Could Kyle Orton Be The Washington Redskins Starting Quarterback In 2012?

With all the conjecture about the Washington Redskins pursuing the likes of Peyton Manning and Matt Flynn — coupled with the rumours surrounding plans to draft either Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill or Brandon Weeden — a new candidate has emerged in the race for who might be the next starting quarterback for the Redskins — Kyle Orton.

Orton has been something of a journeyman during his time playing in the NFL. He has been the starting quarterback on three different teams and is likely to have his fourth come the beginning of the 2012 season. It was, in fact, Washington head coach Mike Shanahan who began Orton’s journey, when he was fired from the Denver Broncos. Josh McDaniels took over and promptly got Orton in a trade, where he sent Shanahan’s chosen quarterback Jay Cutler to Chicago.

Ironically, this may never have happened as originally it was reported that there was a three way deal on the table to send Cutler to either Tampa Bay or Detroit. How is this ironic and what does it have to do with Orton?

That three way trade would have involved then New England backup quarterback Matt Cassel joining the Broncos as their starting quarterback. Cassel instead went to Kansas City, where he was joined in 2011 by Orton following the Chiefs picking up Orton off waivers. To further add to the irony, should Orton join the Redskins, not only would he be playing for the coach who’s protege resulted in his first move, but also he would be reunited with the quarterback he supplanted while in Chicago.

That quarterback was none other than 2011 Redskins starting quarterback Rex Grossman.

So why do the Redskins have interest in Orton? From what various sources have reported, there is still a lingering opposition to Matt Flynn being brought in as the starter. Then there are those who believe that Manning is too great a risk with his nerve injuries from which he may never fully recover — that is if Manning wished to play in Washington at all.

As for the draft rumors, we are hearing that the trade up for Robert Griffin III won’t happen, which would result in either Tannehill being drafted sometime in the first two rounds or possibly Brandon Weeden or Kirk Cousins in the second or third-round.

In the likely even that the Redskins draft a quarterback, it is thought that Orton might be the best option to be the temporary starter for 2012, while the new recruit is coached up on the Shanahan system. The team could retain the services of Grossman both to help coach up the rookie but also as a backup in case Orton failed. After seeing the way Orton conducted himself in Denver with Tim Tebow breathing down his neck, it seems that his character and professionalism are playing a part in potentially getting him the job.

Orton’s journey has already taken him through Chicago, Denver and Kansas City. Is the next stop Washington DC?

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