Kansas City Chiefs: Matt Cassel Likely out for Season, What It Means for Chiefs

In Todd Haley's press conference, he announced that quarterback Matt Cassel could likely be done for the year.

Cassel struggled in the Kansas City Chiefs' 17-10 loss to the Denver Broncos Sunday. 

The offensive line was not able to find an answer for Broncos rookie Von Miller. 

Cassel did not play on the final drive of the game after suffering an injury to his finger.  He left Arrowhead Stadium with a cast on that finger.

The Chiefs will most likely have Tyler Palko replacing Cassel to start his first career game next Monday night when the Chiefs visit the New England Patriots.

Judging by Palko's preseason performances, he can make some throws, but he can also run with the ball and gain a first down on the ground. 

But Palko doesn't have a strong offensive line he can rely on, so he may find himself running around the pocket quite a bit.

On the coaching side of things, Todd Haley and Bill Muir may have to change some of their offensive game plan to make it fit for Palko.

But how confident can Haley be with a new quarterback under center? 

The last two games have put Haley back on the hot seat.  Now the fate of his job rests in the hands of a green quarterback with no starting experience in the NFL.

Even though the Chiefs are only one game out of first place, the panic button has already been pushed. 

Kansas City has a brutal five-game stretch ahead, and it's hard to believe that Haley can lead his team to many victories—let alone one—in what's left of the season.

How will Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli and chairman Clark Hunt handle this? 

Haley signed a four-year contract and is currently in his third season in Kansas City.  Will he be able to come back and complete the contract that he signed? 

Many Chiefs fans believe that will not be the case. As of now, there are no indications that Pioli wants to let him go.

Provided that Cassel's season is done, he finished the year with 10 touchdown passes and nine interceptions, throwing for 1,713 yards.  Cassel also fumbled the ball five times and was sacked 22 times.

If Cassel's season is over, this will be the third Pro Bowler the Chiefs have lost for the season.

They lost Eric Berry in Week 1 and Jamaal Charles in Week 2—both suffered a torn ACL.