Most likely it will be a long summer of debating how close the Vikings and Randy Moss can come on a contract extension, but what is he worth? Is he worth more than a Pro Bowl quarterback, or somewhere in between that and the highest paid wide receiver?

The first grenade of the Vikings-Randy Moss signing blitz began when it was reported that Moss wants to be the highest paid player in the NFL. While that number currently sits at more than $10 million a season, that money is being paid to quarterbacks, not wide receivers. The highest paid wideout is Keyshawn Johnson, whose contract pays him $7 million a season.

Will the Vikings take the bait? More likely if it’s somewhere in between Brett Favre money and Keyshawn Johnson money. From what VU has been told, the early numbers the Vikings might be willing to take would be to sign Moss to a six-year extension — allowing the team to get by on $3.5 million this season — worth somewhere between $45-50 million. With contracts for players like Robert Smith, Todd Steussie and John Randle going off the books in the next year or two, more money will be freed up — the Vikings are currently paying $14 million vs. the cap for players no longer with the team.

There are two schools of thought being thrown around as the subject has become the topic of debate on sports radio to local taverns. Many question Moss’ leadership ability, which is a given with that kind of price tag, and argue that Moss forced the team’s hand on signing Dennis Green long-term by threatening to leave, as well as quietly saying he was the reason Steussie and Smith are gone from the Vikings. Others say if Moss and Daunte Culpepper can stay together, the Vikings will remain one of the best offenses in the league, because Moss is the most explosive player in the NFL — capable of making a big play at any time for a game-breaking score.

The debate will continue as the summer steams on, but one thing is for sure — to keep Randy Moss, the Vikings will have to pay and pay a lot.

WEDNESDAY NOTES
* The Vikings open their rookie and free agent camp today at Winter Park.
* Vikings DT Tim Engelhardt, who had a great week in NFL Europe, was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Week. Engelhardt, who plays for the Barcelona Dragons, had three sacks last weekend to earn the defensive kudos.