With $8.8 million, Broncos really like Kyle Orton as future QB
By Lindsay Jones and Mike Klis
Broncos quarterbacks Tim Tebow, Brady Quinn and Kyle Orton. (AP)
After the Broncos signed quarterback Kyle Orton to a one, year, $8.8 million contract extension through the 2011 season, the question becomes: What will the Broncos future quarterback situation look like?
The deal will give Orton three years, in the prime of his career, in Josh McDaniels’ offensive system. It will also help ease the pressure for rookie quarterback Tim Tebow, who could not get two years of developing under Orton and Brady Quinn, who is also signed through 2011.
Tebow could follow the development program that Philip Rivers went through in San Diego, where he sat two years behind Drew Brees, and Aaron Rodgers, who waited three years in Green Bay before Brett Favre retired for the first time following the 2007 season.
Rivers and Rodgers are now considered among the top five or six quarterbacks in the NFL, so it’s clear patience had its benefits.
Orton will play this year on the $2.621 million salary he was tendered as a restricted free agent.
For 2011, Orton will get a bump to $8.8 million, with $5.5 million guaranteed.
Orton, who arrived in Denver as part of the trade that sent Jay Cutler to Chicago in April 2009, would have become an unrestricted free agent after the 2010 season.
“His leadership and knowledge of the offense have enabled him to have a solid offseason and training camp, and we are collectively looking forward to the 2010 season,” coach Josh McDaniels said in a statement.
He had expressed his desire for a new contract from the Broncos in the offseason, but instead saw the team trade for Brady Quinn in March and draft Tim Tebow in April.
Yet Orton emerged as the clear No. 1 quarterback in training camp. He now has the chance to keep the Tebow Era at bay for another year.
“This is the place that my wife and I definitely want to be,” Orton said in a statement released by the team. “Considering the labor environment, I’m aware of how difficult it was to get this deal done and am extremely appreciative of all of the hard work and support from [general manager] Brian Xanders and Coach McDaniels during this process. I’m eager to get this season started and will do whatever I can to help this team be successful.”
