Mark Sanchez and Michael Vick have traded places.
Bounced out of New York after the Jets signed Vick last Friday, Sanchez has signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, the team announced Friday.
Sanchez spent last season on injured reserve after tearing the labrum in his right shoulder in a preseason game. He led the Jets to the AFC Championship Game his first two seasons in the NFL before struggling the next two. Sanchez had an NFL-leading 52 turnovers in 2012-13.
Sanchez was the fifth overall pick in the 2009 draft and drew comparisons to Joe Namath in New York. He had seemingly beat out rookie Geno Smith for the starting job in preseason competition last August before getting hurt.
Sanchez has thrown 68 touchdown passes and 69 interceptions and lost 20 fumbles. His career completion percentage is just 55.1, and his passer rating 77.1.
While Vick will compete with Smith for the starting job in New York, Sanchez is coming to Philadelphia as insurance. Nick Foles had a breakout sophomore season and led the Eagles to the NFC East title after replacing an injured Vick in Week 5. Foles threw 29 touchdowns and just two interceptions in 11 starts, including a playoff loss to New Orleans.
The Eagles needed a veteran quarterback after losing Vick. Second-year pro Matt Barkley, who replaced Sanchez at USC, also is on the roster.
“I think Mark is a very, very good athlete,” Eagles coach Chip Kelly told reporters Wednesday at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando. “He’s started 60-some-odd games in this league. He’s got good experience. He has a lot of positive qualities.”
Photo via Twitter/@Eagles