Michael Vick As Trade Bait?

Aug 16, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; New York Jets quarterback

(1) throws a pass as Cincinnati Bengals defensive end

(70) defends during the fourth quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

This time of year things pick up a bit around the NFL. Teams are readying themselves for Opening Day, and the roster cuts have begun. Teams begin to scan the wire looking for upgrades to the team’s weaknesses, and some trades are made. Round two of Free Agency is upon us.

I read a piece about the Eagles possibly trading Mark Sanchez to the Rams. Mark has spoken publicly about the possibility, stating he doesn’t want to be traded, that he was comfortable being a backup in Philadelphia. It got me to thinking about the Jets back up, Michael Vick. Would the Jets consider trading him?

Michael Vick is a highly talented QB, though aging and slightly slower, he still has a strong arm and can still get it done with his legs. Vick may very well be the most talented backup in the league at this point. He holds value for the team as Geno Smith‘s back up, but I can’t but wonder if he doesn’t hold even more value as trade bait.

The Jets sorely need some help in the secondary. The injury bug hit setting the unit back in its development, and it’s considered by many to be the Jets’ greatest weakness this year. Could Vick be used to attract a top corner?

Matt Simms is not the QB that Vick is, but he managed to back up Geno Smith just fine last season. Simms has progressed nicely for the Jets, his accuracy and footwork have improved since he arrived as a raw undrafted free agent in 2012. He knows the system, and has always had a strong arm and football intelligence to go along with it. If Simms is deemed ready to back up Smith again, does that make Vick a trade candidate?

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Wide Receiver is another group that might benefit if the Jets were willing to trade Vick. Injuries involving QB’s are frequent, and an in season injury to your QB can be crippling, Vick might be attractive. Would a team be willing to trade a top-notch receiver for Vick?

Vick was shopped by the Eagles before they eventually cut ties with him. There were no takers then, but his salary was high and even the Jets waited for him to be cut. The Jets signed him cheaply however and to a short-term deal, making him a much more attractive candidate to be traded.  At 34 years old, Vick isn’t a long-term solution, but if a team needs a stop-gap guy, they might just consider him.

I’m not proposing trading Vick. I seriously doubt it will happen. That being said, Vick isn’t in the long-term plans of the NY Jets. They brought him over to push and mentor Smith. In an odd competition presumably set up by John Idzik, Vick has done that. Job Done. Is Vick expendable? Would you trade him in season if the opportunity arose? I’d like to hear your thoughts on this one! Tell me about what you think the best use for Vick is this season?