Pepp: Trade Me or Cut Me

Daunte Culpepper was back at his laptop Wednesday, sending out an e-mail expressing his desire to be traded by the Vikings -- or be cut if that can't be done -- although he did leave the door open to returning. However, that would seem to be a situation of last resort.

The strange offseason saga of Daunte Culpepper took another turn Wednesday as Culpepper used his media forum of choice �� e-mail communication – to say that he would prefer to be traded and, in lieu of that, be cut.

In a previous e-mail correspondence with media outlets, Culpepper had said that he was assured by Zygi Wilf that the team had not been seeking trade offers for him. But, after word got out that the Ravens and Dolphins had been contacted by the Vikings, his stance has changed.

“Now that I have confirmed that the Vikings have been seeking to trade me, I have asked for permission to speak to the interested teams," Culpepper said in the e-mail. "The Vikings have denied my request. If a trade does not happen, then I am asking the Vikings to terminate my contract as soon as possible."

While he didn’t discount the chance of returning to the Vikings, Culpepper reiterated that it might be in the best interests of both himself and the team to move on.

"I appreciate that the owner, Mr. Wilf, is willing to pay my March bonus," Culpepper said. "However, because of the fundamental differences I have with management regarding the approach to my personal and professional life, I think it is the best business decision for both parties to go our separate ways. If the team chooses not to honor my request, then I intend to fulfill my contractual obligations to the Minnesota Vikings."

No immediate response from the Vikings was available.