The Broncos waived quarterback Kyle Orton, team executive vice president John Elway announced Tuesday, ending his run with the team.

Orton and his agent David Dunn had started talking to Broncos officials about the move after it was learned Chicago Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler suffered a broken thumb on his right passing hand Sunday that will likely sideline him for the rest of the season.

Orton has declined to comment.

Broncos coach John Fox said in a statement:

“This was the right decision for our football team. We feel good about our quarterback group, and this gives Kyle an opportunity to help another team and showcase his talents.”

The Broncos will sign quarterback Adam Weber from their practice squad to replace Orton on the roster, according to two team sources.

Orton was drafted in 2005 by the Bears and was a two-year starter there before he was traded prior to the 2009 season to the Broncos in a trade for Cutler. The deal also included draft picks.

Orton was the Broncos’ starter from 2009 until he was benched in favor of Tim Tebow at halftime of the fifth game this season against San Diego. With Orton and his wife having a newborn baby girl in August, the quarterback was willing to stay in Denver despite a difficult professional situation.

However, Orton let it be known that Chicago would be one place he’d like to play for. The waiver process can be tricky as other NFL teams ranked ahead of the Bears — such as the Kansas City Chiefs — could place a claim on Orton.

The Broncos will host the Bears at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Dec. 11.

Orton has about $2.58 million left to be paid on his $8.89 million salary this year. If no team claims Orton by 2 p.m. Wednesday, the Broncos will remain responsible for that money. A team claiming Orton on waivers would pay that remaining salary. If no team claims Orton on waivers, he will become a free agent and can sign with any team.

The Bears are 30th in line on the waiver wire, according to the Chicago Tribune — making it unlikely they would claim him off waivers, when they could wait for him to clear, then sign him to a separate deal.

Orton was nearly traded to the Miami Dolphins on the eve of training camp in late-July but the deal fell through after Miami decided against terms of a contract extension.

Orton went from Jay Cutler’s replacement in Denver to Tim Tebow’s backup, and is now off the roster. Orton was a team captain this season.

“I spoke with Kyle earlier today and thanked him for everything he did for the Broncos,” Fox said. “He was a true professional throughout this season. I’ve got a great deal of respect for him as both a player and as a person.”

He lost his starting job to Tim Tebow during the San Diego game Oct. 9 and has not played since then. Orton was 12-21 as the Broncos starter, including 1-4 this season before Tebow was put into the lineup.

The Broncos are 4-1 in Tebow’s starts this season leading into a rematch with San Diego Sunday.

Weber was with the Broncos during training camp before being cut and signed to the practice squad. He was signed by the Broncos in July after starring at the University of Minnesota, where he set the school’s passing recrod with 10,917 yards and 72 touchdown passes.