NFL Trade News: QB Michael Vick Signs One-Year Deal With Steelers

The Steelers signed the four-time Pro Bowler to a one-year deal on Tuesday night, hopeful theres enough game left in the 35-year-olds still risky legs to provide the defending AFC North champions some insurance should something happen to Ben Roethlisberger.

The Steelers needed a backup quarterback because Bruce Gradkowski was to have surgery Tuesday after dislocating a finger on his left hand during their preseason win over the Packers on Sunday.

Vick, 34, has seen a decline in statistics and suitors in recent years as he has played for the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets in the past 2 seasons.

The 35-year-old free agent served almost two years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges for his role in a dogfighting ring.

After several productive seasons with the Eagles, Vick was brought to the Jets past year to help with Geno Smith’s development. Of course, Vick is most well known for being the greatest running quarterback in league history, as no signal caller has ran for more yards (6,010) than him.

“His talents are his talents”, Coach Mike Tomlin said of Vick, who is from Hampton Roads, Va., and attended Tomlin’s football camp in the Virginia area when he was younger. “And, obviously, the mobility is still unique even at 35”.

“It’s undeniable that he’s a freakish athlete”, said Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has been very involved in acquiring K-9 dogs for police departments around the country.

An anti-Vick Facebook page has also been created called Pittsburghers against Michael Vick. She doesn’t think it is a good idea that the Steelers signed Vick.

Caller Chris in McKeesport said if they sign Vick, he’ll burn all his Steelers gear and get his Steelers tattoo removed from his leg. They don’t need to add any wrinkles to the playbook for him, Vick said. When asked to comment about Vick’s colored past, he answered, “This is a locker room”.

Maybe signing Vick is just to give opposing defensive coordinators something else to gameplan for, and if that’s the case then I understand the signing. “It’s upsetting. I’m angry”, Natalie Ahwesh, a season ticket-holder, said, according to ESPN.com. “That’s what matters most to me”.