Jets release Mark Sanchez
Mark Sanchez, once considered the New York Jets' franchise quarterback, was released Friday, completing a stunning downfall even by New York standards.
The former USC star, dubbed "Sanchize" after helping the Jets to back-to-back playoff appearances in his first two seasons, was cut for a variety of reasons, including a bloated cap charge of $13.1 million and a surgically repaired shoulder. In reality, the organization started moving away from Sanchez last spring, when it drafted Geno Smith in the second round.
The Jets are expected to acquire a veteran quarterback in free agency, perhaps Michael Vick, who is scheduled to visit Friday. Sanchez was due a $2 million roster bonus on March 25, forcing the issue. They will save $8.3 million against this year's cap, incurring $4.8 million in "dead" money on the cap.
The move culminated a five-year run in New York that included four playoff victories. Rex Ryan's affinity for Sanchez remains visible on the coach's right arm -- a tattoo of his wife wearing a Sanchez jersey. Ryan got the tattoo a few years back.
"I love New York. I've had a ball there," Sanchez said last weekend. "Things were going great. I was competing well. I felt like I was winning the job and then I got hurt. We'll see what happens. I know management has some decisions to make here in the next few days. We'll see what happens. Whatever happens, it'll be great."
Sanchez's popularity faded in recent years, as the fan base turned on him. His low point was the infamous "butt fumble" in 2012, a slapstick play that became an instant classic for blooper reels.
Despite the adversity, Sanchez was on the verge of winning the starting job last summer after outplaying Smith in an open competition, but he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in the fourth quarter of a meaningless preseason game. The torn labrum was repaired last October, and sources say Sanchez is ahead of schedule, throwing with good velocity.
Sanchez is a far more accomplished player than Smith, but general manager John Idzik didn't want another Sanchez-Smith competition, perhaps fearing his handpicked quarterback -- Smith -- would lose.
After drafting Sanchez fifth overall in 2009, the Jets thought they didn't have to worry about the quarterback position for a decade. After a promising start, he regressed in 2011 and 2012. He received a three-year, $40 million extension before the 2012 season, but everything unraveled in a controversy-filled year with him and Tim Tebow sharing the spotlight. Sanchez was benched late in the year.
Sanchez was 33-29 in four seasons as the Jets' starter, plus four road playoff wins. Ryan said as recently as 2011 that Sanchez would be his starting job for as long as he remained the coach.
Sanchez has 68 career touchdown passes, 69 interceptions and a 71.7 passer rating.
In his most recent interview with the New York media, last November, Sanchez said he had no desire to play elsewhere.
"It's been a dream come true to play here and I don't want to go anywhere else, that's for sure," he said. "I know I have %5Bthree%5D years left, and I don't ever want that to end. I love being a Jet and I plan on being here."
