PFT reporting that Cassel will opt out of contract

[720pete]

I wasn't sure whether to post this on page 4 of the Matt Cassel thread or whether it deserved to be seen as a post of its own but here is the story. Seems newsworthy enough for its own thread.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... -contract/

Earlier this week, we discussed the decision that Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel has to make this week regarding his contract.

Cassel has until Friday to opt out of the final year of the two-year deal he signed with the Vikings before last season, the first half of a mutual option on the deal that also gives the Vikings the right to pay $500,000 to Cassel to void the final year in the event he lets Friday pass without taking any action. According to a report from Darren Wolfson of KTSP and 1500 ESPN, they won’t have a decision to make.

Wolfson reports that Cassel will void the final year of the deal, which comes with a $3.7 million salary, and become a free agent. Doing so suggests Cassel and his agent believe they can land either more money or a better chance to start on the open market. The Vikings are expected to be actively looking for a quarterback this offseason, something that could leave another quarterback with a chance to open the season in the lineup if they draft a quarterback who isn’t ready to go in Week One.

If Cassel is opting out, Christian Ponder will be the only quarterback on the roster when free agency starts in March. That would only add more urgency to their search for help at the position, although Cassel could still wind up back in Minnesota even after opting out.

[Eli]

That would only add more urgency to their search for help at the position,

"Urgency" is an understatement, although it really is hard to fathom how it could become _more_ urgent.

although Cassel could still wind up back in Minnesota even after opting out.

If that happens, is there anyone who wants to take a guess at how much he might cost?

[Laserman]

Wow the mess continues and becomes even worse.

[Mothman]

If that happens, is there anyone who wants to take a guess at how much he might cost?

Probably about what he cost last year, unless there's a substantial market for his services once free agency gets underway.

[dead_poet]

Norv Turner just said on the ticket 105, the Vikings "could be successful with both", talking of Cassel and Ponder (unless somehow he meant a draftpick but I don't think they were speaking about that)... I think that's what he meant, they weren't talking about drafting someone. He's talking on there now.

I wouldn't read much into that. It makes sense not to alienate the only guy(s) that are on your roster. They're going to make a move at QB somewhere. It's really not his place to talk about draft picks until they're on the roster anyway.

[Laserman]

it would be funny if they ended up signing him for less that he was going to get previously.

I have to wonder what his thinking is. I would think a year with Norv Turner, AP, and Cordarelle Patterson would give him a better chance to rejuvenate his career than just about any other option he is likely to find.

exactly , Where does he think HE will go and start? Cleveland, tampa, Buffaloe???

[CbusVikesFan]

[dead_poet]

Also, I'm not sure if we'd start some of these rookies right off. I don't even know what the percentage of starting rookie quarterbacks is even in the NFL. I doubt if it is common to start a rookie QB.

I think it depends on draft position, coach and other competition/talent on the roster.

It seems to me rookies are being depended on to start (and play well) much earlier in their careers. In 2012, Andrew Luck, Russel Wilson, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill and Brandon Weeden started.

2011 I believe there was Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, Christian Ponder, Blaine Gabbert and Jake Locker. Quite a few, all things considered.

[Mothman]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/page ... ta-vikings

2nd paragraph is interesting, we'll see.

Thanks for the link! This line from Turner, also in a brief report at the same link, was interesting too:

“I looked at the roster, I looked at the offensive side of the ball," he said. "I think this is a group that can be real good, and I think we can be good real fast.”

I hope he's right!

[Mothman]

I think it depends on draft position, coach and other competition/talent on the roster.

It seems to me rookies are being depended on to start (and play well) much earlier in their careers. In 2012, Andrew Luck, Russel Wilson, Robert Griffin III, Ryan Tannehill and Brandon Weeden started.

2011 I believe there was Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, Christian Ponder, Blaine Gabbert and Jake Locker. Quite a few, all things considered.

It's becoming more and more common as pro-style offenses proliferate at the college level and many young QBs come in more ready than ever before to start. That said, most of them still have to take their lumps as they learn the pro game.

[smoothoperator]

cassel will not be coming back. Norv attempted to connect and talk with Matt but Matt did not call Norv back or try and get in touch with him. see ya matt

[Demi]

I'm hearing maybe Cassel was a bit miffed at the whole Vikings merry-go-round at quarterback, seems the Sansevere/Morris show was saying Cassel may not have even gotten back to Turner when Norv called him.

But new management now, that show, S/M and many others seem convinced Ponder was pretty much thrust into the QB position by higher management. It's likely that happened.

But it was all Frazier's fault. New coach, new OC, why is ignorant Matt Cassel holding a grudge against this franchise when everyone who was at fault is gone? Oh wait, it was Slick Rick/Ownership at fault like was pretty clear all along. Is this enough for some people to open their eyes?

Far as Cassel...
Try to re-sign him, don't. Try to re-sign Freeman, don't. Sign a random free agent. Throw your earliest drafted QB out there. This team isn't winning a super bowl. Do they want to compete, or try forcing a franchise QB again? Hopefully they draft at least one, preferably two, sign at least one veteran, and bring in a number of undrafted guys to see if they can get lucky. Oh, and cut Ponder...that salary can be used better elsewhere and there will be a half dozen or more veterans that are better QBs than he is.

Let's just hope Slick Rick is forced to bring in more than one option, and let his coaches coach this time. After keeping his job there's no way the noose is any looser now than before and a coach who's waited a long time, who isn't a "nice guy", isn't going to put up with his crap. Looking better and better!

[Demi]

Hate? Now implying that signing someone or not signing them is hating them as well?

The homer brain is an amazing thing.

I don't like Spielman who hasn't done a good job at either of his previous stops, and is continuing his history of below average work here...and Ponder. Who's a below average QB who Slick Rick was stupid enough to draft, and stupid enough to force the coach to start for the better part of three years...and even when he finally signed someone to possibly compete with him, refused to let him compete with him!

[viking nation]

After seeing what Turner said about Ponder it looks like the Vikings will resign Ponder Turner said - Of former first-round pick Ponder, Turner said the positive things he has done have been negated by sacks, fumbles and interceptions.

"I've been impressed with Christian and the things he does in terms of his movement," Turner said. "He throws extremely well on the run. He's made a lot of big plays. The starting point with any quarterback with me is eliminating negative plays, and that would be one of our starting points."
Wow The positive things he has done have been negated by sacks, fumbles and interceptions. Isn't that kind of like saying if the hunter didn't shoot the duck he would still be alive.

[frosted]

Hate? Now implying that signing someone or not signing them is hating them as well?

The homer brain is an amazing thing.

I don't like Spielman who hasn't done a good job at either of his previous stops, and is continuing his history of below average work here...and Ponder. Who's a below average QB who Slick Rick was stupid enough to draft, and stupid enough to force the coach to start for the better part of three years...and even when he finally signed someone to possibly compete with him, refused to let him compete with him!

Tell us how you really feel Demi.

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