New England Patriots backup quarterback Matt Cassel is willing to sit on the bench behind Tom Brady if the Patriots decide to franchise him for the 2009 season.

“If the situation is what it is, then I would accept it and I would continue to do what I have done my entire career which is work hard, put my best foot forward and continue to work on the things that I need to and put out my best effort,” Cassel told ESPNews.

Cassel knows he’s learned a lot from watching Brady play throughout the years.

“This is Tom’s team,” Cassel said. “The Patriots have been Tom’s team. He’s built that franchise up with his own two hands. He’s the guy, and he was the MVP the year before. I realize that. He’s been such a mentor for me that I would say, ‘No, there is no quarterback competition.’ But I’ve learned so many things from Tom, and hopefully it’ll help me in my career.”

Cassel is a smart guy; he knows to keep his true feelings bottled inside. But trust me, he’ll be pissed if the Patriots franchise him and he has to sit on the bench for another year.