Michael Vick named Eagles starting quarterback

Chip Kelly discussed the Eagles' quarterback situation with his coaches on Monday, then called Michael Vick and Nick Foles into his office on Tuesday morning. He later shared with all five quarterbacks what he told the top two: Michael Vick will be the Eagles' starting quarterback in 2013.

Choosing the 33-year-old former Pro Bowler over a 24-year-old entering his second season was Kelly's biggest decision yet. It had become obvious that Vick was outplaying Foles after two preseason games. The announcement showed that Kelly is trying to win right away rather than simply rebuild, and he believes Vick can continue his preseason effectiveness after two inconsistent years.

"I think Mike is ahead right now," Kelly said. "I think Nick made it very difficult, though. It wasn't where one guy went north and one guy went south. I think both guys upped their games. But at this point in time, I think Mike's ahead. And we want to move forward. This is a one-quarterback operation. This isn't going to be someone's going to look over their shoulder."

Kelly also said that both quarterbacks will stay with the Eagles in 2013, and a league source confirmed that Foles will not be traded. Vick is taking the majority of the snaps in practice and is expected to play two quarters in Saturday's preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

There was no impetus for the decision other than Vick's performance and Kelly's desire to get a player in place so the offense can be tailored to the quarterback. Kelly wanted the competition to play itself out, and he found enough evidence after 38 evaluating opportunities - 16 spring practices, 20 training camp practices, and two games.

The announcement validated Vick's decision to return to Philadelphia in February. At the time that Vick restructured his contract, Kelly did not promise him the starting job. And Kelly kept true to the competition throughout the spring and summer, having Vick and Foles split snaps and even alternate starts in the first two preseason games.

"I had to come back and work for everything," Vick said. "It wasn't given to me."

The key with Vick is to guard against the hubris that can sometimes weaken an entrenched starter. He was at his best in 2010 and this summer, when he did not have security.

"You're at your best when the best is required," Vick said. "Sometimes it's hard to get it out of yourself. Sometimes you need to be motivated. You need to be pushed."

Vick's emphasis, both with Kelly and when speaking to reporters, is to maintain the mentality that he's still in a competition. He said he can do that by "knowing I can be in this very same position again."

Kelly insisted since Tuesday that he has two quarterbacks, and "maybe even three" with Matt Barkley, who could play in the NFL. He also lauded the way Foles took the news. Vick, too, was complimentary of his backup.

"He will be in this league for a long time," Vick said of Foles. "You can bet on it."

Foles said it took him "less than a tenth of a second" to get over the decision before focusing on practice. The decision did not change the way Foles views his future in Philadelphia, where, he said, he wants to remain.

Even if the announcement was a surprise to Vick's teammates - Kelly didn't tell the team, and players didn't even know after practice - the result of the decision was not surprising. For offensive contributors such as DeSean Jackson and LeSean McCoy, Vick is a player they admire. They have won games with him, and they speak of Vick's skills and career with awe.

"Since Day 1, I honestly thought he'd fit this offense the best," Jackson said. "He's able to go out there, still use his feet, and still throw the ball 80 yards downfield."

Kelly said he can now tailor the offense to fit Vick with his eye on the Sept. 9 opener against the Washington Redskins. McCoy said the team can move past the quarterback competition, and Saturday's game will be the first with the first-team offense on the field knowing who will quarterback them this season.

"It's great to know where I stand," Vick said, "but it also shows me how hard I've got to work."

Click here for complete coverage of Philadelphia Eagles training camp.

Notes. Cornerback Curtis Marsh underwent surgery on his fractured right hand and is out for an undisclosed period. . . . Guard Todd Herremans sat out practice with inflammation in his left knee. . . . Tight end Emil Igwenagu remained sidelined with a concussion, and tackle Dennis Kelly continued to miss practice after back surgery. . . . Linebacker Casey Matthews, guard Danny Watkins, running back Felix Jones, and safety Kenny Phillips returned to practice. . . . The final open practice at Lincoln Financial Field was moved to 11:40 a.m. Monday.