Eagles keep Vick; 'Open' QB competition with Foles
The Philadelphia Eagles re-signed quarterback Michael Vick to a one-year contract, and new head coach Chip Kelly said he will compete with Nick Foles throughout the offseason.
"There's open competition," Kelly said. "Michael knows that. Nick knows that. Nick knew every step of the way what we were doing. I specifically wanted to make sure Nick was included in the plans. I think both of them have outstanding qualities as far as being quarterbacks in this league. Both of them have started in this league. I also know in this league, you better have two (quarterbacks).
"I'm excited about the two of them. They're both going to compete. Who the starting quarteback is will be won on the practice field."
ESPN reported Vick could earn as much as $10 million in the deal, although ProFootballTalk.com reported it is really a 7 million deal with $3 million in incentives.
Vick received a signing bonus of $3.5 million and a non-guaranteed salary of $3.5 million, according to the ProFootballTalk.com report. He can earn $31,250 for each game in which Vick is on the active 46-man roster, and he gets another $1.5 million if he participates in 90 percent of the offensive snaps. Finally, he'll get a $1 million bonus if he plays in the Super Bowl and the Eagles win it.
The new contract replaces the long-term deal he signed with the team in 2011 that would have paid him $15.5 million this year. Now, he will be a free agent in 2014.
The Eagles could also be interested in bringing in Dennis Dixon. He played for Kelly at Oregon and spent last season on the Baltimore Ravens' practice squad.
Vick, who will be 33 before the season begins, threw for 2,362 yards with 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 games in 2012. If healthy, his versatility would appear to make him a far better fit for Kelly's offense than Foles.
"I look at his skill set, how he can throw the football, how he can beat people with his feet," Kelly said of Vick. "For Michael Vick, there's a change of scenery but not a change of address."
