Kansas City Chiefs Claim Kyle Orton on Waivers as Todd Haley Fights for Job

In a surprise move, the Kansas City Chiefs reportedly beat out the Chicago Bears for Kyle Orton, claiming the former Denver Broncos quarterback on waivers.

Despite a 4-6 record and four of their top players on injured reserve, the Chiefs decided to pick up the remaining tab on Orton's $3 million contract in a desperation move to prevent their fourth four-win season in five years.

What's more, they could be looking to save Todd Haley's job in the process. After the Chiefs' miserable 0-3 outing to start the season, rumors flew about a falling out between Haley and Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli. Kansas City's game against the Indianapolis Colts projected as a must-win. Reports were that Haley would be fired had the Chiefs lost that game.

But they didn't, and posted three more consecutive wins to jump back into the AFC West title race.

This second three-game losing streak brought back all the hot-seat talk, though. Chiefs owner Clark Hunt speaks about wanting continuity in his organization, but continuity runs a distant second to winning. With a meat grinder of a schedule facing the Chiefs, a nine-game losing streak seemed almost a foregone conclusion.

Add in that Kansas City lost four of their games by greater than a 30-point margin, and the front office would have almost no recourse but to fire their head coach, especially considering this same team won the AFC West just last year.

To bring in Orton now says one of two things: either the Chiefs believe they have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs, or they feel the need to act least act like they do.

Before this year, Orton put together three remarkable seasons with the Broncos and Bears. Had the Bears won the waiver-wire request, he could easily have restored stability and playoff hopes to a team hit hard when Jay Cutler broke his thumb on Sunday.

So Orton has the ability to do well in this league. What's more, the Chiefs' current crop of receivers could arguably provide the best targets Orton's ever had in his career.

But the run game hasn't been the same in Kansas City without Jamaal Charles, and their offensive line regularly breaks down in their pass protection. And considering none of their opponents have a losing record and combine for 40 wins with only 20 losses, the chips are stacked against the Chiefs regardless of who sits behind center.

Chiefs fans might find a bit more hope with Orton coming to town, but the overall outlook doesn't look much better than it did yesterday.

But with unemployment looming for next year, Haley's likely scrambling for any lifeline he can find.