Background and career
Matthew Brennan Cassel (born May 17, 1982) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He was a member of seven NFL teams, most notably the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs. Cassel played college football for the USC Trojans and was selected by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL draft. Since retiring, he has served as a television football analyst on NBC Sports Boston, as well as Big Ten and Notre Dame college football games on NBC and Peacock. Cassel began his career as a backup to Tom Brady until Brady suffered a season-ending injury in the first game of 2008. During his one season as the Patriots' starter, Cassel helped them obtain a 11–5 record, but missed the playoffs. He was traded to the Chiefs the following year, playing there from 2009 to 2012. Cassel's most successful season was in 2010 when he led the Chiefs to their first division title since 2003 and earned Pro Bowl honors. After leaving Kansas City, Cassel joined the Minnesota Vikings before spending the rest of his career as a backup for the Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, and Detroit Lions.
Cassel was born in Los Angeles. When he was 11 years old, his family home was at the epicenter of the 1994 Northridge earthquake, which at one point trapped his father Greg under a marble column and caused water from their swimming pool to flood their house. Their home was eventually condemned as a result, forcing the Cassel family to move. Cassel was the starting first baseman on the Northridge baseball team that reached the finals of the 1994 Little League World Series. Cassel attended Chatsworth High School and was a letterman, an all-city selection, and a standout in football, basketball, and baseball. As a senior, he was ranked as the number eight quarterback and ranked 53rd overall of the top high school players in the nation according to ESPN's Tom Lemming's Top 100. Lemming called Cassel a "pro-style pocket passer with a very strong, accurate delivery." In addition to playing quarterback, Cassel was also Chatsworth's punter. He committed to play at USC before starting his senior year in high school. Cassel also had an appearance in the HBO Family program Freshman Year, a reality show in which his younger brother was one of the featured students.
Cassel began his college career in 2001 and spent that entire Trojan career as a backup behind Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart. Cassel saw limited time in three games in the 2001 season. He made his lone collegiate start at H-back against California in 2001. Cassel was the backup for Palmer during his Heisman-winning 2002 season. Cassel appeared in three games and completed three passes for 27 total yards. In the fall, he lost the battle for the starting position to the previous third-string quarterback Leinart. Because of Leinart's success, Cassel spent time at tight end and wide receiver in 2003, and some special teams that year. That season, he appeared in two games and completed 6-of-13 passes for 63 yards. In his last season with the Trojans, Cassel was 10-of-14 for 97 yards and an interception. That year USC would be named the Associated Press and Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) national champions. During his four seasons at USC, Cassel completed 20-of-33 passes for 192 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. He and the Trojans would win a second national championship by winning the 2005 Orange Bowl, that year's BCS National Championship Game. The team also won the AP title for the second year in a row. Cassel, a communication major at USC, was also roommates with Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and Carson Palmer. Cassel played one season of baseball for USC in 2004, compiling an 0–1 record with 10 strikeouts and four walks. He played in eight games and started one. Cassel struck out in his only at bat in college. He also had two saves with a 9.35 ERA, and was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 36th round of the 2004 MLB draft.
Despite having had little chance to demonstrate his skills in actual game situations at USC, Cassel earned himself a place on several NFL teams' draft boards after working out at USC's 2005 Pro Day. One of Cassel's coaches, Norm Chow, who had left USC to become the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, had discussed signing Cassel as an undrafted free agent after the 2005 NFL draft; Chow was surprised to learn the Patriots had drafted Cassel in the seventh round, with the 230th overall pick, ahead of more accomplished college quarterbacks such as Timmy Chang and 2003 Heisman Trophy winner Jason White.
Cassel began the 2005 season third on the Patriots' depth chart behind Tom Brady and Doug Flutie, after beating out two more veteran quarterbacks, Chris Redman and Rohan Davey. Cassel saw his first regular season action in the closing minutes of the Patriots' 41–17 loss to the San Diego Chargers on October 2, 2005, going 2-for-4 for 15 yards and an interception. In the Patriots' final game of the regular season, a narrow 28–26 loss to the Miami Dolphins on January 1, 2006, Cassel played the final three quarters. Though he was sacked for a safety, Cassel threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns, one to wide receiver Tim Dwight and another to tight end Benjamin Watson. The pass to Dwight set up a drop-kick by Doug Flutie, the first such kick since 1941.
Following Flutie's retirement in the 2006 offseason, Cassel moved up to second on the Patriots' depth chart. Although the Patriots considered signing a veteran quarterback to compete with him, Cassel played well in preseason and became the primary backup to Brady. Cassel was on the 45-man active roster for all 16 games in 2006; when the Patriots brought in yet another Heisman winner, Vinny Testaverde, who acted as the emergency quarterback. After injuries to Josh Miller and Ken Walter in Week 16, Cassel assumed duties as holder for kicker Stephen Gostkowski. He also led a late touchdown drive in the regular-season finale against the Tennessee Titans.
Sources
Net-worth figure: Celebrity Net Worth (October 2026), in USD. Biography and career facts: the person's Wikipedia article and linked reporting. Snapshot date for all StarWorth figures: 28 October 2026.
