Kyle Orton's journey in professional football began when he was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. As a quarterback, Orton quickly found himself thrust into the spotlight during his rookie season. When starting quarterback Rex Grossman was sidelined due to injury, Orton stepped in and led the Bears to a 10-5 record in games he started, helping the team secure a playoff berth. His performance was characterized by a conservative playing style, focusing on minimizing mistakes and managing the game effectively.
In the following seasons, Orton's role with the Bears fluctuated. He spent much of the 2006 season as a backup, watching from the sidelines as the Bears reached Super Bowl XLI, only to lose to the Indianapolis Colts. The 2007 season saw Orton return to the starting lineup late in the year, and by 2008, he was named the starting quarterback. That season, he threw for 2,972 yards and 18 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to lead the offense.
Orton's time in Chicago came to an end in 2009 when he was traded to the Denver Broncos as part of a deal for Jay Cutler. In Denver, Orton found a new opportunity to prove himself as a starting quarterback. He had a strong start with the Broncos, throwing for over 3,800 yards and 21 touchdowns in the 2009 season. His performance continued to be solid in 2010, as he passed for over 3,600 yards and 20 touchdowns, though the team struggled to find consistent success.
The 2011 season brought challenges for Orton, as he faced competition from Tim Tebow for the starting quarterback position. After a 1-4 start to the season, Orton was replaced by Tebow, and he was eventually released by the Broncos. Shortly thereafter, Orton was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he finished the season as their starting quarterback.
In 2012, Orton signed with the Dallas Cowboys to serve as a backup to Tony Romo. During his two seasons with the Cowboys, Orton saw limited action, but he did start the final game of the 2013 season, nearly leading the team to a playoff berth in a close loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Orton's final stop in the NFL came with the Buffalo Bills in 2014. Initially signed as a backup, he was named the starting quarterback after the first month of the season. Orton provided stability to the Bills' offense, leading the team to a 9-7 record, their first winning season in a decade. After the season concluded, Orton announced his retirement from professional football.
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