Michael Vick signs with Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed free-agent quarterback Michael Vick to a one-year deal, the team announced Tuesday.

Bell had his suspension reduced to two games and that was a welcome decision for the Steelers and the team is hoping that Williams can keep things consistent until Bell returns.

Six years removed from the end of a federal prison sentence for his role in a dogfighting ring that changed his football career – and more importantly the arc of his life – Vick understands his mere presence in the NFL remains hard for some.

For his career, the 35-year-old former Pro Bowl quarterback has completed 56.1 percent of his passed, compiled 22,093 passing yards, and thrown 131 touchdowns to 87 interceptions. The Jets didn’t retain him and with backup Bruce Gradkowski out indefinitely following surgery on his left hand, Pittsburgh didn’t hesitate to bring Vick in for a look.

Luckily, Pittsburgh may have found a solution to their QB conundrum: Michael Vick.

Adding Vick would be a sign the Steelers believe they need a veteran – and not Jones, or Murphy, or anyone else – to play in a pinch should Ben Roethlisberger go down, even for a short period. Both were hurt in Sunday’s game against the Green Bay Packers.

Vick was instrumental in upsetting the Steelers on November 9, throwing for 2 touchdowns in a 20-13 victory, his only success in an average season.

“I’m very thankful to be playing this game, going into my 10th year”, he said.

While the Steelers are set for at least the next five seasons (the duration of his contract) with Roethlisberger at the helm, the Steelers aren’t set when it comes to the quarterbacks behind him for the 2015 season.

Does Vick really still have steam in the engine or is it time for him to hang his cleats up and let it go? Also, rest assured that he has done a lot since some of the things that he has gone through. Not to mention, Vick has experience in the style of offense that’s run by the Steelers.

Vick was in the locker room Wednesday morning and planned to participate in practice before meeting the media.