According to Tom Curran of NBC Sports, Tom Brady could start the 2009 NFL Season on the Pats’ PUP list.

But the timing just doesn’t work for the Patriots to allow Cassel to leave. Even though Brady went the aggressive route by having his reconstructive surgery relatively early (many doctors recommend waiting for the MCL to heal on its own before going in to repair the ACL), the infection that began near the repaired MCL required six weeks of antibiotics and irrigation. The significant scar tissue that built up during that period still had not been removed as of last week, leaving Brady with limited range of motion. Until the scar tissue comes out (and a two-to-three week period of recovery from that process is observed) and range of motion improves, a productive rehab can’t begin. With the start of training camp seven months away and the season opener nine months out, Brady may wind up beginning the 2009 season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. Players placed on that list are eligible to begin playing in Week 6.

There’s really no decision to be made – the Patriots have to pony up and tag Cassel. If they don’t, they could wind up forcing Brady (or Tom could force himself) back onto the field too soon and then disaster could strike again. But if they tag and pay Cassel, the team can go into next season with more security at quarterback.

The Pats’ decision on what to do with Tom Brady won’t be made over the next few months. The decision will be made over the course of the next year. If Brady is placed on the PUP list, the team can watch Cassel play for another six weeks. If he progresses, then maybe it’s time to move into the Cassel era. If he digresses or is sub par, then Brady can step him – fully healthy – and resume his starting quarterback duties.

I think both quarterbacks will be on New England’s roster next season. And this is exactly why the Pats never spend big on free agents – so that they have the cap room when they need it (i.e. like right now).

The majority of people who read the title of this post probably uttered one of two things to themselves:

1) “What? Stop trying to stir the pot by throwing crap against the wall in efforts to see if it sticks. Moron…”

OR…

2) “You don’t part ways with a three-time Super Bowl champion just because Matt Cassel has had one decent season. Moron…”

For those of you that fit into one of the above categories, I don’t blame you for having those thoughts – or calling me a moron. But just take a moment and think about the situation for a second, because the idea isn’t that far-fetched.

There currently is no timetable set for Brady’s return after having season-ending knee surgery earlier this year. He might not even be ready to play at the start of next season, which leaves the Patriots in a tough predicament. Do they allow Cassel to leave via free agency next offseason and risk going into 2009 with hopes Brady is ready to play? Or do they allow Cassel to walk, sign a veteran who’ll play for the minimum and hold Brady’s spot until he’s ready to start again?

Or do they sign a much younger (and now experienced) Matt Cassel, trade Brady for multiple draft picks (which could be used to get younger on defense) and head into a new era with a new quarterback? Brady is 32 and while guys like Kurt Warner and Jeff Garcia have proven that quarterbacks can still be highly efficient past their 35th birthday, there’s no guarantee that Tom will ever be as effective as he was before the knee surgery.

Whether the Patriots or their fan base want to admit it, the team faces major questions this offseason. And while it might be ludicrous to think about parting ways with a Super Bowl MVP quarterback, Cassel has proven that he can step into Bill Belichick’s offensive system and succeed.

Comment fodder: You’re in charge of the Patriots next offseason. Do you allow Cassel to walk and remain loyal to the man that got you multiple titles this decade? Or in the wake of Brady’s season-ending injury, would you start preparing for the future with Cassel?