Earlier this week, we discussed the decision that Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel has to make this week regarding his contract.
Cassel has until Friday to opt out of the final year of the two-year deal he signed with the Vikings before last season, the first half of a mutual option on the deal that also gives the Vikings the right to pay $500,000 to Cassel to void the final year in the event he lets Friday pass without taking any action. According to a report from Darren Wolfson of KTSP and 1500 ESPN, they won’t have a decision to make.
Wolfson reports that Cassel will void the final year of the deal, which comes with a $3.7 million salary, and become a free agent. Doing so suggests Cassel and his agent believe they can land either more money or a better chance to start on the open market. The Vikings are expected to be actively looking for a quarterback this offseason, something that could leave another quarterback with a chance to open the season in the lineup if they draft a quarterback who isn’t ready to go in Week One.
If Cassel is opting out, Christian Ponder will be the only quarterback on the roster when free agency starts in March. That would only add more urgency to their search for help at the position, although Cassel could still wind up back in Minnesota even after opting out.