Written by Troy E. Renck at TheDenverPost.com
Mark Sanchez provides experience, but not finality in the Broncos’ attempt to address their quarterback vacancy. Denver landed Sanchez on Friday, acquiring him from the Philadelphia Eagles for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2017.
It represents the initial puzzle piece as the Broncos explore options through trade and free agency.
“He brings veteran leadership & will compete. This is the 1st step in our process,” general manager John Elway said Friday.
Denver has engaged in trade talks with San Francisco regarding Colin Kaepernick, who is drawing serious interest from the Cleveland Browns. Draft pick compensation presents a hurdle, and the Broncos continue to evaluate whether Kaepernick would fit in the locker room after he fell out of favor in San Francisco. Denver also has contacted the agent for Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has been unable to come to terms on a deal with the New York Jets after posting a career-high 31 touchdown passes.
Sanchez, 29, owns a checkered resume. After a high-profile spiral with the New York Jets, a team he helped lead to back-to-back AFC championship games in 2009 and 2010, Sanchez rebounded with the Eagles while filling in for Nick Foles and Sam Bradford.
In 13 games with Philadelphia over the past two seasons, Sanchez passed for 18 touchdowns with a 86.6 quarterback rating. In that same span, Brock Osweiler threw for 11 touchdown passes in 12 games with an 86.6 passer rating. The Houston Texans signed Osweiler to a four-year, $72-million deal with $37 million guaranteed, outbidding the Broncos by seven million. Sanchez is in the final year of a contract, due $4.5 million plus incentives. Sanchez’s playing time will determine the late-round draft compensation.
His presence on the roster, joining second-year player Trevor Siemian, creates options. He could compete for the job with a yet-to-be-determined veteran or serve as a bridge quarterback for a high-round draft pick or Siemian, whose potential intrigues the Broncos.
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