Culpepper being shopped around?

[Bee]

On ESPN radio this morning, they're talking about Daunte Culpepper being shopped around (reported for a 2nd rounder). He wants more money (don't we all) and it sounds like the Vikings are looking to move him. Anyone know more about this? I'm not a big fan of Culpepper, but I do think he could be a good fit for some teams needing a QB.

[Deattribution]

Last I heard (few weeks ago) was that Culpepper was saying he didn't want more money and his agent was saying he did... He recently fired the agent in question I thought... but perhaps the story was twisted and he fired his agent to renegotiate a new deal with a new agent.

[WSUCougar]

I'm twice surprised, first that the Vikings would shop him, and second that all they want is a 2nd rounder. I'm skeptical, but who knows.

[albionmoonlight]

I'm twice surprised, first that the Vikings would shop him, and second that all they want is a 2nd rounder. I'm skeptical, but who knows.
His knee injury was really bad, though, wasn't it? I think I remember something about it being worse than the typical ligament tear.

[JDScorch]

Here is an article from the Star Tribune today:

Culpepper trade sought
After turning down his request for a $10 million raise, the team seems prepared to part ways with its once-franchise quarterback.
Kevin Seifert, Star Tribune

The Vikings are gauging quarterback Daunte Culpepper's trade value around the NFL, a person with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday -- confirming a decision triggered when Culpepper demanded that his 2006 compensation be more than doubled.
A well-connected website, www.profootballtalk.com, reported the Vikings are seeking a second-round draft pick for Culpepper, but that asking price could not be confirmed. A trade for so little compensation would conclude a stunning fall for Culpepper, 29, who put up MVP-caliber numbers as recently as 2004.

Baltimore, Miami, Oakland and the New York Jets are among those teams who are expected to pursue quarterbacks this offseason.

The Baltimore Sun reported the Ravens might be interested in placing their franchise tag on running back Jamal Lewis and then trading him for Culpepper.

Regardless, the Vikings now seem willing to jettison their franchise quarterback -- and conceivably install Brad Johnson as their starter -- following a six-week period in which Culpepper has attempted three times to seek an upgrade to his contract.

The last attempt occurred during a Jan. 31 meeting at Winter Park, according to three people with knowledge of the situation.

Culpepper, who fired agent Mason Ashe last month, represented himself during a gathering that also included owner Zygi Wilf, other members of his ownership group, coach Brad Childress and Vice President of Football Operations Rob Brzezinski. Culpepper, according to two people with knowledge of the situation, asked that approximately $10 million be added to his contract this season -- increasing his total 2006 compensation to a staggering $18 million.

Wilf angrily turned down Culpepper's request, and it is believed that no substantive communication has taken place since. The disagreement is the largest impetus for soliciting trade offers, but Culpepper might also be seeking a fresh start after suffering a major injury to his right knee and being charged with three misdemeanors in connection with an alleged Oct. 6 sex party on Lake Minnetonka.

Culpepper, due a $6 million bonus on March 14, faces the task of learning Childress' west-coast offense while being unable to practice until summer at the earliest. A team taking Culpepper would have to view him as a starter for 2007 and consider playing time in 2006 a bonus.

Culpepper's contract, which Wilf upgraded last summer, calls for him to make $8 million during the 2006 league year. Culpepper contends the Vikings promised last summer to address his contract further after the 2005 season; the team has denied that claim.

Culpepper did not respond to an interview request, and team spokesman Bob Hagan said no team official would be available to discuss Culpepper's situation.

News surfaced at this time last year that the Vikings were shopping receiver Randy Moss, who ultimately was sent to Oakland for linebacker Napoleon Harris and two draft choices. No trade involving Culpepper could be finalized before March 3.

[Travis]

So is this a case like Haslett where Culpepper is making demands so high that if they meet them, he won't care what else is going on as he'll be making so much money it won't matter, or if they don't, he'll be sent out of town which is what he is really wanting?

I just don't understand how you make demands like this coming off your worst string of games as a pro (or pretty close to it) while also rehabing an injury that has a chance to make you a shadow of your former self (athletically).

I was really hoping that a year or two post Moss would return Culpepper to being a real QB rather than somebody who looked like they had forgotten how to get past the second read on a play. But this, wow, maybe he feels he needs the money in case he does come back as a lesser player and won't command the big payday later on, but I can't believe he's so far gone as to believe that they'd comply to these figures.

[rkmsuf]

makes no sense if he wants to get out of there to throw out wanting more money. only makes it harder.

[QuikSand]

makes no sense if he wants to get out of there to throw out wanting more money. only makes it harder.

That's where I am, too. Coming off a really lousy start to your last season, followed by a huge injury, your playing time this coming year is looking shaky, your ability to fully regain your mobility is very much in doubt...

Not exactly a position of strength on its surface.

[sovereignstar]

Culpepper has been acting like an asshat since he got injured. He decided to rehab in Florida and stayed in touch with no one (or very few) from the franchise. Then, when the Vikings named Childress coach, he made the franchise look stupid when they couldn't even answer questions about Daunte's status or future because they couldn't even get him to come up to Minnesota and talk.

Some older rumor had him reuniting with Denny Green in Arizona for Adrian Wilson and a draft pick or picks.

[Surtt]

Culpepper has been acting like an asshat since he got injured. He decided to rehab in Florida and stayed in touch with no one (or very few) from the franchise. Then, when the Vikings named Childress coach, he made the franchise look stupid when they couldn't even answer questions about Daunte's status or future because they couldn't even get him to come up to Minnesota and talk.

Some older rumor had him reuniting with Denny Green in Arizona for Adrian Wilson and a draft pick or picks.

I am reluctantly forced to agree.
I have been one of Dainties biggest defenders un until this off season. Now all I can say is wow did he ever have me fooled. He has turned into (or always was) a class A-1 jerk.
It is almost like he is living in a dream world, because his actions just don't match reality.

[Tom E]

It won't happen...Becuase of the Salary Cap and Cap hits--as all us FOF players know about--there aren't many star players traded...

[sovereignstar]

It won't happen...Becuase of the Salary Cap and Cap hits--as all us FOF players know about--there aren't many star players traded...

Maybe you're joking, but you don't know what you're talking about.

[Pyser]

Some older rumor had him reuniting with Denny Green in Arizona for Adrian Wilson and a draft pick or picks.

that certainly made the most sense...until the cards gave warner $18m + incentives yesterday.

i could see him in oakland, actually.

[sovereignstar]

Okay, found a number. A trade would cost the Vikes around 5.6 million. In case you didn't know the extension Daunte signed in 2003 was Ricky Williams-esque. Full of roster bonuses and only 15 million in guaranteed money. It was supposedly set up that way so one Randy Moss would be able to stick around. :)

Edit: By trading him they'd save ~2.4 million in cap space in 2006.

[Godzilla Blitz]

There was an article in the paper here a couple of months ago that Culpepper wanted to get more involved in his own finances. Good for him, but I don't think he has a clue how to negotiate on his own.

It's clear that he feels the Vikings owe him because of statements made at the beginning of this past season when his contract was renegotiated for 2005. I would think this is the one simple reason that he's upset and demanding more money. He feels as if the Vikings are going back on their word.

[rkmsuf]

I'm not sure why but he doesn't impress me as the sharpest knife in the set.