Mark Sanchez was officially released by the New York Jets last Friday, and the backup quarterback market is already buzzing. At the NFL’s owners meetings on Sunday, Jeff Fisher confirmed that the St. Louis Rams are interested in Sanchez.
“I’d say that there is interest. I can’t say how much. But there certainly would be interest,” Fisher told Jim Corbett of USA Today Sports. “I don’t have a backup with experience on the roster right now.”
Rams starting quarterback Sam Bradford tore his ACL back in October, and the only other quarterback St. Louis has on its roster is Austin Davis (who?). Sanchez also spent three seasons working under Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer in New York. The Jets reached the AFC Championship Game twice during that span, so there is some level of comfort between the two.
“Brian had a good relationship with Mark,” Fisher said. “He’s just learning. He’s been to the AFC Championship game a couple of times, so he’s been there.”
Sanchez suffered a season-ending shoulder injury last year, but that is not the reason he did not start for the Jets. They were already prepared to move on after Sanchez proved he cannot consistently protect the football — not that he was surrounded with much talent.
Say what you will about Sanchez, but teams could do worse for a backup quarterback. Experience is important, and the former USC star has plenty of it. He may never start again, but he should serve as a more than capable reserve.
