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According to reports, the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms with free agent quarterback Mark Sanchez. Let it sink in.
This signing was fully expected due to reports from earlier in the week. Sanchez was reportedly visiting the Eagles late on Wednesday night in order to take a physical with the team. The Eagles wanted to check on the shoulder that caused Sanchez to miss the entire 2013 season.
Sanchez, who will turn 28 in November, has had a weird career to this point. He was originally drafted by the Jets with the 5th overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft. Rex Ryan and the organization liked him so much that they traded up to get him. With the heavy assistance of a strong defense, Sanchez quarterbacked the Jets to two consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances in his first two seasons with New York.
His inconsistency eventually caught up with him. Sanchez fell out of favor and the Jets tried to replace him last season by drafting Geno Smith. Sanchez finished his career as a Jet with a 33-29 QB record (4-2 playoff record), 55% of his passes completed, 68 TD, 69 INT, a 6.5 average yards per attempt, a pedestrian 71.7 QB rating, and 43 fumbles (including one infamous butt fumble). The Jets released Sanchez last week shortly before coming to terms with former Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.
Sanchez, who attended the University of Southern California, will join fellow USC alumnus Matt Barkley in a competition for the Eagles' backup quarterback job. He's hardly a thrilling addition, though. Sanchez actually owns the worst passer rating of every quarterback era in NFL history that lasted at least four seasons. The upside to this move, if there's any, is that Sanchez is a veteran depth option with starting experience. It's also worth mentioning that the offensive talent and coaching in Philadelphia makes up a better surrounding cast than what Sanchez ever had with the Jets.
The addition of Sanchez gives the Eagles four quarterbacks on the roster. Nick Foles is the team's starter. Sanchez will compete against the likes of the aforementioned Matt Barkley and G.J. Kinne for a backup QB job. It's still possible the Eagles could add another QB through the 2014 NFL Draft.