Matt Cassel will join a seventh NFL team, reaching an agreement to sign with the Lions, Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com report ( Twitter link).
The Bob Quinn– and Matt Patricia-run team will bring in a veteran to work behind Matthew Stafford. Both were with the Patriots when Cassel worked behind Tom Brady during the 2000s.
Released by the Titans last month, Cassel is entering his age-36 season. He has not been a regular starter since his days with the Chiefs. But he did make several starts with the Vikings and Cowboys before becoming Marcus Mariota‘s backup and serving in that role the past two years.
The Lions have 2016 sixth-round pick Jake Rudock on their roster. Rudock was drawing trade interest last year and has worked behind Stafford over the past two years. Cassel is going into his 14th NFL season. He’s made 81 starts, with his teams going 36-45 in those, and is a career 59 percent passer with 104 touchdown tosses and 81 interceptions.