The Atlanta Falcons released quarterback Michael Vick Friday morning, team officials confirmed.
The team had been seeking to trade the former star quarterback, who was suspended by the NFL after his conviction on dogfighting charges. He last played for the Falcons in 2006.
"We spent a significant amount of time this off-season trying to trade him to another NFL club, and we had some conversations with a few teams, but nothing materialized," general manager Thomas Dimitroff said on the team's Web site, atlantafalcons.com. "At this point, we feel releasing Michael is best for him and best for us."
Dimitroff said he spoke with Vick on Friday. Vick is now free to pursue any playing opportunities that come forth.
"Our entire organization sincerely hopes that Michael will continue to focus his efforts on making positive changes in his life, and we wish him well in that regard," Dimitroff said.
Dimitroff could not say if or when Vick might be reinstated. "That's up to the commissioner," he said.
Now that he is a free agent, Vick is free to sign with any team in the league. NFL rules allow teams to sign a suspended player, Dimitroff said.
Vick's agent Joel Segal did not immediately return calls to his cell phone.
The remainder of Vick's signing bonus ($7.11 million) will count against the team's salary cap this season but there will be no impact beyond this year, Dimitroff said. The Falcons are currently about $20 million under the $128 cap. Vick's contract awarded him $37 million in guaranteed money when he signed it in 2003.
Vick was drafted by the Falcons in 2001 out of Virginia Tech and played six seasons with the team.
-- Staff writer D. Orlando Ledbetter contributed to this report.
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