Owner: Jags Won't Cut Brunell

Forget those rumors the Jacksonville Jaguars will dump quarterback Mark Brunell because of their salary cap problems.

"I can't imagine anyone believing we would just out and out release Mark," Wayne Weaver, the team's owner, told the Florida Times-Union. "That's not an option."

The Jaguars are trying to renegotiate with Brunell as he enters the final year of his contract. He is scheduled to count $13.35 million against Jacksonville's salary cap next season. The Jaguars are an estimated $35 million over the cap and need to restructure Brunell's contract to save room.

Brunell is asking for a signing bonus of about $20 million to re-sign, and the Jaguars are thinking more in the $15 million range.

Weaver said there are only two options regarding Brunell: an extension or have him play at his $13.35 million cap figure.

Asked if "Plan C" was releasing Brunell, Weaver said, "it's not even Plan F."

Brunell has repeatedly said he wants to stay in Jacksonville, but hasn't ruled out the possibility of leaving.

The Jaguars have until March 2 to get under the salary cap, and consider Brunell's contract the cornerstone of their plans to restructure with most of their highest-paid players.

"I am optimistic that we're talking, and while I can't say we've made a lot of progress, each side is getting past posturing and getting down to the reality that we've got to get this thing done," Weaver said.

Brunell's agent, Leigh Steinberg, did not return messages left at his office by The Associated Press.

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