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It's been a week since 2014 NFL free agency started but there hasn't been much buzz surrounding the status of free agent quarterback Michael Vick. That is, up until now. According to a report from Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com, Vick is visiting with the Jets this weekend.
Vick is planning on visiting the Jets, and it could come as early as Friday, a source close to the situation has told NJ.com. This will be Vick's first official visit, and could be his last if all goes well. And the pressure could be on the Jets to land a free agent, given a methodical and (basically) fruitless approach that has left fans impatient and critical of general manager John Idzik -- while the Giants have been on a shopping spree.
Vick has been linked to the Jets this offseason quite often. They have a need at quarterback given Geno Smith's uninspiring rookie season and head coach Rex Ryan needs to win now in order to retain his job. It's also worth noting Mark Sanchez has a roster bonus due next week. Adding Vick into the fold before that decision is due would make sense.
Where we last left off with Vick is a series of conflicting reports regarding the Eagles' interest in possibly bringing Vick back as a backup. A CBS report said the Eagles have definitively ruled out a Vick return. A report by NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reads differently. He says that the Eagles know Vick wants to start, but both sides haven't ruled anything out. Les Bowen of the Philadelphia Daily News had some interesting things to say on Wednesday regarding Vick's recent status.
After nosing around on Mike Vick, I sense a subtle shift. Some teams passed cuz Mike wanted to start. Now he's looking more at total picture
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) March 19, 2014
I'm pretty sure, given that he's still sitting out there on the market, Mike Vick is not ruling out a backup role here. But are Eagles open?
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) March 19, 2014
Vick has maintained all offseason that he didn't want to return as the backup QB. But if there are no starting jobs available for Vick on the open market, his best bet could be to return to Philly. While the Eagles hardly seem desperate to have him back, but it does seem like a return hasn't been ruled out entirely.
As I wrote earlier in the week, how the Eagles address the backup QB situation this offseason really depends on how comfortable they feel with second-year player Matt Barkley. Barkley struggled mightily as a rookie but the team seems to remain high on him.