Matt Cassel of New England Patriots Traded to the Kansas City Chiefs

Matt Cassel was tagged with the franchise player tag early in February and guaranteed a minimum of $14.65 in salary for the 2009 season. But for this deal to take effect, the New England Patriots had to offer this former Southern California Trojan backup a contract.

They didn’t.

The Pats traded Cassel and LB Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs for a second round draft pick.

Um, OK.

Look, Cassel did a bang up job of stepping in for the injured Tom Brady this past season.

He finished 11-5, with 3,693 yards passing, 21 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. And I am trying to understand this trade.

Not being a Pats fan, I’m not so up to date on what’s going on in their front office.

Clearly, IMO, they have someone(s) in mind for that second round pick (Clay Matthews perhaps)?

The only thing I can think is that Cassel was given the franchise tag to keep him as an asset to trade as they saw fit.

From NFL.com:

• UFA (Unrestricted free agent): A player who has completed four or more accrued seasons and whose contract has expired.

• RFA (Restricted free agent): A player who has completed three accrued seasons and whose contract has expired.

• EFA (Exclusive restricted FA): A player whose contract expires at a time when he has less than three accrued seasons.

• Franchise: A restricted free agent who has been designated as a franchise player.

Cassel is now a Chief.

He immediately replaces Tyler Thigpen as the No. 1 QB on the depth chart.

I guess the question is: Will the Kansas City offensive line offer Cassel enough protection for him to perform at the level he did this season with the Patriots?

I don’t know.

I need to take a look at what’s going on in KC—my gut says "no." 

Sure, Cassel now has a team to call his very own, and is free of being Tom Brady’s backup (and Matt Leinart’s and Carson Palmer’s before that), but how smart is this trade for Cassel, Vrabel, and the Patriots?

I guess what I am trying to understand is why give him the franchise tag, only to trade him weeks later?

Football fiends, I am confused and off to do more research I go. I’ll be back later when I’ve wrapped my brain around this situation.

Be sure to check out how the free agent trades are affecting betting and fantasy leagues over at Sports Intensity.

-Your Gridiron Goddess