Sources: Vick To Stay On Roster Past Feb. 6 Deadline

The Eagles will not cut Michael Vick. Not yet, anyway.

Much has been made of the upcoming February 6 deadline, when $3 million of Vick’s contract becomes guaranteed. According to multiple sources, however, the team does not intend to release Vick before then.

There is a provision in the contract that puts the Eagles on the hook for the $3 million only if he does not make that amount next season with another team. Vick will almost certainly find work next season and for at least $3 million, making the “deadline” pretty irrelevant.

The Eagles are not allowing it to alter their approach. I am told that Chip Kelly is still in the evaluation process. He hasn’t determined what he is doing at quarterback quite yet, so it would be ill-advised to part with Vick prematurely.

This is no guarantee that Vick will be in Kelly’s plans moving forward. The league year doesn’t start until March 12, so the new head coach has some time to formulate a plan.

We reported on Monday that Vick is now more inclined to stay in Philadelphia after multiple meetings with Kelly. The 32-year-old ended the season frustrated and prepared to move on, but has taken to Kelly. The big question now is whether Kelly will want Vick to be his quarterback. There are varying opinions on whether he is the right fit.  Ron Jaworski, for one, thinks it can work, as he told 97.5 The Fanatic before Kelly was even hired.

“If a coach like Chip Kelly…that runs this up-tempo, spread, speed-style option, these guys come here, there might be a future for Michael Vick. I know he’s [32], I know he’s been beat up, but I’ll tell you, some of the things I’m seeing, Michael Vick can do the same things these guys are doing in the spread option.”

Kelly, though, is on record as saying he blames the quarterback for every sack and wants someone who will get the ball out of his hands lightning-quick. That doesn’t exactly scream Vick.

Kelly’s take will be known soon enough, but as of right now that opinion is still being formulated.

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