According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Miami offered a fourth-round pick in the 2012 draft for Orton, while Denver insisted on a third-round selection, and a stare down commenced. Orton, due to make $8.9 million in 2011, wanted his contract renegotiated to ensure that the Dolphins viewed him as their clear-cut starter, and Miami held firm on that front, too.
Meanwhile, both teams began training camp, and it soon became clear that Orton was a mile high above Tebow in his coaches’ estimation. While Dolphins fans reacted to incumbent quarterback Chad Henne’s(notes) camp struggles by chanting, “We Want Orton,” Broncos coaches were privately whispering, “We got lucky.”