The Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys have sustained injuries to their starting quarterbacks. Both sign-callers were hurt in Sunday’s round of NFL games; Chicago’s Jay Cutler was injured at home against the Cardinals, while Dallas’ Tony Romo was hurt during a matchup with the Eagles.
The backups for both squads failed to cement their places as starters once they replaced the go-to guys.
Bears second stringer Jimmy Clausen went 14 of 23 for 123 yards in Cutler’s absence. He threw no touchdowns against one interceptions. The Cardinals would go on to outscore the Bears 20-6 in the final two quarters.
Cowboys backup QB Brandon Weeden had a much more successful run. He completed all seven of his passes for 73 yards and a touchdown. The problem for Weeden is that Sunday’s performance is considered by many to be the exception in his string of routine, mediocre outings. Even though he was selected as a first round draft pick by the Browns in 2012, Weeden never had the talent to thrive in the NFL.
A possible solution for both teams’ issue at quarterback could be a player familiar with both franchises.
Kyle Orton, drafted by Chicago in 2005, started 15 games for a Bears team that won 11 that season. Orton has thrown 30 touchdown passes in a Bears uniform.
In Dallas, Orton numbers weren’t pretty but he won games in situations where he was called off his couch to perform. Before Orton left the Cowboys to play for the Buffalo Bills, rumors started spinning about his inability to mesh with Tony Romo.
#Cowboys evaluating whether to sign a veteran QB as backup. They considered Kyle Orton, who is still finished with football (shocking).
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 21, 2015
However, if Dallas is looking for a cheap upgrade at quarterback, Orton is certainly worth a thought.