Chiefs to start Quinn over Cassel at quarterback

Quinn was just 22 of 38 for 180 yards with two interceptions in a 38-10 loss to Tampa Bay. But the former first-round pick of the Cleveland Browns also seemed to show more poise and arm strength, and the two interceptions were passes that could just as easily have been caught by his own guys.

“Maybe there was a little rust because I hadn’t been in a full-game scenario in the regular season in a few years,” Quinn said, “but I felt pretty good out there.”

Crennel said he doesn’t want Quinn to be looking over his shoulder, so “there will be no quick hook or anything like that.” After playing the Raiders on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City hits the road for games against San Diego and Pittsburgh.

“I don’t think the team has lost confidence in Matt,” Crennel said. “It’s just one of those things where the circumstances we’re in, you have to decide what you want to do to change it, and I decided to change the quarterback.”

Crennel also said he wasn’t considering long-term ramifications when making his decision, such as whether the franchise will trade for a quarterback or select one early in the draft. His focus in making the change was simply to give the team an immediate, much-needed boost.

“The only future I thought about was this coming Sunday,” he said.

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