign Kyle Orton to back up EJ Manuel
Kyle Orton is playing football again, just like Jerry Jones said he would.
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Orton was in a standoff with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason. He was seemingly mulling retirement, but retiring would have meant giving back his $3 million signing bonus to the Cowboys. Instead, Orton held and kept his $3 million, though the Cowboys saved $3.25 million in salary.
Jerry Jones later suggested that reports that Orton didn't want to play were false. The Bills ultimately proved him right. Head coach Doug Marrone suggested after Thursday's preseason finale that the Bills would look to sign a veteran backup in place of Jeff Tuel, and found Orton on free agency. The Bills released veteran Jordan Palmer on Thursday night after he threw three interceptions.
Orton is entering his 10th season in the NFL. He started in place of an injured Romo against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17 last season, and played well for the most part. He went 30-for-46 passing for 358 yards and two touchdowns, and almost led the Cowboys to a late win. In true Cowboys fashion, however, Orton threw a last-minute interception (his second of the game) to help seal the win for Philadelphia and cap the Cowboys' playoffs-less 2013 season.
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