NFL Steelers Sign Quarterback Michael Vick to One-Year Contract

NFL Steelers Sign Quarterback Michael Vick to One-Year Contract

The Pittsburgh Steelers signed quarterback Michael Vick, who started three games for the New York Jets last season, to a one-year contract.

Financial terms weren’t included in the team’s news release Tuesday. The Steelers had been looking for a backup quarterback since Bruce Gradkowski dislocated a finger in his left hand in a preseason game last week.

Vick, 35, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, has spent 12 seasons in the National Football League with the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles and the Jets.

He was the first selection of the 2001 draft by the Falcons and spent six seasons in Atlanta before missing two years while serving a federal prison sentence for his role in a dog-fighting ring.

He returned to the NFL in 2009 with the Eagles and spent five seasons in Philadelphia before moving to the Jets for the 2014 season.

He has completed 1,767 passes for 22,093 yards with 131 touchdown tosses and 87 interceptions in his career. He also has rushed for 6,010 yards and 36 scores.

“There’s not a throw on the field he can’t make from an arm-strength standpoint,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin told reporters. “He’s a very experienced guy at what he does at this point in his career and the mobility is still unique even at 35.”