Report: Matt Cassel Officially Voids Contract With Vikings

February 7, 2014

Update:

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that a league source has informed him that Vikings QB Matt Cassel has exercised his right to void the final year of the contract and will now be an unrestricted free agent.

Florio lists the Texans, Falcons, Buccaneers and the Vikings as potential options for Cassel this offseason.

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Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 Twin Cities first reported that Vikings QB Matt Cassel will in fact void his current contract to test the free agent market.

Ian Rapoport reports that Cassel is hoping to do better than his current $3.7 million as there are a number of teams in need of quarterback help.
Rapoport adds that the Vikings are interested in re-signing him.
Brian McIntyre mentions that this is smart move for Cassel considering that the only guaranteed portion of his contract is a $500,000 roster bonus.

As for speculative options for Matt Cassel, Rapoport mentions that teams with his former coaches are a good place to start. He lists: the Texans, Patriots, Steelers, Falcons, Broncos and Vikings. Although Rapoport mentions that the Steelers are an “unlikely” option.

Cassel was actually a somewhat serviceable quarterback at times for the Vikings in 2013, and appears to have done enough to find interest from NFL teams as a top-tier backup option on the open market. He completed over 60 percent of his passing attempts for 1,807 yards to go along with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

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Ben Goessling of ESPN.com writes that the Vikings’ first order of business this offseason will be the contract of QB Matt Cassel.

According to Goessling, Cassel can void his 2014 contract by Friday of this week even though he has a $3.15 million base salary and a $50,000 workout bonus coming his way in 2014. Assuming that Cassel doesn’t void his contract, Minnesota will then need to make a decision regarding his $500,000 roster bonus that will be due on seventh day of the 2014 league year.

Goessling expects Cassel to return for another season and even mentions that he could have a shot at being the team’s starting quarterback as they head into the regular season next year.

Norv Turner was brought in as the Vikings new offensive coordinator and according to Goessling, Cassel could be a good fit in his offensive system based on his ability to make plays down the field last season.