On a day when head coaches, general managers, and offensive coordinators are all being let go, NFL quarterback extraordinaire Kyle Orton is actively choosing to let go of a wild career that took him all over the country. And fans are already calling for his return.
The 10-year veteran who had previously played for the Chicago Bears, the Denver Broncos, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Dallas Cowboys finished his career on a high note this year, going 7-5 with the Buffalo Bills and beating Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in his final game. Orton helped give Buffalo its first winning season since 2004 after signing a two-year contract that included a player option for 2015. Orton says the decision was for his family.
“I just have been going at it for 10 years and it’s just a family decision and I’ve decided to get home and be a dad and call it a day,” he said. “I think I’ve been away from my parents since going to college, so 14 years. Anytime you have a chance to end on a good note and go home and spend time with family that’s really important to me and my wife and we’re just excited to move on.”
And although he said there's nothing that would bring him back to the NFL, the fans from the team who drafted him already have some designs on his future. Following Chicago's complete house cleaning today, some people have sorta jokingly, probably sorta seriously suggested that Orton get involved with the Bears' front office. Hey, he at least finished his career with more touchdowns (101) than interceptions (69). It can't go much worse than it has the past two seasons, right?
Kyle Orton spending the next 35 years of his life drunk or high before noon only makes him more deserving of complete control of the Bears.
— Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) December 29, 2014
Kyle Orton please come back to the Bears, don't retire.
— Smitt E (@smitt_e) December 29, 2014
Bears GM Kyle Orton, Bears coach Rex Grossman.
— Amanda Kaschube (@amandakaschube) December 29, 2014
Kyle Orton is the only correct choice for new head coach of the Chicago Bears. he's perfect. pic.twitter.com/xmoLeycdG9
— ben affleck (@curvethatedge) December 29, 2014
Maybe he'll end up on the #Bears coaching staff... LOL RT @Shep670: "The end of an era. RT @RavensInsider Kyle Orton retiring"
— Justyn Polk (@JustynVP) December 29, 2014
Kyle Orton retires. The Bears need a new coach. The way this franchise is going, I can see this happening.
— Scott Cederlund (@ScottCederlund) December 29, 2014
Kyle orton the only QB that the bears had im the past 10 years that i respect/like prolly the most reliable
— jareem fleming (@The_Shogunn) December 29, 2014
My preferences for next Bears HC: 1. Jay Cutler (player/coach) 2. Rex Ryan 3. Kyle Orton 4. My old little league coach, Kirk
— Louis Nelson (@louisjnelson) December 29, 2014
"Purdue athletic director Kyle Orton" "Chicago Bears head coach Kyle Orton" "Emperor of the Universe Kyle Orton"
— Aneesh Ramaswamy (@aneeshswamy) December 29, 2014
Really? RT: @amandakaschube: Bears GM Kyle Orton, Bears coach Rex Grossman.
— Troy Johnson Jr. (@TroySports1) December 29, 2014
Kyle Orton 4 Bears HC
— will.. (@william_956) December 29, 2014
Soo Kyle Orton as OC for the Bears? A man can dream am I right?
— Kramer Feasel (@kfeasel23) December 29, 2014
Just hand the Bears over to a college of all their old QB's. Jim Miller, Kyle Orton, Todd Collins, Brian Griese, Craig Krenzel, Jonathan Qui
— Jason (@jason1749) December 29, 2014[via Bills]
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