The Chiefs declined to tender exclusive rights free agent QB Tyler Palko, sending him to unrestricted free agency. They'll move forward with Brady Quinn behind Matt Cassel. Palko might have been the least effective NFL quarterback to take the field in 2011. The 28-year-old posted a 2:7 TD-to-INT ratio with an eighth turnover on a lost fumble, and a YPA under 6.0. Palko will struggle to find an NFL job this offseason unless new Steelers OC Todd Haley gives him a look as a third-stringer.

Chiefs declared QB Tyler Palko, WR Jerheme Urban, TE Jake O'Connell, OT David Mims, NT Jerrell Powe, DE Brandon Bair and S Jon McGraw inactive for Week 17 against the Broncos. Fifth-round rookie Ricky Stanzi will back-up Kyle Orton for the third straight week. With Jackie Battle sent to injured reserve on Saturday, Thomas Jones will lead the Chiefs' rotation at running back, with Dexter McCluster likely receiving 10-12 touches in a change-of-pace role. FB Le'Ron McClain will likely be in the mix for a few carries.

Chiefs declared QB Tyler Palko inactive for Sunday's Week 16 game against the Raiders. The Chiefs will roll with Kyle Orton and Ricky Stanzi at quarterback once again. There are no surprises on their inactive list: WR Jerheme Urban, TE Jake O'Connell, T David Mims, NT Jerrell Powe, DE Brandon Bair and S Jon McGraw.

Chiefs declared QB Tyler Palko, S Jon McGraw, OL David Mims, WR Jerheme Urban, TE Jake O'Connell, DE Brandon Bair, and DT Jerrell Powe inactive for Week 15 against the Packers. Palko goes from starter to third-stringer, with Kyle Orton and Ricky Stanzi both leap-frogging him per the wishes of interim head coach Romeo Crennel.

Interim coach Romeo Crennel said Tuesday he has not decided on a starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Packers. It looks like a perfect time to sit Tyler Palko down. In four starts this season, he's averaging 187.3 passing yards per game while throwing two touchdowns against seven interceptions. The Chiefs have gone 1-3 and not topped 10 points in a game during that span. Fifth-round rookie Ricky Stanzi may not be ready, but it's hard to envision him performing worse than Palko.

Chiefs coach Todd Haley considered benching Tyler Palko in Sunday's blowout loss to the Jets. However, Haley decided not to play fifth-round rookie Ricky Stanzi with the Chiefs facing a huge deficit in front of a hostile road crowd. Palko's play certainly warranted a benching, as he completed just three passes for 11 yards as the Chiefs fell behind 28-3 going into halftime. In four starts, Palko has now produced two touchdowns compared to eight turnovers. The Chiefs desperately need Kyle Orton (finger) to get healthy if they are to finish the year on a respectable note.

Tyler Palko completed 17-of-30 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 10-3 win over the Bears. After getting off to a miserable start, Palko's day appeared to be over early in the second quarter when he was yanked for Kyle Orton. Orton suffered a finger injury on his first play, however, and Palko returned to game manage the Chiefs to a win in one of the ugliest games of 2011. Palko again did nothing to suggest he's a viable NFL quarterback, but did manage to have a turnover-free day, and showed signs of life when the Chiefs went uptempo. He's not an option in two-QB leagues, but has at least proven he can keep the Chiefs in games.

Tyler Palko remains in line to start Sunday's game against the Bears. The Chiefs never officially announced who will begin the day under center, so it appears KCChiefs.com's Friday report that Palko will make his third straight start will hold up. It's impossible to believe Kyle Orton is not a better option at this point despite his limited practice reps with his new club, but coach Todd Haley remains bizarrely committed to the quarterback who's given him seven turnovers and 12 points the past two weeks. Orton is expected to see some snaps in a relief role, but likely not enough to make an impact in two-QB fantasy leagues.

According to KCChiefs.com, Tyler Palko will be the Chiefs' starting quarterback in Week 13 against the Bears. The Bears have been steamrolling opposing passing games lately, so you can make a good argument that their defense would be the No. 1 play in fantasy football this week. Coach Todd Haley did leave the door open Friday for Kyle Orton to perhaps replace Palko in-game. "We've had to prepare Orton to get ready to play and he may have to, but he may not," Haley said. "We're really focused on how we want to start this game and we know what we need to do."

Coach Todd Haley reiterated Wednesday that Tyler Palko remains the Chiefs' starting quarterback heading into Week 13. "Tyler's the starter," said Haley. "We're getting Kyle (Orton) ready to play. He might have to play." Per beat writer Adam Teicher, Palko was the first QB in the rotation during Wednesday's practice, and received 60 percent of the reps compared to Orton's 40 percent. The Chiefs may keep the Bears guessing all week. Our guess as of Wednesday is still that Orton will be the starter, but Haley has a long history of head-scratching depth chart decisions.