So much for Tyler Thigpen’s fantasy value.

ESPN is reporting that Patriots’ franchise player Matt Cassel has been traded to the Kansas City Chiefs on this, the second day of the 2009 free agency period. Cassel immediately becomes the face of the franchise, which is in the midst of yet another rebuidling phase.

However, this rebuilding effort may be facilitated by the addition of Cassel. It is now likely that both Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez will be more interested in continuing to play for the Chiefs, as Cassel provides a little bit of that “win now” factor.

Cassel took over for Tom Brady after Brady went down in the first week of the 2008 season — coincidentally against the Chiefs — with a season-ending knee injury. While it took a few weeks to become comfortable in the role, Cassel had a phenomenal season in leading the Patriots to an 11-5 record.

Poor Thigpen, who became one of the more popular fantasy quarterbacks by the end of the 2008 season. He likely will assume a backup quarterback role to Cassel, though there could be some competition for the job this summer. But all signs point to this job being Cassel’s going forward.

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