Retirement Near for Bills’ Kelly?

Quarterback Jim Kelly is looking to finalize a $1-million retirement settlement with the Buffalo Bills, sources told the Associated Press.

Kelly and Bills’ owner Ralph Wilson were working on a deal that would satisfy an agreement during training camp that called for a new contract for Kelly.

“I can’t talk about it now,” Kelly said. “Now is not the time.”

Before the 1996 season began, Kelly told the owner he wanted a contract that would pay him nearly $6 million, a deal similar to those given to quarterbacks Dan Marino and John Elway. Kelly was paid about $4 million last year and was looking to play for two more years.

The sources, who requested anonymity, said $1 million would be enough to send Kelly into retirement, which the quarterback is expected to announce this week.

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On the day quarterback Gus Frerotte became the fifth Washington Redskin player named to the Pro Bowl, the team took the first step to cut its ties to Heath Shuler.

Saturday was the deadline for the Redskins to exercise a contract renewal option on Shuler that would have paid him $8 million over two years.

Although neither the team nor Shuler were available for comment, team sources had said previously they were not planning to take the option and were prepared instead to allow the third-year quarterback to become a restricted free agent.