At first glance, it seems silly the Bears would start throwing money at Kyle Orton right now. Though he’s showing signs the Bears might — gasp! — finally have a reliable, competent and good quarterback, we’re only seven games in so far. He’s been solid, but the sample size still isn’t large enough just yet. Plus: this is a Bears quarterback, we’ve been let down before. (But do not get me wrong: I love Kyle. I love him a lot.)

However, as the excellent David Haugh at the Trib points out today, the Bears might not really have a better option right now:

If you agree with that premise, then you see why the Bears must make restructuring Orton’s contract a top priority to keep him in town beyond the 2009 season.

Sooner would be better, too, especially with a Nov. 3 league deadline that allows teams to increase a player’s salary so it counts against the current year’s cap. Teams routinely do so every year before the deadline either to reward players who have exceeded expectations or lock them up for the long term.

Imagine if Orton hadn’t signed the one-year extension he received in February that included a modest $1.4 million signing bonus. He would be contractually tied to the Bears for just nine more games. The Bears would have been forced either to put the franchise tag on Orton — a $10.7 million expense, according to 2008 salaries—or let him go into free agency as one of the hottest prospects.

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It also would make a bold statement about the status Orton has achieved in the organization and might even save the Bears some money in the long run if they act now before Orton’s price goes up, as it could.

So yes: a little risk and reward scenario. The Bears pay Orton now, hope he pans out and perhaps get him at a bit of a bargain for the long-term. Or, the Bears don’t pay him now and wait and see if he’s really as good as he’s been looking. But then they risk losing him or throwing much more cash at him later. Which, for as much problem as they’ve had having a consistent guy behind center, is a risk I don’t think they should take. Bold as it may be, it seems best to nip this in the bud now.

This is what the organization is wrestling with now. Believe it, Bears fans.