According to Fox Sports NFL insider Mike Garafolo, Mark Sanchez is returning to the Philadelphia Eagles on a two-year deal worth $9 million with $5.5 million guaranteed.
It’s a tad surprising that Sanchez would re-sign with the Eagles prior to actively shopping himself come Tuesday, but the incentive-laden deal that could be worth $16 million seemed to sit well with the veteran quarterback.
With a base of $4.5 million per season, there is no guarantee that Sanchez will be the team’s starting quarterback next season. However, that seems to be the direction Chip Kelly and company are headed.
Sanchez, 28, had an up and down first season with the Eagles. After taking over for an injured Nick Foles, the former first-round pick recorded 14 touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions while leading the Eagles to a 4-4 record in eight starts. Despite these pedestrian numbers, it was a dramatic improvement from Sanchez’s final year with the New York Jets in 2013.
With Sanchez now coming back and rumors that the Eagles will target reigning Heisman winner Marcus Mariota in April’s draft, there’s a decent chance the team will trade Nick Foles between now and then. Plucking Sanchez from the open market only increases Foles’ trade value.
This reported deal comes on the heels of Philadelphia also landing free agents Byron Maxwell and Frank Gore.
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Photo: USA Today