BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Doing more with less could ultimately earn Kyle Orton a promotion.
In the best shape of his life after shedding 10 pounds, the Bears' third-string quarterback has performed extremely well in training camp. Orton has even been taking some reps with the second-team offense, but for now he’s more concerned with improving than ascending up the depth chart.
Kyle Orton lost 10 pounds while participating in the offseason conditioning program.
“My goal right now is just to make myself a better quarterback,” he said. “That’s on the coaches to decide. The only thing I can control is my game, and I like where it’s at right now. I’ve just got to keep on getting better.”
If Orton continues to shine, he could challenge veteran Brian Griese for the No. 2 job behind Rex Grossman. But the 2005 fourth-round pick declined to speculate on his chances of moving up.
“I think my play’s speaking for itself and I’m just going to leave it at that,” Orton said. “We’ve got three good quarterbacks here and Brian’s a great quarterback. I’ll be the first one to admit how much he’s helped me the last year and a half.”
After compiling a 10-5 record as a rookie starter in 2005, Orton spent last season as the third quarterback after Grossman returned from an injury and Griese was signed as a free agent.
“It’s great just to get back into a competitive situation,” Orton said. “Last year when I came into camp I knew I was going to be a three. I probably didn’t take that the best way, but this year I just took it upon myself to just try to make it a competition and see where it falls.”
Offensive coordinator Ron Turner cautioned against assuming Orton had supplanted Griese simply because the former Purdue star has been taking some reps with the second team.
“There’s nothing to read into that at all, other than the fact that Kyle’s playing well, had a great offseason and is having a good camp,” Turner said. “It’s things you do; you get all three guys reps. Brian’s our No. 2. He’s getting the majority of the reps with the second team.”
