"Never say never." That is apparently the phrase that Michael Vick is currently operating under in regards to his upcoming free agency run. The quarterback is not expected to return to the Philadelphia Eagles, or at least not as a starter. As Vick continues his quest to get one more starting job in the NFL, would he rule out a return to the Atlanta Falcons?
Never one to be shy on social media, Vick addressed the possibilities of a return to the Falcons after his dramatic departure from the team. When asked by a fan about the chances he plays for his former team again, Vick responded, "Maybe later in my career."
To recap, Atlanta was where Vick's career first started when the team drafted him as the top pick in 2001. He played six seasons with the team before being sentenced to 23 months in prison for his role in running a dogfighting ring. The Atlanta Falcons released him and made it rather clear he was not welcomed back into the city.
After his departure, owner Arthur Blank accused the quarterback of lying to him during the trial process.
"You think you know somebody for six years and you find out another side of their personality that you didn't know. It's always disappointing. If it's a positive thing you welcome that, but something like this. ... I don't know if any of his teammates anticipated anything like this. I certainly know this owner didn't anticipate anything like this. It's very sad," Blank said, via the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
With Vick gone, the Atlanta Falcons drafted Matt Ryan who has since become the face of the franchise, leading the team to the NFC championship game in 2012. Vick was reinstated back to the NFL and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. He lost his starting job this season to backup Nick Foles and is not likely to be re-signed during the offseason.
Vick stresses he is still a starter in the NFL. The quarterback told CBS Sports that he believes his skill set is still there and his arm and legs are still strong enough to be a playmaker in the league. He would like to sign on with a team as a starter but if that is not possible then he will resort to being a backup.
Vick's openness to signing back with the Falcons is not likely to be a mutual feeling. The team has moved on with Ryan as their quarterback and as aimed to distance themselves from that scandal as much as possible.