"Since making the trade with New England for Matt Cassel three years ago, the Chiefs committed to him in a way that teams do for a franchise quarterback.

They rewarded Cassel with a long-term contract before he'd ever taken a snap in Kansas City. They haven't brought in a serious threat to take his job.

Cassel said through it all, he never believed he was entitled to be the starter. He also indicated he would be willing to compete for the job if that's what the Chiefs ask him to do.

"There's competition every year,'' said Cassel, who will turn 30 in May. "If you play this position, there's always competition. You're competing against yourself, you're competing against somebody else. Whoever they bring in, you always compete and you always have to go out and try to get better."