Sanchez Believes There Will Be An Open Competition For QB Spot

When Mark Sanchez was re-signed back in March, sources close to both Sanchez and Nick Foles were expecting a quarterback competition for the starting job to be held this summer.

Things have obviously changed since then. Foles was dealt to St. Louis as part of a package for Sam Bradford, who is scheduled to make around $13 million this season. Given his price tag and the cost of acquisition, the common belief is that Bradford is the team’s clear-cut No. 1 when healthy.

Sanchez sees it differently.

Asked by Breakfast On Broad‘s Rob Ellis if he still expects there to be an open competition despite the presence of Bradford, Sanchez replied: “Absolutely. That’s the way I understand it.”

Sanchez signed a two-year, $9 million deal with the Eagles this offseason that includes $5.5 million in guarantees. There were other suitors, he said, but the veteran QB opted to return to Philadelphia in part because he thought he’d have a shot at the starting gig.

“Really just talking with Coach Kelly and knowing I’m coming back with the opportunity to compete for the starting job,” he said in explaining his decision. “That was important to me.”

Words and handshakes aside, Sanchez likely faces an uphill battle. He will, however, have a head start. Bradford is still recovering from an ACL tear and is expected to be limited this spring, which likely means plenty of first-team reps for Sanchez. He also has a full year (and eight starts) in this system under his belt, which can’t hurt.

Should Sanchez see significant snaps for the team this year, he’ll be rewarded. There are play-time and team success incentives that begin to kick in when he reaches the 50 percent play-time threshold, per a league source. If the team thrives under his stewardship, his money goes up.

Sanchez went 4-4 as the starter last season in place of Foles, completing a career-high 64 percent of his throws for 2,418 yards with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.