The Facts: Following up on a previous item. ... Vikings HC Mike Zimmer has made it clear. He wants Cassel back. "I would love to have Matt Cassel back, if Matt Cassel wants to be back," Zimmer said Thursday.

Diehards Line: Cassel last month opted out of his contract to become a free agent. But the Vikings are hoping to retain him after they can begin signing players Tuesday. Zimmer said he has talked to Cassel about coming back. The Vikings can negotiate exclusively with Cassel's camp Saturday through Tuesday, but Zimmer said he expects Cassel also will be looking at other opportunities. Zimmer also said Thursday he wants to retain free-agent wide receiver Jerome Simpson, who played for Cincinnati from 2008-11 when Zimmer was the Bengals' defensive coordinator. ... Stay tuned.