Eagles Free Agency Rumors: 49ers Could be a Dark Horse Suitor for Michael Vick

Pending free agent quarterback Michael Vick will have a number of suitors when free agency begins on Tuesday, March 11. He's likely the top free agent QB on the market.

While one report last week definitively ruled out the possibility of Vick's return to the Eagles, another stated that Vick and the Eagles remain in communication. Vick has maintained throughout the offseason that he still plans to be a starter in the NFL, and it's clear he won't have that opportunity in Philadelphia. There are a number of QB-needy teams out there, so it's hard to think Vick won't have a chance to get his wish.

A few teams have reportedly shown interest in Vick. According to Tim McManus, the New York Jets have been the focus of Vick's camp. The Jets need a QB and former Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinwheg is now the OC there. McManus says the Jets seems like the best bet for Vick to land for now.

But what if for some reason Vick doesn't get a chance at a starting job? A few teams in need of a QB have already addressed the position with stop-gap veterans: the Jaguars re-signed Chad Henne and the Vikings re-signed Matt Cassel. Peter King of The MMQB reports Vick was "very interested" in going to Minnesota, but it's clear the interest wasn't mutual. King also mentions the Raiders as a team that makes sense for the 33-year old veteran.

The most interesting note in King's latest MMQB column is mention of a dark horse landing spot for on Vick. That team? The San Francisco 49ers. Now obviously Vick wouldn't be going there to be the starter. The 49ers have a young talent in Colin Kaepernick who will likely receive a hefty contract extension soon enough. Behind Kaepernick, the San Francisco doesn't have much in terms of depth. Current 49ers' backup Colt McCoy is set to be a free agent and could be upgraded upon. Here's what King had to say about the possibility of Vick in San Francisco:

A dark horse for Michael Vick? San Francisco. If the Niners want an insurance policy for Colin Kaepernick, Vick might be willing to go to try to win a Super Bowl ring.

The move could make sense from the 49ers' point of view. Vick certainly seems like an upgrade from previous 49ers backup QBs. I'm not so sure it makes sense from Vick's point of view though. As I already mentioned, he said he wants to start. And if Vick were to settle for a backup job, why not just return to Philadelphia? The team and organization likes him. The familiarity factor is a bonus. The only way I see Vick ending up in San Fran is if 1) he can't find a starting job and 2) the Eagles just don't want him back.

Nevertheless, It'll be interesting to see where Vick lands this offseason and at what cost.