Detroit Lions add another former Patriot to their roster
The Detroit Lions have added yet another former New England Patroits player to their roster. This time, providing depth at their most valuable position.
The Detroit Lions have looked to fill their roster with depth this offseason. They’ve also had an eye for veteran free agents who have Super Bowl experience.
And, likely greatly due to their past history, Lions general manager Bob Quinn and new head coach Matt Patricia have signed a few former New England Patroits along the way. That trend continues.
On Wednesday, the Lions reportedly are signing former Patroits quarterback Matt Cassel to provide some much needed veteran depth behind Matthew Stafford on the roster. Cassel is a former seventh round pick out of USC by New England in 2005.
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Cassel spent his first three seasons as a professional learning from a young Tom Brady. In his fourth year, Matt was forced to start 15 games for the Patroits after Brady suffered a torn ACL and MCL in the season opener.
In 2008, Cassel would go on to lead New England to an 11-5 record and received the lone Pro Bowl bid of his 13-year career so far. He passed for 3,693 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions throwing for a career-high 63.4 completion percentage.
The following season, Cassel was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs to become their starting quarterback. Unfortunately, he was never able to duplicate the success he found in New England.
Since then, Cassel has bounced around the NFL as a backup journeyman, playing for teams like the Minnesota Vikings, the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys. For the past two seasons, he’s been a member of the Tennessee Titans.
Cassel had one start in 2017 for the Titans, where he completed 21 of his 32 passes for 141 yards, one touchdown and a lost fumble in a 16-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week Five.
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The now 35-year old Matt Cassel joins many of his former New England Patriot comrades as the newest member of the Detroit Lions. Cassel will presumably provide a veteran presence behind Matthew Stafford in the Motor City and should complete with Jake Rudock for the primary backup role.