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Matt Cassel | Quarterback

Team: Minnesota Vikings
Age / DOB:  (31) / 5/17/1982
Ht / Wt:  6'4' / 230
College: USC
Contract: view contract details
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ESPN 1500 Twin Cities reports Matt Cassel's deal is for two years and $7.4 million, and that the second year can be voided by Cassel up to five days after the Super Bowl.
Seeing as the odds are nil Cassel would be able to earn a bigger payday for 2014 next offseason, we wouldn't worry about him voiding the second year of his deal. It's far more likely the Vikings decide to move on from their questionably priced backup quarterback. If 2013 proves to be a "break" year for Christian Ponder, the Vikings are going to need to do better than Cassel to replace or push him. Mar 18 - 11:52 AM
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter

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Player News

Date:
Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

Before signing him, the Vikings made it clear to Matt Cassel that he is not entering a competition with Christian Ponder.

Right or wrong, Vikings GM Rick Spielman is committed to Ponder as his franchise quarterback. Cassel is there only to provide experienced depth. "They went 10-6 and he is their starting quarterback," Cassel said. "They said they're looking to bring somebody in with experience ... (and) be somebody who can step in if need be. The fact of the matter is, again, Christian is the starting quarterback."
Related: Christian Ponder
Source: Minneapolis Star-Tribune
Mar 17 - 2:51 PM
Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

Vikings agreed to terms with QB Matt Cassel on a one-year, $4 million contract.

The Vikings were nearly as eager to sign Cassel as they were to unload Percy Harvin. They were the only team linked to the fading signal caller both before and after his release from the Chiefs. Cassel is an upgrade on Joe Webb in that he could conceivably be thrown into the fire without crumbling, but it's hard to strongly recommend a player who's committed 30 turnovers over his past 18 games, even as a backup. Even if Christian Ponder struggles again in 2013, Cassel is not a serious threat to his job.
Related: Chiefs
Source: Jay Glazer on Twitter
Mar 14 - 3:27 PM
Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

ESPN 1500 Twin Cities' Tom Pelissero passes along word in the agent community that the Vikings will likely sign free agent Matt Cassel "if they can agree on money."

Pelissero calls the money "a big if, of course," but ESPN's Adam Schefter stated on SportsCenter Thursday that "It sounds like Minnesota is the favorite right now to get Matt Cassel." Schefter's use of "the favorite" was a bit generous. The Patriots also make sense as a potential Cassel suitor, but Minnesota can offer him a much better shot at 2013 playing time.
Related: Vikings
Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter
Mar 14 - 2:56 PM
Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

Chiefs released QB Matt Cassel.

The six-year, $63 million deal former GM Scott Pioli gave Cassel in 2009 proved disastrous. In 47 starts for the Chiefs, he went 19-28 while turning the ball over 57 times. New coach Andy Reid will move forward with Alex Smith and Chase Daniel, while the Vikings are widely expected to pursue Cassel. The Patriots could also show interest, putting the wheels in motion for a Ryan Mallett trade to the Browns. Cassel and Ryan Fitzpatrick are the top-two quarterbacks on the market right now. Hopefully, you're not the fan of a QB-needy team.
Related: Patriots, Vikings, Chiefs
Mar 14 - 10:35 AM
Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora "continues to hear" the Vikings "really like" Matt Cassel.

Who better to make up for the loss of Percy Harvin and Antoine Winfield than a backup quarterback who's committed 30 turnovers over his past 18 starts? Kidding aside, Cassel would be an upgrade over Joe Webb in that he could theoretically pilot a run-heavy offense if pressed into action. We'd hope the Vikings don't surrender a seventh-round pick. Cassel will be cut soon enough.
Related: Vikings
Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter
Mar 13 - 11:02 PM
Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

The Chiefs are "trying to trade" Matt Cassel.

They won't succeed. The Chiefs can't afford to carry Cassel's $7.5 million salary for much longer if they plan to make any more moves in free agency, and will likely release their deadweight quarterback sometime in the next 48 hours. Ricky Stanzi should be on his way out of Kansas City, as well.
Source: Adam Teicher on Twitter
Mar 12 - 10:06 PM
Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

Word among agents is reportedly that the Vikings are a possible landing spot for Matt Cassel.

