Soon-to-be free agent Cassel: 'I love the Patriots'

Dec 24, 2008 - 9:25 PM FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- New England Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel, who has helped keep the reigning AFC champs in playoff contention this year despite a season-ending injury to Tom Brady, wants to return to the team next season.

But Cassel, who likely will command a lucrative contract on the free-agent market, admits that a great deal of uncertainty surrounds his future with the Patriots.

"Nobody knows the future," Cassel said Wednesday. "If anybody knew the future, I probably wouldn't be here right now because a lot of people predicted I wouldn't be here after preseason.

"The fact is nobody knows where I'm going to be next year, so I could definitely be back here. It's something we'll have to wait and see."

Cassel spent his first three years in the NFL as a backup behind Brady following a four-year stint as a bench-warmer at the University of Southern California.

But Brady suffered torn knee ligaments in this year's season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, an injury that landed the reigning league MVP on injured reserve and thrust Cassel into a starting role for the first time since high school.

Cassel has responded extremely well to life as a starter, passing for 3,615 yards and 21 touchdowns while leading the Patriots (10-5) to the verge of a return to the postseason.

If the Patriots win this weekend against Buffalo, they will reach the playoffs if the Miami Dolphins (10-5) or Baltimore Ravens (10-5) lose.

Cassel, 26, is eligible for free agency after this season and figures to entertain tempting contract offers from teams seeking to upgrade at quarterback.

However, the Patriots could choose to use their franchise tag on Cassel, especially if Brady's fails to recover quickly enough from multiple knee surgeries. If he becomes New England's franchise player, Cassel would be paid the average salary of the top-five highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.

"I don't know what the situation (with the franchise tag) might be," said Cassel, who made slightly over $520,000 this season. "But the Patriots are home to me right now. That's all I've ever known in my professional career.

"I love the Patriots. I love this organization and like I said before, I love the people."