Any hint of a quarterback controversy in Philadelphia dried up months ago.
The rise of second-year Eagles passer Nick Foles has shoved Michael Vick into a backup role that he's accepted without making waves. So will he stick around?
With Vick set to become a free agent in March, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that the 33-year-old passer would be open to returning next season as the team's No. 2. Vick loves playing for coach Chip Kelly and enjoys a "really good relationship" with Foles, someone familiar with Vick's thinking told Rapoport.
NFL Media columnist Michael Silver was told by a high-ranking team source that the organization is impressed with how Vick has adapted to his role on the bench. "We all have a ton of respect for the way Mike has handled this," tight end Brent Celek told Silver. "He's been an amazing team player."
Vick hasn't played in 16 games in a season since 2006, but Rapoport believes the durability-challenged quarterback -- if he bolts -- could be viewed as a stopgap starter by two or three teams looking to ease in a rookie in 2014. He'll be more attractive than some believed because the hyped-up incoming class of passers is "crumbling," Rapoport was told by a rash of personnel people.
"In all honesty, in all fairness, how can you take a guy out of the game who's been playing so well?" Vick said of Foles last month. "I've been in this stage before, and I know what it's like. I understand the position that this team is in, and the one thing I never want to do is be a distraction."
Vick's unselfish approach has scored him points inside team walls. That alone might go a long way toward future employment in Philly.
We previewed every Week 16 game in the latest "Around The League Podcast."
