Vikings Release Holcomb

The Vikings released quarterback Kelly Holcomb, an 11-year veteran of the league, on Wednesday.

The Vikings released quarterback Kelly Holcomb on Wednesday, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The Vikings confirmed the move Thursday afternoon.

Holcomb was obtained in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles on Aug. 27 last year and instantly became the team’s most veteran quarterback with 21 starts prior to 2007.

Holcomb started three games for the Vikings last year as an injury replacement for Tarvaris Jackson before suffering a neck injury that sidelined him the rest of the season. He was inactive for 11 games.

Asked last week if there would be any more roster moves before the Thursday 11 p.m. Central start of free agency, Vikings head coach Brad Childress said “there could be.” The Holcomb move is likely what he had in mind.

During his limited action last season, Holcomb completed 42 of 83 passes for 515 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He finished the season with a 73.1 passer rating, 2.3 points higher than Jackson.

Holcomb carried a $1,685,000 cap number for 2008 and was due a $150,000 roster bonus.

In his only playoff start, for Cleveland during the 2002 season, Holcomb threw for 429 yards, which is the fourth-highest output in NFL playoff history.

The move leaves the Vikings with Tarvaris Jackson and Brooks Bollinger as the only quarterbacks on the roster.

“Sixty quarterbacks played in the NFL last year. You’d better have somebody that’s a viable candidate that if your guy breaks his leg, like Aaron Rodgers, you’ve got the next guy,” Childress said when asked about his depth at the quarterback position last week.

The Vikings have reportedly shown an interest in Miami quarterbacks Trent Green and Cleo Lemon.