Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
A day after the Buffalo Bills traded for running back LeSean McCoy in exchange for linebacker Kiko Alonso, they finished up their offensive backfield by trading for quarterback Matt Cassel.
Cassel, who spent the last two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, is nothing more than a stop-gap at quarterback. The veteran gunslinger has enjoyed one above-average season as an NFL quarterback when he stepped in for an injured Tom Brady and led the New England Patriots to an 11-5 record.
However, now with the Bills, don’t expect much from Cassel, who is coming off a season-ending toe injury.
Yes, the Bills only gave up two undisclosed draft picks – likely mid-rounders at best – in the trade. Yes, they get an experienced quarterback who is arguably more talented than the next best option, E.J. Manuel. The only problem is that Cassel still doesn’t have the talent to take the Buffalo offense to the next level.
Since joining the Vikings in 2013, Cassel was little more than a subpar starter. He completed just under 60 percent of his passes for 2,232 yards, 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Cassel also took 22 sacks and fumbled six times. It’s understandable why head coach Rex Ryan would want to keep Manuel out of the starting spot, but Cassel isn’t a significant upgrade.
The Bills – and more accurately, Ryan – are fishing for ways to fix their roster this offseason. The move to trade for McCoy was already questionable, and adding Cassel as the assumed starting quarterback isn’t any more reassuring.
Nice move, Minnesota. The Vikings get rid of an overpaid backup, and stockpile picks in the process.
