In his role as a mentor, former Colts coach Tony Dungy communicates with Michael Vick regularly.
Based on those conversations, and others in which Dungy has engaged with NFL teams, Dungy believes Vick is not far from re-joining the league.
“I think something may happen here pretty shortly,” Dungy said.
Dungy joined Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth in the NBC booth Sunday night, and the subject of Vick came up immediately.
Dungy revealed that Vick has talked to “several” teams over the last two weeks. He’s also essentially served as a reference.
“I’ve talked to quite a few coaches, who wanted to get my take on where he is and what his thought process is, and get my read on it,” Dungy said. “And then it’s a matter of the coach talking to ownership and everyone is going to have to be on the same page.”
Dungy has gone over different scenarios with Vick about possible destinations. Throughout the interview, he repeated his optimism that Vick will find an NFL home, possibly in the next 1-2 weeks.
“I just feel it’s going to come pretty quick now,” Dungy said.
Dungy also shed light on how he came to be Vick’s mentor. Vick’s attorney is from Dungy’s wife’s hometown and suggested to Dungy that the two meet during Vick’s incarceration.
“I’ve been in a lot prisons. I’ve talked to hundreds and hundreds of young guys like Mike Vick who made mistakes as young people,” Dungy said. “And that’s where he was. He said ‘I’ve made mistakes. I want to get myself back together and get going. Some of the things that I took for granted, I realize now.”
After a very long conversation with Vick, Dungy was convinced Vick was ready to turn his life around
“He wants to be a role model now and accept that responsibility. I think he’s going to do a great job,” Dungy said.
With Dungy so strongly in his corner, Vick just may get a shot sooner than later.