Vikings coach Leslie Frazier has talked with defensive back Antoine Winfield about returning to the team this season, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Whether Winfield would come back at a reduced price after Minnesota cut him last week remains to be seen.

Winfield was caught off guard by the Vikings’ decision to release him March 12, according to the source, and stung by the abrupt manner in which he was called upstairs at Winter Park after a workout to receive the news.

But Frazier contacted Winfield to let him know the team wanted him back, and the 35-year-old cornerback is at least considering the Vikings among his options.

Winfield had one of the best years of his career in 2012, making 100 tackles, intercepting three passes and breaking up 12 more. Many players said Winfield was the leader of the defense, but he was scheduled to more than double his salary while the Vikings were looking at reducing his role.

Because injuries limited him to five games in 2011, a playing-time clause reduced Winfield’s 2012 base salary to $3 million. Winfield played enough last season to trigger the full $7.2 million for 2013, the final year of his five-year, $36 million deal.

The team spoke to Winfield’s agent, Ashanti Webb, at the NFL scouting combine about the possibility of a pay cut, but Winfield wasn’t expecting the Vikings to release him the way they did. He suddenly had to evaluate possible destinations for next season and weigh those against returning to the Vikings at a lower rate.

At this point, the source said, it is difficult to say whether returning to Minnesota for a 10th season would be Winfield’s first choice.

The Vikings still have to let Winfield know how much they would pay him, and Winfield has to talk with other teams in a process the cornerback doesn’t seem eager to rush.

Talking with Frazier, though, at least has the Vikings in the running.

Follow Ben Goessling at twitter.com/BenGoesslingPP.