PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : Argonauts Lose Interest in Rypien

Bruce McNall, owner of the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts, said his team no longer will try to sign quarterback Mark Rypien of the Washington Redskins.

Rypien now has to decide whether to accept what reportedly is the final offer from the Redskins, a contract reportedly worth $13 million over four years.

The Argonauts also said that they are interested in signing the Redskins’ top draft pick, Desmond Howard. But Howard’s agent, Leigh Steinberg, has said Howard was not interested in playing in Canada.

Cary Blanchard’s 26-yard field goal on the final play of the game gave the New Orleans Saints a 34-31 exhibition victory over the Chicago Bears at Chicago.

The Bears overcame a 31-17 deficit in the final three minutes. Rookie quarterback Will Furrer threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Eric Wright with 2:39 to play and 57 seconds later, Tom Waddle returned a punt 76 yards for a touchdown.

As expected, San Diego quarterback John Friesz, who had arthroscopic knee surgery to repair torn left knee ligaments Monday, will be sidelined for the season.

Friesz, who started the last 17 games for the Chargers, suffered the injury during a 35-14 exhibition loss to the Phoenix Cardinals on Saturday night.

Friesz will be replaced by Bob Gagliano.

Atlanta defensive end Rick Bryan, who had one of the best years of his career last season after battling back from a spine injury, retired after his neck was injured again Saturday night.

Defensive tackle Keith Millard of the Seattle Seahawks underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and is expected to be sidelined for about a week.