National Football League

Vikings agree to terms with Cassel

Published Mar. 14, 2013 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Looks like Matt Cassel won’t be a free agent for long.

Cassel, who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday morning, has agreed to terms with the Minnesota Vikings, FOXSports.com has learned.

The decision to cut Cassel came just a day after new head coach Andy Reid and GM John Dorsey staged a news conference to introduce Alex Smith.

Cassel played in nine games in 2012 and brings his nine years of experience to a very green crop of QBs in Minnesota.

Christian Ponder, Minnesota's starting quarterback, was backed up by Joe Webb and McLeod Bethel-Thompson last season.

Cassel, 30, was acquired via trade by Kansas City in 2009 after a solid season replacing an injured Tom Brady in New England. Cassel’s best year came in 2010 when he threw 27 touchdowns with just seven interceptions as the Chiefs made the playoffs.

Cassel, though, failed to duplicate such success in an injury-shortened 2011 campaign and lost his starting job to Brady Quinn midway through last season.

''I felt at the end of the day, this was the best fit for this organization as we being this new chapter,'' Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said. ''I think (Smith) brings us experience, I think he brings leadership. I think he has all the physical skills to propel us for the years to come here.''

The Associated Press contributed to this report.