Michael Vick has worn No. 7 throughout his entire career. He wore the jersey number at Virginia Tech and has worn it during all 11 of his NFL seasons. Vick is currently a free agent, and one of the teams said to be interested in signing him is the New York Jets. He’ll reportedly get a chance to compete with Geno Smith for the starting job if New York signs him, but that’s not all Vick would be competing for.
Smith, who the Jets drafted to be their quarterback of the future, currently wears No. 7. According to TMZ, that could be a “big issue” for Vick if he negotiates a contract with the Jets. Vick has a clothing line called V7, and the brand name would make little sense if he stopped wearing the number.
While noting that the jersey situation wouldn’t be a deal-breaker for Vick, TMZ speculated that the 33-year-old could want more money if he can’t have No. 7. That seems pretty insane to me.
I get that Vick has a brand associated with the No. 7. I also get that a starting quarterback might be less likely to give up his number than a reserve player who is allowing a veteran to wear it. That said, teams aren’t exactly banging down the doors to sign Vick. If he gets an opportunity to compete for a starting job, he’d be wise to take it even if he has to wear No. 56.
H/T SI Hot Clicks
