Michael Vick is currently a backup quarterback for the Eagles, playing under a two-year contract he signed this offseason. But could he be starting for the Bills in 2010? According to his mentor, former NFL head coach Tony Dungy, maybe.

Dungy, a commentator for NBC, spoke about Vick's future during Sunday's "Football Night in America" broadcast.

"I told Michael to just worry about this year," Dungy said. "It's technically up to Philadelphia. If they want him back, he has to stay there. If they don't, there are some teams looking for quarterbacks: Cleveland, St. Louis and Washington. But I think a dark horse is Buffalo. They talked originally. There was some communication there. I think that could be a good spot."

Vick, who has played infrequently this season, could become a free agent next year if the Eagles do not pick up his $5.2 million team option. Many clubs are likely to be looking for quarterbacks at that point, including Buffalo, which has received mostly poor play from Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick this season.

The PFW spin

While a new starting quarterback taking snaps for the Bills next season seems like a more likely scenario with each passing week, it would take a lot for that man to be Vick.

In Buffalo, Edwards has been far from the franchise QB the Bills were hoping they had found. Virtually all of his numbers are down from last season, as he's completing just 59.5 percent of his throws with a 73.0 passer rating and 5-6 touchdown-interception ratio. His confidence is reportedly badly shaken, and he'll need to play very well in the second half of the season to have a realistic shot at sticking as Buffalo's starter in '10.

In Philadelphia, meanwhile, it's been a somewhat peculiar situation. Despite angering many fans by signing Vick, who had been released from prison just months earlier for running a dogfighting operation, the Eagles have barely played the former Pro Bowler. Expected to add a new dimension to the offense, Vick played just two snaps in Sunday-night's loss to the Cowboys and for the season has completed just 2-of-6 passes for six yards and run 12 times for 27 yards. Given his miniscule role and the fact that he would be owed big money if his option is picked up, Vick is very unlikely to be back in Philly next year.

For the Bills to have interest in Vick this offseason, though, the 29-year-old will have to prove that he still has what it takes to lead an NFL offense after sitting out two full seasons and seeing only rare game action during the current one. It would also take an offensive coordinator that's willing to cater his scheme to Vick's abilities. The Virginia Tech product was never a proficient passer — his career passer rating is 75.6, and his completion percentage is 53.7 — but he did major damage with his legs, gaining 7.2 yards per carry and rushing for 21 TDs. If Vick is going to be an every-down player, he'd have to be part of a non-conventional offense that allows him freedom to run often.

Also, while Vick might have had positive talks with Buffalo last summer, odds are there will be a different regime there come the offseason. With the team sitting at 3-5 with major issues on both sides of the ball, changes appear to be in the offing barring a dramatic turnaround. That means not only head coach Dick Jauron but also other members of the coaching staff and personnel department could be let go following the season. If that's the case, Vick and his people would be dealing with many new faces in Buffalo.

For the Bills to take a chance on a player like Vick, who could alienate some fans who have not forgiven him for his violent treatment of dogs, they'll have to be absolutely sure that he's the right man for the job. Although reactions to Vick were mixed on Monday among Bills players, S Donte Whitner, at least, believes that it's a gamble worth taking.

"I believe that Michael Vick would be a good fit, and I would encourage whoever to bring Michael Vick in," Whitner said, according to ESPN.com. A lot would still have to happen, though, for the Bills to be encouraged.