Report: QB Kyle Orton wants to retire, but Cowboys 'still hopeful' he will play

Kyle Orton would have to pay back $3 million of the $5 million signing bonus he signed two years ago if he retired before the season. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Cowboys quarterback Kyle Orton wants to retire but the team believes he's a top backup and is "still hopeful" he will play, according to tweets from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com and a report from Chris Wesseling of NFL.com. 

If Orton retires, the 31-year-old will have to pay back $3 million of the $5 million signing bonus he received when he inked a five-year deal two years ago. He's also owed $3.25 million in annual salary if he returns this season.

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If he does not return, Plan B will be Brandon Weeden backing up Tony Romo.

Orton has a career QB rating of 79.9, completing 1,326 of his 2,265 pass attempts. The former Purdue standout debuted with the Bears in 2005 and also played for the Broncos and Chiefs before signing with the Cowboys in 2012.