The Minnesota Vikings were patient, waiting for quarterback Matt Cassel to be released instead of trying to trade for him, and that patience has paid off.
Cassel was signed to a two year worth about $4 million per year, according to Viking Update, with a potential to earn more through incentives. Cassel also reportedly has the right to void the contract after the 2013 season.
Cassel represents the first NFL player the Vikings have signed who wasn’t one of their own since free agency began on Tuesday. Some national experts are reporting that Cassel will compete with Christian Ponder for the starting quarterback spot, but local media is brushing that off since the Vikings are so invested into Ponder, and I tend to think Ponder will be the guy without a doubt.
With that being said, Cassel presents the Vikings with some flexibility at the position. Joe Webb and McLeod Bethel-Thompson will currently be in line to compete for the number three spot, but one will surely be sent packing as a result of this move, and some speculation that makes sense centers around trying to trade Joe Webb to an option offense team. The situation will get even more interesting if the Vikings take a page out the Seattle Seahawks playbook in 2012 and decide to use one of their 11 draft picks on a quarterback, as well.
The signing of Cassel come on a day when reciever Greg Jennings is reportedly meeting with the team in Minnesota, and linebacker Brian Urlacher is reportedly of interest, which shows an interesting shift in priorities for the Vikings front office. It was widely assumed that Rick Spielman and his staff would continue to pursue younger players with upside, as they did last season in an effort to rebuild the roster, but so far most of the serious interest seems to be in veterans.
Cassel is 30 years old.
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You wonder if the Vikes had to get this done and overpay to have a shot at Greg Jennings. $4 mill for a backup is pretty steep.
A massive upgrade from Jumpin' JJ Joe Webb. But, then again, having said that, so would Noah Freshly. Joe Buck is a bit hard to understand here, but you get the picture.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55WqUuOUTXI
Freds would prefer Fitzpatrick but, it is an upgrade. At least Freds hopes its an upgrade. Damn, let's hope its an upgrade.
quit your whinging and have a couple of colts, freds, it's your day
Living here in Western NY.I watch a lot of Buffalo fans suffer last year because of Fitzpatrick.
I'm glad they got Cassel.
Why do I have this horrible feeling that the Vikes are going to way Way WAY overpay for a chance to get Jennings?
I hope we don't even get him... Honestly I like Swope a lot more than him.
How much cap room do we even how now?
Trade WEBB!!!!!!!!!!!!
cassel has shown flashes in his past. so, the hope here is that ponder improves a lot this year, as i'm sure the company line will be that ponder's our guy, and maybe just the subtle thought of competition from cassel will bring out a better side of ponder, and i do think that is definitely possible, but if cassel regains the look of a pro bowler, who would complain?
Is his deal a 2 year deal or a one year deal? I have been reading all over the web that is a is a one year deal.