Bills to release Bledsoe, make Losman starting QB

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Unwilling to accept a secondary role with the Buffalo Bills, quarterback Drew Bledsoe is seeking a new team for another shot at being a starter.

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Granting Bledsoe's request to be cut, the Bills announced Wednesday they will waive the 12-year veteran Feb. 22, the first day NFL teams are allowed to officially release players. The decision came after the Bills informed him last week of their plans to give the starting job to J.P. Losman, Buffalo's second of two first-round draft choices last year.

"I completely disagree and can't understand their point of view," Bledsoe said during a conference call from his home in Oregon. "Do I think this is fair? No, I don't think it's fair. But I'm also aware that that's how it works, and I understand that."

And it's nothing against Losman.

"I just don't see myself being a backup in this league," Bledsoe said. "If it comes to that, you'll probably see me just tip my hat and head back to the Northwest."

Describing it as "a sad day," the 33-year-old wrapped up an inconsistent three-year tenure with Buffalo in which he started all 48 games. Bills president Tom Donahoe credited Bledsoe for helping turn around a team that was 3-13 before Buffalo acquired him for a first-round draft pick in a deal with New England in April 2002.

"When Drew came here, we were in a big black hole with this football team. And he certainly helped us get out of that," Donahoe said. "He brought respectability back to the Bills, and he brought credibility to our football team."

What Bledsoe didn't bring was enough victories, finishing 23-25 with the Bills, or lead the team to its first postseason berth since 1999. They came close last season at 9-7, when the team was eliminated from contention with a season-ending loss to Pittsburgh.

Drew Bledsoe says he's still excited about his future in the NFL. (AP)

The injury and the Bills' late-season playoff run, in which they won six of their last seven, prevented the team from giving Losman more opportunities last year, Donahoe said.

"He helped us get to a good level," Donahoe said of Bledsoe. "We want to go beyond that level."

Coach Mike Mularkey said Losman's strong arm and scrambling ability are better suited for his multidimensional offensive philosophy.

"We have a lot of confidence in J.P.," Mularkey said. "This is obviously a big decision, but this happens every year."