Matthew Brennan Cassel is a former professional American football quarterback, born on May 17, 1982, in Northridge, California. Over the course of his NFL career, Cassel played for multiple teams and is known for stepping up as a solid backup and occasional starting quarterback across the league.
Cassel's athletic career began with a strong inclination toward baseball during his youth. As a first baseman, he was part of the Northridge Little League team that reached the finals of the 1994 Little League World Series. At Chatsworth High School, he played both baseball and football, showcasing his dual-sport abilities. In his senior year, he was ranked the No. 8 high school quarterback in the nation and was listed among the top 100 national prospects.
In 2001, Cassel began his college football career at the University of Southern California (USC). Despite his talent, he remained a backup quarterback behind future NFL stars Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart. As a result, he saw limited action and was occasionally utilized in other positions, including tight end and wide receiver during the 2003 season. In 2004, he played one season of college baseball for USC. Cassel appeared in only eight football games during his college career, starting just one.
Although some expected Cassel to enter the NFL as an undrafted free agent, he was selected by the New England Patriots as the 230th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He began his rookie season as the third-string quarterback behind Tom Brady and Doug Flutie. Cassel made his NFL debut on October 2, 2005, in the closing minutes of a game against the San Diego Chargers.
Cassel spent four seasons with the Patriots, gaining significant attention after stepping in for an injured Tom Brady in 2008 and leading the team to an 11–5 record. On February 28, 2009, Cassel was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. His tenure there included varying performances and injuries that at times limited his play. He spent four seasons with the Chiefs and made the Pro Bowl in 2010.
Following his time in Kansas City, Cassel signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, where he played for two seasons. In 2015, he was traded to the Buffalo Bills on March 10, and later that year, on September 22, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys. He continued to serve primarily in a backup quarterback role.
Cassel is married to Lauren Killian, a former USC volleyball player and his longtime girlfriend. Notably, his best man at the wedding was Carson Palmer, his college teammate. His older brother, Jack Cassel, a former Major League Baseball pitcher, is married to Lauren's former roommate, Julie Mariani, who also played volleyball for USC.
His mother, Barbara Cassel, is an Emmy Award-winning set decorator, while his father, Greg Cassel, was involved in the film industry. The couple divorced when Matt was 14 years old. Greg Cassel passed away on December 8, 2008.
| Birth Date: | 17 May, 1982 |
| Age: | 37 yrs |
| Occupations: | Baseball player American football player |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Los Angeles |
| Education: | Chatsworth High School |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American football player, quarterback |
| Net Worth 2021: | 30 million |
