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Rex Ryan may have switched teams this offseason, but the quarterback situation with his new job as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills doesn't seem much better than it was when he was with the New York Jets.
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During Ryan's introductory press conference on Wednesday, Ryan was questioned about possible passer options. It may be a surprise to hear that Ryan was specifically asked about one of his former players in New York: Mark Sanchez.
"He'll certainly be under consideration," Ryan said when asked about the soon-to-be free agent.
Sanchez signed with the Eagles after the Jets released him in the 2014 offseason. The 27-year-old veteran signal caller entered the season as a backup to Nick Foles but was forced into action after Foles went down in Week 9. Including Philadelphia's game against the Texans, Sanchez went 5-4 as a starter. He completed 63.6% of his passes for 14 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and 2,418 yards in nine games played. Unfortunately for the Eagles, Sanchez wasn't good enough when it counted in order for the team to make the playoffs. He struggled mightily in games in back-to-back weeks against the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys.
Sanchez didn't look like anything more than a backup during his Eagles tenure. Now that he's scheduled to be one of Philadelphia's 10 free agents this offseason, the Eagles will have to decided whether they want him to return or not. On one hand, he proved to be a capable fill-in. On the other, the Eagles might want to look for an option with more upside.
If the Eagles and Sanchez can't work out a deal, perhaps it's possible the former No. 6 overall pick would reunite with Ryan in Buffalo. The Bills have a former first round pick to work with in E.J. Manuel, but the former Florida State talent was benched in favor of journeyman Kyle Orton by Doug Marrone during the 2014 season. Ryan could view Sanchez as a reliable stop-gap solution while the team figures out their quarterback situation.
While most Eagles fans won't be sad to see Sanchez go, the Eagles will certainly need to address the quarterback position if he leaves. Only Nick Foles, Matt Barkley and G.J. Kinne as currently under contract for 2015. Foles figures to be in starting contention while Barkley seems like a non-factor and Kinne is a practice squad player.