ORCHARD PARK, N.Y., Feb. 16 (UPI) -- The Buffalo Bills Wednesday announced the release of veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe and handed the starting job to J.P. Losman.
The official release is next Tuesday, but team officials said Bledsoe was being told ahead of time as a courtesy.
The move will save Buffalo $2.2 million against the team's salary cap. Had he remained on the team at his scheduled pay date, he would have counted $6.5 million this year.
Bledsoe, 33, ranks No. 10 in career passing yards with 39,808 yards. He has 221 touchdown passes and 181 interceptions. Last season, he passed for 2,932 yards with 20 scoring passes and 16 interceptions.
Losman was the Bills' first-round draft choice last April. He was 3-of-5 for 32 yards with one interception last season.
Bledsoe has said he would not return as a back-up at a lower salary.
Cleveland took a similar step Monday with quarterback Jeff Garcia, who was in the same situation.
