The Tennessee Titans will once again have a proven backup to Marcus Mariota this upcoming season. According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, the team has re-signed Matt Cassel to a two-year, $5.25 million contract.
The #Titans signed QB Matt Cassel to a 2-year extension worth $5.25M, source said. The 34-year-old gets $2.75M in 2017
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 2, 2017
It is rather interesting that Cassel, 34, wouldn’t wait until the start of free agency to re-sign with the Titans. With as many as eight teams looking for a new starter, there’s a decent chance that Cassel might have been able to compete for a starting job.
Obviously, it seems that the veteran quarterback is more than fine backing up young stud Marcus Mariota in Nashville.
A 12-year NFL verteran, Cassel has started 80 games over the course of his career. During that span, the former Pro Bowler has thrown 103 touchdowns compared to 79 interceptions.
Retaining Cassel is an under-the-radar big move for the Titans. They need experience behind Mariota, who has missed five games in his first two NFL seasons and is coming off a serious leg injury.