Matthew Stafford is the Detroit Lions starting quarterback. Everyone from here to Seattle knows that. However, in a move to improve depth and competition with Jake Rudock behind Stafford, the Lions brass decided to sign a veteran quarterback.
Both general manager Bob Quinn and new head coach Matt Patricia were familiar with Matt Cassel from his days with the New England Patriots. Quinn was part of the Patriots scouting staff when they used a seventh round draft choice on Cassel out of USC in 2005.
Meanwhile Patricia was on the practice field with him every day for the four seasons Cassel was a Patriot, despite the fact Patricia was the teams defensive coordinator.