Michael Vick says it hurts 'deep down' that he's not a starting quarterback

Michael Vick (left) was brought to New York to push presumed starter Geno Smith. (Julio Cortez/AP)

When Michael Vick left the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, it was because he knew he'd have no shot at the starting job currently being held by Nick Foles.

Vick, on more than one occasion, stated that he not only wanted to be a starting quarterback in the NFL but suggested he was more than capable.

Of course, Vick ended up signing with the New York Jets and has played the role of company man after the coaching staff all but anointed Geno Smith as the starting quarterback going into training camp. When pressed by media, the former Pro Bowl talent has stated the job is Smith's and there is no competition for the starting gig.

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That doesn't mean Vick is thrilled to potentially be sitting on the sideline, as he recently told Kimberly Jones it pains him to not be on the field.

"It's hard not to," Vick told Jones. "I think, at times, it does hurt deep down that I'm not in that group [of the 32 starting QBs in the NFL]. Everything happens for a reason, and maybe it's time for me to just kind of sit back and kind of appreciate what I'm going through now to make me a better quarterback in the future."