A clause in Germaine's five-year deal allowed the quarterback to opt out if Danny White was no longer the team's coach. Germaine said White's decision to resign June 30 - he was replaced by assistant coach Ron James - was not the reason he is looking at free agency.

"If that was the case, I would have opted out a long time ago. I needed some more time before I locked into a contract to figure out my family situation," Germaine said from his home in Phoenix. "I definitely want to play again."

Germaine is also keeping open his options toward playing again for Utah. The Blaze finished 6-10 last season and lost in the first round of the AFL Playoffs.

Germaine is from Phoenix and said most of his family lives in Arizona. His wife, Natalie, graduated from BYU and Germaine said that the couple have talked in the past about moving to Salt Lake City.

The decision took Utah management by surprise.

"We certainly have every intention of keeping him here," Blaze team president Jason Jones said. "We had every indication from Joe that he would be here and not exercise that option. We certainly will turn our attention to plans A, B and C. At the end of the day, we're limited by the free agents out there. Joe's decision to pursue the market means we have to put our best foot forward."

The Blaze can begin signing free agents Oct. 22. The signing period ends Oct. 29.

In three seasons with Utah, Germaine and White compiled a 21-30 overall record with an 0-3 playoff mark. This past season, Utah, owned by car dealer Ken Garff, was defeated 49-44 by the Colorado Crush in the first round.

martyr@sltrib.com