Michael Vick Comments on 2016 NFL Future, Re-Signing with Pittsburgh Steelers

Michael Vick is 14 years removed from being the NFL Draft's top overall pick, yet the oft-injured mobile quarterback hopes to suit up one more time in 2016.

Vick, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ third-stringer, wants to return next season even if it's in the same role down the depth chart, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Vick, who led the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles to division titles during his prime, returned to the spotlight as the Steelers’ starter when Ben Roethlisberger suffered a significant knee injury in Week 3.

Vick started three games in October, completing 35 of 60 passes for 333 yards, two touchdowns and an interception before suffering an injury of his own to his hamstring. He was filled-in for by then-third stringer Landry Jones, who sustained an ankle injury shortly after, requiring Roethlisberger, who suffered a separate foot injury, to return ahead of schedule.

The Steelers are remarkably still in the playoff picture at 6-4—the top wild card and only two games back on the Cincinnati Bengals for the AFC North lead—despite the devastating attrition to their most important position.

Given the ongoing injuries at quarterback, bolstering their depth at the position this offseason seems a foregone approach.

Vick was only signed because of the Steelers' limited depth at quarterback this preseason after backup Bruce Gradkowski dislocated a finger in his left hand and was placed on injured reserve.

For a team that's weathered unprecedented injury problems at the position, the Steelers may steer in a younger route this offseason, as Vick is 35 and his nature of play has limited him to a full 16 games just once in his 12 seasons.

T.J. Yates, Matt Flynn and Jimmy Clausen are all younger options that will be free agents next spring, per Spotrac, and likely at a similar cost value.