Michael Vick has signed a one-year deal with the New York Jets where he is expected to compete with Geno Smith for the team’s starting quarterback position.
Widely regarded as the top quarterback available on the free-agent market, the Jets inked Vick before he had a chance to visit or speak with any other potential suitors.
Since being benched midseason by the Philadelphia Eagles, Vick has feverishly stipulated that one of the most important factors for him in choosing a new team be that he be allowed to compete for the starting QB spot.
In NYC, Vick and Smith are expected to engage in a winner-take-all battle that could determine the trajectory of the Jets’ season and Coach Rex Ryan’s long-term future.
Vick’s arrival allows the Jets to officially part ways with the much maligned Mark Sanchez, who was officially released on the same day as the Vick signing and in lieu of the team being required to pay him a $2 million roster bonus less than a week later.
With the Jets, Vick is also expected to reunite with one-time offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who coached him from 2009 to 2012 in Philadelphia, years that proved to be some of his best statistical seasons. Vick’s fond memories of Mornhinweg and his system played an important role in his decision to come to the Jets.
Earlier in the week, rumors abound that part of the grappling between Vick and team officials centered on Vick’s demands that he be allowed to wear the No. 7, the same jersey number that Smith wears and the one Vick has been connected to since his days in college at Virginia Tech.
Vick also owns a clothing line called V7 and in recent years his No. 7 jersey has been among the NFL’s best sellers.
In all, Vick has played 10 NFL seasons, almost equally splitting time between Atlanta and Philadelphia. Twice in his career, the veteran quarterback has thrown for 20 or more touchdowns, the last coming in 2011 with the Eagles.
