Continued: Culpepper waiting for another shot

During several e-mail exchanges this week, former Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper explained why he turned down offers from Green Bay and Pittsburgh, and why the Vikings were one of 14 teams he contacted during free agency.

The three-time Pro Bowl player also said his knee is healthy and his career is far from over.

"Last year, there were 60 QBs that [started] in the regular season," Culpepper said. "Unless all 60 are better than me, I expect that my career in the NFL will continue."

The league has 32 starting quarterbacks and 32 primary backups. No way 64 quarterbacks are better than Culpepper. For the love of Kyle Boller and/or Troy Smith, there might not be 32 ahead of him.

But here we are, 18 days from the start of the season, and Culpepper still is unemployed.

He works out and throws daily at his home in Florida. He also serves as his own agent, causing many to use the old line that he has a fool for a client.

Culpepper rejects that notion, defending the contracts he negotiated in Miami and Oakland and claiming, "I am not convinced that I would gain anything from having [an agent] at this point in my career."

But it is Aug. 17. Instead of "hoping" for a roster spot in mid-August, Culpepper could have had one in April when the Packers offered him a one-year, $1 million deal.

"When I visited the Packers, I felt real good about the opportunity to back up Aaron [Rodgers] on a good team," Culpepper said. "I just sensed that when it was time to negotiate that there were some unresolved issues that kept them from giving me a market-value offer. I think that the Brett Favre situation was in the background while they were dealing with me."

Then why not take the Steelers' offer last Sunday?

"I just was not willing to take the vet minimum and no guaranteed roster spot," said Culpepper, referring to the $730,000 salary.

In need of an experienced backup after Charlie Batch broke his collarbone, the Steelers worked out Culpepper and Byron Leftwich last Sunday. The Steelers were set to sign both, but only Leftwich agreed to sign. Some have said Culpepper walked away because he wanted to compete with starter Ben Roethlisberger.

"FYI, I never said I wanted to start in Pittsburgh," Culpepper said.

Months ago, before the Vikings signed Gus Frerotte, Culpepper said he reached out to the Vikings.

"I was encouraged by league personnel to contact the Vikings during free agency to gauge their interest," Culpepper said. "I had a good conversation with Coach [Brad] Childress, and I have no hard feelings toward the organization."

On Oct. 30, 2005, Culpepper tore three ligaments in his right knee during a 38-13 loss at Carolina. Childress was hired after the season and an ugly divorce ensued until Culpepper was dealt to Miami.

"The trade discussions were initiated by the Vikings and some teams during the NFL combine," Culpepper said. "Once that was exposed, I merely pushed to be involved in the discussions since I was representing myself. I regret that there was a lack of understanding between the team and me.

"The situation had all of the ingredients for a perfect storm. I needed to get out from under a long-term deal that had no guarantees left. They needed a commitment from their quarterback to get to town and learn their new system. The fact that I was injured and it was recommended that I rehab in a warm climate only complicated the matter."

Culpepper struggled while playing just 11 games for Miami and Oakland the past two years. But he's still young enough (31). He has had nearly three years to rehab his knee. And the last time Culpepper was healthy and surrounded by talented receivers, he was the best quarterback not named Peyton Manning.

Culpepper might never get back to where he once was, but the fact he got there once not so long ago should be worth something in a league full of unproven quarterbacks. Ironically, it's now going to take an injury to jump-start Culpepper's career.

Mark Craig • mcraig@startribune.com