Matt Cassel was the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs from 2009 to 2012, and when he returns to Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday night for the third preseason game, he will be starting for the Vikings.
Head coach Mike Zimmer announced that Cassel would start – though Zimmer didn’t say much else about the Vikings plans at quarterback.
https://twitter.com/GoesslingESPN/status/501410781993664512
Cassel has played well in his first two weeks of the preseason. He is 17 of 22 for 215 yards one touchdown and no interceptions.
ESPN’s Ben Goessling said it would seem that Cassel has the inside track over Teddy Bridgewater to become the team’s starting quarterback.
He might have a chance to lock up the Vikings’ starting job if he plays well in Kansas City – the sight of his most painful memory as a starter.
He was the Chiefs’ starting quarterback on Oct. 7, 2012. Kansas City fans cheered when Cassel was injured in a game against the Baltimore Ravens after he threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles in that game.
Saturday will mark Cassel’s first return to Kansas City since 2012.
“It’s a great storyline for him returning (to Kansas City), and we’re going to do everything in our power to make sure he goes out and does the job,” Vikings receiver Jarius Wright told the Pioneer Press.
As for Bridgewater, the Vikings rookie showed some positive things on Saturday.
After coming under scrutiny for some interceptions in practice, Bridgewater connected on 16 of 20 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns, including one with just :18 left, to lead them to win the game for the Vikings.
“I thought [Bridgewater] played well,” Zimmer told reporters. “He was calm, poised. You could tell he was kind of feeling it the whole way. He was getting the ball out in the right places and getting the protections down. I think he’s feeling more comfortable.”
Zimmer said the team still hadn’t made a decision who will start in the opener, but also didn’t commit to playing Bridgewater with the first team on Saturday.
“I’m still the young guy here and I have a lot to prove and I still have a lot to work for,” Bridgewater told USA Today Saturday night. “I’m going to come in each and every day and get better.”
