ESPN 1500 Twin Cities reports Matt Cassel's deal is for two years and $7.4 million, and that the second year can be voided by Cassel up to five days after the Super Bowl.
Seeing as the odds are nil Cassel would be able to earn a better deal for 2014 next offseason, we wouldn't worry about him voiding the second year of his deal. It's far more likely the Vikings decide to move on from their questionably priced backup quarterback. If 2013 proves to be a "break" year for Christian Ponder, the Vikings are going to need to do better than Cassel to replace him.

Before signing him, the Vikings made it clear to Matt Cassel that he is not entering a competition with Christian Ponder.
Right or wrong, Vikings GM Rick Spielman is committed to Ponder as his franchise quarterback. Cassel provides experienced depth. "They went 10-6 and he is their starting quarterback," Cassel said. "They said they're looking to bring somebody in with experience ... (and) be somebody who can step in if need be. The fact of the matter is, again, Christian is the starting quarterback."

Vikings agreed to terms with QB Matt Cassel on a multi-year contract.
The Vikings were nearly as eager to sign Cassel as they were to unload Percy Harvin. They were the only team linked to the fading signal caller both before and after his release from the Chiefs. Cassel is an upgrade on Joe Webb in that he could conceivably be thrown into the fire without crumbling, but it's hard to strongly recommend a player who's committed 30 turnovers over his past 18 games, even as a backup. Even if Christian Ponder struggles again in 2013, Cassel is not a serious threat to his job.

ESPN 1500 Twin Cities' Tom Pelissero passes along word in the agent community that the Vikings will likely sign free agent Matt Cassel "if they can agree on money."
Pelissero calls the money "a big if, of course," but ESPN's Adam Schefter stated on SportsCenter Thursday that "It sounds like Minnesota is the favorite right now to get Matt Cassel." Schefter's use of "the favorite" was a bit generous. The Patriots also make sense as a potential Cassel suitor, but Minnesota can offer him a much better shot at 2013 playing time.

Chiefs released QB Matt Cassel.
The six-year, $63 million deal former GM Scott Pioli gave Cassel in 2009 proved disastrous. In 47 starts for the Chiefs, he went 19-28 while turning the ball over 57 times. New coach Andy Reid will move forward with Alex Smith and Chase Daniel, while the Vikings are widely expected to pursue Cassel. The Patriots could also show interest, putting the wheels in motion for a Ryan Mallett trade to the Browns. Cassel and Ryan Fitzpatrick are the top-two quarterbacks on the market right now.

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora "continues to hear" the Vikings "really like" Matt Cassel.

The Chiefs are "trying to trade" Matt Cassel.
They won't succeed. The Chiefs can't afford to carry Cassel's $7.5 million salary for much longer if they plan to make any more moves in free agency, and will likely release their deadweight quarterback some time in the next 48 hours. Ricky Stanzi should be on his way out of Kansas City, as well.

Word among agents is reportedly that the Vikings are a possible landing spot for Matt Cassel.
Cassel is expected to be released by the Chiefs shortly. The Vikings need a pocket passer to replace Joe Webb, who can't run an offense designed for Christian Ponder. Cassel has also been linked to the Cardinals and Jets.

Appearing on Total Access, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said the Cardinals are "currently doing some research into" Matt Cassel.
Rapoport says Arizona is interested in bringing Cassel in and pairing him with Kevin Kolb in what would be a quarterback competition. ESPN's Adam Schefter mentioned the Cardinals as a landing spot for Cassel on Wednesday, as well. Cassel would be a dreadful fit for Bruce Arians' vertical passing attack. Rapoport also named the Vikings as a suitor for Cassel, saying Minnesota is interested in someone to "push" and "teach" Christian Ponder.

On NFL Live, ESPN's Adam Schefter mentioned the Jets, Vikings, and Cardinals as potential suitors for free agent-to-be Matt Cassel.
Schefter seemed to be speculating, but all three clubs are quarterback needy. Cassel will surely be released before March 12, and Schefter believes he'll generate some interest. We'd add New England as a potential destination to be Tom Brady's backup, especially if the Pats put Ryan Mallett on the trade block.

ESPN's Adam Schefter expects Matt Cassel to be "on the Cardinals' radar," and to draw interest from other teams.

The Chiefs are expected to release Matt Cassel.
Cassel was never truly in the mix to start for new coach Andy Reid. And since he was owed $7.5 million in 2013, he was never a good bet to stick on the roster either. Now that the trade for Alex Smith is done, Cassel can start sprucing up his resume. He'll have to settle for a backup job after going 5-12 as a starter over the last two seasons and turning the ball over 30 times in his last 18 games.

According to SI's Peter King, Matt Cassel "knows he's not in the mix to start" under new coach Andy Reid.
That's the kind of certainty 30 turnovers over your past 18 games will provide. Officially, Reid is still "evaluating" Cassel, but it shouldn't be long before he's out on the street.

A source close to the Chiefs said Matt Cassel has not been offered a pay cut from his slated salary of $7.5 million.
The Chiefs have not publicly spoken about Cassel's contract situation in any detail, but this information would suggest he's going to be released before free agency kicks off in Match. This news comes as reports also surfaced that trade talks have taken place between the Eagles and Chiefs for QB Nick Foles.

ESPN Boston suggests the Patriots as a possible landing spot for Matt Cassel if he's released by the Chiefs.
In an ideal world, the Patriots could trade current backup Ryan Mallett for draft picks and then fill the backup job with Cassel. While subbing for an injured Tom Brady in 2008, Cassel threw for 3,693 yards with 21 touchdowns against 11 interceptions and led the Pats to an 11-5 record. He's expected to be cut by Kansas City before free agency opens in March.

New Chiefs coach Andy Reid says he's still "evaluating" Matt Cassel.

Asked Friday whether there is any chance of the Chiefs retaining Matt Cassel for 2013, GM John Dorsey replied "Well, you never say never."
In other words, long shot. And ultimately not happening. Dorsey also told 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City that he wouldn't reach for a quarterback in the draft. "I will never attempt to reach or jump on a player just for need's sake," Dorsey said. "We're not going to do that here." Cassel carries a $7.5 million salary and $250,000 due in a workout bonus. Expect him to be cut by March.

New Chiefs GM John Dorsey is adamant about taking the best available player regardless of position at No. 1 overall this year.
"I know of no other philosophy," added Dorsey. "You spent all those months as a group staying true to your board, and all of a sudden you have to jump a player because of positional needs? I don't think you do that. We have proven you don't do that." While the franchise's biggest need is a starting QB, NFL.com's Gil Brandt doesn't rank a single quarterback in the top-25 prospects this season.

New Chiefs coach Andy Reid stated at his introductory press conference Monday that he'll be searching for "the next Len Dawson" this offseason.
"I have looked at the roster and there are some good football players on this football team," Reid said. "The quarterback position, I'm going to dig in and look at that and we'll build that thing. We'll see how that whole thing builds out. I need to spend some time working at it, though. I've got to find that next Len Dawson, doggone it. It might be right here, it might not." The Chiefs are fully expected to release Matt Cassel, who's owed a non-guaranteed salary of $7.5 million in 2013.