Matt Cassel is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over a decade. He began his career as a backup quarterback for the New England Patriots, where he spent four seasons before being traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009.
Cassel's breakout season came in 2008 when he was called upon to replace an injured Tom Brady. He led the Patriots to an 11-5 record and threw for over 3,600 yards and 21 touchdowns. This performance earned him a Pro Bowl selection and a lucrative contract with the Chiefs.
In his first season with the Chiefs, Cassel led the team to a surprising 10-6 record and a playoff berth. He threw for over 3,100 yards and 27 touchdowns, earning his second Pro Bowl selection. However, his performance declined in subsequent seasons, and he was eventually released by the Chiefs in 2013.
Cassel then played for several teams over the next few years, including the Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and Detroit Lions. He served primarily as a backup quarterback during this time, but did start several games due to injuries to the team's starting quarterback.
Overall, Cassel's NFL career was marked by inconsistency. He had several standout seasons, but also struggled at times and was never able to establish himself as a long-term starting quarterback. Despite this, he was widely respected by his teammates and coaches for his work ethic and leadership qualities.
Cassel announced his retirement from the NFL in March 2019, ending a career that spanned over a decade and included 108 games played, 36 wins, and 104 touchdowns.
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