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The Vikings' situation at quarterback is suddenly getting very interesting with Daunte Culpepper and his agent sending mixed -- if not conflicting -- messages about their desire for a pay raise and Brad Johnson publicly discussing his desire to be the starter this fall.

In Culpepper's case, the intrigue began in earnest on Thursday, when St. Paul Pioneer Press beat writer Sean Jensen reported the injured quarterback's agent, Mason Ashe, said he was prepared to begin "scheduled" contract negotiations with the team to make his client one of the NFL's highest-paid players.

Ashe said he, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf and Rob Brzezinski, the team's vice president of football operations, outlined their intentions in August, when Culpepper received an additional $7.5 million in guaranteed money from the team in restructuring his 10-year, $102 million deal signed in May 2003.

"Daunte is a premier player in the league and the adjustment to his salary was warranted. We made an adjustment to recognize that," Brzezinski said when the team announced Culpepper's contract adjustment in August.

At the time, however, Ashe insisted that move was only a "temporary solution," noting he expected to have discussions with the Vikings about Culpepper's contract.

"It's a respectable gesture for now by the new owner," Ashe told the Pioneer Press on Aug. 7. "But there is still more work to be done."

And on Wednesday, Ashe made no secret of his desire to get busy.

"I am poised and ready to begin the scheduled restructuring of his long-term contract with the Vikings, as we discussed last summer with Mr. Wilf, so Daunte can assume the position on the NFL pay scale that he so deserves," Ashe said Wednesday.

It's worth noting that Culpepper, whose base salary for 2006 is $2 million, is due a $6 million roster bonus in March.

And one could argue that Culpepper, a three-time Pro Bowler, has been underpaid relative to other quarterbacks -- at least based on his pre-2005 efforts. Since he signed that incentive-laden contract 2003, Culpepper's deal has been trumped by at least 18 NFL players.

His $15 million in guaranteed money was more than doubled by Peyton Manning of the Colts ($34.5 million) and Michael Vick of the Falcons ($37 million). Even with the additional $7.5 million Wilf approved in August, Culpepper's total is still below those players, as well as Alex Smith ($24 million), who just finished his rookie season with the San Francisco 49ers, and Tom Brady ($26.5 million) of the New England Patriots.

But much has changed since that August adjustment.

As Jensen explained, back then, everybody involved assumed Culpepper and the Vikings would fulfill their lofty preseason expectations. The Vikings were widely projected to run away with the NFC North, and Culpepper was projected to again contend for the Most Valuable Player award.

But the Vikings struggled to a 2-5 start, with Culpepper throwing six touchdown passes against 12 interceptions. Then, just as his play improved, Culpepper suffered a season-ending knee injury that has cast doubt on his readiness for the 2006 season.

Which makes his sudden interest in a pay raise rather surprising. And just as surprising has been the approach taken by Culpepper and Ashe.

So, how did whole thing go down?

In an article published Friday, Minneapolis Star Tribune staffer Kevin Seifert reported that Ashe first called the team earlier this month.

Seifert went on recount the subsequent events as follows: "The conversation, according to those familiar with the situation, was brief. Ashe broached the unseemly topic of negotiating a raise in Culpepper's contract, even after his terrible seven-game performance this season and the horrific injury to his right knee. Brzezinski's response was borderline incredulous: You can't be serious.

"Culpepper, ahem, was undaunted. Last week, according to those sources, Culpepper circulated a letter to key members of the organization, including owner Zygi Wilf. Acting independently of Ashe, Culpepper requested a face-to-face meeting with them all, hoping a direct appeal would jumpstart discussions. When Culpepper arrived at the scheduled meeting last Thursday, only Brzezinski was present.

"Again, the answer was no."

Seifert went on to suggest the series of events has manufactured a crossroads for the Vikings and their franchise player.

Is Culpepper engineering his departure from Minnesota? Have the Vikings reneged on a promise to upgrade his contract? Or has Culpepper simply received bad advice and then compounded it by trying to address the situation himself?

It's hard to say.

Especially after Ashe began backtracking in a major way the day after making his initial comments by telling Jensen that Culpepper did not authorize him to comment on negotiations or to seek more money from the team.

On Thursday Ashe's story changed to: "I have never forewarned a team about negotiating with me at some point or another, in my 15 years in the business. That is not what I said nor my style of representation."

Ashe said he wants to make sure the team will not misconstrue his comments.

"In no way do I want to disrespect or threaten the Vikings about what they have to do with any of their players, because I'm aware that they will do what's in the best interest of their team," Ashe said.

Ashe also disputed Seifert's version of the story, telling Jensen that Culpepper was in the area for one reason.

"He did not come up there to negotiate his contract. If he had, I would have been there," Ashe said. "He had one scheduled visit, which he made. It was to deal with the ahead-of-schedule progress of his rehabilitation. Any other speculation about why he was there is pure conjecture."

The agent went on to say: "Daunte is 100 percent focused on continuing his incredible progress and rehab, so he can be faster and stronger than ever before. That's his complete focus. Period," Ashe said. "The fans ought to know that."

Although Culpepper is ahead of schedule, Ashe declined to put a timetable on his client's return. Culpepper told the Pioneer Press on Dec. 15, "I'll be playing definitely next season."

The question now might be where.

In an article published Friday, Pioneer Press columnist Charley Waters revisited reports from late last season that indicated Culpepper would be traded -- with the Raiders and Ravens perhaps among those most interested -- in early March.

The Raiders have the No. 6 pick and the Ravens No. 13 in April's draft. Arizona and Miami also could be in the running. Raiders owner Al Davis has an affinity for reclamation projects.

