Why Would Anyone Trade For Mark Sanchez?

Added on Dec 20, 2012 by Scott in

NFL

After Monday night’s five turnover debacle, Jets head coach Rex Ryan finally pulled the plug on quarterback Mark Sanchez. The former number one pick is out, in favor of seventh-rounder Greg McElroy. Of course anytime a starting signal-caller gets benched, the football pundits and talking heads can’t help but speculate about crazy trade scenarios that make little to no sense.

The Jets would no doubt love to deal Sanchez and his bloated $8.25 million 2013 salary, but what team wants to acquire a quarterback who has accounted for 80 touchdowns and 87 turnovers in four seasons? Is a quarterback who has never completed 57% of his passes in a season appealing? Does a quarterback who has totaled less than 200 yards in eight of 14 starts sound like the answer?

Sanchez brings nothing to the table. He might be a serviceable backup, but it would have to be on a team with a solid running game. Relying on him to win games with is arm would be foolish. The glaring lack of talent around him hasn’t helped his cause, but it’s clear he’s regressed in 2012.

It seems highly unlikely the Jets will keep Sanchez, even if he wanted to stay. But Sanchez isn’t the only offensive liability with one foot out the door. Tim Tebow has provided nothing as a “change-of-pace” option, and playcaller Tony Sparano appears to be in way over his head.

And then there’s Ryan and general manager Mike Tannenbaum’s futures with the organization. One or both could be dismissed at season’s end, which would mean a complete rebuild for owner Woody Johnson. At this point, that might be the best decision. Rip the Band-Aid off now before things decline further.

There are a few pieces in place on defense, but the offense needs a significant makeover. Unless McElroy shows promise in a limited two-game audition, there are no reliable quarterbacks on the roster. Shonn Greene isn’t a lead back. Santonio Holmes isn’t a true number one receiver.

In other words, the Jets have a lot of problems that have nothing to do with Mark Sanchez.