According to a team source, Orton sits atop General Manager Jeff Ireland's wish list of quarterbacks he'd like to add to the Dolphins' roster. But another source said the seven-year veteran, who is owed $9 million in 2011, is seeking a multi-year contract extension that will pay him north of $6 million a year.
The source said Orton has some say in where he lands in 2011, and wants to make sure he's "viewed as an asset more than a stop-gap" option.
The Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks were among the team's bidding for his services on Tuesday.
The Vikings currently are finalizing a deal with Washington for Donovan McNabb.
The Cardinals are working on a possible trade for Eagles backup Kevin Kolb, and Seattle is expected to sign Tarvaris Jackson and Matt Leinart on Friday.
However, no deals can be finalized until 6 p.m. on Friday, when free agents can official sign. But trades can be consummated, and extensions granted.
The Dolphins appear to be the front runner for Orton, who teamed with Brandon Marshall in 2009, helping the two-time Pro Bowler catch 101 passes for 1,120 yards and 10 touchdowns in the 15 games they played together.
Orton, who will turn 28 in November, has started 51 NFL games and possesses a 32-29 record.
Orton and Marshall are still friends, and Marshall would welcome a reunion with his former Broncos teammate, who is being replaced by Florida Gator standout Tim Tebow, Denver's 2010 first-round pick.
Last season Orton completed 58 percent of his passes, throwing for 3,653 yards and 20 touchdowns in 13 games. He produced a 87.5 quarterback rating last season, and a 86.8 in his first season with the Broncos, which acquired him from Chicago in 2009 in the Jay Cutler trade.
Orton, who will turn 28 in November, has started 51 NFL games heading into 2011.
The Dolphins plan to add a veteran quarterback to compete with Chad Henne for the starting spot, but the options are diminishing. If the Dolphins pass on Orton the best available options would be free agents Marc Bulger, Brady Quinn and Matt Moore, and Vince Young, who will likely be released by Tennessee on Thursday because of a $4.25 million roster bonus he's due.
It's also possible quarterbacks like Jake Delhomme (Cleveland) and Derek Anderson (Arizona) will be released in the coming days, if not weeks.
Orton's viewed as a safer option then Young, and one with more upside than Bulger or Moore. But making a significant financial commitment in years and guaranteed money would likely anoint him as the successor to Henne, unless the incumbent holds his starting spot in a training camp battle.
