Patriots May Look to Trade Matt Cassel

Photo from AP Photo

The New England Patriots announced today that they have utilized their 2009 franchise designation on quarterback Matt Cassel. The decision to do so is hardly unexpected and gives the club two main options: They can trade the 26-year-old quarterback if all continues to go well with Tom Brady’s rehabilitation from a knee injury, or they can keep him.

The cost of the franchise tag (the average of the top five highest-paid players at a given position) on Cassel is a one-year tender for $14.65 million, according to the transition and franchise tag numbers released Jan. 30 by the NFL Players Association. Since the franchise tenders are guaranteed, Cassel would count more against the cap than Brady, who is scheduled to carry a cap charge of $14.62 million for 2009. Brady is slated to have a $5 million base salary in 2009 and is due a $3 million roster bonus, so Cassel’s take-home pay for ‘09 would also be more than Brady’s.

There is a strong possibility the Patriots will trade Cassel, though Patriots coach Bill Belichick did not indicate that as an option in his comment in today’s press release.

Full Story: Boston Globe