Is Cassel in control of his fate?

[ducks]

Is Cassel in control of his fate?

By Jason Cole

In the ceaseless bluster over whether the New England Patriots will get any leverage in their ability to trade backup Matt Cassel, one source close to the QB said that any trade will have to satisfy the rising star.

"Matt is in no big hurry to be traded," the source said, adding that the $14.65 million salary Cassel will receive as a result of being franchised by the Pats is more than enough to keep the QB satisfied. "If a situation works out for him that he feels secure, fine. If not, he'll stay with the Patriots. … The deal is going to have to satisfy three parties: the Patriots, the team that trades for him and Matt."

While Cassel (pictured) can't block the Patriots from trading him to another team, he could discourage a move by declining to sign a contract extension with the new franchise.

In the two weeks since New England put the franchise tag on Cassel, there has been constant speculation about the Pats' QB situation. Most of that speculation has centered on a trade of Cassel, particularly after regular starter Tom Brady said last week that he expects to be ready to play this season.

Brady's remarks were backed up on Wednesday by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, who has helped advise Brady's doctors after surgery was performed and Brady had an infection.

That should give the Patriots, who went 11-5 with Cassel as the starter in 2008, more freedom to deal the former seventh-round pick, who coach Bill Belichick said late in the season could have justifiably been a Pro Bowler.

However, that freedom is dependent on two things.

First, there needs to be at least one interested team. That shouldn't be a problem considering the dearth of quarterbacks in the NFL.

Second, Cassel needs to cooperate. In short, Cassel can short-circuit just about any trade by refusing to sign a new deal beyond the '09 season. No team that's trading for a young quarterback will do so without a long-term contract.

Sure, a team could continue to franchise Cassel, but that's a difficult situation for the team and the player, particularly if the NFL and the NFL Players Association ever find a way to extend the salary cap.

What Cassel can do is play under the franchise tag this year and wait to see what happens next year. Even if he doesn't play much, he'll still be in demand as a free agent, likely to garner a contract from another team. If Brady isn't able to return from surgery, perhaps Cassel remains in New England and gets a long-term deal or gets franchised again (at a total of $17.68 million).

About the only bad thing that can happen for Cassel is that he plays this season on a one-year deal and gets hurt so badly he never plays again. Even so, he has $14.65 million in his pocket.

[monosylab1k]

I'm sure Belichick will treat him great if he s up the team's offseason plans by trying to discourage a trade. Bill will give him that special place in his heart that is currently only occupied by Parcells & Mangini.

[jack sommerset]

Cassel must feel like he won the lottery. 14 mil is pretty freaken good for a back up. No telling how he would do in another NFL system. Cassel was not good enough to start over Palmer or Lineart in college. Who knows if anyone even would have heard of Cassel if Brady did not go down. I have a feeling Cassel is one happy lil er.

[TheProfessor]

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that Matt Cassel has been traded to the Chiefs.

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