Michael Vick will be the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles at least one more time, as Chip Kelly officially named him the Week 1 starter.
Vick beat out Nick Foles, who gave him some tough competition during the Training Camp and first two weeks of the preseason.
“I think Mike is ahead right now. I think Nick made it very difficult,” Coach Kelly told reporters.
Vick was the starter last season, but after he suffered a serious concussion, Foles took over the starting job. Foles then played the next six games (seven if you count the game where Vick suffered the concussion). Vick returned for the last game of the season, but the New York Giants smoked the Eagles, 42-7.
The Eagles re-signed the 33-year-old to a one-year deal during the offseason, while Foles is locked up through 2015.
The real question is whether Vick will be able to maintain his job, or will he crack under pressure, letting Foles jump at the opportunity.
Vick gave credit to Coach Kelly for helping him rediscover his abilities and helping him win the battle against Foles, as he said, “I’m having fun playing football, and I fell in love with the game again and I am thankful for that.”
Vick has not managed to play a full season since 2006, when he was on the Atlanta Falcons. That was the last time he played with the Falcons, as he was then put in jail for dog fighting ring for 21 months. At some point in the season, the injury prone quarterback is bound to get injured, giving Foles an opportunity to impress his new coach.
However, if Vick miraculously stays healthy, it will take a several poor performances to have Kelly even consider benching him. I am convinced Vick still has some fuel left in his tank, but could it just last him a few games? Or will it last him another season, where he would likely land another contract. Although Foles will not give up until he is the Eagles’ starting quarterback, I believe Vick will stay as the starter, playing at least 11 games this season.
His options are limited, as he lost wide receivers Jeremy Maclin (ACL), Riley Cooper (Counseling), and Arrelious Benn (ACL) during an awful training camp. This still leaves Vick with his top two options, DeSean Jackson and Lesean McCoy, meaning he could still put together a decent 2013-2014 season.