New York Jets Former Quarterback Michael Vick Signs With Pittsburgh Steelers

New York Jets former quarterback Michael Vick has found a new home, signing a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers to be their backup quarterback.

When the New York Jets were in the market for a quarterback, there were rumors that Michael Vick could be brought back into the fold. That did not happen though, as the Jets decided instead to sign Matt Flynn, formerly of the New England Patriots, probably as much for the information he could provide them about their AFC East rival as his playing ability. But, the Jets will have to stick it out with Flynn as their backup to Ryan Fitzpatrick until Geno Smith recovers because Vick is now off the market.

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The 10-year veteran has decided to sign a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Vick, who met with the Steelers earlier on Tuesday, has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the team according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Josina Anderson.

Vick will slide into the No.2 hole on the Steelers’ pecking order behind Ben Roethlisberger. The needed arose when backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski dislocated his finger in the Steelers’ preseason game last week against the Green Bay Packers. That was also the game in which the Packers lost star wide receiver Jordy Nelson for the season as he tore his ACL.

Gradkowski was scheduled for surgery Tuesday on the dislocated finger on his left hand, and was expected to miss at least three-four weeks. As a result, he was placed on the reserve/injured list as he will miss the remainder of the preseason and beginning of the regular season. The Steelers were then in a position in which Landry Jones was the only quarterback on the roster behind Roethlisberger, making a move necessary; Jones has looked bad in his playing time during preseason and is nowhere near ready to be a backup quarterback at this time.

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On the other hand, Vick is. People will point to his performance with the Jets lasts season that he is well past his prime and unable to contribute, but the Steelers are a big step up from the Jets in terms of talent surrounding him. The Steelers have arguably the top quarterback-running back-wide receiver trio in the NFL with Roethlisberger, Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, so if Vick is forced into playing time it’ll be much more enjoyable and easier for him than it was with the dysfunctional Jets last season.

The 35-year old Vick spent last season backing up Smith, appearing in 10 games and starting three. The stats were not pretty, as he completed 64-for-121 for an ugly 52.9 completion percentage. He threw three touchdowns compared to two interceptions, also fumbling three times. He showed that he still has something left in his legs though, as he ran for 159 yards on 26 attempts for a 5.9 yards per carry average.

Roethlisberger, one of the leaders in the Steelers locker room, is behind the signing of Vick if it means that the team will be improved. He said, This is a locker room. It’s about football. That’s what matters to me most.” He also added that Vick is someone that guys on the team probably grew up wanting to be because of the freakish athleticism he showed when he was a member of the Atlanta Falcons.

While the Steelers are still hoping that Vick doesn’t have to see the field much, as that means that Roethlisberger is sidelined, he definitely gives them a better chance at succeeding if he is pressed into duty that Jones would at this point in time.

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