Report: Former NFL quarterback Matt Cassel set to join NBC's Big Ten coverage

Former NFL quarterback Matt Cassel will join NBC’s Big Ten football coverage, according to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post.

Cassel is a former USC quarterback but is known for his NFL days as a backup, spot starter and filling for Tom Brady during the 2008 season after the latter’s injury. Cassel is the latest reported hire for the network as it gears up for new college football coverage.

Joshua Perry, a former Ohio State linebacker, was brought on according to reports and the network reportedly targeted J.J. Watt.

While that’s not a done deal by any means, Cassel is an interesting choice. It is unclear how Cassel will be utilized on NBC, whether it’s on games or in studio.

As far as his media career is concerned, Cassel appeared on the pre and postgame shows at NBC Sports Boston and made weekly appearances on Tom Curran’s Patriots Talk Podcast.

Cassel played from 2005-18 with the Patriots, Chiefs, Vikings, Bills, Cowboys, Titans and Lions. He finished his career with 17,508 yards, 104 touchdowns, 82 interceptions and a 58.8% completion percentage.

During the 2008 season, Cassel went 10-5 as a starter but the Patriots missed out on the playoffs due to tiebreakers. He finished with 3,693 yards, 21 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 63.4% completion percentage. In 2010 with Kansas City, Cassel had a career year with 3,116 yards, 27 touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 58.2% completion percentage.

NBC’s Big Ten broadcasts are dubbed Big Ten Saturday Night, similar to the NFL’s Sunday Night Football. Perry previously worked at the Big Ten Network as a studio and game analyst, so his addition seems like a logical move.

NBC announced its game broadcast crew back in February for the Big Ten broadcasts. Live on Big Ten Saturday Night, the team of Todd Blackledge, Noah Eagle and Kathryn Tappen will bring the action into your living room, per a press release from NBC Sports.

“NBC Sports today announced its Big Ten Saturday Night college football announce team, featuring Todd Blackledge (analyst) and Noah Eagle (play-by-play) in the booth and Kathryn Tappen as sideline reporter,” the release read. “Every weekend from Sept. 2 through Nov. 25, the trio will call a Big Ten Football game, which will be broadcast on NBC and simulstreamed on Peacock. 

“Big Ten Saturday Night highlights an NBC Sports-record 33 college football games in Fall 2023.”

Could Cassel be a great addition? It remains to be seen but NBC is certainly aiming for a unique crew.