Michael Vick to stay at Philadelphia Eagles with restructured contract

The Eagles website announced Vick's deal under the headline "Vick stays to compete for job".

"There's open competition," Kelly said. "Both of them are outstanding quarterbacks. Who the starting quarterback is will be decided on the practice field. There's a skill set that Mike has that really excites me... I look at his skill set, how he can throw the football, how he can beat you with his feet."

Kelly, speaking at a news conference on Monday, also said: "In this league, you gotta have two [quarterbacks]."

It was reported on nfl.com that Vick has taken a big pay cut to stay with the Eagles – the report said the most he could earn, with incentives, would be $10m, down from $15.5m under his last deal with the franchise.

Vick, 32, has been with the Eagles since 2009, having made his name with the Atlanta Falcons. He signed for the Eagles on his return to the NFL, having served 18 months of a 23-month sentence imposed for his role in running an illegal dog-fighting ring in Virginia. He finished the 2012 season with 2,362 yards passing, 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, having lost the starting place to Foles.

Kelly, a coach with a reputation for attacking play who was formerly and successfully in charge of the University of Oregon, replaced Andy Reid as head coach last month. Reid was fired the day after the end of a disappointing regular season in which the Eagles finished bottom of the NFC East with a 4-12 record. Regarding Kelly's appointment, the Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said: "He has a brilliant football mind. He motivates his team with his actions as well as his words. He will be a great leader for us and will bring a fresh, energetic approach to our team."

This article was written by Martin Pengelly, for guardian.co.uk on Monday 11th February 2013 20.10 Europe/London

guardian.co.uk © Guardian News and Media Limited 2010

image: © yourdon

The Guardian

@guardianmore stories from The Guardian

Latest news, sport, business, comment, analysis and reviews from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice.