Patriots Duo Cassel And Vrabel Join Chiefs

The teams have agreed the deal but details were not immediately available, said the league`s official website (www.nfl.com).

The New England Patriots traded quarterback Matt Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel to the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday in exchange for a second-round draft pick.

"I have a long history with both players," general manager Scott Pioli told Kansas City's website (www.kcchiefs.com).

"Mike and Matt are men I respect personally and professionally. I look forward to having them as new members of the Chiefs family," added the former Patriots vice president of player personnel.

Cassel saw the first significant action of his NFL career last year, taking over as starter from the injured Tom Brady in the second week of the season.

He started 15 games, completing 63.4 percent of his passes for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns with 11 interceptions to help the Patriots to an 11-5 record.

The Chiefs, who had an AFC-worst 2-14 record last season, will receive the 34th pick in the draft.

Vrabel is a 12-year NFL veteran who spent eight years with the Patriots.

The 34-year-old linebacker was a member of three Super Bowl-winning teams with New England and made the Pro Bowl in 2007.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said Vrabel had "exceeded our highest hopes".

"Mike Vrabel epitomizes everything a coach could seek in a professional football player: toughness, intelligence, playmaking, leadership, versatility and consistency at the highest level," he said.