Bills part ways with qb fitzpatrick

Orchard Park, NY – The Buffalo Bills and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick have parted ways. According to the Buffalo News, the club offered the 30-year-old signal caller a restructured contract,

but the offer was declined. "We kept every possible option open right down to the wire when we had to make a decision on whether to keep Ryan. In the end, we had to do what we feel is

best for our football team and it was a very difficult decision," said Buffalo general manager Buddy Nix. "Ryan did some great things as our starting quarterback. He is a class

act, a terrific guy with a great family and has been involved in many charitable endeavors in our community. But difficult decisions often have to be made and so we are moving forward.

"We wish Ryan and his family the best of luck in the future and offer him our sincere thanks for everything he has done for the Bills. Our focus remains on adding another quarterback to

our roster and we will continue to explore every option available to us." The unexpected move comes less than 18 months after Fitzpatrick agreed to a contract extension worth a

reported $59 million over six years, with $24 million guaranteed. Fitzpatrick, who signed with Buffalo in 2009 as a backup to quarterback Trent Edwards, eventually took over the starting

role. He threw for 3,400 yards -- his third consecutive year of 3,000-or-more yards passing -- 24 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 16 games for the Bills last season. In 73 career

appearances for the Rams, Bengals and Bills since 2005, the Harvard product has thrown for 14,336 yards, 92 TDs and 81 picks. He departs the franchise with 11,654 passing yards, fourth-best

in club history.