Like last year, NFL offseason programs have unfolded without quarterback Mike Vick having a job. Like last year, Vick still wants a job.
“I haven’t officially retired,” Vick said Monday at the Ron Jaworksi Celebrity Golf Challenge, via Jordan Ranaan of NJ.com. “As of right now, it’s pretty much at a stalemate type of thing. Just taking the days as it comes, but most importantly for me, I just have to continue to work out and train. I would love to play this year, suit up for another run at it. I still feel like I could play and there is a lot left in the tank.”
Vick says he won’t be pouncing on the first offer that comes his way . . . as he waits for the first offer to come his way.
“It does matter getting the right offer,” Vick said. “I don’t think at this stage you just jump right out there and then just take any opportunity even though if this is going to be my last year, which is what I feel like I’m leaning toward because of where I’m at in my life, I do want to suit up one more time, I do want to put the helmet on one more time. I don’t want it to end the way it ended the last couple years.”
It’s more likely to end the way it has the past couple of years because Vick won’t be as prepared as he would have been if he’d been with a team when plenty of the foundation is laid for the coming season. Last year, an injury to Bruce Gradkowski forced the Steelers to add Vick in late August. He got a chance to play after Ben Roethlisberger was injured, but Vick struggled before yielding to Landry Jones.
No team has offered Vick a chance to compete for a starting job, and for good reason. The NFL currently is filled with players who grew up idolizing Vick. He’ll instantly have a strong contingent in the locker room if the starting job is up for grabs.
That’s why Vick’s best bet will be to find another team like the Steelers, with an entrenched starter who would be in competition with Vick. At this stage of the offseason, it’s clear that it will take another injury to get Vick another job. Even then, that may not be enough to get the first pick in the 2001 one more chance.
