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The Philadelphia Eagles have traded backup quarterback Mark Sanchez to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a draft selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, according to a report from Mike Klis. NFL insider Adam Schefter reports the pick that Denver gave to the Eagles is a conditional seventh round pick.
This trade does not come as a surprise. There was virtually no chance Sanchez was going to return to Philadelphia in 2016, especially after the team re-signed Sam Bradford and acquired Chase Daniel in free agency.
The fact that the Eagles were able to get anything for Sanchez is a win for the Birds. Trading Sanchez saves the Eagles $4.5 million in cap space. Cutting him would have only saved $3.5 million. It was obvious the Eagles were going to release him anyway so the team is basically getting potentially something in exchange for nothing.
Denver is obviously desperate for quarterback help after losing Brock Osweiler to the Houston Texans in free agency. Sanchez is hardly a long-term solution for the Broncos but at least he gives them a body at quarterback. The pick the Eagles receive from Denver is likely based on his playing time in 2016.
Chip Kelly first brought Sanchez to the Eagles during the 2014 offseason after he was cut by the New York Jets. Sanchez went 4-6 in 10 starts with Philadelphia, including 0-2 last season. Now he's gone.
The Eagles are left with Bradford, Daniel, and NFL journeyman McLeod Bethel-Thompson at quarterback. Head coach Doug Pederson said the team is still searching for their third string passer. It's widely expected the Birds will take a quarterback at some point in the 2016 NFL Draft.
UPDATE: Eagles officially confirm the trade.
#Eagles agree to terms on a trade sending QB Mark Sanchez to Denver for a 2017 conditional draft pick. pic.twitter.com/pit1K4lbXQ
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 11, 2016