Report: Kyle Orton Left Cowboys Due To An “Untenable” Relationship With Tony Romo

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported Sunday morning that Kyle Orton‘s decision to leave the Cowboys was due to an “untenable” relationship with QB Tony Romo.

“The relationship, I’m told, between Kyle Orton and Tony Romo was untenable,” Rapoport said Sunday on NFL GameDay Morning. “They believed it could not continue, which is one reason that Kyle Orton essentially forced his way out of Dallas and signed with Buffalo as a free agent — a move that coach Doug Marrone initially resisted because they’re paying (Orton) $6 million.”

Orton left the team and was reportedly mulling retirement. However, it wasn’t long after the Cowboys elected to release Orton before he signed on with the Bills and received a two-year, $11 million contract.

Bills HC Doug Marrone apparently made the decision to bench 2013 first-round pick E.J. Manuel shortly after Week 4’s game against the Texans concluded.

“I am told Doug Marrone made the decision to replace EJ Manuel with Orton in the locker room after the game, solidified it on the flight back,” Rapoport said. “That’s how fast it was. Checked with some of the team’s veterans, got no pushback. Mainly because the talented skill position guys ‘welcome’ a new quarterback.”

Buffalo is traveling to Detroit to take on the Lions, so it will be interesting to see how Orton holds up in his first game as the Bills’ starting quarterback.