Report: Chiefs' Matt Cassel 'destined to be released soon'

Matt Cassel was Mr. Lonely in K.C. last season. Now he could be looking for a new home. (USATSI)

Matt Cassel's four-year run in Kansas City could be coming to an end as the Chiefs quarterback is 'destined to be released soon,' according to USA Today.

The move wouldn't be shocking because Cassel is due $7.5 million in 2013 and to say he struggled last season would be an understatement.

Cassel went 1-7 in eight starts in 2012 and was benched following the team's Week 7 bye. His 66.7 quarterback rating ranked 32nd in the league. He also had the worst touchdown-interception ratio in the NFL. Cassel threw 12 interceptions and only six touchdown passes. The season got so bad that Kansas City fans booed Cassel after he suffered a head injury in the team's Week 5 loss to Baltimore.

New Chiefs coach Andy Reid has yet to give Cassel a vote of confidence, and Reid seems determined to have a starting quarterback in Kansas City next season who's not named Matt Cassel.

Reid has openly expressed interest in Philadelphia's Nick Foles and reportedly "really likes" San Francisco's Alex Smith. Reid has already announced that he'll be calling offensive plays next season, so it makes sense that he wants his own, hand-picked guy under center.

If the Chiefs do release Cassel, that will take their quarterback-neediness to an new level. The only quarterbacks left on the roster would be Ricky Stanzi and Alex Tanney, who have zero career starts between them. Brady Quinn -- who went 1-7 in eight starts with the Chiefs last season -- will become a free agent in March and isn't expected to re-sign with the team.

Another option for Kansas City would be asking Cassel to take a pay cut, but the team reportedly hasn't even offered him that.

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