Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery has revealed that he would consider signing free agent quarterback Kyle Orton to compete for the club's backup spot.

Orton was released by the Dallas Cowboys last month, and Emery expressed his admiration for the 31-year-old's skills after working with him when the duo were at the Kansas City Chiefs together.

"I have great respect for Kyle," Emery told ESPN. "When I was in Kansas City, we brought him in. That's the famous claim the Bears figured they would get [in 2011].

"We claimed him. He came in. He started against the Bears; got hurt first or second play. At the time in Kansas City, we won the game. The next week, he starts against Green Bay, an undefeated Green Bay team [which] had the longest winning streak in football at that point.

"He beat them; beat them in Kansas City. Great leadership skills, guys really like playing for him, big arm. So the skill set is there. But as far as where he's going in his career... that we don't know."

Orton started one game for the Cowboys last season and threw two touchdowns to two interceptions in their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.