<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Player stats at PFR </Td> </Tr> <P> Matthew Brennan "Matt" Cassel (born May 17, 1982) is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2005 NFL draft, and has also played for the Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, and Tennessee Titans . He played college football at USC . </P> <P> Cassel became the Patriots' starting quarterback after Week 1 of the 2008 season after then reigning NFL MVP Tom Brady suffered a season - ending knee injury . According to ESPN research, he is the only known quarterback in NFL history to start an NFL game at quarterback without ever starting as a quarterback in college . In February 2009, the Patriots used their franchise tag on Cassel, extending him a one - year contract worth over $14 million, the largest one - year contract for an offensive player in NFL history . Later that offseason, the Patriots made a trade which sent Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs, who signed him to a 6 - year, $62.7 million contract in July 2009 . In 2010, Cassel led the Chiefs to their first AFC West divisional championship in seven years, and earned a Pro Bowl berth in the process . On April 4, 2018, he agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions, reuniting with Matt Patricia from their years with the Patriots . </P> <P> Cassel was born in Northridge, Los Angeles, California . When he was 11 years old, his family home was at the epicenter of the 1994 Northridge earthquake, which at one point trapped his father Greg under a marble column and caused water from their swimming pool to flood their house . Their home was eventually condemned as a result, forcing the Cassel family to move . </P>

Who was tom brady backup when he got hurt
find me the text answering this question