Michael Vick Signs $100 Million Contract Extension with Eagles

*Michael Vick’s return to prominence following a prison stint and public relations nightmare just went from baby steps to a full-on sprint.

The Philadelphia Eagles and their quarterback agreed to a six-year, $100 million contract with $40 million guaranteed, NFL sources said Monday night. The deal locks him in through the 2016 season.

In 2007, his professional run ended suddenly when he was convicted on dogfighting charges and sent to prison. In the last 12 months he’s gotten nearly everything back: a starting job, endorsement deals, and a blockbuster contract, notes the Philadelphia Inquirer.

“I’m very happy we were able to reach an agreement with Michael on this long-term contract,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said in a statement. “It’s a product of all the hard work Michael has done to better himself over the last couple of years, both on and off the field.

“I’m very proud that he has been able to achieve success again in this league, but he’ll be the first one to tell you that there is a lot of work yet to be done by him and this team as a whole. And there’s no doubt in my mind that he will continue on that path.”

The Eagles have a news conference with Vick and Reid scheduled for this afternoon (Aug. 30) at 2:30 p.m.

According to the Inquirer, Vick’s deal makes him among the highest-paid players in the game – again. His per year base salary of $16.7 million is less than only Patriots quarterback Tom Brady ($18.01) and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning ($18 million), but is more than New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning ($16.25 million) and Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers ($15.3 million).

Vick’s contract is his second nine-figure deal. In 2005, the Falcons signed the 2001 No. 1 overall draft pick to a 10-year, $130 million contract. Two years later Vick forfeited most of the remaining money when he was charged with running a dogfighting operation. He eventually filed for bankruptcy while serving an 18-month prison term and still owes creditors millions.

The new deal replaces the one-year franchise tender Vick signed in March. The Eagles had until Sept. 20 to give Vick a new contract or they would have had to wait until after the season to re-sign him.