On the second day of his employment as coach of the Eagles, Chip Kelly addressed the first challenge he’ll face from a personnel standpoint.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, Kelly and Vick met on Friday. However, there has been no resolution regarding Vick’s status with the team, and no answer is expected in the immediate future.
A decision needs to be made, sooner than later. On February 6, $3 million of Vick’s $15.5 million base salary becomes fully guaranteed. Presumably, the Eagles won’t be inclined to guarantee that payment if they plan to eventually cut or trade him.
That said, they can’t trade Vick until March 12, when the next league year opens. If the Eagles think they can shift the guaranteed $3 million and the other $12.5 million to another team via trade, maybe they’ll try.
Still, unless the Eagles are going to pay part of that salary or Vick will reduce it, a trade becomes difficult to accomplish.
In the end, there’s still a chance that Vick softens on his reported unwillingness to reduce his pay to stay in Philly, given that Chip Kelly is the new head coach. Either way, we’ll know more within three weeks.
