Chiefs’ Cassel cashes in

The Chiefs announced yesterday that they’ve signed Cassel to a multiyear deal. A source close to Cassel confirmed that he signed a six-year, $63 million deal that includes $28 million in guarantees.

The 27-year-old Cassel was scheduled to play this season under the franchise tag, which the Patriots placed on him following the 2008 season. The tag produced a one-year contract that would have paid Cassel $14.65 million this season. This new deal replaces the franchise tag contract.

The Patriots traded Cassel and outside linebacker Mike Vrabel to the Chiefs, whose general manager is former Patriots vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli, for a 2009 second-round pick Feb. 28. The Patriots used that pick (No. 34) to select rookie safety Patrick Chung.

A 2005 seventh-round pick of the Patriots, Cassel was forced into the lineup last season after Tom Brady tore the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his left knee on a lunging hit by Kansas City safety Bernard Pollard during the first quarter of the season opener. Serving as the starter the rest of the way, Cassel, who had not started a meaningful game at QB since high school, led New England to an 11-5 record.

Cassel started out as a beleaguered backup but turned out to be a fantastic fill-in for Brady, throwing for 400 yards in back-to-back games against the Jets and Miami and tossing a career-high four touchdown passes against the Raiders. In 16 games (15 starts), Cassel completed 327 of 516 passes (63.4 percent) for 3,693 yards and 21 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He rushed 73 times for 270 yards and two scores.

Pryor joins cornerback Darius Butler (second round) and offensive lineman Rich Ohrnberger (fourth round) as rookies who have agreed to, or officially signed, contracts.

Pryor, the 207th overall selection, signed a four-year contract with a $79,000 signing bonus, according to a league source. The deal includes the standard minimum salaries each year, with an escalator in the final year that could increase its value.

The 12-player rookie draft class is the largest in Bill Belichick’s tenure (2000-present), which has kept senior football adviser Floyd Reese busy. Reese, a veteran front-office executive in his first year with the club, is the primary point person for rookie contracts.

Pryor appeared in 46 games with 34 starts at Kentucky, totaling 111 tackles while playing defensive tackle in the Wildcats’ 4-3 scheme.

One of his top performances last season came against highly regarded Louisville center and Bills first-rounder Eric Wood (28th overall selection), when he recovered a fumble and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown, and also caused a fumble that a teammate returned for a score. Pryor was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Week for the performance, becoming the first Kentucky player in 16 years to receive the honor.

“We are having substantive talks with the Patriots and hopefully come to a deal very shortly,’’ said Roth via e-mail. “We are not that far apart and all are of the view to get him to camp on time.’’

Rookies are scheduled to report for training camp July 26.