Vince Young Scores Unlikely NFL Comeback With Packers

Vince Young seemed as if he had no avenues back to the NFL just one year ago.

The former Tennessee Titans starter had fallen to backup status with the Philadelphia Eagles, and was given a shot by the Buffalo Bills in 2012 training camp but ultimately was cut. Young spent the year away from football, watching other free agent signal callers get picked up as teams dealt with injuries.

But no one came calling for Vince Young, and the 30-year-old former first-round pick seemed as if his NFL days were over.

That has changed now. In the offseason Young signed with the Green Bay Packers, and now that the team has parted ways with backup Graham Harrell, Young is set to serve as No. 2 behind Aaron Rodgers.

During the preseason Vince Young has shown flashes of the explosiveness that made him a first-round pick. In two series against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, he ran for 39 yards and had a 130.7 quarterback rating, adding a touchdown.

It has been a long way back for Young. In the offseason he ran into financial troubles, with years of living beyond his means catching up with him. Young was ordered to auction some of his possessions to settle a $1.7 million debt, including jewelry and artwork.

The debt stems from a $1.9 million loan Young took out at 20 percent interest during the NFL lockout in 2011.

But Young also worked to better himself in his hiatus from football. He completed his college degree, and remained in playing shape with the hopes of a comeback in 2013.

Though he’s back in the league, things will be very different for Vince Young financially. The former first-round pick who once signed a $26 million deal will now be playing under a one-year, $750,000 contract.