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Kurt Warner has been relegated to a back-up role in St. Louis.
Kurt Warner has been told by the St. Louis Rams that he will be cut after June 1, the quarterback's agent told the New York Daily News.
Mark Bartelstein, Warner's agent, told the newspaper that Rams coach Mike Martz informed Warner on Monday of the team's decision.
Bartelstein said the Rams gave the two-time MVP permission to contact other teams. That process has already begun, the agent told the newspaper.
"We're trying to find the right place and the right situation," Bartelstein told the Daily News. "Kurt is in great shape, he's as healthy as can be and ready to have a terrific season."
Messages left for Bartelstein at his office and Martz at his home by The Associated Press were not immediately returned late Monday night.
By waiting until after June 1 to cut him, the Rams lessen the hit on their salary cap. Warner will cost them $4.6 million this year and $6.7 million next year. He is slated to cost St. Louis $9.5 million this year.
An announcement from the Rams on Warner could come as early as Tuesday, the newspaper reported.
"Does he have to find a starting job to be happy? We're going to keep an open mind," Bartelstein said. "Most teams today have their starting quarterback set."
Warner went to two Super Bowls in his first three seasons as the Rams starter, leading the team to the 1999 championship.
But the past two seasons he has been hampered by injuries and relegated to a backup.
He lost his starting job to Marc Bulger after fumbling six times in the Rams' opener against the New York Giants last season. It was learned after the game the Warner was playing with a concussion.
Martz replaced Warner with Bulger the next week, and Warner never returned to the starting lineup.
Bulger, a restricted free agent, didn't not receive an offer sheet from another team by Friday's deadline, all but ensuring his return as the Rams' starter.
St. Louis has also signed veteran quarterback Chris Chandler as a backup.
Source: AP