'Skins Let Go Of QB Frerotte

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

February 11, 1999 / 9:39 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

Former Pro Bowl quarterback Gus Frerotte, who lost his starting job to Trent Green last season, Thursday was waived by the Washington Redskins.

The 27-year-old Frerotte, who is due to earn more than $5.75 million in 1999, was left unprotected by the Redskins in the expansion draft.

"We wanted to give Gus Frerotte every opportunity to sign with another team and we have chosen to release him at this time," Washington general manager Charley Casserly said. "We wish him the very best."

Chosen in the seventh round of the 1994 draft, Frerotte became the Redskins' starting quarterback in 1996 and led them to a 9-7 record. He passed for 3,453 yards that season and was named to the Pro Bowl.

In 1997, Frerotte threw for a career-high 17 touchdown passes and led the Redskins to a 8-7-1 record, but his stock quickly fell and he was benched last season following a 45-10 Monday night loss to the San Francisco 49ers on September 14.

For his career, Frerotte completed 744-of-1,422 passes for 9,769 yards with 48 touchdowns and 44 interceptions. He played in just three games in 1998, completing 25-of-54 passes for 283 yards, a touchdown with three interceptions.

After starting 0-7, the Redskins showed marked improvement under Green, winning six of their last nine games. Green, who is eligible for free agency, passed for 3,441 yards and 23 touchdowns with 11 interceptions.