Dan Marino was offered Minnesota’s starting quarterback job last week in talks with Vikings coach Dennis Green, according to broadcast reports.
ESPN and Fox Sports Net, citing unidentified sources, said Sunday night Green had assured the former Miami Dolphins star that he would be the starter. Marino, who has attracted little interest from other teams, also is considering retirement.
Marino, 38, is the NFL’s career leading passer. He became a free agent last month after voiding his contract with Miami. The Dolphins then signed free agent Jay Fiedler.
ESPN said Marino’s agent, Marvin Demoff, had had discussions with the Vikings on a contract that would fit within the club’s salary-cap structure.
Demoff and Vikings officials could not be reached for comment.
Minnesota has decided not to re-sign starter Jeff George and plans to release Randall Cunningham after June 1, freeing more room under the salary cap.
The Vikings are hesitant to hand over the starting job to youngster Daunte Culpepper.
Dolphins President Eddie Jones said he was “flabbergasted” by the reports.
“I have no idea about Dan Marino and any report about him going anyplace,” Jones said. “I know nothing about what he plans to do.”
