Pats trade Cassel, Vrabel to Chiefs

FOXBOROUGH, Mass., Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The New England Patriots traded quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs for a second-round draft pick.

If both players pass their physicals, they will be reunited with General Manager Scott Pioli, who was the Patriots' vice president of player personnel before he succeeded Carl Peterson in Kansas City.

"I have a long history with both players," said Pioli in a statement. "Mike and Matt are men that I respect both personally and professionally. I look forward to having them as new members of the Chiefs family."

The fact that New England dealt Cassel may mean the franchise is secure about the return of Tom Brady next season. Brady suffered a season-ending torn knee ligament in the 2008 opener against the Chiefs.

Recently, the just-married Brady said his rehab was on schedule.

New England made Cassel its franchise player this month, meaning that he will earn $14.65 million next season. He guided the Patriots to an 11-5 record last season.