Matt Cassel Career Overview and NFL Statistics
Matt Cassel is a former NFL quarterback known for his time with the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs. His career stats include 15,165 passing yards, 87 touchdowns, and 62 interceptions across 76 regular season games. Cassel replaced Tom Brady in 2008 after Brady's injury and started 15 games that season, throwing for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns. His passer rating that year was 93.6, and he led the Patriots to a 11-5 record. Learn more about his early career impact on ESPN.
Cassel also played for the Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, and San Diego Chargers. Across his full career, he completed 1,348 of 2,153 pass attempts for a 62.6 completion percentage. His longest touchdown pass was 81 yards, and he rushed for 4 touchdowns. He was selected by the Patriots in the 7th round of the 2005 NFL Draft, 232nd overall. His career earnings exceeded $30 million in guaranteed contracts, per OverTheCap.
Matt Cassel Peak Performance and Key Seasons
His peak statistical season came in 2008 when he started all 16 regular season games for the Patriots. He threw 21 touchdowns with a 57.3 completion rate and 3,693 yards. That season, he ranked 12th in the NFL in passer rating and 15th in yards per attempt at 7.5. His 2008 performance remains the standard for his career numbers. Detailed season logs are available on Pro Football Reference.
In 2009 with the Chiefs, Cassel started 15 games and threw for 3,112 yards and 16 touchdowns. He posted a career-high 101.2 passer rating in a single game against the Green Bay Packers in 2009. His rushing stats include 162 career attempts for 511 yards and 4 touchdowns. His longest rushing play was 24 yards. His 2010 season with the Chiefs saw 3,200 passing yards and 17 touchdowns before a thumb injury ended his year.
Matt Cassel Post-NFL Career and Current Status
After leaving the NFL in 2018, Cassel transitioned into broadcasting and scouting roles. He has worked as an NFL analyst for ESPN and Fox Sports, providing game commentary and player evaluations. His current role focuses on talent evaluation and quarterback coaching consultation. He remains active in NFL media circles and is often cited in discussions about backup quarterback development. His post-career trajectory is documented by various sports business outlets.
Cassel's legacy is defined by his 2008 breakout season and his durability as a backup. He is often referenced in conversations about late-round draft steals and quarterback development. His career stats are regularly updated on official NFL statistics pages. His current net worth is estimated at $20 million, combining NFL earnings and media contracts. His ongoing work in player development continues to influence young quarterbacks entering the league.