Matt Cassel and Josh McDaniels: Where to Next?

With at least a dozen teams in need of a decent quarterback and possibly only one or two of those available in the coming draft able to take over the reins of an NFL team, Cassel’s stock has risen dramatically.

But along with Cassel, Josh McDaniels’ stock has also risen quite significantly.

As it happens, a majority of those teams in need of quarterbacks for next year will also be looking for a new head coach.

While some may credit the genius of Belichick for the Patriots' rise from the ashes of the Tom Brady injury, others feel that offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach McDaniels is just as responsible.

Of course, a lot depends on how the rest of the season plays out. But should the Pats make the playoffs, Cassel and McDaniels will become hot offseason commodities.

In that case, where’s the next stop?

Kansas City, San Francisco, and Seattle will definitely be looking for an experienced field general. Of course, the Lions are perennially in need at nearly every position

Then there are teams that may figure it is time to make a change at quarterback, namely the Rams and Jaguars. Possibly the Bengals, Panthers, and Eagles, as well.

Oh, and then, there are the Jets who will be hit with the on-going Bret Favre saga—should he or shouldn’t he?

Although Cassel and his agent may be dealing with multiple bidders, Matt is not likely to make money his main consideration. He is aware that any quarterback is only as good as the system he is in.

So, Cassel no doubt will want a system that is a comfortable fit. And what could be more comfortable than a system headed by Josh McDaniels?

With McDaniels having worked successfully with both Brady and Cassel and tailoring an offense that took advantage of their respective talents, he is likely to become a head coach sooner rather than later.

Connect the dots.

Could you see Cassel running McDaniels offense in Kansas City? What about San Francisco? Not without a decent O-line, receivers with breakaway speed and, above all, a solid running game.

Seattle is likely to tap Jim Mora, Jr. for head coach if he doesn’t take the job with the Washington Huskies, his alma mater. Mora, who coached Michael Vick in Atlanta, could have some interest in Cassel, who is not afraid to tuck the ball and run.

If Seattle’s injured receiving corps can come back healthy and they can pick up another receiver through the draft or free agency, then Cassel could fit in. But the Seahawks need to bolster the run.

Should Mora decide to take the job with the Huskies instead, the Seahawks will definitely set their sights on McDaniels.

The other possibility is Philadelphia. This is liable to be Andy Reid’s last year, one way or the other. Yanking Donovan McNabb in the third quarter yesterday with the Eagles down by only one score has likely sealed both of their fates.

With McDaniels taking over for Reid, this could be a really good fit for Cassel. The Eagles have the receivers and a decent running game with Brian Westbrook.

Of course, Eric Mangini in New York is quite familiar with Cassel’s abilities. Should Favre decide to hang up his spikes for good, I would expect Mangini to give Cassel serious consideration as long as the Pats haven’t stuck the franchise tag on him.

So, those are my choices. What are yours?

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