Cassel is expected to be released by the Chiefs shortly. The Vikings need a pocket passer to replace Joe Webb, who can't run an offense designed for Christian Ponder. Cassel has also been linked to the Cardinals and Jets.
Related: Vikings
Source: Tampa Bay Times
Mar 12 - 11:26 AM
Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

Appearing on Total Access, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said the Cardinals are "currently doing some research into" Matt Cassel.

Rapoport says Arizona is interested in bringing Cassel in and pairing him with Kevin Kolb in what would be a quarterback competition. ESPN's Adam Schefter mentioned the Cardinals as a landing spot for Cassel on Wednesday, as well. Cassel would be a dreadful fit for Bruce Arians' vertical passing attack. Rapoport also named the Vikings as a suitor for Cassel, saying Minnesota is interested in someone to "push" and "teach" Christian Ponder.
Related: Vikings, Cardinals
Feb 28 - 7:38 PM
Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

On NFL Live, ESPN's Adam Schefter mentioned the Jets, Vikings, and Cardinals as potential suitors for free agent-to-be Matt Cassel.

Schefter seemed to be speculating, but all three clubs are quarterback needy. Cassel will surely be released before March 12, and Schefter believes he'll generate some interest. We'd add New England as a potential destination to be Tom Brady's backup, especially if the Pats put Ryan Mallett on the trade block.
Related: Cardinals, Vikings, Jets
Feb 27 - 4:10 PM
Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

ESPN's Adam Schefter expects Matt Cassel to be "on the Cardinals' radar," and to draw interest from other teams.

Weak-armed and inaccurate, Cassel would be a terrible fit in Bruce Arians' vertically-minded passing attack, especially considering Arians' aversion to the run game. Cassel has no chance of succeeding in an offense that isn't one of the league's most run heavy. That Arizona would even briefly consider a quarterback who's turned the ball over 30 times in his past 18 games speaks to how uniquely terrible their QB situation has become.
Related: Cardinals
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Feb 27 - 2:19 PM
Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

The Chiefs are expected to release Matt Cassel.

Cassel was never truly in the mix to start for new coach Andy Reid. And since he was owed $7.5 million in 2013, he was never a good bet to stick on the roster either. Now that the trade for Alex Smith is done, Cassel can start sprucing up his resume. He'll have to settle for a backup job after going 5-12 as a starter over the last two seasons and turning the ball over 30 times in his last 18 games.
Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Feb 27 - 12:33 PM
Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

According to SI's Peter King, Matt Cassel "knows he's not in the mix to start" under new coach Andy Reid.

That's the kind of certainty 30 turnovers over your past 18 games will provide. Officially, Reid is still "evaluating" Cassel, but it shouldn't be long before he's out on the street.
Source: Sports Illustrated
Feb 25 - 10:16 AM
Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

A source close to the Chiefs said Matt Cassel has not been offered a pay cut from his slated salary of $7.5 million.

The Chiefs have not publicly spoken about Cassel's contract situation in any detail, but this information would suggest he's going to be released before free agency kicks off in Match. This news comes as reports also surfaced that trade talks have taken place between the Eagles and Chiefs for QB Nick Foles.
Source: USA Today
Feb 23 - 11:43 AM
Matt Cassel - QB - Vikings

ESPN Boston suggests the Patriots as a possible landing spot for Matt Cassel if he's released by the Chiefs.

In an ideal world, the Patriots could trade current backup Ryan Mallett for draft picks and then fill the backup job with Cassel. While subbing for an injured Tom Brady in 2008, Cassel threw for 3,693 yards with 21 touchdowns against 11 interceptions and led the Pats to an 11-5 record. He's expected to be cut by Kansas City before free agency opens in March.
Source: ESPN Boston
Feb 13 - 10:28 AM

Depth Charts

Skill Players
PosRoleName
QB1Christian Ponder
2Matt Cassel
3McLeod Bethel-Thompson
4James Vandenberg
RB1Adrian Peterson
2Toby Gerhart
3Matt Asiata
4Joe Banyard
5Jerodis Williams
GLB1Adrian Peterson
2Toby Gerhart
3RB1Adrian Peterson
2Toby Gerhart
FB1Jerome Felton
2Zach Line
WR11Greg Jennings
2Jarius Wright
3Joe Webb
4Greg Childs
5Chris Summers
WR21Jerome Simpson
2Cordarrelle Patterson
3Stephen Burton
4Rodney Smith
5Erik Highsmith
WR31Cordarrelle Patterson
TE1Kyle Rudolph
2John Carlson
3Rhett Ellison
4Chase Ford
5Colin Anderson
K1Blair Walsh