PHILLY CONNECTION: With Marty Mornhinweg (right) joining the Jets yesterday as their offensive coordinator and the Eagles likely to release Michael Vick, Gang Green could grab the aging QB if the price is right. (
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The ink wasn’t dry on Marty Mornhinweg’s contract with the Jets before speculation began about the possibility of him bringing quarterback Michael Vick with him.
The Jets hired Mornhinweg yesterday to replace Tony Sparano as their offensive coordinator. Mornhinweg spent the past 10 years as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator, the last four with Vick.
The Eagles are expected to release Vick before a $3 million guarantee for 2013 kicks in days after the Super Bowl. That could change after the hiring of new head coach Chip Kelly, but it still seems unlikely the Eagles will hold onto Vick with $15.5 million set to come his way this season.
Vick had been mentioned as a possible target for the Jets even before Mornhinweg got here. A source last month said the Jets were not interested in Vick, who will be 33 and has battled injuries. The Jets are undergoing a regime change, though, and it is possible new general manager John Idzik would be open to the idea.
The question then becomes: Can the Jets afford Vick? He’s not going to get close to the $15.5 million the Eagles were scheduled to pay him, but he is probably going to shoot for $8 million to $10 million as a free agent. The Jets owe Mark Sanchez $8.25 million and will sustain a salary cap hit of at least $12.4 million if they release him. With that much money tied up at quarterback already, along with their salary cap woes, it will be difficult for them to afford Vick.
Mornhinweg will be a departure from Sparano. He comes from a West Coast system background and runs a pass-heavy offense. The Eagles finished 15th in total offense last year, 13th in passing.
Mornhinweg was the Lions head coach before joining the Eagles. He also served as 49ers offensive coordinator and the quarterbacks coach of the Packers when they won the Super Bowl after the 1996 season.
The Jets have Sanchez, Tim Tebow and Greg McElroy all under contract. Tebow is expected to be released, and the Jets could have a quarterback competition this summer with Sanchez, McElroy and a veteran or a draft pick.
The Jets have other problems on offense for Mornhinweg to deal with, too. Tight end Dustin Keller is a free agent, as are running back Shonn Greene and guards Brandon Moore and Matt Slauson. Wide receivers Santonio Holmes and Stephen Hill both are coming off injuries.