MINNEAPOLIS -- The Vikings have agreed to terms on a trade that opens up a backup quarterback spot and saves Minnesota $4.75 million of cap space as free agency and the draft approach.
Minnesota will send signal caller Matt Cassel to Buffalo in exchange for an undisclosed draft pick, the Vikings announced Wednesday. According to FOX Sports' Alex Marvez, Minnesota will receive the Bills' 2015 fifth-round pick in exchange for a 2016 sixth-rounder and get Buffalo's 2016 seventh-round selection.
The trade can't become official until the new league year begins at 3 p.m. CT on Tuesday, March 10.
"We went through our process, we evaluated all of our players," said Vikings general manager Rick Spielman last month at the NFL Scouting Combine when asked about Cassel's future with the team. "We looked at everything from what they bring to our football team, in the locker room, off the field, what they bring to us on the field. But we also have to look at where they're at from a standpoint of their contract, where we're at from a cap standpoint.
"Matt's done a great job, came in and has won some games when he had to play."
In the past two seasons with Minnesota, Cassel appeared in 12 games and went 4-5 as a starter. He completed 194 of 325 passes (59.7 percent) for 2,232 yards with 14 touchdowns, 13 interceptions and a 78.1 passer rating during that span.
After stints with the Patriots and Chiefs, Cassel signed a pair of deals with the Vikings in 2013 and 2014. The second, a two-year accord, calls for him to earn $4.15 million in base salary this season, along with a $500,000 roster bonus and $100,000 workout bonus, according to Marvez.
Cassel is expected to compete with E.J. Manuel for a starting job in Buffalo under new coach Rex Ryan. He began 2014 as Minnesota's starter, but a foot injury ended Cassel's season and opened the door for rookie Teddy Bridgewater to become the franchise's No. 1, unquestioned quarterback.
With Christian Ponder's expected departure on an expired contract, Minnesota will have two open spots behind Bridgewater. Spielman will have to address those needs via the draft and/or free agency.
Josh McCown, Brian Hoyer, Mark Sanchez, Shaun Hill, Michael Vick, Colt McCoy and Jake Locker are among the potential free-agent targets. The Vikings likely wouldn't use their 11th overall pick on a quarterback but could snag one in the later rounds of the draft, which is being held April 30-May 2.
"You'd like to have, if Christian is not here, have another young third quarterback to develop and to bring along," Spielman said. "Whether he's on your practice squad, or there may be some potential guys who are currently out there, too, that could be potential to develop into No. 2s, as well. We'll look at all those things. Ideally. you'd like to have another young quarterback that you can bring along and develop."
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