HEADLINES

Mark Sanchez

Poll: Will Mark Sanchez Find A Starting Job?

February 12th, 2014 at 6:16pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets are unlikely to find a trade partner for quarterback Mark Sanchez and they’re even more unlikely to bring him back for 2014, leaving only one likely outcome. In 2009, the USC product vaulted up draft boards thanks to his maturity, poise, and game management skills. The Jets moved up to snag Sanchez and even though his rookie season was promising, he appears to have regressed over the last few years. One would have thought that Sanchez’s legacy in green would be defined by two trips AFC Championship game and possibly a Super Bowl appearance to follow but his most memorable singular moment in New York may prove to be the infamous butt fumble.

To blame Sanchez for all of the Jets’ woes, however, would be unfair. The Jets’ offensive line was less-than-solid during his time under center and the club was unable to find a way to upgrade from struggling tackle Wayne Hunter. And while there were weapons like Santonio Holmes for him to work with, the conservative playcalling of offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer (2006-2011) may not have given him the best chance to succeed.

Could Sanchez get back to being a starting QB in the NFL? He may not be the best available candidate on the open market, but there are numerous clubs with openings, including the Jaguars, Texans, Browns, Vikings, Buccaneers, and Raiders. He should also come at a fairly reasonable price. General Managers tell Rich Cimini of ESPN.com that Sanchez could get a deal worth ~$3.4MM with a chance to start. It’s also not like he has particularly strong competition out there. Beyond Michael Vick, regarded by many as the best QB on the 2014 free agent market, teams will be looking at the likes of Chad Henne and Matt Cassel. Considering all of that, will Sanchez wind up as someone’s starter in 2014?

Will Sanchez Be A Starting QB In 2014?
No 79.97% (635 votes)
Yes 20.03% (159 votes)
Total Votes: 794

Latest On Mark Sanchez

February 12th, 2014 at 1:05pm CST by Luke Adams

It has long been considered unlikely that Mark Sanchez will still be a New York Jet by the time the 2014 season gets underway, and in a video report for ESPN.com, Rich Cimini confirms that the two sides still seem likely to part ways. Here are the highlights from Cimini’s report:

  • There’s no chance that Sanchez will return to the Jets on his current $13.1MM cap number, but the team could ask him about taking a significant pay cut to remain on the roster. Still, after talking to both camps, Cimini gets the sense that a fresh start may be in the best interests of both sides, with Sanchez likely seeking a change of scenery.
  • Sanchez is owed a roster bonus of $2MM on March 25, so the Jets will make their move before that date. While the club will explore trade options, finding a taker is a real long shot — releasing him is far more likely. In that case, Sanchez would count as $4.8MM in dead money on New York’s 2014 cap.
  • Assuming Sanchez ultimately does end up on the open market, he could land a deal worth $3-4MM with a chance to be a starter, general managers tell Cimini. That’s a similar sentiment to one we heard expressed in a New York Post report last month, and taking into account the rather weak free agent market for quarterbacks, it doesn’t sound like a stretch.

AFC Notes: Sanchez, Freeman, Tate, Ward

February 1st, 2014 at 5:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez underwent minor knee surgery during the season, according to the New York Post’s Brian Costello (via Twitter). Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News follows up by reporting the operation was not performed on the same knee that required surgery following Sanchez’s rookie season. Mehta also notes that Sanchez has begun some light tossing as he begins rehab on his injured shoulder. This injury news may affect the future of Sanchez, who is widely expected to be released before his $2MM March roster bonus is due. While his career has been disappointing to date, Sanchez may appeal to several quarterback-needy teams. Paul Guiterrez of ESPN.com writes that Sanchez could be a top option for the Raiders, who may look to improve upon the performances exhibited by Terrelle Pryor and Matt McGloin. Additionally, Sanchez could offer a stop-gap solution to a team like the Browns, who will likely select a quarterback early in the draft.