The end of Michael Vick?
We are now at the midpoint of June and veteran quarterback Michael Vick is still without a club. The 34-year-old could have gone down as one of the greatest QBs of the 21st century yet he will always be remembered for his active role in a dog-fighting ring. A police search of his premises in Atlanta back in 2007 thankfully brought an end to the vile Bad Newz Kennels fighting ring. Although those actions were abhorrent, once Vick had served his time he was free to rejoin the NFL. He was taken up by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2009 before moving on to the New York Jets last season. His time at the Jets was hardly stellar and they unsurprisingly cut him at the end of what was a dismal season.
The question now is whether another franchise will take a chance on the player or is it the last time we will see Vick in the NFL?
It is very much 50/50 right now. At just 34-years-old he is by no means the eldest quarterback in the league. Tom Brady of the New England Patriots, the defending champions and 7/1 shots – when this article was produced – in the NFL betting to retain the Vince Lombardi trophy, is 37. Meanwhile, the mercurial Peyton Manning will be 40 next year. In regards to miles in the tank, Vick has plenty, as he is telling potential suitors.
Then there is his natural talent, Vick is a star when he wants to be. His time with the Atlanta Falcons can only be classed as a success, as too the early stages of his Eagles career. When it comes to rushing, there hasn’t been a QB before and perhaps ever again who can lay claim to the yardage gain that Vick can. He was a beast. Former Philly coach Andy Reid managed to get the best out of Vick and could be willing to work with him again, especially with the lack of depth beneath starter Alex Smith.
However, there is a problem with Vick and that is that he hasn’t performed that well in previous years. With the Jets last season he struggled to get game time, starting in just three. His throwing has also waned in the recent campaigns and, most worryingly, his rushing yardage. His rushing ability is still decent just not as unworldly as it used to be.
As backup QBs go, there are few better than Vick. His chances of finding another club will in all likeliness depend on just how highly he values himself. He was on five million USD with the Jets last year.