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The Cincinnati Bengals were never going to sign free agent quarterback Michael Vick, so it doesn't come as much surprise he's joining a team with less stability around their starting signal-caller.
Filed to ESPN: QB Michael Vick is signing with the New York Jets, per team and league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 21, 2014
Vick had been linked to the Jets and Raiders once it was made clear he wasn't returning to the Philadelphia Eagles. After spending the previous four seasons there as the starting QB, Vick lost his job to Nick Foles this past year.
With the Jets, he will challenge Geno Smith for the starting job after the former second-round pick out of West Virginia had an up-and-down rookie season. At worst, Vick will help mentor Smith and help him with his development.
The Bengals wanted to sign Vick in 2010 after he was released from prison for running an illegal dog fighting ring (among other crimes), but he ultimately chose to sign with the Eagles, who were a much more stable situation or him to go into and rehabilitate his image.
The Bengals went on to eventually replace Carson Palmer with Andy Dalton, and they appear to be committed to him as their franchise QB.
The Jets are likely wanted a resolution with Vick before this coming Tuesday, when Mark Sanchez is owed a $2 million roster bonus. It has been long expected that Sanchez, whose release would save the Jets $8.3 million against the salary cap, would be cut once the Jets had a backup in place of him.