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The Eagles will once again have a mediocre quarterback in 2013. Maybe.

Adam Schefter is reporting that the Eagles have re-signed Michael Vick to a one-year deal for 2013. No word on the numbers, but you can bet that Vick will be paid less than the $16 million Vick was due this year under his original contract.

Dave Spadaro seems to have been given the inside track on the news. Here’s what he posted on the Eagles’ website:

Chip Kelly has done his homework. He has studied enough of quarterback Michael Vick to think that Vick’s skill set can translate to what Kelly wants to do with this Eagles offense, and that’s why the Eagles and Vick have come to terms on a restructured contract for 2013 …

This is Chip Kelly’s team, and he has a vision for what he wants the Eagles to become. The vision revolves around the idea of competition at every position, and keeping Michael Vick for 2013 allows the Eagles to have a head start prior to free agency and the NFL draft.

The signing raises many questions, of course, and Kelly will answer them at his 1:30 p.m. press conference. Is Vick the guaranteed starter for 2013? What are the terms of the contract, which is reportedly a three-year deal? What kind of financial commitment did the Eagles make to Vick? What does this deal mean for what the Eagles think about Nick Foles, the second-year man who had some strong moments in his rookie season? Does this mean that the job comes down to Vick or Foles and that the Eagles won’t add a quarterback in free agency or the draft or even in a trade?

 

UPDATE: Jeff McLane reports that, technically, the Eagles and Vick re-structured a three-year deal, but the last two years will be voided on March 15.

This isn’t a huge surprise. Vick, when healthy, is an average quarterback, more than capable of running Kelly’s up-tempo offense. Foles never showed last year that he was ready to be a starter, and there aren’t many (any?) answers in the draft or free agency. Vick is a stopgap, a bridge to somewhere. I wrote the other day that he was probably the best option for the Eagles this season. That doesn’t mean he’s a good option, but he’s the best option. For now. There's still a chance that he doesn't make the team, but the new deal makes that more unlikely.

Schefter says the deal could be worth up to $10 million.