Matt Cassel was cut by the Chiefs on Thursday. (USATSI)
Cassel's frustrating run in KC is over. (USATSI)

Finally, mercifully, the Chiefs have set Matt Cassel free, releasing him into the wild of the free-agent market on Thursday morning.

Cassel was a lame-duck quarterback with the acquisition of Alex Smith from the 49ers (a move made official shortly after the new league year began), and everyone knew that he'd be released.

And though there might be a pile of jokes about where he could land given the lack of success Cassel had in Kansas City, he'll be a wanted man on the free-agent market.

In fact, Cassel will vie with the recently-released Ryan Fitzpatrick for the ignominious title of "Best Quarterback Available" in 2013 free agency.

Minnesota seems like a solid landing spot for Cassel, who could push Christian Ponder and provide the Vikings some stability at quarterback should they lose faith in their youngster or deal with an injury.

Cassel, after all, was a Pro Bowler in 2010 when the Chiefs won the AFC West.