Matt Cassel opts out of contract. UPDATE: Cassel signs with Vikings

[ATL_Predator+ 1,196]

A source tells 1500ESPN.com that Matt Casssel intends to void his contract by Friday's deadline, therefore becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Cassel was set to earn $3.7 million in 2014. His decision to leave that kind of money on the table is surprising, and suggests he thinks he can land starter's money somewhere. That somewhere could end up being back in Minnesota, perhaps as a bridge starter to a rookie they select with the No. 8 overall pick in May's draft. Once Cassel officially becomes a free agent, he'll immediately vault into the top part of our rankings. Michael Vick, Josh McCown, Josh Freeman, Shaun Hill and Chad Henne currently occupy the first five spots in an ugly quarterback free agency class.

Source: ESPN 1500 Twin Cities

 

 

 

This only leaves Christian Ponder as the lone QB on the Vikings roster...

Edited February 5, 2014 by ATL

[RazorStar 4,025]

Well if they weren't gonna draft a QB before, they'll have to now.

[FartWaffles 1,857]

This is pretty surprising news. For the right price I wouldn't mind Cassel being a stop-gap for whichever rookie quarterback the Texans draft.

[Vin+ 3,121]

Minnesota Vikings: Even Matt Cassel doesn't want to play here

Edited February 5, 2014 by Vin

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

New Vikings OC Norv Turner admitted Thursday that the team is looking to add a young quarterback.

The Vikings already have a young quarterback on the roster in Christian Ponder, so Norval is tacitly admitting the 2011 first-rounder is not the answer. "I think everyone is in agreement that we’re trying to add a young quarterback to the organization," Turner said matter of factly. Ponder is currently the only signal caller the Vikings have under contract for 2014, but the Vikes are going to search high and low for an alternative. If they use the No. 8 overall pick on a quarterback, the rookie would get every chance to be the Week 1 starter.

Source: vikings.com

 

 

You don't say.

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

Vikings re-signed free agent Matt Cassel to a two-year contract.

The financial terms aren't yet available, but Cassel is a lock to earn more than the $3.7 million he would have made before opting out of his deal with Minnesota earlier this offseason. Cassel enters 2014 as the favorite to start over Christian Ponder after throwing for 1,807 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while completing 60.2 percent of his passes in nine games last year. The signing will provide the Vikings with a potential "bridge" quarterback, but won't prevent them from taking a rookie signal caller in this year's draft.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter