Kansas City Claims Kyle Orton Off Waivers

Added on Nov 23, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

NFL

The Denver Broncos released veteran Kyle Orton on Tuesday and by Wednesday he had a new team–the Kansas City Chiefs claimed Orton off of waivers to bolster the depth at the quarterback position after a season ending injury to starter Matt Cassel. Orton had been supplanted in Denver by Tim Tebow after being benched for ineffective play and is no doubt looking for a new start in a different city.

Kansas City will be on the hook for the $2.5 million remaining on Orton’s 2011 contract. Orton will be a free agent after this season so the move to KC is a good opportunity for him to boost his market value heading into the off season. For Kansas City, it gives them a veteran signal caller to work with rookie Tyler ‘The Commodore’ Palko. For now, the player known as ‘The Commodore’ who has quickly become a fan favorite in Kansas City will keep the starting job though he’ll no doubt be on a short leash with a veteran like Orton waiting in the wings.

Befitting his nickname ‘The Commodore’ Palko played reasonably well in his debut as a starting quarterback though he did throw three interceptions as the game started to get away from the Chiefs against the New England Patriots. Head coach Todd Haley liked a lot of what he saw from Palko despite the loss:

“He never had a look that disturbed me before, after, during the game. I know playing that position, there’s no greater test, and getting thrown in to the fire on Monday night and, oh, by the way, six days later playing Pittsburgh, it doesn’t get any harder.”

As you’d expect from a player given the nickname ‘The Commodore’, Palko said that the addition of Orton won’t change his approach to the game:

“Todd told me after practice that they claimed Kyle, and that’s really it. He didn’t tell me either way (about starting). Just full speed ahead for Pittsburgh.

“I’ve been the practice squad quarterback, I’ve been the No. 3, the No. 2, and the starter last week. I prepare the same way, with the same intensity, and that hasn’t changed. I’ve never wavered or changed my mentality.”

The Chiefs host Pittsburgh on Sunday with Kansas City a +10′ point NFL betting underdog. The total in the game is set at 40.