Michael Vick and the Eagles agreed on a six-year, $100 million contract late Monday night.
It’s the third-highest deal ever given to an NFL quarterback, at around $16.7 million per year, ranking behind Tom Brady and Peyton Manning ($18 million per year).
“I’m very happy we were able to reach an agreement with Michael on this long-term contract,” head coach Andy Reid said in a statement. “It’s a product of all the hard work Michael has done to better himself over the last couple of years, both on and off the field. I’m very proud that he has been able to achieve success again in this league, but he’ll be the first one to tell you that there is a lot of work yet to be done by him and this team as a whole.”
We all Vick’s backstory by now. If not, you probably didn’t realize a hurricane hit over the weekend.
Obviously, the thought is the Eagles turn their attention to signing DeSean Jackson to an extension. By getting Vick done first, it should free up some money. This deal saved the team about $2 million in cap space, right off the bat. More on Jackson in the coming days.
For now, here are three questions to ponder about Vick’s new deal:
1. Till death do us part? There’s no denying Vick’s electrifying, game-changing presence on the field. When he’s at his best, it looks like he’s a man playing with boys. But the Eagles are now fully invested — both financially and athletically — in Vick. With Vick’s injury history and penchant for reckless play (see that nose-dive tackle a few weeks ago vs. Pittsburgh), it is a very risky move. We’re not trying to rain on anyone’s parade here, but what if Vick blows out a knee or breaks a leg? The Eagles are up crap’s creek. And with the current state of their offensive line, it’s a real possibility.
2. What is DeSean thinking? DeSean Jackson and Vick are very close friends. Heck, the kid was openly lobbying for Vick when Donovan McNabb was still in town. The thought here is that the Eagles signed Vick first to free up money for Jackson. But what if that isn’t the case? Is there any chance that Jackson would grow jealous at his quarterback or the franchise? Remember, Jackson held out of training camp for 11 days before showing up with agent Drew Rosenhaus carrying his bags. He wants a deal — and he wants it now.
3. Ego trip? There was a time not long ago when Vick was the NFL’s highest-paid player. Of course, we all know about his fall from grace. Now, he’s fully resurrected. After running through the media gauntlet in recent weeks, Vick’s face — sometimes real and sometimes Photoshopped as a white dude — has been unavoidable. He was already becoming the face of the NFL once again. The only thing missing was a multi-year, blockbuster deal. With that final piece firmly in place, Vick is on top of the sports world. He can do no wrong, with some offering him up for sainthood. Will the money change him — to quote Kanye West — or will he forgot where he came from? Buckle up, kids. We’re about to find out who the real Mike Vick really is.
