Eagles complete swap with Jets, agree to sign Sanchez

Mark Sanchez will be Nick Foles’ back up when the 2014 season starts for the Eagles.
Credit: Getty Images

The Eagles and Jets have completed a rare quarterback swap, as reports have confirmed that Philadelphia and Mark Sanchez have agreed to a deal Wednesday.

Michael Vick signed with the Jets last week, a two-year $5 million deal, leaving the Eagles with Matt Barkley and no one else to back up Nick Foles.

Sanchez, who went 33-27 with the Jets between 2009 and 2012, will ironically join Barkley on the Eagles bench, the quarterback who replaced Sanchez at USC.

“I think Mark is a very, very good athlete,” Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said Wednesday in Orlando at the NFL meetings. “He’s started 60-plus games in this league. He’s got great experience. There’s a lot of positive qualities to him.”

The Jets released Sanchez a year after drafting Geno Smith, who appears to be the quarterback of the future, perhaps under the tutelage of Vick at the Meadowlands.

“Obviously, we lost Mike,” Kelly said. “So we’re always trying to look at that backup position behind Nick in terms of what we could do in free agency, who’s available now, or through the draft.”

Sanchez, 27, missed all of 2013 after shoulder surgery, but is expected to be healthy for the 2014 season.

Mark Sanchez was the fifth overall pick by the Jets in the 2009 draft.In 2010 he helped the Jets to an 11-5 record, leading the league with six game-winning drives.In 2011 Sanchez tossed 26 touchdowns but 18 interceptions, the third most that season.Dr. James Andrews performed surgery to repair Sanchez’ shoulder in the fall of 2013.