Zimmer wants Cassel back

[Lee Borgersen]

    Vikings: Mike Zimmer wants Matt Cassel back

   03/06/2014

 

  Good Or Bad

Vikings coach Mike Zimmer has made it clear. He wants quarterback Matt Cassel back.

Cassel last month opted out of his contract to become a free agent. But the Vikings are hoping to retain him after they can begin signing players Tuesday.

"I would love to have Matt Cassel back, if Matt Cassel wants to be back," Zimmer said Thursday. "I don't know if that will happen or won't happen. But we're going to find a quarterback somewhere. And if it's not Matt Cassel, then we'll find someone else. ... If Matt wants to come back, I'm sure that we'll get it worked out."

Zimmer said he has talked to Cassel about coming back. The Vikings can negotiate exclusively with Cassel's camp Saturday through Tuesday, but Zimmer said he expects Cassel also will be looking at other opportunities.

"I think everyone wants to explore,'' Zimmer said. "He's got a bunch of pretty girls looking at him. He wants to explore and see what's best for him.''

Zimmer also said Thursday he wants to retain free-agent wide receiver Jerome Simpson, who played for Cincinnati from 2008-11 when Zimmer was the Bengals' defensive coordinator. The Pioneer Press had reported Wednesday that the Vikings want Simpson back.

Zimmer said he has interest in bringing back free-agent defensive linemen Jared Allen, Kevin Williams and Everson Griffen. But Zimmer said he knows it will be difficult keeping all of them because there's only so much money available.



Vikings quarterback Matt Cassel scrambles as he looks for an open receiver in the third quarter at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Sunday, December 15, 2013.

[Cody Gruchow]

hes probably going to sign with the Texans. him and Bill O"brien get along well. I really don't think he will be in purple this year. I see us signing freeman and drafting a QB. maybe AJ McCarron from Alabama in the 3rd or of the cards fall right Teddy bridgewater at #8. I DO NOT WANT BORTLES OR MANZIEL!!! if we draft manziel I will not watch one Vikings game this year

[The General]

If the Viks draft a qb in the first round rick should be fired.  I see us with schaub, Vick, or ponder.  All of which I think are terrible options.  I'm hoping for cassel or mccown as the starting qb and drafting one later on and hoping for the best.  I'm with Cody on Johnny football.

[mathews4ever]

We'll end up with Vick. Isn't MN where all the dinosaur quarterbacks go? What's Vick got left in him, 1, maybe 2 good seasons.  The vikings need a franchise QB, not a freaking QB that needs a walker to get around.

[Cody Gruchow]

Vick doesnt fit norv turners system so thats a no on vick.

[dakids]

Has Vick EVER played all 16 games in a season?

[dakids]

Call this guy up.  He was the vikes best QB ever.

[Fawkinnae]

Call this guy up.  He was the vikes best QB ever.

I don't remember Santa Claus playing for the Vikings...

[dakids]

Silly, That's brett favre.  Formerly of the world champion green bay packers.

[Cody Gruchow]

Vikings signed cassel back.(kind of suprising) vick hasn't played a whole season sense 2006