Jon Kitna, who has been the backup quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys for the last three seasons, has informed the team he is retiring, according to a report by Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News.
Kitna missed half of 2011 with an injured back. He was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 14.
Kitna began his career in Seattle in 1997, where he signed to be Warren Moon's backup after playing a season with the Barcelona Dragons in NFL Europe. Kitna's breakout season was when he took over the position for the Seahawks in 1999, leading the team to the NFC West title with a 9-7 record.
Kitna also had stints in Cincinnati and Detroit. The Cowboys traded CB Anthony Henry to the Lions for Kitna in 2009.
Kitna did not take a single snap for Dallas in his first season, but was thrust into the spotlight as the quarterback of "America's Team" in 2010 after Tony Romo suffered a broken clavicle early in the season against the New York Giants. Despite leading Dallas to only a 4-5 record before getting injured himself, Kitna was impressive, throwing for 2,365 yards and 16 touchdowns in his nine starts.
The loss of Kitna would leave Dallas with only Romo and Stephen McGee at the quarterback position on the roster. In two seasons with Dallas, McGee has only played in three games, throwing for 420 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
