New York: Michael Vick, the once-jailed superstar quarterback who spent the past five NFL seasons at Philadelphia, was signed Friday by the New York Jets, who also released veteran quarterback Mark Sanchez.
Vick was a run-pass threat for the Atlanta Falcons before his role in a dogfight gambling ring saw him sent to federal prison, fans picketing his trial after details about animal cruelty came to light.
Vick, now 33, has spent five years with the Eagles but was made expendable by the rise of Nick Foles to the starting job in Philadelphia.
The Jets dumped Sanchez, whose 2013 campaign was cut short by a shoulder injury, to avoid having to pay him a $2 million bonus next Tuesday if he had been on the roster.
Cutting Sanchez will save the Jets $8.3 million under NFL salary cap rules.
Vick who completed 77-of-141 passes for 1,215 yards with five touchdowns last season, will be reunited with Marty Mornhinweg, the Jets offensive coordinator who held the same job for much of Vick’s stay in Philadelphia.
Geno Smith started all 16 games for the Jets last season as a rookie but could be tested for the job by Vick when the season begins in September.
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