Buffalo Bills QB Kyle Orton Retires After Big Season

Buffalo Bills veteran quarterback Kyle Orton decides to retire following one last big season.

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Kyle Orton was signed by the Buffalo Bills early this season, and not many expected him to be given a large role during the season. E.J. Manuel started the season off strong and the Bills weren’t playing bad football, but the Bills decided to make a change at the quarterback position and start Orton.

That ended up being a great move, as the Bills finished the season with a 9-7 record and just missed the playoffs. Orton came through with a big year, but has decided to call it a career. At just 32 years of age it is a bit strange that he decided to call it quits on his NFL career, especially after he had earned himself a nice paycheck with his play this past season.

Orton finished the year with 3,018 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just 12 interceptions. Buffalo likely would have welcomed him back as the starting quarterback next year, but it’s understandable that he’d want to go out on top of his game without risking a bad season next year.

#Bills QB Kyle Orton has retired
— Jason Cole (@JasonCole62) December 29, 2014

While this news sucks for Bills fans to hear, it just means that Manuel will get his old job back after learning from the bench. Orton mentored him throughout the season, and perhaps they can expect to see an improved version of the former Florida State Seminole.

Either way, this was a great season for Orton and he deserved the success that he was able to find in Buffalo. He has been the definition of a professional, and had served his time as a backup quarterback. Finishing his career as a starter and playing well is exactly what he wanted to do, and he got that wish.

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