The Dallas Cowboys have released quarterback Kyle Orton, per Adam Schefter:
Dallas Cowboys are releasing QB Kyle Orton, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 15, 2014
Orton, who had considered retirement, was still ahead of Brandon Weeden on the Cowboys depth chart, but Weeden will now officially become the team's #2 quarterback. QB Caleb Hanie is still with the franchise, and will (at least temporarily) move up to #3. 34-year-old starter Tony Romo is recovering from his second back surgery, but his status for the 2014 season is not in question.
If Orton had retired, he would have owed the Cowboys $3 million of his $5 million signing bonus. Because he's been released, Orton now owes the Cowboys nothing. The player had already been fined almost $70,000 for skipping the team's minicamp.
Orton's best years as a quarterback came with the Denver Broncos in 2009 and 2010, but the team never made the playoffs with him under center. In two years as a backup in Dallas, Orton completed 42 of 61 passes for 487 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.
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