August 20, 2013 11:44 am EDT by

Howard Smith – USA TODAY Sports

At long last, one of the more scrutinized and watched position battles in the NFL has reached a conclusion.

On Tuesday, Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly named Michael Vick the starting quarterback against the Washington Redskins in September 9′s season opener and for the regular season as well.

Related: Michael Vick Deserves One Last Chance as Philadelphia Eagles Starting QB

The coach made a point to prematurely dispel any notion that Vick will have a short leash either. ”This is a one quarterback operation. Nobody will need to look over their shoulder. Not from series to series and we won’t alternate them”, Kelly said Tuesday at the Novacare Complex before the team’s practice.

All through spring practices and training camp, Vick has rotated first-team reps both in practice and the team’s first two preseason games with second-year Arizona product Nick Foles. However, after two games, Kelly clearly had seen enough to make a decision leading into Saturday’s preseason matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“I think Mike is ahead right now,” Kelly explained. “But Nick [Foles] is very close … it’s more from a long-term grand scheme of things that we can pare the offense down to what one player is comfortable doing and what plays they’d rather run.”

Through two preseason games, Vick has been spectacular. Against the Carolina Panthers, the 34-year old completed nine of 10 passes for 105 yards and an interception that came on a Hail Mary-type pass at the end of the first half.

On Tuesday, Kelly pointed to the Redskins situation with Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins, showing the necessity to have two franchise capable quarterbacks at the ready in case an injury strikes.

This scenario is especially prevalent given the fact that Vick has only completed one 16-game regular season schedule without missing time due to injury. The first-year head coach said that he broke the news to Foles shortly before meeting the media Tuesday, and that “he handled this decision very well.”

Kelly also explained that the starters will play at least the first half against the Jaguars in Saturday night’s third preseason game, which will be the longest audition for the Eagles’ starters, including Vick, this preseason.

Matt Lombardo is also a sports radio host on 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia. Join the conversation and follow him on Twitter. 

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