He played college football for Purdue, where he began four straight bowl games. Orton failed to play at all in 2006, and sparingly in 2007. Orton recovered his starting job from Grossman in 2008, but the team concluded a disappointing 9-7 and out from the playoffs. In the offseason of the year, he was traded to the Denver Broncos.
Orton began his Broncos career by winning his first six matches in the 2009 season, but harms hobbled him in the 2nd half of the season. Though Orton threw 21 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions, the team finished 8-8 and from the playoffs. Orton began 2010 season as the starting quarterback, although the team had not been competitive all the season, finishing 412. After throwing 3 interceptions versus the Arizona Cardinals on December 12 and using the Broncos removed in the playoffs, Orton was replaced by Tim Tebow for the last three matches of the 2010 season. In 2011 he again started the season as a starter, however he was replaced by Tebow again following a disappointing start to the season. Following several weeks on the seat, where he failed to get a catch for the Broncos, he was relieved by the Broncos on November 22, and claimed off of waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs a day later.