Feb. 18, 2000 SportsLine wire reports

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings have not ruled out the possibility of cutting quarterback

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Randall Cunningham, who has refused to restructure his $28 million contract, the Star Tribune reported Friday.

The newspaper said team officials might cut Cunningham before June 1, a move that would hamper the Vikings' salary cap situation while saving them $1 million in cash.

An NFL source told the newspaper that the Vikings have made it known Cunningham could be made available soon -- possibly through a trade. Cunningham's release could open the way for Jeff George to return next season. George took over for Cunningham 5½ games into the 1999 season and guided the team to a 9-3 record in its final 12 games.

Coach Dennis Green had suggested last week that George and his agent, Leigh Steinberg, begin shopping around for a new team.

Cunningham has rejected the team's request to slash his 2000 income. But Green reportedly is not interested in bringing back Cunningham under the terms of his five-year contract.

If Cunningham is cut before June 1, his prorated signing bonus would consume more than $3 million against the Vikings' 2000 salary cap. If they cut him after that date, the hit would be spread over two years, but the Vikings would have to pay the quarterback a roster bonus of $1 million.