Eagles have leeway with Michael Vick's contract

The Eagles have longer than the three days following the Super Bowl to decide if they want to keep Michael Vick without having to pay a guaranteed $3 million.

The Eagles quarterback is due to receive that amount on Feb. 6, but the team is likely to buy time until the start of free agency on March 11 because of a provision in Vick's contract.

The Eagles would owe him the money only if no one else picked him up or if someone signed him for less than $3 million, according to an NFL source.

CBSSports.com first reported that the Eagles weren't likely to make a decision on whether to release Vick by Feb. 6.

New Eagles coach Chip Kelly said last week at Senior Bowl workouts in Mobile, Ala., that he had yet to make a decision on Vick. Kelly met with Vick a day after he was formally announced as the new coach on Jan. 17.

Vick's 2013 base salary is $15.5 million. The Eagles aren't expected to pay Vick that amount even if they plan on keeping him. The 32-year-old has missed 11 games because of injury over the last three seasons.

Kelly also has Nick Foles on his roster. He recently said he is a fan of the rookie quarterback. Still, there is speculation that Kelly may be looking for a signal-caller other than Vick or Foles to run his offense.

The provision in Vick's contract allows the Eagles some additional time without taking a $3 million hit to their salary cap.