The Minnesota Vikings have signed free agent quarterback Matt Cassel. The Vikings announced the signing Friday, one day after agreeing to terms with the former Patriot and Chief to be the backup to starter Christian Ponder. Cassel was waived by Kansas City on Thursday with two years left on his contract.||||||| Cassel led the Patriots to an 11-5 record in place of the injured Tom Brady in 2008. He was traded to Kansas City in 2009, made the Pro Bowl in 2010 and struggled the past two seasons. He threw six touchdown passes and 12 interceptions in nine games last year.

A person with knowledge of the deal says the Minnesota Vikings have agreed to terms with quarterback Matt Cassel. The Vikings and Cassel came to agreement on Thursday, the same day he was formally released by the Kansas City Chiefs with two years left on his contract. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal, first reported by Fox Sports, has not been announced.||||||| Cassel spent the last four years in Kansas City. He completed 58 percent of his passes for 1,796 yards with six touchdowns and 12 interceptions in nine games last year.

The Chiefs have cut ties with Cassel, who lost his starting job to Brady Quinn last season and then watched Kansas City trade for Alex Smith to be his replacement.||||||| Cassel was the first major acquisition by the Chiefs under previous general manager Scott Pioli, and he was quickly given a six-year, $63 million contract. But after leading the Chiefs to the playoffs in 2010, Cassel struggled to live up to the same expectations.

Cassel is getting another start at quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs.||||||| Brady Quinn still has not been cleared to participate in a game following his concussion, so Cassel will be back under center when the Chiefs play the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.