The Buffalo Bills are making it clear they're not going to rely on free agency to fill their positional needs on offense. Buffalo made a move to address the quarterback position Wednesday. The Bills agreed to terms on a trade with the Minnesota Vikings that will send two undisclosed draft choices to Minnesota in exchange for QB Matt Cassel and an undisclosed draft pick.
A former seventh-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2005, Cassel's career took off when he stepped in as the starter for the Patriots in the wake of a season-ending injury to Tom Brady in Week 1 of the 2008 season.
Cassel, 32, is a 10-year veteran who spent the last two seasons with Minnesota making nine starts. He completed almost 60 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and a starting record of 4-5 for a Vikings club that finished 5-10-1 in 2013 and 7-9 last season.
In his career Cassel has thrown for close to 16,000 yards with 96 touchdowns and 70 interceptions and a passer rating of 80.1. He has 71 starts in 91 game appearances.
A former seventh-round pick of the New England Patriots in 2005, Cassel's career took off when he stepped in as the starter for the Patriots in the wake of a season-ending injury to Tom Brady in Week 1 of the 2008 season. Cassel would go on start the last 15 games and post a 10-5 record helping New England post an 11-5 record tossing 21 touchdowns against 11 INTs and a passer rating of 89.4.
The following season he signed as a free agent in Kansas City where he served as a starter for four years. In 2010 Cassel earned a Pro Bowl nod leading the Chiefs to an AFC West division title and the playoffs throwing 27 touchdowns with just seven interceptions and a career high 93 passer rating.
Cassel served as a mentor of sorts to rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater in Minnesota this past season, but he's expected to push third-year quarterback EJ Manuel for the starting role in Buffalo.
Following the trade the Bills still have six draft choices for the upcoming 2015 NFL draft.
