Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel is ready to compete for the starting job next season with the team’s late season acquisition – Kyle Orton, who was picked up off waivers after being released by the Denver Broncos.
When Cassel was lost for the year to a hand injury, the Chiefs picked up Orton to handle quarterback duties down the stretch, and he won 2 of the Chiefs 3 last games, although they missed the playoffs by a game.
“There’s competition every year,’’ said Cassel. “If you play this position, there’s always competition. You’re competing against yourself, you’re competing against somebody else. Whoever they bring in, you always compete and you always have to go out and try to get better.”
“I look at it that way. I look at it from a football standpoint. I’m a football player and I’m always trying to get better and trying to do whatever I have to do to put the best product on the field. From year one to year two, our team made great strides. We won the AFC West and we went to the playoffs. Last year, we were in the middle of the playoff race and I broke my hand so there’s not much I can do about that.
The Chiefs now have two quarterbacks who are capable of winning games as NFL starters, and at least for now, it appears that both are content to go into next year’s training camp to compete for the job.
Cassel is also excited about Romeo Crennel’s promotion from defensive coordinator.
“I’m really excited about Romeo being our head coach,’’ Cassel said. “Our team obviously responded very well at the end of the year. Being in the meetings, seeing how he conducts himself and controls the room and how he approaches the job, everybody to a man respects him and wants to play for him.
