The deal was first reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on its Web site.
The official, who requested anonymity, said Vick reached incentives in his original contract, a six-year, US$62 million deal, that would have allowed him to void the 2005 and 2006 seasons next month. Had he done so, the 24-year-old Vick would have become an unrestricted free agent on March 2.
Vick, chosen Wednesday to his second Pro Bowl, needs 80 yards to break the single-season record for rushing by a quarterback, set by Chicago's Bobby Douglass in 1972.
In a Week 8 victory at Denver, Vick became the first player in league history to rush for 100 yards and pass for 250 in a single game.
patriots versus jets
The season ended for New England Patriots cornerback Tyrone Poole last Saturday when he was placed on the injured reserve list with a sore knee.
Another cornerback, Ty Law, the perennial Pro Bowl selection, has missed the last seven games with a sore foot, and it is unclear when he will return to the lineup. The Patriots' secondary is so banged up that for weeks, Troy Brown, a wide receiver, has taken the field as a fifth defensive back.
While it would seem that the Patriots' patchwork secondary would be an easy target, the New York Jets' offense appears to be treading cautiously as it prepares for Sunday's game against New England at Giants Stadium.
There is much at stake: the Jets (10-4) would clinch an AFC playoff berth with a victory, while a triumph by the Patriots (12-2) would guarantee them a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Even though their defensive backfield is thin, the Patriots have gone 6-2 since Law was injured in their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, just one more testament to how resourceful the team has been under coach Bill Belichick.
"They know how to play defense," Jets quarterback Chad Pennington said.
The Patriots coaches have covered their holes in the secondary by using an assortment of defensive schemes and disguising some packages.
"They do a great job," said Jets coach Herman Edwards of the Patriots' ability to compensate for personnel losses. "They've done a really great job when you talk about guys that have been injured and they still win games."
Last week, New England started a rookie, Randall Gay, and a second-year player, Asante Samuel, at cornerback, and still held the Miami Dolphins to 179 passing yards.
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