The Chiefs have locked up quarterback in a long-term deal today, according to the Kansas City Star.

ESPN senior football writer John Clayton reported that Cassel agreed to a six-yeal deal worth $63 million, with $28 million guaranteed and will earn over $10 million a season. He is expected to make $40.5 million over the first three years of his contract.

Cassel’s story of becoming a starting quarterback in the is storybook-eqsue. After being a a backup at USC behind Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, he was picked by Patriots in the seventh round  in the 2005 NFL Draft.

However, his shining moment came last year after league MVP went down with a leg injury in the first game of the 2008 season. Cassel stayed under center for the rest of the season, throwing for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns while leading the Patriots to an 11-5 record.

Despite missing the post-season, the Patriots rewarded Cassel for his season by applying a one-year franchise tag worth $14.561 million. However, when the team felt Brady was healthy enough to be the starting quarterback next season, they traded him to the Chiefs with linebacker for a second-round draft pick.

There is no doubt that he earned the right to start at quarterback for the Chiefs next season, but is he really worth a long-term deal?

Don’t let Broncos head coach fool you. One good season, where and are catching the ball, does not mean Cassel is a proven commodity yet.

Does the name ring a bell? Mitchell had spent his first two seasons with the Dolphins holding a clipboard. After star quarterback went down with a season-ending injury during the 1993 season, Mitchell finished the year behind center with 1,773 passing yards and 12 touchdowns.

The Lions thought Mitchell was a star-in-the-making and inked him to a three-year deal worth $11 million, $5 million guaranteed. He did have one bright spot during the 1995 season, throwing for 4,338 yards and 32 touchdowns, but he struggled mightily the following season.

So, as a result, the Lions rewarded him with a new contract for $21 million over four-years, $8 million guaranteed. No joke. Instead of improving, Mitchell was eventually benched for quarterback in the 1998 season.

Cassel might turn out to be better than Mitchell could ever dream of, and I think he will be. But, you just never know what the future brings. Cassel’s new contract is similar to a top ten draft pick making a ridiculous sum of money before stepping onto the field.

The Chiefs are taking a leap of faith by signing Cassel for his potential. For their sake, and Cassel’s, hopefully it works out.

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