Kyle Orton wants to be a Chicago Bear and the Chicago Bears want Kyle Orton, according to two reports.

The 29-year-old QB asked for and received a release from the Denver Broncos on Tuesday after he and his agent learned of Bears QB Jay Cutler's season-ending thumb injury, according to The Denver Post.

Orton spent his first four seasons in Chicago before he was traded to the Broncos for Cutler.

The Bears, according to ESPN, will claim Orton before the 4 p.m. waiver deadline, at which point they would assume the $2.5 million left on his contract in 2011.

According to ESPN's John Clayton, Orton is trying to get the word out that he may not report if he is claimed first by Kansas City, which has the opportunity to do so before Chicago. The waiver order is based on the inverse order of standings.

Speaking to reporters, Bears coach Lovie Smith declined to discuss Wednesday's reports. "There's nothing for me to say about him," Smith said. "You know about as much as I know about the situation."

Bears QB Caleb Hanie is expected to make his first NFL start Sunday at Oakland. If Orton becomes a Bear, he would face Denver and QB Tim Tebow on Dec. 11.