Bills release Matt Cassel

The Buffalo Bills have released quarterback Matt Cassel, the team announced on Saturday. Buffalo acquired Cassel from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for two undisclosed draft selections this offseason.

Cassel was arguably the favorite to be the Bills' starting quarterback heading into training camp. He had a respectable preseason, but was beaten out by Tyrod Taylor for the job. 2013 first-round pick EJ Manuel will remain on the squad as a backup, thanks in part to reportedly having the support of general manager Doug Whaley.

The Bills will only eat $600,000 in dead money after Cassel's release, saving more than $4 million in cap space. The Vikings signed the veteran quarterback to a two-year, $10 million deal in 2014. Cassel was named the starter over Teddy Bridgewater for the Vikings last season, but he broke his foot in Week 3 and was sent to injured reserve. In three starts in 2014, Cassel managed 425 passing yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions while the Vikings got off to a 1-2 start.

Arguably the best season Cassel had as a professional was in 2008, when he led the New England Patriots to an 11-5 record while Tom Brady sat the year out with a knee injury he suffered in Week 1. The 2005 seventh-round draft pick completed a career-high 63.4 percent of his passes while throwing for 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

The Patriots dealt Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs that offseason alongside linebacker Mike Vrabel for a second-round pick. Cassel only posted one winning season in Kansas City before he was cut loose after the 2012 campaign.