Vick is Eagles' QB | The Salt Lake Tribune

NFL notes • Kelly picks the veteran to start season opener.

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Michael Vick took a pay cut and had to compete for his job when he returned to the Eagles.

Part of the choice had to do with the up-tempo offense mapped out by new coach Chip Kelly.

"I just thought," Vick said, "this was the best opportunity, the best fit for me."

Turns out, Vick was the best fit for Kelly.

With his first chance to put his stamp on Philadelphia's offense, Kelly named Vick the starting quarterback on Tuesday, giving the veteran the nod over Nick Foles after a sterling effort in the preseason.

"He's our starter for the season," Kelly said. "It's not a one-game trial basis."

There wasn't a lot of suspense with Kelly's decision, which was announced after practice on Tuesday, and after the coach met with both players. About the only surprise was the timing — Kelly had hinted he might not name a starter until closer to the opener. But Kelly, in his first season after coaching at Oregon, ended the mystery and will have Vick taking the snaps when Philadelphia opens the regular season at Washington Sept. 9.

"I'm not surprised at all," Vick said. "I told him, 'Thank you, I appreciate it and I won't let you down.' "

Vick has been solid in two preseason games, and Foles, in his second season with the Eagles, has struggled to grasp Kelly's multifaceted offense. Vick has thrown for 199 yards this preseason and will take a 113.2 quarterback rating into Friday's game at Jacksonville (0-2).

Foles has been sacked six times in two games, and has a quarterback rating of 65.5.

Around the league

Bills • Buffalo signed Jairus Byrd to a one-year franchise tender — a deal that gives the safety $6.9 million this season under the rules of the franchise tag. A two-time Pro Bowler, Byrd missed all of the team's offseason workouts and has missed nearly all of training camp.

Seahawks • Offensive lineman John Moffitt was traded from Seattle to Denver after his original trade to Cleveland was voided by the Browns. The Broncos sent ex-Utah defensive tackle Sealver Siliga back to Seattle in exchange for Moffitt.

Panthers • Jonathan Stewart will miss his third straight preseason game Thursday at Baltimore and coach Ron Rivera isn't ruling out the possibility of putting the running back on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. —

Preseason schedule

Thursday

New England at Detroit, 5:30 p.m.

Carolina at Baltimore, 6 p.m.

Friday

Seattle at Green Bay, 6 p.m.

Chicago at Oakland, 8 p.m.

Saturday

Buffalo at Washington, 2:30 p.m.

Cleveland at Indianapolis, 5 p.m.

N.Y. Jets at N.Y. Giants, 5 p.m.

Kansas City at Pittsburgh, 5:30 p.m.

Philly at Jacksonville, 5:30 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Miami, 5:30 p.m.

St. Louis at Denver, 6 p.m.

Cincinnati at Dallas, 6 p.m.

Atlanta at Tennessee, 6 p.m.

San Diego at Arizona, 8 p.m.