Matt Cassel reportedly could lose Chiefs starting quarterback job

Matt Cassel could be out as the Chiefs starting quarterback. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

The Kansas City Chiefs are growing disenchanted with Matt Cassel as their starting quarterback, Yahoo's Jason Cole reported Monday.

From Cole's report:

"Look, there's a big reason why they went after Peyton Manning as hard as they did this offseason," said a source with knowledge of Chiefs president Scott Pioli's thinking. "What you're seeing from Cassel is pretty much what was expected. He's a really nice backup, not a starter."

Cole's report suggests that if the Chiefs had a better alternative than Brady Quinn or Ricky Stanzi as backup, Cassel might have already been benched.

The Chiefs came into the 2012 season with sky-high expectations and expected to get back a healthy Cassel for a full season after he missed almost half of last year with a hand injury.

But Cassel's start to the season thus far has been lackluster, at best. He has thrown just five touchdowns along with seven interceptions, and his quarterback rating sits at 70.4. The Chiefs, meanwhile, are mired in a 1-3 start and already sit two games behind the San Diego Chargers in the AFC West.

Cassel broke out in 2008 with the New England Patriots, when he replaced the injured Tom Brady for a full season. The Chiefs subsequently traded a second-round pick for Cassel and committed to him as their starter. He justified the hype in 2010, throwing 27 touchdowns to just seven interceptions while leading the Chiefs to the playoffs.

Despite this season's struggles, Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel committed to Cassel as his starter.

"Even after he had those turnovers, he came back and drove the team down the field, so we think he's capable," Crennel said Monday. "We just have to get him to be more consistent."