Chiefs Drawing Criticism For Hanging On To Cassel

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The Kansas City Chiefs are beginning to draw some criticism for their reluctance to cut former starting QB Matt Cassel.

The new regime in KC, led by GM John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid, have made it clear that Cassel is not part of their plans. The Chiefs have parted with draft picks for former San Francisco 49ers QB Alex Smith and recently signed a deal with former New Orleans Saints backup QB Chase Daniel.

Considering Cassel is due starters’ money this season, it was assumed by most that the Chiefs would cut the former New England Patriot.

Only the Chiefs haven’t done it.

There have been multiple reports that the Chiefs are trying to trade Cassel, rather than cut him loose. Now that free agency is in full swing, teams that need QB help are scooping up the players that are available, while Cassel is stuck in limbo in KC.

The more that time goes by, the more people are beginning to raise their eyebrows over the Chiefs not letting Cassel go. The thinking seems to be that if the Chiefs can’t trade him, they should just release him so that he can find another team.

The criticism began last night when former Chiefs GM Scott Pioli, asked on NFL Network why the Chiefs had yet to release Cassel. Then this morning, Pro Football Talk flat out said the Chiefs should just go ahead and release Cassel.

Look, I almost always side with the players in situations like this but I have no problem with what the Chiefs are doing here. Matt Cassel is under contract and the Chiefs are perfectly with in their rights to keep him as long as they want.

Would it be the nice thing to do for the Chiefs to release Cassel now? Absolutely.

But John Dorsey and Andy Reid don’t get paid to be nice, they get paid to win football games. If Reid and Dorsey truly believe they can get something for Cassel and they have the salary cap space to hold onto him while also signing other free agents, then it is their job to hold on to Cassel.

The Kansas City Chiefs have made Matt Cassel a very rich man. The organization gave him four years as the team’s unquestioned starter. Had Cassel played better, he wouldn’t be in this situation because he’d either still be the unquestioned starter or another team would have jumped at the chance to trade for him.

The Chiefs hanging on to Cassel might limit his options and it might cause him to make a little less money once he finally is signed but that is the position Cassel put himself into with his contact and his play.

I am sure the Chiefs would gladly let Cassel go now if he offered to pay them back a few million for his poor performance but I don’t think that is going to happen any time soon.

Let’s not feel too bad for Matt Cassel.