When the Kansas City Chiefs placed quarterback Matt Cassel on the injured reserve list earlier this week, Coach Todd Haley said the team was committed to Tyler Palko as the starter and Ricky Stanzi as the backup. But that was before the Denver Broncos waived Kyle Orton.
Three days after putting Cassel on IR, the Chiefs were awarded Orton on a waiver claim, which means Orton should be in uniform when the Steelers visit Arrowhead Stadium this weekend for a Sunday night game.
It's unknown at this time whether Haley's vote of confidence for Palko will survive the addition of Orton, and so the Steelers figure to expand their preparations for the Chiefs to include this veteran quarterback with plenty of NFL starting experience.
Based on their 4-6 record, the Chiefs were No. 9 in the waiver order, and the addition of Orton, who has starting experience with both the Broncos and Chicago Bears, gives the Chiefs a veteran option at the quarterback position.
The Chiefs scored only three points in a loss to the New England Patriots on Monday night, and Palko completed 24-of-37 for 230 yards, with no touchdowns and three interceptions.
In his seven NFL seasons, Orton has faced the Steelers on two occasions, and he is 0-2 against them. In 2009 with the Denver Broncos, Orton completed 23-of-38 for 221 yards, with no touchdowns and three interceptions in a 28-10 Steelers win. In 2005 with the Chicago Bears, Orton completed 17-of-35 for 207 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions in a 21-9 Steelers win on the way to their Super Bowl XL championship.
