Ex-Jets QB Mark Sanchez Signs 1-Year Deal With Eagles
PHILADELPHIA (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Mark Sanchez and Michael Vick have traded places.
Sanchez has signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, a move officially announced by the team on Friday. He was bounced out of New York after the Jets signed Vick last week.
"I've said many times that we will always look to add quality players at the quarterback position," Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said in a statement. "We consider it a key position in this game, so having the chance to add Mark to that group was a no-brainer for us. Mark has started 68 games in his career and has taken his teams deep into the playoffs multiple times, so we really like what he brings to the table from an experience standpoint. I also had the chance to see Mark play in college and have always had respect for his game and athletic ability."
It's official. QB @Mark_Sanchez to #FlyEaglesFly for 1 year. pic.twitter.com/5XzFCDA6qe
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 28, 2014
Sanchez spent last season on injured reserve after tearing the labrum in his right shoulder in a preseason game. He led the Jets to the AFC championship game his first two seasons in the NFL before struggling the next two. Sanchez had an NFL-leading 52 turnovers in 2012-13.
Sanchez was the fifth overall pick in the 2009 draft and drew comparisons to Joe Namath in New York. He had seemingly beat out rookie Geno Smith for the starting job in a preseason competition last August before getting hurt.
Sanchez said he told Jets "I was excited to be back if that was the plan.' If not, 'no hard feelings.'
— KimberlEY A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) March 28, 2014
Sanchez has thrown 68 touchdown passes, 69 interceptions and lost 20 fumbles. His career completion percentage is just 55.1 and his passer rating is only 77.1.
While Vick will compete with Smith for the starting job in New York, Sanchez is coming to Philadelphia as insurance. Foles had a breakout sophomore season and led the Eagles to the NFC East title after replacing an injured Vick in Week 5. Foles threw 29 touchdowns and only two interceptions in 11 starts, including a playoff loss to New Orleans.
"You can never have enough talent at the quarterback position on your roster, so when Mark became available we immediately became interested," Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. "He was obviously a very highly-touted player coming out of USC and has had valuable experience in this league. He'll have the chance to come in and learn the playbook, and we feel he'll be a nice veteran addition to the quarterback room."
The Eagles needed a veteran quarterback after losing Vick. Second-year-pro Matt Barkley, who replaced Sanchez at USC, is also on the roster.
"I think Mark is a very, very good athlete," Kelly told reporters Wednesday at the owners' meetings in Orlando. "He's started 60-some-odd games in this league. He's got good experience. He has a lot of positive qualities."
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