Dallas Cowboys Release Backup QB Kyle Orton

The expected move Wednesday came after Tony Romo's backup skipped all the offseason workouts amid reports Orton was considering retirement.

The Cowboys report to training camp in California next week.

Orton was fined about $70,000 for failing to report during the offseason and missing the mandatory minicamp in June. The move saves Dallas about $3.25 million this season, but will cost the team about that amount on the salary cap over the next two seasons.

Brandon Weeden takes over as Romo's backup. Weeden, Cleveland's first-round draft pick in 2012, signed with the Cowboys in March and worked with the first team during the offseason while Romo continued his recovery from back surgery.