Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Having made no secret to have a strong, veteran presence behind Tony Romo as the team’s backup quarterback, the Dallas Cowboys reached an agreement with Kyle Orton on a three-year contract, a league source said Wednesday.
Orton, 31, has started 69 games for Chicago, Denver and Kansas City in his career and has 80 touchdown passes and 57 interceptions. He has a 35-34 record as a starter but struggled in Denver with a 4-9 record in 2010-11.
Since Jason Garrett joined the organization in 2007, the Cowboys have had older backups, likeBrad Johnson and Jon Kitna as Romo’s backup. Johnson went 1-2 in 2008 when Romo missed three games with a broken pinky. Kitna, who retired earlier this offseason, went 4-5 in 2010 after Romo suffered a season-ending collarbone injury.
The Cowboys hoped to add Orton to the roster last year after Kitna suffered a back injury that ultimately ended his season. They made a waiver claim on Orton last year following his release from the Broncos, but were beaten to the punch by Kansas City.
Orton had nine touchdown passes and nine interceptions for the two teams last year, but did end Green Bay’s run at a perfect record in December with a 19-14 victory.
Orton played for quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson in Chicago and his agent, David Dunn, also represents Garrett.
The Cowboys also have Stephen McGee on the roster, but he is entering the final year of his contract.
WRITTEN BY Adam Schefter and Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com - ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com contributed to this report & FULL STORY HERE