Jerry Jones “Assuming” Kyle Orton Will Return

It's been rumored that Cowboys backup quarterback Kyle Orton is considering retirement

There have been some whispers that Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Kyle Orton is considering retirement, but until owner Jerry Jones hears something straight from the horse’s mouth, he’s working under the assumption that the veteran will be back.

“Let me put it like this, I haven’t talked to him and we haven’t talked to him directly about anything that has to do with him not playing,” Jones told the team’s official website. “I’m assuming he’s going to play.

Jones said the team has had some contact with Orton’s agent--telling him that they’d like him to return in 2014--but none with Orton himself. That said, the 31-year-old journeyman is under contract through 2014, which would be his third year in a Cowboys uniform.

Orton lost his only start in 2013, a Week 17 win-and-in game against the Eagles, but Jones says he was encouraged by his performance. In that game, Orton went for 358 yards, two touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.

“I could say to him directly our last time we were together and the last experience relative to being with this football team made it very rewarding and worthwhile to be on the team and I hope it was rewarding for (him),” Jones said. “I can say that. That was a good example of money well spent in my mind and shows you where we might be if we need him for an extended period of time. That’s almost what I would, in some manner, say to him. The answer is that as I sit here today, we want him.”

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