Waters added that moving Culpepper for at least a first-round draft pick and a bona fide starter would solve the Vikings' quarterback conflict, allowing Johnson, who would be 38, to start in new head coach Brad Childress' West Coast offense this season.

The Vikings then would have to use a first-round pick to draft a quarterback to develop and sign a veteran backup, perhaps, Waters suggested, free agent Chris Weinke of the Panthers.

Meanwhile, Culpepper is about two months into a projected year-long rehabilitation of his injured right knee. The Vikings hope he can accelerate the timetable in order to participate in training camp, but Childress has acknowledged Culpepper's return date is uncertain.

Johnson would be Culpepper's logical replacement, but Johnson confirmed during an ESPN interview he believes his 2005 performance earned him a starting job somewhere in 2006.

Wilf, however, maintains that neither Culpepper nor Johnson is likely to be traded this offseason.

The owner also said that Culpepper -- even if healthy -- will not automatically retain the No. 1 spot over Johnson.

"One thing I've learned in this league, no one is handed anything," Wilf said Thursday. "You've got to compete for your job and you have to fight hard for it. If it's a given, you lose that spirit. ... I would hope that when they both come in, that they're both at 110 percent. ... And they know they're fighting for their jobs. You can't ask for anything more than to be in that position."

"I think having both of them together is the best weapon that we can have going forward. And having them compete against each other on a constant basis is even better."

Wilf said he is not bothered by reports of Johnson's desire to be No. 1.

"Sure, Brad wants to be a starting quarterback. I wouldn't expect anything less of him," Wilf said. "That's why he's a great leader. That's why he has a Super Bowl ring, because he always has that spirit. And I will not say to him that 'you can't compete,' because that would hurt everyone. So therefore, I welcome and look forward to this training camp. I think it's great for both of them, really. It sets them up to a higher level."

Wilf added the "competitive spirit" would help both players.

"It's always great to have that," Wilf said. "I think there's always room, in fact a necessity, to always have a competitive spirit and I'm proud to say that we have two of the best quarterbacks in the league competing against each other. Who could ask for anything more?"

Wilf reiterated that Culpepper is a "franchise quarterback." But he added: "I've got two franchise quarterbacks, OK? That's how I look at it.,"

"When you talk about quarterbacks in the plural, this team has the franchise quarterbacks. As you can see around the league, especially last year, you never know. It's very tough to stay healthy, at that position, for a full year. You never know when things will happen. If you don't have that person that can step up. ..."

As Jensen noted, Wilf didn't finish that thought. But after the Vikings started 2-5 with Culpepper, the Vikings rallied when Johnson took over. The Vikings won six consecutive games with Johnson and finished 9-7 to narrowly miss the playoffs.

"With what Brad exhibited with his leadership, I wouldn't bet against Brad in the competitive role. He's the ultimate competitor," Wilf said. "You'll see the best of him, in competing for the quarterback position."

Asked if he would address Johnson's or Culpepper's contract this offseason, Wilf said, "I won't comment on contracts."

Still, Wilf wants to ensure both players are around for the long haul.

"We're in an envious position," Wilf said. "Our team has what I would say is the franchise quarterback combination in the league. You have to look upon that nowadays, because things change on a weekly basis."

How will it all turn out?

Culpepper's only real leverage is to hold out of mini-camps and possibly training camp (to whatever degree he's able to participate) -- even after receiving the $6 million bonus.

As Seifert summed up: "It seems the Vikings have two choices. They could cut their losses and jettison him for next to nothing. Or they could cross their fingers and hope Childress, Wilf and other team officials can talk Culpepper off his ledge.

"In betting terms, it's a bad field either way. ..."

Look for the Vikings to explore the quarterback issue further once they complete the final step of their front office reorganization.

Wilf confirmed the team is in the midst of interviewing candidates for a job he has defined as personnel director. Former Miami general manager Rick Spielman interviewed Tuesday with team officials and former Atlanta vice president Ron Hill is expected to speak with the Vikings at some point this week.

Denver director of pro personnel Rick Smith is also a candidate, but he might not be available until next month if the Broncos advance to the Super Bowl. Wilf said he has not ruled out internal candidates Scott Studwell or Jeff Robinson -- "it could be a personnel person that we add with the director being someone who is currently on staff," he said -- and said Childress will have "significant input" into all football-related decisions.

Wilf, in fact, put Childress at the top of a makeshift "Triangle of Authority" he displayed Wednesday as a way of explaining the Vikings' new power structure. The personnel man was at one of the bottom corners of the triangle, while Brzezinski was at the other.

"There has to be communication," Wilf said. "But the head coach has to be able to know and say who he wants on his team. He's the one who has to tell the personnel guy and the cap guy what we're looking for. He has to have significant input."

It would appear that input will extend beyond the roster. This after trainer Chuck Barta's tenure with the Vikings is ending after 18 seasons.

Childress is expected to replace Barta with Philadelphia Eagles assistant athletic trainer Eric Sugarman.

"He wanted to have someone he's familiar with," Barta said. "That's the direction he wants to go."

Barta acknowledged he was surprised but didn't begrudge Childress' decision.

Barta also hoped the best for the Vikings.

"They should do well with the new owner and the new coach," he said. "I'm disappointed I won't be a part of it."

Sugarman, 35, has been a member of the Eagles' training staff the past six seasons. He spent three seasons in a similar role with the Bears.

In 2003, Sugarman received the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society's "Big Heart" award for saving the life of a fellow employee by CPR, according to the Eagles' media guide.