The Chicago Bears may have wanted Kyle Orton, but the Kansas City Chiefs had first dibs.

Kansas City claimed Orton before the 4 p.m. waiver deadline, assuming the $2.5 million left on his contract in 2011.

The Chiefs were in need of a passer after Matt Cassel's season-ending hand surgery forced Tyler Palko into a starting role.

Orton, 29, 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.

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

Being in Kansas City means Orton will face the Broncos and QB Tim Tebow on New Year's Day.

The Bears, who put a claim in for Orton, instead signed free agent QB Josh McCown to a one-year contract, according to ESPN.