"From my understanding, the job is open," Dixon said. "It'll be a very competitive nature around here. It's pretty much open, so may the best man win."
Dixon plans to embrace the competition, and he predicted Vick and Foles would say the same. That was also the message Kelly conveyed when the Eagles renegotiated Vick's deal last week.
Dixon was on the Ravens practice squad last season. He has been in the NFL since 2008, with three career starts. He was 2-0 as a starter in 2010 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, although he suffered a knee injury in his second start. That seemed to derail his career, and he has not started since.
"That was my opportunity," Dixon said. "I tried to seize it, but injuries do happen in this game. Just moving forward, never really had that opportunity again."
Dixon said he benefited from playing behind quarterbacks such as Ben Roethlisberger and Joe Flacco. He insisted he has no issues with his left knee, which has been twice injured. He added "time will tell" how he's a different quarterback now than when he last started. The what-have-you-done-for-me-lately? nature of the NFL hurt his chances of finding another starting job, he said.
Dixon did not speak with Kelly leading up to his signing and only spoke to his former coach when he signed the contract. He turned 28 last month, and time is running out for him to have an impactful NFL career. A reunion with Kelly could be Dixon's final chance.
"Now another opportunity has come," Dixon said, "and I want to be ready when it comes."
Contact Zach Berman at zberman@phillynews.com. Follow on Twitter @ZBerm.
