Sanchez "failed physical" termination w Jets was protocol. Won't affect next step - signing with Eagles. He's on good recovery from surgery
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 24, 2014
Sanchez has been throwing & is about "80 percent" recovered from his labrum surgery. Eagles will do their own medical eval before signing
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) March 24, 2014
While nothing is imminent, strong reports via ESPN’s Chris Mortensen have departing New York Jets quarterback and 2009 fifth-overall pick potentially landing with the Philadelphia Eagles. Sanchez would be expected to provide veteran competition for the No. 2 quarterback job behind Nick Foles.
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Sanchez missed all of the ’13 season with a torn labrum, but the Jets were already in the process of replacing him as the starting signal-caller at the time. The 27-year-old compiled a 33-29 record as a starter (4-2 in the playoffs), although largely on the strength of good defenses as his numbers would suggest.
A four-year starter, Sanchez eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark twice as a member of the Jets. However, his struggles with turnovers are well documented, tossing 68 touchdowns to 69 interceptions and losing 20 fumbles. Sanchez has a disgusting 71.7 passer rating in 62 starts.
While Sanchez has long been written off by now, it’s fair to wonder to what degree his development was stunted in an offense that’s typically lacked great weapons. Apparently, that’s something Birds head coach Chip Kelly might be willing to discover for himself with the USC product.
Sanchez would compete with 2013 fourth-round pick Matt Barkley, another USC grad. Barkley experienced struggles of his own during his rookie season, completing 61.2 percent of his passes for 300 yards, zero touchdowns and four interceptions in three relief appearances.
Best case scenarios would be Barkley beating out Sanchez comfortably for the backup job, or the remote chance Sanchez truly isn’t as bad as he’s looked all those years in New York.
Worst cases include Sanchez’s arrival creating a media circus—although the Eagles seem well-equipped to handle that—or neither he or Barkley does much to seize the No. 2 role.
Frankly, you can’t expect too much from most veteran backups that are being signed off the street, not when a guy like Foles is firmly entrenched as the starter. Nobody who is very good wants to apply for a job where he’s not expected to have many opportunities to play. At least Sanchez being a former high draft pick has some, albeit very limited upside.
We’ll see whether the reports come to fruition.