Matt Cassel

Matt Cassel is an American former professional football quarterback who played 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He bounced around the league and played for teams like the New England Patriots, the Buffalo Bills, and the Tennessee Titans.

Player Profile, High School, and College Career

Matthew Brennan Cassel was born on May 17, 1982, in Los Angeles, California, USA. The quarterback stands 193 cm tall, and played at a listed weight of 102 kg.

He attended Chatsworth High School in Los Angeles, where he developed into a highly recruited passing prospect. Committing to the University of Southern California (USC), Cassel played for the Trojans from 2001 to 2004. Unlike most NFL quarterbacks, he spent his entire collegiate career as a backup—playing behind Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart—yet still showcased enough raw talent and football IQ during his limited reps to capture the attention of professional scouts.

Professional Career

Cassel was selected by the New England Patriots in the seventh round (230th overall) of the 2005 NFL Draft.

He spent his first three seasons in New England continuing his familiar role as a backup, this time behind Tom Brady. Cassel's defining professional opportunity arrived in the first game of the 2008 season when Brady suffered a season-ending injury. Thrust into the starting lineup, Cassel exceeded all expectations, guiding the Patriots to a superb 11–5 record and proving he was a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL.

His breakout performance led to a trade to the Kansas City Chiefs the following year. Cassel served as Kansas City's primary starter from 2009 to 2012. He enjoyed his most successful individual campaign in 2010, leading the Chiefs to their first division title since 2003 and earning his first career Pro Bowl selection.

After departing Kansas City, Cassel transitioned smoothly into a highly valued veteran presence, utilizing his vast offensive knowledge to mentor younger players while providing reliable spot-starting capability.

He spent two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (2013–2014) before embarking on brief stints with the Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys in 2015. He concluded his 14-year NFL journey by serving as a backup for the Tennessee Titans (2016–2017) and the Detroit Lions (2018). He officially retired with 17,508 passing yards and 104 passing touchdowns.

Broadcasting Career

Following his retirement, he became a television football analyst for NBC Sports Boston.

Career Highlights

• 2010 – Pro Bowl