Matt Cassel Heading To Dallas

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

Just a few days after hearing star quarterback Tony Romo is out for the next eight weeks with a broken left clavicle, the Dallas Cowboys went out and got themselves a backup plan at quarterback. They acquired Matt Cassel from the Buffalo Bills for a 2017 late round pick. The Cowboys will also be getting a 2017 late round pick from Buffalo in the deal.

Last season in three games played with Minnesota Vikings Cassel threw for 425 yards, 3 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, with a passer rating of 65.8. Nobody really expected big things out of Cassel last season. In the offseason, the Bills traded for him hoping to bring in some veteran experience to the quarterback battle in training camp. However he lost the battle to eventual starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

Even though Cassel is not a franchise quarterback, he is still a solid veteran backup quarterback. He is a good passer in the pocket, he has good arm strength, and he knows how to stretch the field when he needs to by running out of the pocket for a quick couple of yards on the ground. The thing that is Cassel is valued for the most is his leadership on and off the field. He is a great leader. He is known for being a backup, who can come in when your starting quarterback is injured or not playing well.

Now with Cassel on the team, the Cowboys have a solid veteran option who has experience in starting games in the league. Cassel might be the better choice in starting while Romo is out than current starter, Brandon Weeden, but if Weeden does not do well in any weeks that Romo is out Cowboys now have a backup plan.

Buffalo just needed to get rid of him for value. The late round pick is not a lot for Cassel but it is better than nothing. After Taylor won the starting quarterback job, and EJ Manuel is now the backup quarterback Cassel had no place on the roster in Buffalo. So the team did not want to waste his talents, and Dallas needed a quarterback. It is a win-win trade for both teams.