NFL

FOX Sports Exclusive

Chiefs acquire Cassel, Vrabel in trade with Pats

Share This Story

foxsports admin

 
Updated Mar 1, 2009 3:08 PM ET
     
 
Scott Pioli left the New England Patriots to become Kansas City's general manager.

Tom heals wounds

Plaxico Sad about losing Matt Cassel, Pats fans? Don't be. Alex Marvez says the deal means your team's optimistic about Tom Brady's health. FULL STORY...
Quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel are now coming with him. After putting the franchise tag on Cassel as insurance for their two-time Super Bowl MVP, the Patriots shipped Cassel and linebacker Vrabel to Kansas City on Saturday. The Chiefs gave up shockingly little — the 34th overall pick in the April draft for both players. The Chiefs have the third overall selection following a franchise-worst 2-14 season. In yielding their second-round draft choice, they acquire a reliable 12-year veteran linebacker and a proven young quarterback who could immediately fill one of their most urgent needs. Starting quarterback Tom Brady's rehab of a severe knee injury was set back when an infection forced a second operation. By putting the franchise tag on Cassel, New England would have had to pay him $14.5 million to keep him as a backup. Cassel hadn't started a game since high school but stepped in when Brady was hurt less than eight minutes into the season opener against Kansas City. He went on to throw for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns in 15 starts.
"It is very easy to root for guys like Matt Cassel, who do everything the right way and flourish as a result," Patriots coach Bill Belichick said in a statement. "As much as we would have loved to continue working with Matt, we wish him nothing but the best as he takes this next step forward in his career." Financial compensation on a new contract with Cassel has not been reached yet, a source told FOXSports.com. The Patriots' 11-5 record kept them out of the playoffs, but Belichick and personnel director Scott Pioli were again hailed for their ability to reach deep into the draft and uncover a gem at quarterback. Brady was the 199th player drafted in 2000 and Cassel was a seventh-round pick in 2005. Pioli was hired as general manager of the Chiefs in January. About a month later, the housecleaning began — he fired coach Herm Edwards and hired Arizona offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Now comes this latest move, which will depend on Vrabel and Cassel passing their physicals. "I have a long history with both players," Pioli said in a statement. "Mike and Matt are men that I respect both personally and professionally. I look forward to having them as new members of the Chiefs family." The 33-year-old Vrabel was part of three Super Bowl-winning teams in his eight years with New England, primarily as an outside linebacker. He joins a team whose linebackers were devastated by injury and played poorly. The Chiefs are now counting on Vrabel's experience and leadership. "Mike Vrabel epitomizes everything a coach could seek in a professional football player: toughness, intelligence, playmaking, leadership, versatility and consistency at the highest level," Belichick said. "Behind the scenes, Mike's wit and personality is one of the things we have all enjoyed about coming to work every day." Tyler Thigpen, the first player from tiny Coastal Carolina to be drafted by the NFL, took over at quarterback last year after Kansas City's No. 1 and No. 2 went out with season-ending injuries. He proved so ineffective at managing the power running game, the Chiefs switched offenses and went to a college-type spread attack. Occasionally, he was effective. Still, Thigpen lost 10 of the 11 games he started, throwing for 21 touchdowns and 2,994 yards. FOXSports.com's Alex Marvez and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
Tagged: Mike Vrabel, Matt Cassel, Chiefs, Patriots

More Stories From foxsports admin

Giants Super Bowl Champs Gear

Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NFL Videos

Schrager: QB draft class Posted: Feb 10, 2012
Peter Schrager breaks down the QB draft class of 2012. After Luck and RG III, wh...

Victor Cruz's magical season Posted: Feb 10, 2012
Victor Cruz talks about going from the practice squad to Super Bowl champ, turni...

Schrager: NFL Combine Report Posted: Feb 10, 2012
FOXSports.com's Peter Schrager gives us several top players who will make some n...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »
St. Jude

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Navy Blue Player T-shirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Cowboys/browse/featuredproduct/346245/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_346000/FF_346245_xl.jpg&w=100 25.95 Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Navy Blue Player T-shirt
    New York Giants Royal Blue Critical Victory V Hoodie Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Giants/browse/featuredproduct/676913/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_676000/ff_676913_xl.jpg&w=100 49.95 New York Giants Royal Blue Critical Victory V Hoodie Sweatshirt
    San Francisco 49ers Charcoal 1st & Goal IV Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_San_Francisco_49ers/browse/featuredproduct/678811/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_678000/ff_678811_xl.jpg&w=100 49.95 San Francisco 49ers Charcoal 1st & Goal IV Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt
    Carolina Panthers Championship Series Watch http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Carolina_Panthers/browse/featuredproduct/722612/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_722000/ff_722612_xl.jpg&w=100 39.95 Carolina Panthers Championship Series Watch
    Reebok Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers Replica Jersey - White - http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Green_Bay_Packers/browse/featuredproduct/744236/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_744000/ff_744236_xl.jpg&w=100 59.99 Reebok Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers Replica Jersey - White -
    Reebok Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions #81 Black Megatron Player Flex Fit Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Lions/browse/featuredproduct/756044/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_756000/ff_756044_xl.jpg&w=100 25.95 Reebok Calvin Johnson Detroit Lions #81 Black Megatron Player Flex Fit Hat
    New England Patriots 2011 AFC East Division Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - White http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_England_Patriots/browse/featuredproduct/775172/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_775000/ff_775172_xl.jpg&w=100 21.95 New England Patriots 2011 AFC East Division Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Whit..
    Reebok Tim Tebow Denver Broncos #15 Replica Jersey - White http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Denver_Broncos/browse/featuredproduct/775597/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_775000/ff_775597_xl.jpg&w=100 59.99 Reebok Tim Tebow Denver Broncos #15 Replica Jersey - White
    Houston Texans Black 2011 AFC South Division Champions Locker Room Adjustable Hat http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Houston_Texans/browse/featuredproduct/776231/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_776000/ff_776231_xl.jpg&w=100 25.95 Houston Texans Black 2011 AFC South Division Champions Locker Room Adjustable Ha..
Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft