Dallas Cowboys, Kyle Orton could be headed for unusual retirement standoff

Kyle Orton has appeared in four games for the Cowboys since joining the team in 2012. (Tim Sharp/AP) The Dallas Cowboys signed former Browns first-round pick

Kyle Orton has appeared in four games for the Cowboys since joining the team in 2012. (Tim Sharp/AP)

The Dallas Cowboys signed former Browns first-round pick Brandon Weeden during free agency to serve as the backup to starting quarterback Tony Romo. The team also has veteran Kyle Orton under contract, but there is no telling what his future with the team holds.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Orton has told the Cowboys that he plans to retire.

That could lead to a standoff between the two sides.

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The Cowboys, who paid Orton a $5 million signing bonus when he joined the team, want him to return to provide even more depth behind Romo. Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson has also said the team is "still hopeful" that Orton will have a change of heart and return.

If Orton ultimately decides walking away from the sport is the right move to make, the Cowboys will force him to pay back $3 million of that signing bonus.

No one other than Orton will be able to make the decision on his retirement, so it will be interesting to see whether he is willing to call it a career now and lose out on millions or ride out the year on the bench and bring in one final paycheck.

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