Now that Matt Cassel has signed the one-year, $14.65 million contract he was guaranteed when the Patriots designated him as their franchise player, trade talks will take on a slightly different tone.

Cassel no longer is a free agent, so the Patriots now can deal him to any team making a satisfactory offer.

While sacrificing leverage in terms of where he'll eventually land, Cassel now is guaranteed to make at least that $14.65 million.

But if everything works out to his satisfaction, and that of the Patriots, some other team will be paying him much more than that on a multiyear contract.

There is no shortage of teams who may be interested in obtaining a quarterback of Cassel's caliber.

The Lions, with two first-round picks -- including the first overall, thanks to their abysmal, 0-16 season in 2008 -- obviously are a candidate, although they could opt for either of the top two collegiate prospects, Matt Stafford of Georgia and Matt Sanchez of Southern Cal.

But there is an abundance of other possibilities, including Kansas City, which has the third pick overall, San Francisco (No. 10), Tampa Bay, Minnesota (although the Vikes reportedly are more interested in the considerably less expensive Sage Rosenfels, currently with Houston), the Jets (it's all but impossible to imagine the Pats would talk with them), the Rams (depending on how they feel about Marc Bulger), possibly Washington (which has a history of overpaying for free agents) and even,Tennessee, where there are questions about Vince Young, and Kerry Collins isn't getting any younger.

Tom Brady has said his rehab from surgery on the torn anterior cruciate and medial ligaments in his left knee is progressing well and he expects to be ready for the start of the season.

If the Patriots are concerned that he won't be, they'll hang on to Cassel for a while. If they're satisfied that Brady is, indeed, on schedule, then it's possible a deal for Cassel could take place just before, or during the draft.

Obviously, the Pats like 6-foot-5, 225-pound Kevin O'Connell, taken in the third round last year out of San Diego State. He did nothing in the preseason last year to temper the optimism for his development prospects, and several personnel men around the league have commented favorably about him.

Currently, Matt Gutierriez would be the third QB in New England if Cassel is traded.

jdonalds@projo.com