Michael Vick rumors that he will end up playing with the New York Jets next season are floating around the league like a Hail Mary pass.
Just about the time Rex Ryan benched Mark Sanchez and elevated third-string Greg McElroy to the starting quarterback, bypassing second-string Tim Tebow, it was apparent next year’s Jets would have a new man at QB.
Enter Vick. He’s almost assuredly out in Philadelphia, where the Eagles have turned the team over to rookie Nick Foles after Vick had a subpar year shortened by concussions.
Sanchez, because of financial commitments, very well could remain with the Jets. But his abysmal play has killed any faith the team had in his ability to lead it to a championship. Tebow is almost certainly out, too, having been under-used by the team all season. He got only 70 snaps at quarterback and was rightfully angry and disappointed that Ryan chose McElroy over him to start the final two games.
McElory could be a serviceable backup in the NFL. But if he is your starting quarterback, you are not a contender.
So, Vick would be a place the team would turn, according to NFL.com sources. The website said Vick would be willing to play for the Jets, but only if he is the starter. It reported that Vick believe he has another four years of quality play in him.
Vick would be due $17 million if the Eagles chose to keep him. They will not. Just two years ago, he signed a $100 million contract — the first player in NFL history to sign two deals at that milestone value. But his play has been shaky ever since the ink dried.
He turned the ball over with alarming regularity early in the season and then could not stay healthy. The Jets would be even more of a circus with Vick at quarterback. Which means it very well could happen.
