Soon-to-be free agent Matt Cassel could be an ideal option for the Eagles as they search for a backup to Nick Foles this offseason. (Image courtesy of The 700 Level)
Matt Cassel has elected to opt out of his contract with the Minnesota Vikings and as the Eagles search for a backup behind Nick Foles, he presents an intriguing option in free agency.
Cassel's deal was set to pay him $3.7 million and depending on what course the Vikings took in free agency and the draft, an opportunity to begin the 2014 season as the starting quarterback. However, with the scarcity of starting jobs on the open market, the 31-year old may find himself choosing between backup jobs on competitive teams.
Enter the Philadelphia Eagles.
It's no secret that Foles will be the team's starting quarterback next season and thanks to his historic ratio of throwing 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions all season, if he continues to improve on his deficiencies, will be the quarterback under Chip Kelly for the foreseeable future.
Kelly and Company also used a fourth-round draft choice last April on Matt Barkley and are high on him as Foles' primary backup, but that may not be a role the USC product relishes.
"You always want to be in a spot where you compete for a starting job," Barkley said upon cleaning out his locker last month. "I don't think you ever want to settle for being a backup. Sometimes that's just the way it is. I don't know what next year's going to look like. Still a lot of questions to be answered. But I think my job is to compete and strive for being the starting quarterback."
Whether or not Barkley returns or requests a trade, the Eagles still are in need of at least one quarterback this offseason and Cassel just might fit that bill either as number two or number three on the depth chart.
Cassel finished 2013 with 1,807 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions while playing under newly minted Eagles quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave, who spent last season as the Vikings' offensive coordinator.
If and when Cassel's search for a starting job comes up empty in free agency, the allure of rejoining Musgrave, not to mention, landing in Kelly's offense, even for a season, could prove to be too tempting to pass up. Even in a backup capacity.
Kelly already knows first-hand what Cassel is capable of after the nine-year veteran threw for 382 yards and two touchdowns while routing the Birds 48-30 back on December 15h.
Likewise, judging by Foles' success in the offense along with the drafting of Barkley last season, Kelly tipped his hand in terms of what kind of quarterback he prefers to run his system. at 6'4, 228 pounds, Cassel is the kind of big, physical quarterback that just could thrive in Kelly's system that is based on quick decision making and deceiving linebackers with play action fakes from the shotgun, where Foles excelled in 2013.
We'll soon find out whether or not Cassel opted out of his deal with Minnesota to land with a competitive team, or to find a starting job in 2014. If it's the former, the Eagles just may be a perfect fit.
