Culpepper was due a $2.5 million roster bonus Feb. 27, and the question was whether the Lions would bring him back. But he renegotiated his deal. That indicates he thinks his best chance to start is in Detroit.

But the fact the Lions didn't simply pay the bonus indicates the Lions are less than certain Culpepper is their man, and they have not declared him their starter. They have other options, including the No. 1 pick in the draft.

"I think it's safe to say now with that renegotiation we're prepared to go forward with Daunte in the mix," president Tom Lewand said. "Any reports that are out there that anything's been established are nothing short of erroneous."

Coach Jim Schwartz won't even say Culpepper has the edge because of his history with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, under whom he once put up big numbers in Minnesota.

"I mean, I wouldn't say that they don't have a level of comfort, but that doesn't give him an edge," Schwartz said.

Asked about the quarterback situation in general, Schwartz, who was hired in January, said: "Players have to prove themselves to a new coaching staff, and coaches have to prove themselves to players, and that dynamic I think is one of the things that turns teams around. I think there's no spot safe on this team."

Schwartz said he has met with Culpepper, Jon Kitna and the two other quarterbacks under contract. He has spoken with Dan Orlovsky on the phone.

He said no decision has been made about Kitna. The Lions might want to wait until the last minute to see if they can get anything in a trade.

"We want to keep all options open," Schwartz said. "A lot of that depends on free agency. A lot of it depends on the draft and those kind of things. You don't want to shut any door before it's time, so to speak."

Kitna is due a roster bonus March 1 worth $500,000 or $1 million, according to reports. Will that bring urgency to the process?

"At some time, it will," Schwartz said. "But as of today, no."

Orlovsky is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent Feb. 27 and has said he expects to hit the market, though he would like to return to Detroit. Lewand said the Lions have spoken to Orlovsky's agent and denied they have told him he would return as a backup.

"I think Dan has expressed a desire to come back, and we've expressed a desire to have Dan, and we're continuing those discussions," Lewand said. "No positions are set right now, whether that's a backup spot, a starting spot.

"This is a coaching staff that's been here somewhere between one week and six weeks. They have yet to meet most of the players face-to-face. They have yet to take a snap of football in their schemes. The idea of locking in positions before that has even occurred is just not logical."

Most mock drafts have the Lions selecting Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford first overall. Stafford seems fine with that, despite the enormous pressure he would be under to be a savior.

"Truthfully, I'm a competitive person," Stafford said. "I really do love a challenge, and I would love to have a chance to be the No. 1 pick and coming to Detroit and trying something new."