Source: Vikings set to release Antoine Winfield in shocking move

Antoine Winfield is done with the Minnesota Vikings.

The veteran cornerback was informed on Monday afternoon he'll be released, an NFL source said.

Winfield was due $7.25 million in base salary in the last year of his deal.

The Vikings first approached his representatives about a pay cut at the NFL scouting combine last month. But there was no further dialogue until Tuesday and numbers never were discussed, sources said.

Winfield, 35, played 89.8% of the snaps last season (1,076 total, including playoffs) despite finishing the season with a broken right hand. Coach Leslie Frazier said last month he expected Winfield to return in a reduced role.

The Ohio State product joined the Vikings a free agent in 2004 after five seasons in Buffalo. He was entering the last year of the contract extension he signed in July 2009.

Winfield had no bonus proration left on his deal, so the Vikings freed up $7.25 million in cap space with the release.

Tom Pelissero is Senior Editor and columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He hosts from 6 to 8 p.m. weeknights and co-hosts from 10 a.m. to noon Sundays on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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