Aug 25, 2015 4 min read

PITTSBURGH – With backup quarterback Bruce Gradkowski out with an injury to his left hand, the Steelers looked for a replacement Tuesday.

They started and settled on a player who elicits plenty of emotions, both good and bad. Former Atlanta Falcons star Michael Vick was signed to a one-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Typically, the move to sign a backup quarterback who passed for 22,000 career yards and 131 touchdowns, and also rushed for 6,010 yards and another 36 scores, would be the whole story.

But with Vick, there’s plenty of baggage.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has long held Vick in high regard after having coached against him for several years as a defensive backs coach at Tampa Bay while Vick was leading the Atlanta Falcons.

But his run with the Falcons ended in 2007 when he was charged in a federal court for his involvement in a dog-fighting ring on his property. He also was charged with failing to cooperate with police.

Vick pled guilty to felony charges and served 21 months in prison followed by two months of home confinement.

Vick was signed by Philadelphia in 2009 following his reinstatement by the NFL. He spent five seasons in Philadelphia before playing last year with the New York Jets.

Vick quarterbacked the Jets to a 20-13 victory over the Steelers, throwing a pair of touchdown passes.

“It’s undeniable that he’s a freakish athlete,” said Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who has been very involved in acquiring K-9 dogs for police departments around the country. “I know a lot of these guys probably grew up wanting to be Michael Vick because of the splash plays.

“This is a locker room and this is about football. That’s what matters most to me.”

Some fans on social media were not as forgiving.

“If he becomes a Steeler, I’m switching to the Eagles,” wrote @ChazbowDepew on Twitter. “And I’ve been a fan since 1964.”

“If they sign this monster, it means there is no longer a ‘Steelers Way,'” wrote @nansteelerfan. “Sad to witness.”

Tomlin said the emotion Vick still causes was taken into consideration when they began exploring the possibility of signing him.

Vick has been involved with charities both before and after his release from prison. He lobbied for H.R. 2492, the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, which would establish federal misdemeanor penalties for spectators of illegal animal fighting and make it a felony for adults to bring children to fights.

“Obviously, you’re sensitive to those potential things, but we’re going to do our due diligence,” Tomlin said. “Rest assured, he’s done a lot since he’s gone through some of the things he’s gone through. His track record speaks for itself.”

The need to sign a veteran backup quarterback became a necessity after Gradkowski suffered a dislocated finger on his left (non-throwing) hand in the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s 24-19 preseason victory Sunday at Heinz Field over the Green Bay Packers. Gradkowski was injured while trying to recover a botched snap.

Gradkowski had surgery to repair the finger Tuesday and sources said he re-injured his throwing shoulder, something that bothered him throughout the offseason and forced the Steelers to place him in the Physically Unable to Perform List to open training camp. He was put on the Reserve/Injured List Tuesday.

“We felt it was necessary,” Tomlin said. “Bruce has missed a lot of time throughout the preseason. And not having any timetable at this juncture for his return, we felt it was prudent to get established veterans in and take a look.”

To make room on the roster for center Doug Legursky, who was signed Tuesday, the Steelers placed wide receiver David Nelson on the Waived/Injured List. … In addition to Gradkowski, wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, linebackers Lawrence Timmons and Ryan Shazier, tight end Cam Clear and defensive end Stephon Tuitt did not practice Tuesday. … The Steelers will practice today and Thursday before leaving for their fourth preseason game Saturday at Buffalo.